Summer is unequivocally the best season, but it can take a toll on the hair. While the ideal summer hair is soft, sun-kissed beachy waves, the reality is usually dry, frizzy, greasy and color-faded strands. Now that it's finally warm out, it's time to fight the notorious combination of salt, sweat, chlorine, UV rays and humidity to make sure your hair is looking and feeling its absolute best this season.
Summer Hair Problem # 1: Dry hair from over-shampooing
Summer means sweat, and during this time you're more likely to take frequent cold showers to counteract the heat. But please resist the urge to over-shampoo! Unless you're heavily sweating every day, constant shampooing will only strip your hair of moisture and color-treated hair of its vibrancy. To avoid dry, brittle hair, use a shampoo every 2-3 days that includes moisturizing ingredients. This shampoo by L'Oreal contains argan oil, which will smooth frizz and leave hair feeling silky smooth.
I recommend using the Batiste Dry Shampoo line for days you skip shampoo but your locks are looking a little greasy. These dry shampoos are cheap and really work wonders! There are a variety of color options for different hair colors, so no need to worry about getting that horrid dry shampoo white cast. Bonus: flawless actress Jenna Dewan swears by it.
Summer Hair Problem # 2: Chlorine-damaged hair
We've all taken a dip in the pool only for our salon cut-and-colored hair to be left dry, crunchy and sometimes even green afterwards. You can blame that on the chlorine and oxidized metals in pool water! Chlorine has the tendency to strip hair of its moisture while oxidized metals bind themselves to the hair shaft and deposit color, which results in green-tinged hair. To counteract the harmful effects, be sure to immediately shower after swimming and use a specialized shampoo. Your regular shampoo won't cut it, so I recommend this after-swim one to safely remove chlorine buildup and oxidized metal deposits. It's only $5 and it's gentle enough that your hair is left feeling smooth and soft.
Think of your hair as a sponge when you go swimming: when it's dry it's vulnerable and will absorb everything, chlorine included. That's why it's important to wet your hair and add a little conditioner (don't rinse) to your locks before hopping in. This deep conditioner from Neutrogena will protect your hair and make sure the conditioner is absorbed rather than the chlorine.
Summer Hair Problem # 3: Too much heat damage
Lusting after those perfectly messy, beachy waves but don't want to damage your hair with heat tools? Don't worry, you're not alone. The sun's UV rays are harmful enough, so put down the curling iron and learn how to embrace your natural hair texture! The key to those summery heat-free waves is air drying and sea salt spray. Be careful to not drench your hair with a sea salt spray that has a high alcohol content, as the salt + alcohol combo will only dry out your hair. Instead, try this one by Paul Mitchell. It contains Hawaiian awapuhi to give you touchable waves with none of the dry crunchiness. Just tousle into damp hair and you're good to go!
If you feel like you reeeeally need to heat-style your hair occasionally, check out this curling iron! The Beachwaver has a rotating ceramic wand that's super easy to use and is perfect for creating pretty waves. It's quick and basically fool-proof so you won't have to spend extra time putting unnecessary amounts of heat on your delicate strands.
And don't forget to lock in your summer waves with a hairspray formulated to fight the humidity.
Summer Hair Problem # 4: Sun-damaged hair
Yes, your hair needs sun protection too. You may not think of sunscreen as part of your hair care routine, but you should start! Harmful UV rays can dry out hair, add unwanted brassiness and quickly fade color-treated hair. On top of that, your scalp is susceptible to getting sunburnt, which is a real pain to deal with.
Instead of spraying body sunscreen in your hair (that will only gunk it up), try this oil primer from Bumble and bumble. It contains UV and heat protectants that minimize sun damage and dryness without weighing the hair down. This stuff is a miracle worker.
