Whichever way you wear it, summertime is all about easy, effortless hair. But what does that really mean? We rounded up our top 7 tips for nailing undone styles and keeping your hair healthy and damage-free all season long.
1. Get aTrim
We know, we know. You just got your hair cut last week and you don’t want to go back already. But trust us, a little bit of upkeep goes a long way in the summertime humidity. Regular trims (we’re talking every 6-8 weeks) will help keep split ends at bay so your hair can better withstand the heat styling it’s about to endure.
2. Cut Back on Washing
Your shampoo habit might be doing more harm than good. Over-washing can strip your scalp of its natural oils, leading to dryness, itchiness, and dandruff. In the summertime especially, try cutting back to washing just 2-3 times per week. And when you do shampoo, make sure to use a gentle cleanser formulated for your specific hair type (i.e., color-treated, fine, etc.). Once you get out of the habit of sudsing up every day, you’ll find your hair actually looks and feels better overall.
3.’Use a Heat Protectant
Before reaching for those hot tools, make sure to spritz on a heat protectant spray (try L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle SLEEK IT Iron Straight Heatspray) throughout your strands. This will help fortify each strand against breakage caused by thermal styling—aka flat ironing and blow drying—and prevent any unwanted frizz caused by higher temps outside too.
4.’Coat Your Strands in Sunscreen
Hair sunscreen isn’t just a myth—it’s a must for protecting your strands from harmful UV rays (which can cause everything from discoloration to premature aging). When applying sunscreen to your body, don’t forget to also smooth some on your scalp and through the lengths of your hair (just be careful not to get any in your eyes!). We love Garnier Fructis Damage Repairing Treat 1 Minute Hair Mask + 1 Minute Super Detangling Conditioner because it contains apricot oil and has SPF 15 built right in—plus it doubles as an intensive conditioner treatment!
5.’Rinse with Cold Water
Hot water opens up the cuticle of your hair shaft which can lead to dryness and frizziness—not ideal in the humid summer months! To help keep your strands hydrated (and avoid any unwanted shrinkage), finish rinsing with cool or cold water instead. And while we’re on the topic of water…
6.’ Limit Chlorine Exposure
If you love spending lazy days lounging poolside or testing out new waterslides at the water park, take note: chlorinated water is tough on tresses! To help prevent any unwanted damage or dryness caused by pool chemicals, apply a leave-in conditioner before swimming then rinse thoroughly with clean water afterwards. You should also avoid getting chlorine water in your eyes since it can cause irritation; wearing goggles is always a good idea when swimming laps too.’