Sun can cause a multitude of hair problems. From colour-fade to frizz and dry ends.
As the temperatures soar, it’s time to take action. Loving the sun and having healthy, shiny hair is not mutually exclusive.
In this Ultimate Summer Hair Guide, I’ll share tips for taking care of your hair in the sun.
The sun is not all bad news for hair. The summer months provide us with much-needed vitamin D. Vitamin D is vital for new hair growth as receptors in the hair follicles need feeding in the growing phase.
However, the sun can dry hair out. In this summer hair guide, I’ll share the tell-tale signs of dry hair and give you summer hair tips on preventing dry hair.
I’ll kick off by talking about the structure of the hair. It’s helpful to understand the structure, as it helps us focus on what your hair needs.
Hair comprises three layers; the cuticle, cortex and medulla. The cuticle is the outermost layer, composed of keratinised scales that protect the inner layers. This layer affects the appearance of the hair, and keeping the cuticle hydrated is crucial in keeping hair hydrated. If over-dried, the shaft becomes brittle, causing the cuticle to raise.
Here are my top tell-tale signs of dry hair:
- It’s not easy to comb or brush.
- Hair becomes matted at the ends
- It breaks easily
- Difficult to style
- Prone to frizz
- Hair is dull
Summer Hair Guide: How to prevent Dry Hair in the Summer
If any of my tell-tale signs of dry hair sound familiar, take some simple steps to counter dryness. You can protect hair from becoming dry, and doing so will improve how your hair looks and feels and make it easier to style.
- Treat your hair like your skin and keep it hydrated so drink plenty of water.
- Split ends, if left unchecked, can work their way up the cuticle, leaving hair dull and unmanageable, so invest in regular trims.
- Always use a good conditioner after shampooing your hair.
- Get into the habit of a weekly intensive hair treatment to hydrate dry hair.
- Keep heated styling to a minimum – turn down your hairdryer and ditch the straighteners. Warmer days are the perfect time to let your hair air dry.
- And don’t forget that your hair is what you eat, so check your diet to ensure it’s getting what it needs. What’s good for your skin is good for your hair.
Summer Hair Guide: Get the most from Deep Conditioning Treatments
If you are already treating your hair to weekly hair mask treatments, you are doing the best thing for dry hair.
However, you may feel your hair treatment is not giving your hair what it needs. Or maybe you are about to embark on a routine of regular hair treatments, and you’d like the best advice on using a hair treatment.
Keep reading to discover how you can get the most from a deep hair conditioner.
- Always squeeze excess water out of your hair before application. Hair should be damp but not dripping wet.
- Less is more – choose a good quality hair mask. Spending a bit more for a better quality product that goes a long way is often more economical in the long run.
- Work the product up in your palms before application. That makes it easier to spread in the hair, and you won’t end up with a concentration of product in one place.
- If your hair is thick and coarse, you can apply from root to tip. Otherwise, concentrate on mid-lengths and ends.
- I recommend leaving our Restore and Shine Hair Masque on for longer if you can. Ten minutes is enough. However, if your hair is excessively dry or you want to give it an extra moisture boost, leave it on for a few hours.
- Rinse well. When you take a hair mask off unless the instructions specify, there’s no need to follow with shampoo. Just rinse, dry and style.
- For maximum benefits, build a weekly routine.
Summer Hair Guide: Choose simple Styling Options for the Summer months
Keep Heated Styling to a Minimum
It’s hard to break free of the hairdryer, but summer is the perfect moment to let go of some old habits. Try letting your hair air dry for a change.
For shorter and mid-length lengths, go for a more relaxed tousled look. You can use styling products to give you a better finish. And if you can’t let go of the hairdryer, choose the cool setting and reduce drying time.
For longer locks, you can plait the hair whilst damp and release it when dry for the ultimate relaxed hairstyle – beachy waves.
Use a Micro-Fibre Towel to Dry your Hair
Micro-fibre towels create less friction, leading to less breakage when hair is wet and at its most vulnerable. Remember, gently pat out the water when you dry and don’t rub. Treat your hair like a delicate fabric.
