Understanding Summer Hair Challenges
During the summer period, our hair suffers increased loss of hydration, making it dry and difficult to tame, especially when it's already coarse. If you factor humidity into the equation, you get dry, damaged, untamed hair with no life or vibrancy.
The increase in heat and sunlight, in combination with oxygen, water and salt from the sea can badly damage the hair when it's left untreated and unprotected. This damage can result in dry, split, dull hair and in some cases, a dry and flaky scalp that becomes uncomfortable and unsightly.
It is very important to provide the hair and scalp with sufficient hydration and nutrients during this period. You can also use the summer to your advantage by adapting new styling techniques to your everyday routine that are fast and will help you and your hair look effortlessly at their best on summer days and nights.
Summer Hair Washing Techniques
In the summer we have the tendency to wash our hair more frequently as we go to the beach or feel sweaty due to the heat. However, excessive washing can cause the hair and scalp to lose their natural oils and become dry, which leads to frizz, loss of shape and control.
Using the wrong shampoo can also amplify these problems, so it's crucial to choose products wisely. Use shampoos free of parabens and sulphates, which strip the natural oils from the hair and can cause long-term damage to both hair and scalp health.
Use clarifying shampoo in order to provide your hair with oil balance while maintaining moisture and making it shinier and more manageable. Try to wash your hair only twice a week, as this will help your hair and scalp find balance and generate natural oils to feed the hair and scalp naturally.
Use cold water when rinsing to help seal the hair cuticles and soothe the scalp, which can become irritated from sun exposure and frequent washing. This simple change can make a significant difference in your hair's overall health and appearance.
Conditioning and Treatment for Summer Hair
After a good wash it is important to treat the hair with a good conditioner, treatment or masque to return nutrients and goodness to it. This will make the hair softer, hydrated, more elastic and more manageable, thus helping us achieve any desired styling results throughout the summer months.
Opt for silicone-free products that won't weigh down your hair and make it feel oily, especially important in humid summer conditions. Use a good brush designed for wet hair to prevent breakage during the conditioning process.
Use a masque or treatment at least once a week to maintain optimal hair health during the challenging summer months. Once you apply a masque and it doesn't sink in water, wring out excess water and then apply the masque, as this will create a barrier which will protect your hair from the sun and salt water.
Leave the masque or treatment in for at least 10 minutes to achieve better results and allow the nutrients to penetrate the hair shaft effectively. When the time is up, rinse your hair with hot water briefly to remove excess product, then follow with a cold water rinse.
Use cold water for the final rinse to help seal the hair cuticles and soothe the scalp, which locks in the treatment benefits and creates a smooth, shiny finish.
Beach Hair Protection Strategies
Spending time at the beach, sunbathing or in the water, is great but if we're not careful it might be damaging to the hair and scalp. It is important to take the right measures in order to protect it, as well as to use the sea to our styling advantage.
Use a leave-in conditioner or treatment with UV protection before you go to the beach to protect it, as well as to use the salt water to your advantage. This will create a barrier which will protect your hair from the sun and salt water damage.
Use a hair tie or self-tying rope to create a chic look, especially during the midday hours when the sun is at its strongest. This not only protects your hair but also keeps you cool and comfortable.
After rinsing at the beach, get rid of the salt by always rinsing your hair with clean water to remove excess salt, which in combination with the sun can be very damaging to our hair and scalp. This simple step prevents long-term damage and maintains hair health.
After rinsing your hair with clean water, gently pat dry and apply a leave-in conditioner or treatment to help distribute the product all over, detangle the hair, and smooth down the cuticles for better manageability.
If you have followed these steps and washed and conditioned your hair while at the beach, there is no reason to wash it again when you get home. The salt water works as a natural cleansing agent, and the leave-in conditioner brushed into the hair works to seal the cuticles and restore nutrients, smoothness and shine to the hair.
How to Create Tight Waves
After applying leave-in conditioner or treatment to your hair and detangling it, you can easily prep it for styling and reap the benefits when you get home from the beach. These techniques work whether you're at the beach or recreating beach hair at home.
1. Brush all your hair back, holding it like a ponytail low at the nape, from the forehead to the back of the neck and from the neck behind to the other side.
2. Detangle each section carefully and make sure the hair is hydrated from the top all the way to the bottom, then tie with a hair band.
