The combination of humidity, heat, chlorine, salt and sun, inevitably leads to some serious hair heartache. Some of you may be nodding in recognition right now, reaching for your dry, brittle, split-end-full, hay-like hair. Summer may be be beautifying for our skin but it has the opposite effect on hair. Luckily, with the proper love and attention, you can have your mane ready for a summer full of sun and fun and locks of hair that are sure to stun.
The combination of all these symptoms might make you imagine that the summer literally changes your hair into straw. While is may not be that extreme, the UV light we are regularly exposed to during summer months actually changes the chemical structure of hair, leaving it drier, duller, and more prone to split ends. So prepping a good summer haircare regimen is no joke. Read on below for some natural tips on how to keep your hair silky smooth all summer long.
Up Your H2O Intake: The added humidity and, therefore, sweat means that you should be drinking more water during the summer anyways, regardless of the added bonus of it’s help to your hair. Make sure you’re drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day or more, depending on how active your days are. Water is crucial in helping the body to flush out toxins, and thus promotes the growth of healthy, stronger hair. Water also makes up about ¼ of the weight of a hair strand, so properly hydrating yourself provides your body with the ingredients necessary to give you gleaming tresses. Drinking enough water makes your body feel better in almost every possible way, so it’s no surprise that it’s a key ingredient to healthy hair as well.
DIY Hair Masks: Making masks at home is an easy and super fun way to treat your hair to a little revitalization. There are an endless amount of possible combinations to mix your perfect summer hair mask. Popular concoctions include avocado & honey, egg white & olive oil, banana & yogurt, coconut oil & honey, apple cider vinegar & lemon, and the list goes on and on. Check out our article on DIY hair masks here. Or if you’re feeling too lazy to become a hair alchemist, purchase a premade hair mask, such as the Omega 9 Hair Mask from Rahua.
DIY Hair Rinses: The secret to silky-soft and cooperative hair is sometimes as simple as prepping your own homemade hair rinse. There are many reasons to use a hair rinse, such as removing the build up from hair products and other toxins. Regular rinsing has also been found to: close hair cuticles which equals shinier and less tangle prone hair, improve scalp circulation, maintain a good pH balance, and alleviate conditions such as dry scalp, dandruff, and hair loss. While most popular hair rinses are vinegar based, there exist a plethora of potential soothing rinses. If you want an easy fix, a hot new item in the Amazingy shop is John Master’s Herbal Cider Hair Clarifier & Color Sealer. Some people even regularly rinse their hair with the unlikely candidate of beer. In order to get the best results, it’s best to research which type of rinse will be most helpful for your particular hair ailments.
Anoint Oil: Using oil with your hair is beneficial for a vast number of reasons, and there are many ways in which to use oils to treat hair ailments. One of my top summer beauty tips is to always keep a little bottle of argan oil handy. I apply it before and after going to the pool or beach, and comb a couple drops through my hair after every shower. Everyone can oil their hair, simply adjust the amount of oil you use depending upon how naturally oily your hair is. Adding oil to your haircare regimen alone is enough to completely transform the quality of your hair.
Leave Your Conditioner: By dosing your hair with an added boost of moisture every week, you’re not giving your precious locks a chance to snap or fray. And this is exactly what a leave-in-conditioner does. With all that hair goes through in the summer time, it’s probably a good idea to up the ante on your deep conditioning practices. I recommend a bi-weekly overnight conditioner session, which will prevent your hair from becoming damaged in the first place. Try something like Rahua’s Finishing Treatment, John Master’s Lavender & Avocado Intensive Conditioner, Less is More’s Lavender Smooth Balm, or Unique’s Leave-in-Conditioner Spray.
Cold Water Before All Else: This is a really straightforward but serious tip when it comes to your hair’s health. Maybe at some point you’ve found yourself stuck with only cold water, and after cursing and shivering in the shower, you’ve found that your hair is softer than usual. This is because the cold temperature constricts the hair cuticles to make the strands silky and shiny. Sealing in the moisture, cold rinse your hair to prevent frizz. Another persuasive element to this technique is that it is significantly better than the alternative. Hot water heaps on added damage to already sun dried and suffering hair. Plus, what’s better than a cold shower in the morning to get your blood pumping.
Comb Wet Hair: When dealing with wet hair, always opt for a wide toothed comb instead of a brush. I know this is a less time-efficient method, but using a brush on wet hair will lead to severe strand breakage. Wet hair is way more delicate than it’s dry cousin. This is because when hair is wet it can stretch, meaning it is more likely to snap. Using a comb, start at the ends and slowly make your way up towards the roots. My tip to expedite this process is to always thoroughly brush your hair before stepping into the shower. Then the combing process wont be so tedious during your post-shower ritual.
UV Protect Yo’self: Just like every other part of your body, your hair needs protection from the sun too. Hair is not exempt from the damaging glare of UV rays, and, therefore, it is wise to invest in a SPF laden hair spray. If you refrain from using sun protection haircare, you risk dimming the color, dulling the shine, and even advancing the aging process of your hair. Many brands have started to come out with products that are tailored to sun hair care. Do some research and find the one that is right for you. If you don’t find something that seems suitable, there’s always wearing a hat—and we all know how fabulous the right floppy sun hat can look.
I hope that this guide helps you feel like a well-groomed goddess all summer long. Do you have any summer haircare tips? Let me know in the comments below.
Tags: Hair Care, Sun Protection
Emma Stern is an American expat who, 5 years ago, fell in love with the city of Berlin and hasn't been able to stay away ever since. A writer and English editor for the Amazingy magazine, Emma's other interests include film, surrealism, avocados, and barefeet. Emma finds herself in perfect harmony with Amazingy's ethos, as a sustainable lifestyle is at the core of her values. She aims to spread her love for life and art through her quirky writing and upbeat attitude.
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