Check your Ingredients
Take a look at your styling products. If you see alcohol denat on the ingredients list, use it sparingly. Alcohol denat can be drying for hair, so less is more. If you are using a spray, try spraying above the head (rather than directly on the hair) and let it fall gently on the hair. It’s a simple way of ensuring you don’t overload the hair.
Summer Hair Guide: How to look after Colour-Treated Hair
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate Colour Treated Hair
If your hair is colour-treated we are going to start with some tough love. For those using a colour treatment with peroxide, the job of the peroxide is to open up the cuticle so that the hair can absorb the colour. If you are using a natural or organic alternative, chances are there is still an ingredient doing the same job. Opening up the cuticle makes hair fragile and easier to break. Hair becomes drier and, when exposed to sunlight, this exacerbates the dryness and leads to dull-looking hair or colour fade. Caring for colour-treated hair in the sun is more of a challenge and here’s what I recommend.
- Shampoo and condition your hair with products that are developed for colour treated hair. They have more nourishing ingredients to combat the effects of colour treatment and they put moisture back into the hair which in turn helps to retain your colour for longer.
- Make Time for an Intensive Conditioner – The hair mask is our go-to product to pack moisture into the hair. If you have colour-treated hair this is an absolute must. Hair masks are designed to leave hair nourished, soft and shiny. The perfect antidote to colour treatments. I cannot stress enough how important it is to get into the habit of using a masque once a week on colour-treated hair. If you think you don’t have time, think again. It’s the key to retaining your colour for longer.
- If the hair is excessively dry you can use a masque twice a week, particularly during the summer months and then revert back to once a week, once your hair is feeling more hydrated.
Summer Hair Guide: Get Volume in Fine Hair this Summer without getting Hot under the Hairdryer
If your hair is fine and feels flat, you can create volume in the summer without long stints under your hairdryer. Try the following techniques to avoid getting overheated and experiment with some new styles.
Velcro rollers for Hair with Volume
Four velcro rollers should do it. Velcro rollers come in lots of different sizes. Unsure which size you need? Try the 44ml self-grip rollers as a starting point. Start by washing and conditioning the hair, and towel out the excess water. Spritz with volumiser and rough-dry with your hairdryer. Apply rollers at an angle to make the roots sit up. Place two at the crown and one at each side. Once the rollers are in place, use your hairdryer for a quick blast of heat, let the hair cool, and gently remove the rollers. Heat changes the hair structure, and when left to cool, the lift should hold. Push your hair into place with your fingers or a comb.
Vent Brush
The Vent Brush is an alternative to the Velcro rollers. I recommend practising working with the vent brush. The vent brush is an excellent tool for creating volume. Take a section of hair where you want to create lift, place the brush at the end of the hair, and roll it down to the roots. Blast the root area with the hairdryer for a few seconds, leave to cool and gently remove the brush.
A Fine Tooth Comb
Use a fine-tooth comb to gently back-comb the hair at the crown or the sides, wherever you want to create lift. Don’t go right to the roots. Position the comb about half an inch away, ensuring you back-comb in small sections, being gentle with your hair.
For more answers to fine hair problems, go to my blog for expert tips on looking after fine hair.
Summer Hair Guide: How to get rid of Frizz for Beautiful Curly Hair
What about the Frizz?
Curly hair and frizz don’t have to go hand in hand. Frizzy hair is crying out for moisture. So the answer is to keep hair well-hydrated. I know that can be easier said than done. With over 35 years in hairdressing, I’ve worked with many curls, and by taking the right approach, I know your curls can be your crowning glory. So if you want to show off your gorgeous curls this summer, here’s what I suggest…
Learn to Love Your Curls
Loving your curls is an absolute essential. Do you find yourself longing for straight hair? Here’s why I think you should love your curls. There is so much to love about curly hair. Ask your straight-haired friends what they would most love to change about their hair – body and volume are probably the answers. Curly has a natural body and bounce. You can get away without spending hours underneath the hairdryer. And if you go for it, curly hair worn with attitude is a style statement. It truly can be your best accessory.
