5 ways to save your hair this summer

Have you hit the beach yet? I did! Once. In November. I’m still waiting for it to warm up enough here in Auckland to head back, but I know you Aussies have well and truly settled into summer (so jealous). But it’s not far away here, and it’s got me thinking about my newly-coloured hair, and how I can protect it from fading and drying out when I finally DO get to hit the beach

So with a little help from my friends (read: people who know more about hair than me!), I’ve got five ways to save your hair this summer.

Step away from the hot tools

At least once or twice a week, give your hair a break from blow dryers, flat irons, and curling irons. The heat can damage your hair, making it weaker and more susceptible to breaking and drying out.

If you still want that beachy wave, go to bed with your hair in a braid or up in a bun, the release it in the morning and spritz with some sea-salt spray – but give it a break from the heat!

Conditioning is King

But not as you know it! I recently got to try the amazing Inverse hair conditioning system, which uses cooling not heating, to condition and repair your hair. The cold temperature of the cooling core locks in moisture, which makes your hair stronger and healthier even in the summer months.

Get yours here: Inverse hair conditioning system $249 + ice mist $29.95

I used it for a week and the difference in my hair was definitely noticeable!

Go to the dark side

Hair stylist extraordinaire,and the man behind my mane, Craig Olsen from Gray & Olsen says that if you want to protect your locks in summer, go darker.

“A nice warm, glossy brown is a great colour for summer, it will stop your hair drying out as much and give it more volume and shine” says Craig. Even going a few shades darker if you are blonde can’t hurt, so think about bucking the trend and go darker from Summer – I have and I love it!

Fight the Frizz

Moisture in the air makes hair prone to frizzing. Even if your locks aren’t normally vulnerable, any damage—whether from the sun or from colouring, straightening, or heat appliances—roughens cuticles, enabling water molecules in humid air to penetrate the hair shaft, causing it to swell.

Add a hair oil to the ends of your hair (even if you have naturally oily hair! Just stay clear of the scalp) before you dry it (or let it dry naturally if you have been paying attention), replacing that lost moisture is going to kill the frizz instantly!

La Mav Pure Argan Oil $34.95 | Garnier Fructis Miraculous Oil $17.99 | Moroccan Oil original oil treatment $67

Protect it

This sounds like a no-brainer, but whack a hat on if you plan on being out in the sun! There are heaps of cute (and sun-smart) options out there to protect those flowing locks of yours. Here are three fun, stylish options….