Come autumn, hair generally needs some serious TLC, or a major chop. We know its early to be thinking about that, given the sun’s only just turned up, but you can preempt that need for an overhaul with taking some simple steps to care for your stands now, and all through the summer months.
Felicity Bruce, owner of Cocoon Hair Design in Timaru, advises stocking up on hydrating hair products and giving heat tools some down time.
“Embrace natural movement. Scrunch a product like Joico’s Zero Heat Air Dry Styling Creme through wet hair and leave. It gives hair that effortless, air-dried look but without the frizz so it still looks polished.”
For those of us that still love heat styling, a protective product is a Godsend, particularly when it wards off UV damage from the sun too.
“Joico’s Defy Damage Protective Shield is an instant hair bestie, tips Bruce. “It protects you against the harsh effects of daily styling and exposure to UV and environmental pollution helping prevent damage and guard against color fade.
“For all the water babies out there, keep cleansing and hydrating your hair, whether it’s salt water or the swimming pool, she advises. “You don’t want this to build-up in your hair, cleanse and hydrate your hair after every beach or pool session.
She suggests applying a leave-in conditioner or repair serum as well as wetting hair before taking a dip. “Hair is like a sponge. If it’s wet, it doesn’t get wetter, so saturate your hair thoroughly before swimming.” Afterwards, wash promptly.
L-R: Joico Zero Heat Air Dry Styling Cream; Joico Defy Damage Protective Shield; Louis Vuitton silk scrunchie; Davines Nourishing Vegetarian Miracle Mask; Sans pH & Shine Corrector; Oribe Gold Lust All Over Oil
Lucy Vincent, stylist and creator of Sans[ceuticals], agrees. “Salt and chemically-treated water disrupt your hair’s pH level, opening the cuticle and making hair dry and dull.”
Vincent developed Sans pH Shine + Correct treatment to return hair to an ideal, slightly acidic pH level, restoring smoothness and shine as well as a concentrated conditioner for brittle strands.
If your hair gets really dehydrated and crispy, restore protein and moisture with the Sans Moisture + Protein Infusion 20 before the pH Shine + Correct. The second treatment closes the cuticle, sealing in hydration and strength.
However she also reminds us to remember to cover up.
“One of the best ‘hair products’ is actually just a hat or scarf to protect hair from UV rays, says Vincent. “On the same ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’ vibe, working a good dab of Sans Nourishing Ultra+ Treatment through your hair before swimming will protect it from damage and make it easy to comb out afterwards.”
Finally, it’s not just your approach up top that counts.
“Summer partying can leave our bodies depleted, which has a long-term effect on hair,” explains Vincent.
“Nourish from the inside by including loads of omegas in your diet – oil-rich salsas or pestos, oily fish – and vitamin-rich anti-inflammatory tonics and juices. “