Get the Right Foundation
So you’re committed to your curls, what’s next? The first thing is to choose the right products for your hair. Curly hair needs products that deliver moisture. Check your ingredients. Shampoos and conditioners with high levels of emollients work well with curly hair. Look out for pro-vitamin B5, glycerin, olive leaf and protein. Cetearyl alcohol is another great ingredient for curly hair. Don’t be fooled by the name. This alcohol is good for the hair. It’s a fatty alcohol with a white, waxy texture used in skin creams for its soothing properties. Basically, you are looking for products that feed the hair with moisture.
Own your Routine
In my years of looking after curly hair, I can’t stress enough the importance of routine. You need to find a routine that works for you. Whether you wash your hair once a week, twice a week or even every other day, it’s really up to you. The trick is to see how your hair responds. So for example, if you are washing and conditioning your hair once a week but you find it is still dry, try washing and conditioning more frequently.
I can almost hear the sharp intake of breath! I know that there’s plenty of advice out there saying that washing often is bad for the hair. Well, I don’t agree. I believe that washing hair with harsh detergents is bad for the hair. Choose a gentle shampoo and a good hydrating conditioner and it’s not a problem. Hair is like the skin. If your skin was dry, would you moisturise it less? Probably not. My advice – take notice of what your hair is telling you and adapt your routine accordingly.
Shape Up!
Get the right cut for curly hair and you will never want to tie it up again. Find a hairdresser who loves curls and make sure you have a consultation before going for the chop. A consultation is a great way of understanding the approach your stylist will take. Don’t be afraid to get regular trims, straggly ends will cramp your style!
Keep up the Moisture
The hair masque is my go-to product to pack moisture into the hair. It touches the parts that conditioners don’t reach. If you have curly hair this is an absolute must. Masques are designed to leave hair nourished, soft and shiny. We cannot stress enough how important it is to get into the habit of using a masque once a week on curly hair. If you think you don’t have time, think again. It’s the key to banishing the frizz. Still, don’t think you have time? Check out my blog No Time for a Hair Treatment?
And by the way, if your hair is excessively dry you can use a masque twice a week, particularly during the summer months and then revert back to once a week, once your hair is feeling more hydrated.
In-between Washing
Don’t forget to maintain hydration in between washes. Mix a small amount of conditioner or hair masque with a little water and feed it into your curls for a quick refresh.
Curly Hair | Take Care of Curly Hair Naturally | Expert Tips
Summer Hair Guide: Suitcase Essentials
And finally, here are my top suitcase essentials for keeping your hair looking and feeling great this summer.
- Pins, clips and bands are handy for plaiting, ponies, up-dos and topknots to add fun to your look. They can work from poolside glamour to sunset chic. They save you from the tyranny of the daily blow-dry. For updos, do a quick rough-dry before styling, or you can style on dry hair.
- Velcro rollers – pack 3 or 4 of them and follow my tips above.
- A Mason Pearson brush is excellent for holiday hair care. Turn the volume up by back-brushing hair, especially when wearing it up. Use a vent brush for shorter styles to create body and volume by pushing the roots up with the vent brush.
- Hat – A hat is not only a style essential for long summer days, but it’s also a hair essential. Wear your hat to avoid the sun’s rays, particularly between midday and 3 pm.
- Styling Mist for Natural Hold and a Glossy Finish – This little beauty is more than just a styling product. It also works as a leave-conditioner. It contains Sugar Beet, an ingredient that helps the hair to retain moisture, working alongside keratin and argan oil to nourish and repair dry hair. We love how soft and silky hair feels after using this lovely mist.
- Headscarf – It’s very much the hair accessory of the summer. Use a headscarf to dress long or short hair. Wrapping your hair in a headscarf is a fabulous way of protecting your hair whilst showing off your fashion credentials.
- Restore and Shine Hair Masque 50ml – Do not leave home without it. If you have dry hair, this is your go-to product. This little pot of sunshine will leave your hair nourished, soft and shiny. I recommend using it once a week. However, if your hair is excessively dry, you can use it twice a week during the summer months.
Poolside tip to prevent Dry Hair in the Sun
Our best hair treatment, Restore and Shine Hair Masque is our favourite poolside product. Shampoo your hair in the morning. Rinse. Towel out excess water. Apply this deep hair conditioner and slick back your hair for a pool-ready look. You can leave it on all day – don’t forget your swimming cap if you are going for a dip! In the evening, rinse, and you’ll be amazed at how easy your hair is to style.
