From heat to salt water and those damaging UV rays, summer takes a toll on our hair. So to stop your locks from becoming damaged, here’s how to tame the most common summer hair issues to keep your hair well-nourished this summer, by editor Trudi Brewer.
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Heat and hair are not a happy marriage. So you know: UV rays act on your hair in a similar way to bleach. They oxidise pigment, degrade protein structure and damage the chemical bonds that hold the hair together. Put simply, this is why hair lightens in the sun, becomes dry and brittle and loses its bounce. But for most of us, it’s the heat styling daily that causes the most damage. “Straighteners, curlers, and blow drying can make hair look amazing, but they can also cause damage if not used carefully. While there’s no foolproof way to completely prevent heat damage, following a few simple steps can make a big difference,” says Lust Haircare creator Lio Paisnel. Who says, “Always start with a quality heat protectant spray. This creates a barrier between your hair and the heat, helping to minimise damage while locking in moisture and shine.” He adds, “Whenever possible, allow your hair to air dry partially or fully before using hot tools. Hair is most vulnerable to heat when wet. Additionally, select the lowest effective temperature setting on your styling tools to achieve your desired look. Excessive heat is the primary cause of damage.” Summer is the best time to dial back the heat styling. Paisnel says, “ Take regular breaks from heat styling. Air drying occasionally helps maintain the natural strength, moisture, and resilience of the hair.” Ahead, we highlight the tips and tools to help you navigate the summer, reduce hair damage, and improve hair shine.
THE PROBLEM - HEAT DAMAGE
Lust Haircare THERMAL PROTECTION SPRAY, $36
That combination of UV rays and heat styling tools zaps moisture from the hair and eventually causes dryness and breakage. This New Zealand hair brand offers a leave-in treatment formulated to safeguard your strands from hot tools, protecting up to 240°C (the heat setting on most hair straighteners). It’s made with a potent blend of botanicals, including hydrolysed soy protein to strengthen locks, ginkgo biloba leaf extract to guard against heat damage, ultra-nourishing argan oil and grapefruit extract to refresh and revive the hair. Spray into the hair before heat styling. Alternatively, boost moisture with a leave-in treatment before heat styling with Lust Haircare’s Beauty Cream, which hydrates, smooths, and strengthens hair while offering additional thermal protection and shine.
THE PROBLEM - Brassiness
OLAPLEX No.4C Clarifying Shampoo, $60
Once the sun and chemicals dry out the cuticle, hair becomes more porous and is susceptible to discolouration caused by those minerals in the water. When it comes to fixing brassy hair, most people reach for purple shampoo, thinking it’ll combat those unwanted yellow and orange tones. However, if you are a platinum blonde, it can leave a violet cast in the hair. Another option is a clarifying shampoo. OLAPLEX are famous for rejuvenating damaged hair; this option removes product buildup, excess oils, and hard water minerals without stripping essential moisture. Thanks to the bond-building technology, it repairs split ends and damage from heat or environmental stressors for long-lasting hair health.
THE PROBLEM - Frizz
Angel En Provence ORANGE FLOWER MOROCCO COLOUR PROTECT SILKY OIL, $50
Anyone with curly hair battles frizz in summer. Caused by dry hair seeking moisture from the atmosphere, frizz is at its peak in summer. To combat frizz, the more nourished and hydrated your hair is, the less it will seek additional moisture. Hair oils will be your hair’s best friend; they are ideal for nourishing and sealing moisture into dry mid-lengths and ends of the hair. This natural option contains water-soluble proteins and botanical plant oils, including rosemary, to boost growth. It’s the elixir of life for dry strands, or hair that has survived chemical colouring and heat damage. Apply a small amount to damp hair and air-dry, or use after blow-drying to smooth, add shine, and give you a flyaway-free finish.
THE PROBLEM - Curls Losing Definition
Umberto Giannini Curl Jelly Crème, $30
Humidity, once again, can be blamed as one of the biggest culprits when it comes to disrupting curls and making them lose definition. Why? Curls need moisture, and lots of it, and it all starts in the shower, enhancing your curl pattern and helping them hold. Once you have washed your hair, gently use a microfibre towel to absorb any excess water, then apply this new curl-defining cream. From the makers of curl care from wave to curl and coils, this collection hydrates and defines. Stacked with coconut oil and Shea butter to give your curls intense nourishment. You can then let your hair dry naturally or use a diffuser to speed up the drying – this will help defeat the humidity and give you long-lasting curls.
THE PROBLEM -Damage & Dehydration
Oribe Invisible Defense Universal Protection Spray, $73
It’s not just heat that damages the hair; our environment is punishing on your locks. Sun exposure will damage the hair cuticle and break down your natural keratin levels, which affects your hair’s colour and density. Without hair protection, your colour fades faster, and your hair is more prone to breakage and dryness. Like skin, hair needs an SPF to protect it from dehydration and seal in moisture. While it’s pricy, this SPF mist-in spray keeps you colour safe from the damaging effects of the sun, as well as your hot tools. Deeply conditioning, it'll make parched ends feel instantly softer thanks to Chia seed, caffeine, and rice bran extracts. A good choice for fine, frizzy, weak or coloured hair.
THE PROBLEM -Greasy Scalp
De Lorenzo Tricho Scalp Control Cleanser, $33
Sebum is the oil secreted by your scalp, which is normal, and helps keep hair healthy. However, some may find that their scalp becomes imbalanced and overproduces oil, leading to a greasy scalp that is exacerbated by heat. This is where a targeted shampoo to treat that imbalance works well. Finally, regular washing is absolutely key to keeping that oil at bay. This treatment shampoo was made to relieve issues like dandruff, itching, flaking, redness and an oily scalp. It gently cleanses without stripping the hair of its natural oils, thanks to botanicals like mint, fennel fruit, jujube tree bark extracts, and menthol, which has a cooling effect on the scalp.
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