3. Spray some more leave-in conditioner onto the braids and allow it to dry while avoiding direct sunlight.
4. When you get home, make sure your hair is completely dry, and if not, use your blow dryer and diffuser on low heat.
5. Take out the braids carefully and comb the hair through with your fingers or a wide tooth comb.
6. Once your hair is all loose, flip your head upside down and massage the roots with your fingers, blending the hair together and eliminating the partings.
7. Flip back and do any final touch-ups necessary, and if you like, you can use a small curling iron to add movement and texture to the look.
8. Use hairspray, beach texturizer or salt spray for added texture and hold.
How to Create Medium Waves
For medium waves, you'll create a softer, more relaxed wave pattern that's perfect for everyday summer styling.
1. Separate your hair into 2 sections by parting from the middle of the forehead to the back of the neck.
2. Detangle each section carefully, pulling it to each side of the neck and braiding it from the neck hairline to the tip of the hair, then tie with a hair band.
3. Spray some more leave-in conditioner onto the braids and allow it to dry while avoiding direct sunlight.
4. When you get home, make sure your hair is completely dry, using your blow dryer and diffuser if necessary.
5. Take out the braids carefully and comb the hair through with your fingers or a wide tooth comb.
6. Once your hair is all loose, flip your head upside down and massage the roots with your fingers, blending the hair together and eliminating the parting.
7. Flip back and do any final touch-ups necessary, and if you like, you can use a medium curling iron to add movement and texture to the look.
8. Use serum for added shine and hairspray or beach texturizer for added texture and hold.
How to Create Loose Waves
For loose waves, you'll create a natural, effortless look that's perfect for casual summer days.
1. Brush all your hair back, holding it like a ponytail low at the neck.
2. Keep it tied and braid from the neck hairline, leaving the tip unbraided, then tie with a hair band for a more relaxed wave pattern.
3. Spray some more leave-in conditioner onto the braids and allow it to dry while avoiding direct sunlight.
4. When you get home, make sure your hair is completely dry, using your blow dryer and diffuser if needed.
5. Take out the braid carefully and comb the hair through with your fingers or a wide tooth comb.
6. Once your hair is all loose, flip your head upside down and massage the roots with your fingers, blending the hair together for natural-looking volume.
7. Flip back and do any final touch-ups necessary, and if you like, you can use a medium curling iron to add movement and texture to the look.
8. Use serum for added shine and dry shampoo or hairspray for added texture and hold.
How to Create a Slicked-Back Look
For a sophisticated, polished look that's perfect for summer evenings or professional settings.
1. Apply a weightless serum or small amount of hair masque to your hair and brush it all back to the base of the scalp.
2. Use a bandana around your head to support your look and create a nice sleek appearance with a wet look finish.
3. Let your hair air dry from the back of your head, working towards the sides.
4. When you get home, make sure your hair is completely dry, and if not, use your blow dryer and diffuser carefully, combing the hair through with your fingers or a wide tooth comb.
5. Once your hair is prepared, apply a strong gel to it, combing it through with your fingers and making sure you're covering the whole head, all the way back to the roots.
6. Adjust the shape to your preference and allow your hair to dry first before making final adjustments.
7. Do not use your blow dryer after applying gel, as this can cause flaking and reduce the sleek effect.
8. Use serum at the ends for added shine and hairspray for long-lasting hold.
How to Create the Perfect Ponytail
Create versatile ponytail styles that work for any summer occasion, from casual beach days to elegant evening events.
1. Brush all your hair to the point on your head where you want to create your ponytail.
2. Use one hand to hold the brush and the other to control and support your hair as you brush, maintaining control throughout the styling process.
3. Once you brush and gather your hair, move your hand to the base and hold the hair tight.
4. Place a hair band tightly at the base around your hair to secure the style effectively.
5. Brush the rest of your hair loosely and spray leave-in conditioner or treatment over the ponytail, allowing it to dry naturally.
6. When you get home, make sure your hair is completely dry, and if not, use your blow dryer and diffuser.
7. Take out the band carefully, and you can then brush with your fingers or a wide tooth comb to adjust the style.
8. If you are happy with your ponytail height and tightness, leave it as is. If not, reposition using the same steps.
For a Sleek Ponytail Look
Use gel, mousse or hairspray, brush it in and really pull your hair before you tie it, then smooth the ends of the hair for a polished finish.
For a Loose Ponytail Look
Make sure the hair has dried completely, then use products like dry shampoo, volumizing powder and hairspray. Pull out pieces of hair around the ears, neck and front of the head according to your preference, and loosen areas of hair around the crown or sides to create more volume. Finish up either by tying it into a bun or leaving it as a ponytail.
