Those ‘lazy-hazy-crazy days of summer’ bring sunshine, beach trips and poolside relaxation, but while we love a good beach day, our hair often doesn’t agree. Between chlorine, sun damage and the constant styling, our locks can end up dry, damaged and dull.
Don’t worry – We have all the tips and tricks you need to keep your hair looking fabulous throughout your vacation. Let’s dive in…
Prep is key
Book a trim before you jet off and treat yourself to a professional Olaplex bond building treatment to strengthen and repair your hair from the inside out. It’s also a chance to chat with your stylist for recommendations on the best products to take with you.
And don’t forget to book your post-hols appointment before you leave!
Beware chlorine
Chlorine can be a real villain to both natural hair and extensions. It weakens strands, leading to split ends, brittle and frizzy hair, and can change your hair colour as well as irritating the scalp.
Wearing a swimming cap is the ultimate solution, but it’s hardly Insta glamorous! Instead, minimise pool time and try these tricks to reduce chlorine damage:
[1] Drench your hair with fresh water before taking a dip. This helps reduce chlorine absorption. Take bottled water with you if there isn’t a nearby shower.
[2] Slather on a leave-in conditioner before swimming to form a protective barrier. Then rinse your hair immediately after swimming to wash away the chlorine. Choose a shampoo like Malibu C Swimmers which is specifically formulated to remove chlorine.
[3] Use a clarifying shampoo weekly to remove chlorine build-up. Follow with a deep conditioner or mask – we like Sensus nutri repair – to keep hair hydrated.
[4] Chlorine can give blondes brassy tones. Sensus Zero yellow shampoo and conditioner, used once or twice a week, will keep you blonde and beautiful.
Why purple? Because yellow and purple sit opposite each other on the colour wheel, so the purple neutralises those brassy hues, maintaining that cool, fresh blonde we all love.
Protect your locks from UV damage
While we love soaking up the sun, those rays can wreak havoc on our hair and extensions, leading to dryness and split ends, and causes your salon-fresh colour to fade.
Ideally, rock a stylish hat or scarf to shield your hair (and your face) from direct sunlight. And always splash on a UV protection product before heading out to guard against those damaging rays. Eufora Leave-in hydration is a firm favourite as its light and doesn’t leave a sticky residue.
The Strand’s top tips for extensions:
- To prevent tangling, braid your hair or put it in a bun before hitting the pool.
- Pop a wide-toothed comb in your beach bag for gentle detangling.
- Use UV protectant but avoid the bonds/tapes, as it can cause slipping.
Rejuvenate your hair
After a day of fun in the sun, give your hair some TLC at night to keep it healthy and radiant. Start by detangling gently with a wide-tooth comb. If you’ve been in saltwater or chlorine, cleanse and apply a leave-in conditioner or a nourishing hair mask to replenish moisture.
Pop a silk pillowcase in your suitcase – it minimises friction and helps prevent breakage. It’s especially helpful if you have extensions.
Drying and styling tips
We all love to style our hair, but it’s essential to avoid damage, especially when your hair is already under stress.
[1] Blot hair gently with a microfibre towel and avoid vigorous rubbing which can cause breakage.
[2] Air dry whenever possible – it’s the gentlest option. Go for natural textures with Sensus daily repair leave-in for effortless, beachy waves.
[3] If you do use heated tools, always apply a heat protectant spray like Heat shield before using them. And lower the heat setting to minimise damage.
Soak up the sun, dive into the sea, and enjoy every moment of your summer holiday – just remember t