Hair, like skin, needs extra care and attention under the summer sun.
Beachy hair may look great, but it can feel disgusting. To ward off frazzle, start prepping hair for high-summer now.
Get your hair in tip-top condition so it can withstand the warmer weather we're counting down to. Once the sun really shines, keep your colour protected and frizz at bay with products designed to filter UV rays and to tame flyaways.
To help smooth hair and to save it from frying, always use heat protection products when blowdrying or using irons. To rectify existing damage sort out any split ends with a good trim, and "treat" your hair by alternating a hair mask with your conditioner for an extra moisture boost. Your hair may be effectively dead, but a healthy scalp and smoothed down hair cuticle make it look glossily alive.
A common styling mistake is that people think one product does many jobs. There are some good multi-taskers out there, but like applying makeup, haircare is a multi-layered task. Skip a step and the look won't be as polished or long lasting.
After shampoo, conditioner and masks, there are heat protection products, followed by those that add texture and then finally finishing products to set the style, from simple smoothing serums to high-hold sprays. Including UV filters limits colour fade.
Get your hairdresser to advise on what styling products are best for your hair weight and the sort of look you're after, be it smoothed or with added volume and curl. Generally go with the flow: for easier maintenance there's no point fighting nature by trying to turn curl into a curtain. Play up what you've got and be thankful that summer styles are about relaxed looks, with just enough control added to save them from looking wayward. A little non-scrunchy mousse mushed through the hair will give shape definition without seeming too contrived or use a light gel to slick your style down, while leaving the ends twirling free.
Try these products, or similar types from other brands, to give your hair a helping hand to withstand the heat.
If all else fails there's always the essential summer sunhat or a ponytail: stylist Richard Kavanagh says wear your pony low for business, high for play, and in the middle for a casual, effortlessly chic look.
1. Sebastian Taming Elixir Weightless Smoothing Creme Serum $40
A light-feel styler for thermal protection and frizz taming. It also offers UV, salt water and chlorine protection, so you can swan about outdoors without turning into an ugly duckling. (For salon stockists ph 0800 800 128. sebastianprofessional.com.)
2. Joico K-PAK Sun Therapy Treatment Mask $31
For sun-damaged dry and dehydrated hair, this mask contains a UV protectant and aloe vera. The moisture boost helps smooth the hair cuticle and increase elasticity for a healthier finish. (For stockists ph 0800 456 425)
3. Kerastase Soleil Aqua Seal Highly Protective Fluid Cream $39
This fluid cream nourishes the lengths and ends of sensitised hair, giving a waterproof effect to add suppleness and shine. Conditions while warding off chlorine and salt damage. It adds to Kerastase's first-rate Soleil haircare range. (For stockists ph 0800 657 666.)
4. Kevin Murphy Staying Alive $44
Comb-through, leave-in rescue conditioner rich in botanicals to make hair softer and more flexible, with a smoother, shinier finish. (For stockists ph (09) 525 1075.)
5. Fudge Gloss $24.50
Defrizzing serum contains UV filters and antioxidant-rich calendula to give hair a glossy finish and longer-lasting colour. The skinny tube is easy to carry about. (For stockists ph 0800 456 425.)
6. Wella High Hair Ocean Spritz $26
Nail the tousled look with this volume adding spritz with UV filter, which delivers a fashionable matte finish. (For stockists ph 0800 800 128.)
7. Osis Elastic $28.30
This spray from Schwarzkopf delivers a light, natural hold while filtering harsh UV light. It's "workable", meaning you can brush and style after the initial spray, rather than being left with hard helmet hair. (For stockists ph 0800 500 515.)
8. Redken Smooth Down Heat Glide $39
This smoother with macadamia oil can be used on dry and unruly hair before and after blowdrying and straightening for a sleeker result. (For stockists ph 0800 657 666 )
9. L'Oreal Professionnel Solar Sublime Masque $33.50
Detangles and softens hair, while offering post-sun nourishment with vitamin E and glycerol. Part of a specialist suncare range. (For stockists ph 0800 657 666)
Summer shades
Coloured hair needs extra care, so it's best to opt for a natural look in summer. Luckily, this fits in with current trends, as Serville's Mission Bay stylist Olivia Davies explains.
Blondes: The overall trend for beautiful natural shades - think the colour of virgin blonde hair. Platinum gives way to softer buttery shades which look effortless and are lower maintenance with less obvious regrowth. The underlying "tone" moves towards pastel and creamy beige shades that aren't too warm (golden) or cool (ash). The sun-kissed balayage (sweeping) effect is ever popular as seen on Gisele Bundchen, Jessica Biel and longtime fan Sarah Jessica Parker. It is customised to suit each client, but uses either a natural blond base or muted dark blond tones at the roots, fading out to lighter ends around the face.
Brunettes: Softer and lighter colours are fresh for summer after winter's strong, dark global tones. Again the painted-on balayage approach is a great technique, allowing brunettes to inject interest in their look and achieve the sun-kissed trend.
Brunettes can also lighten the hair around the face and through the ends to achieve soft pastel shades of caramel and honey, which adds softness for warmer months. Celebrities who are wearing this look include Kim Kardashian, Olivia Palermo, Audrina Patridge and Leighton Meester. Tones are much warmer especially pastel gold tones, through to chocolate bases.
Brunettes can look to inject reddish tones to enhance their existing shade and add an extra dimension to their colour.
Reds: For natural-look redheads or global copper shades, colour should be muted for summer with more honey golden shades for texture, softness and also wearability - the sun can kill the richness that bold all-over red needs to look amazing.
For an amazing copper colour check out Florence Welsh from Florence and the Machine.
