Who doesn’t love summer? Long days, dips in the pool, barefoot walks on the beach, sundowners… dream. But, while we’re slathering on the SPF and sipping iced lattes, there’s one part of us that often bears the brunt of all this glorious living: our hair. The very elements that make summer so wonderful – the intense sun, drying heat, damaging chlorine, and corrosive saltwater – can turn luscious locks into a dry, brittle, faded, and frizzy mess. But thanks to our guide to summer-proofing your hair, we’ve got the tips, tricks, and product picks to keep your hair happy and healthy, all summer long. You’re welcome.

Shield Your Strands

We all know UV rays cause damage to our skin, but they wreak havoc on our hair too. Sun exposure breaks down the protein structure of the hair shaft, leading to dryness, breakage, weakened elasticity, and colour fade.

Befriend Your Hat: This is the easiest way to protect your hair and scalp. Choose fabrics that are breathable to avoid scalp sweat, or try a turban or headscarf for a chic coverup.

Invest in UV Protection: Just like your skin needs SPF, your hair benefits from UV filters. Look for leave-in sprays, oils, or serums specifically formulated with UV protectants, which create a barrier that helps absorb or reflect the damaging rays.

Aveda ‘Sun Care Protective Hair Veil’ – £32

Create a Barrier

While a refreshing dip feels dreamy, chlorine and saltwater are seriously drying and damaging to hair. Chlorine strips away natural oils and protein, leading to brittleness and even colour changes. Saltwater dehydrates the hair, making it rough and prone to tangling and breakage.

Wet Your Hair BEFORE You Swim: This is a game-changer! Your hair is like a sponge. If it’s already saturated with clean, fresh water before you enter the pool or ocean, it will absorb less of the chlorinated or saltwater.

Rinse Immediately: As soon as you’re out of the water, rinse your hair thoroughly with clean, fresh water. This helps wash away some of the chlorine and salt before they can cause significant damage.

Apply a Leave-In Treatment: For an extra layer of protection, apply a leave-in conditioner or a protective oil (like coconut or argan) from mid-lengths to ends before swimming. This provides a physical barrier against the harsh chemicals and salt.

R+Co ‘Sun Catcher Power C Boosting Leave-In Conditioner’ – £30

Fight the Frizz

Humidity is a summer staple in many countries, and for those prone to frizz, it can feel like a constant battle. So to avoid channeling Monica from that ‘Friends’ episode, this is what to do…

Embrace Gentle Drying: Roughly towel-drying with a terry cloth towel can rough up the cuticle. Switch to a microfibre towel to gently blot excess water. If you blow-dry, use a diffuser attachment on a lower heat setting, which helps to dry hair without disturbing the curl pattern or creating frizz.

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate: Dry hair is more likely to absorb external moisture (hello, humidity), leading to frizz, so keep hair well-hydrated with regular deep conditioning masks and leave-in conditioners. 

Sachajuan ‘Hair After the Sun Treatment’ – £33

Seal the Cuticle: Use anti-frizz serums, oils or leave-in treatments that help smooth down the hair cuticle and create a barrier against humidity. Apply sparingly to damp or dry hair, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends.

Sisley ‘The Cream 230’ – £86

Sleep on Silk: Sleeping on a rough fabric like cotton can create friction, leading to frizz and breakage. A silk pillowcase allows your hair to glide smoothly, preserving your style and reducing frizz overnight. Not to mention it feels blissfully cool against your skin. Win-win.

Slip ‘Silk Pillowcase’ – £105

Preserve Your Colour

Protecting your colour from fading or changing is key to maintaining that fresh-from-the-salon look throughout the summer and preventing unwanted green tinges (sorry, blondes).

Wash Less Frequently: Avoid washing your hair every day if possible. Frequent washing strips colour and natural oils. On non-wash days, use a dry shampoo to keep your roots feeling fresh.

Rinse with Cooler Water: Hot water can open the hair cuticle, allowing colour to escape. Cooler water helps keep the cuticle sealed, preserving your colour.

Use Colour-Safe Products: Switch to shampoos and conditioners specifically designed for colour-treated hair. These are typically sulphate-free and gentler, helping to prevent colour molecules from washing out prematurely.

Christophe Robin ‘Colour Shield Mask with Camu Camu Berries’ – £32