A swimming cap not only protects your hair but it can also add a touch of glamour to your poolside look. Need convincing? Check out our Pinterest board for inspiration.
About the Author
Norris Ogario is the founder and Creative Director of Ogario London. Developed in his London salon, the Ogario London haircare products reflect his belief that hydration is the key to fixing most hair problems. You can style hydrated hair with ease. Plus, hydration leaves hair shiny and healthy. Norris has over 35 years of hair know-how. Norris has expertise in all hair types, from dry hair to fine or grey hair, from frizzy to damaged or bleached hair, curly hair and afro hair.
Go to our Healthy Hair Care Blog for more expert advice.
Recommended Reading
For over 35 years, I’ve talked to and helped a lot of customers with dry hair concerns. I write about all aspects of healthy hair, from how to stop frizzy hair to how to get rid of split ends, and I share salon tips and techniques for looking after all hair types.
The way we style and care for our hair is not the only factor determining hair health and shine.
Good nutrition is vital.
Want to discover the best foods for hair growth? You’ll find everything you need to know in my blog, Healthy Hair: Choose the Best Foods for Hair Growth.
Don’t put up with dry hair. Discover how to add moisture to dry hair in my blog, Salon Know-How: How to Moisturise Dry Hair.
Leave In Conditioner with Argan Oil for Hair
Have you tried styling your hair with a leave in hair conditioner? It’s the best option for adding moisture to your hair before heated styling. It gives hair the best foundation for styling without compromising the health of your hair.
https://www.ogariolondon.com/leave-in-hair-conditioner-we-give-you-the-heads-up/
Expert Tips for Curly Hair
Find out why it’s not all about the product for curly hair. Develop the best application and routine with your deep conditioner and other curly hair products.
Expert Tips for Shiny Hair
Shiny hair is the antithesis of frizzy hair. In order for hair to shine, the cuticle must be smooth. The smooth cuticles create a smooth surface for light bounce off your hair. That’s when your hair shines. Discover Norris’s expert tips on getting your shiniest hair.
How to Look After Grey Hair
For everything Grey Hair, from choosing the best grey hair products to the best hairstyles for grey hair. Or from how to enhance grey hair to how to soften coarse grey hair or how to transition to grey hair, go to my Ultimate Guide for Caring Grey Hair.
I’ve put together a list of the most common questions for everything you need to know about how to look after grey hair and enhance what you’ve got. Plus, if you are looking for product ideas, look no further than the best hair mask for natural grey hair, Restore and Shine Hair Mask.
Taking Care of Bleached Hair and Fix Damage
If you have bleached hair and want to regain your shine, read my blog, How to take care of Bleached Hair. You’ll find everything you need to know about taking care of bleached hair, from the best hair mask for bleached hair to how to fix hair damaged from over-bleaching. Plus, don’t miss my case study on elasticity in bleached hair.
Bleached Hair | How to Take Care of Bleached Hair and Fix Damage
How to Look after Fine Hair
If you would like advice on how to look after fine hair, you are not alone. I’ve worked with many clients who have fine hair. Many common questions come up in my client consultations, from the best hair volume products to tips on how to style for volume to choosing the best cut.
Dry Hair Treatment
Get expert tips and advice on how to use a dry hair treatment in my blog, Dry Hair Treatment: Essential Hair Care
About Us
Ogario London is a salon developed range of natural hair care products. Because we are passionate about our products, delivering the best results is at the heart of what we do. Do you have questions about our products? Or, would you like advice on the best products for your hair type? Maybe have another question about how to look after your hair? If you do, please get in touch at info@ogariolondon.com.
Beauty Bible Recommends Ogario London Hair Masque Hair Treatment
Restore and Shine Hair Masque was awarded best hair mask in the Ultimate Natural Beauty Bible Awards. As an independent hair care brand, we are incredibly proud to be recognised alongside some of the industry’s biggest haircare brands. Because I spend time ensuring that our products deliver the best results, I couldn’t be happier to get this review and win this prestigious award.
Here’s what Josephine Fairley and Sarah Stacey had to say,
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