Don’t let a humid climate ruin your style. Here’s why investing in a leave-in conditioner, mermaid mousse, and brush-on sunscreen will keep your locks in tip-top condition this summer, says editor Trudi Brewer.
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Dry Hair With A T-Shirt
On holiday, try to wring water out of wet hair using an old T-shirt rather than a beach towel. The smooth cotton will soak just as much moisture, and the soft fibres create less frizz than a rough towel.
Ecovask Hair & Travel Towel in Raspberry Cheque, $69.
This colourful organic cotton hair towel is as gentle on your locks as any cotton T-shirt, reducing frizz and preserving the hair’s shine. It’s generous in size, so it works well for short and long styles. The bonus is the elastic band, which makes it quick to secure and easy to hang in the bathroom. It’s a great beauty buy.
Go for the Ultimate Beach Waves
You don’t have to invest in expensive tongs to boost beach waves. Instead, start investing in hair mousse. Gone are the days of sticky, crunchy results. A conditioning mousse is both curl-enhancing and nourishing. Our trick is applying mousse to damp hair, twisting sections, and not touching it until it’s almost dry. Come evening, shake it all out and comb through with your fingers for casual, relaxed-looking waves.
Umberto Giannini Mermaid Beach Waves Volume Mousse, $25.
For a brilliant definition of curl or instant volume and lift on fine hair, this new creamy mousse is infused with nourishing coconut water and UV filters to protect and prevent your expensive hair colour from fading in the sun. But best of all, it helps you create effortless beach waves on any hair type or texture.
Invest in a Tangle Teezer
This is the go-to brush for tangles and knots, and it’s gentle while you blow-dry, too. It helps move natural oils from your scalp to your ends to nourish your hair naturally, taming it and giving it more shine without any risk of snagging.
Tangle Teezer Easy Dry and Go Vented Hairbrush Jet Black, $36.
This is a must-have brush if you care about your hair. Why? Made to use on wet hair and in the shower, the patented two-tiered teeth technology means less breakage when detangling and dealing with knots. It’s also perfect for combing through conditioning treatments - it will be your hair-saver.
Nourish nourish nourish
Once the ends are split, the only way to refresh your hair is to cut them. But a weekly mask or a leave-in conditioner can tide you over until your next trim. The trick with a mask is to keep it on for as long as possible and wrap a hot towel around your hair to push the conditioning ingredients deep into the cuticle. For leave-in treatments, apply them to damp hair and then add a little to the ends of dry hair for an extra shot of nourishment.
Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Moisture CC Cream, $54.
We keep raving about this multi-benefit hair treatment cream, and for good reason. It does it all: It adds moisture, shine, smoothness, softness, and strength. It’s also a brilliant UV and heat protector and a light-hold styling cream. It was created for any hair type. We are never without it.
Put Your Elastics Away
Repeatedly pulling hair into a high, tight ponytail stresses the hair and hinders healthy growth. But worse, it can lead to thinning, breakage and even hair loss. Switch up your style by keeping your ponytail loose, and, as elastics with metal bobbles snag the hair, secure it with soft fabric ties instead.
Crown Affair The Scrunchie, $28.
As durable as your hair, these silk hair ties are the perfect swap from standard hair ties. For any occasion, they guarantee less breakage and fewer kinks when you let your hair down.
Use Powder Sunscreen In Your Roots
Not only will this prevent your hair from getting too oily from sun lotion, but it’ll also protect your scalp from UV damage – an area commonly missed when using sunscreen. Look for a portable brush to ensure you can cover your parting and the tops of your ears swiftly.
Brush On Block SPF30 – Translucent, $60.
Not only is this the best pocket-sized invisible, everyday SPF 30, but the all-natural formula is made from earth-derived mica powder, zinc and titanium dioxide, rice starch and nourishing plant and flower oils.
Invest In A dry shampoo
Dry shampoo is a lifesaver all year round, but it’s a necessity in summer. To prolong your blow dry, absorb moisture and oil overnight and stop your fringe from separating and looking too thin. Even on wash days, it’s handy to prevent your hair from looking flat while adding texture and volume to squeaky, clean hair.
Co Lab Dry Shampoo Beach Texture, $11.
Beyond this dry shampoo's ability to absorb oil, leave zero white residues, and extend your hair-washing ritual, this variant gives you effortless, beach-tousled, sea-swept-looking locks, too. The texturizing formula is enriched with coconut water and vitamin E to condition your scalp. The summery scent, a blend of coconut, orange vanilla, and caramel - a tropical holiday in a can.
Rinse With Tap Water Pre-Swim
Always rinse your hair in tap water before you swim to prevent it from chlorine or saltwater damage. Porous strands will absorb the fresh water, preventing the chemical-laden pool water from damaging your locks and, more importantly, stripping away any colour. You can also apply a leave-in conditioner to your hair for similar results pre-swim.
Umberto Giannini Swim Proof Leave-In Hair Protection Cream, $25.
This clever new invention is your guarantee against chlorine, salt water and sun damage. Thanks to the blend of coconut, olive oils and UV sun filters. A leave-in conditioner also prevents yellowing or hair fading on coloured hair. What a find.
If you’re contemplating a fringe, pin this look on your style mood board now.