Yay, summer’s finally here! And you know what that means: Sun-kissed days, poolside lounging, and diving (naked or with the hottest bikinis!) into cool Canadian lakes and wild ocean waves from coast to coast.
But while we’re all for having a blast during the hottest months of the year, it’s super important to protect our beautiful hair from the potential damage caused by the triple threat of sun, sea salt and chlorine. So keep scrolling as Fashion Beauty Runway doubles down on the tricks you need to know to keep your hair looking fab until back to school.
Protection From the Triple Threat
Let’s begin with the first formidable foe: chlorine. Whether you’re a poolside diva or a water park enthusiast, the chemicals in chlorinated water can wreak havoc on your precious tresses. Before immersing yourself in that cool oasis, take a moment to thoroughly rinse your hair with fresh water. This saturates your strands, minimizing the absorption of chlorine and leaving your hair less damaged and more fabulous. Not only will you look effortlessly cute, but you’ll also protect your hair from unnecessary damage. Picture it—a slow-motion hair flip that exudes confidence! Post-dip, treat your tresses to a rejuvenating deep conditioning mask enriched with nourishing ingredients like coconut oil or shea butter. Allow it to work its magic while you sip on a refreshing poolside mocktail. Your can thank us later!
Ah, sea salt—the magic ingredient behind that desirable beachy texture. But let’s face it, our locks deserve more love than just a tousled appearance. The key to combating the potential damage caused by sea salt is hydration, hydration, hydration. Before going full mermaidcore in the ocean waves, proper hair preparation is essential. Time to drench your hair in a leave-in conditioner or a protective oil. These superhero products create a shield against salt, locking in moisture and ensuring your tresses remain irresistibly touchable. Feeling adventurous? Try experimenting with braids or sporting a topknot bun. These stylish looks not only safeguard your hair but also make a fashion statement, showcasing your beachy-chic vibe. It’s a double win—beach-ready hair and killer style!
Now, onto the sun, our fav source of Vitamin D and good vibes, but also a potential threat to our hair’s health. Shielding your locks from harmful UV rays is as important as finding the perfect summer playlist. Rock a stylish wide-brimmed hat or a trendy scarf as your ultimate hair accessory. Not only will you be the queen of fashion, but you’ll also protect your strands from sunburn and minimize dryness. But there’s more to protecting hair from the sun than a luxe Dior bucket hat or a cool boho bandana.
SPF, but for Hair
According to research, too much sun is the most damaging factor to the structure of hair (and even worse on blonde and coloured hair), with UVA rays leading to fading colour, and UVB to breakage. We slather our bodies with sun protection factor products (SPF) from May until October, but most of us are oblivious to the fact that we should also shield hair from the damaging effects of the sun.
The sun’s rays act on hair a bit like bleach. UVB oxidizes the pigment cells, which is why it becomes lighter in the sun. Prolonged sun exposure without the proper protection (a hat or a hair product formulated with SPF ingredients) degrades the protein structure of hair, often resulting in low elasticity, breakage, split ends and lack of shine. And no one wants their beach balayage to be lacklustre.
Three great hair SPF products to try:
• Invisible Defence Universal Protection Spray from Oribe
Your daily dose of universal protection. This weightless mist shields hair from thermal damage up to 450°F (great for your flat iron before cocktail hour), UV rays and pollution while imparting gentle moisture. Say goodbye to dryness, colour fading, and frizz!
• Soleil Crème UV Sublime Hair Cream from Kérastase
Upgrade your summer hair care routine with a sensual scented leave-in moisturizing cream enriched with Vitamin E. When applied to lengths and ends, it prevents dryness and tames frizz up to 24 hours for a silky-smooth finish. Permits multiple applications on dry or wet hair.
• Antioxydant Protective Hair Spray INsight Professional.
Protects hair from sun and sea salt, leaving it soft and well moisturized. Formulated with organic extracts of coconut, hazelnut and jojoba oils. Spray on hair before and during sun exposure and pretend you’re in Capri!
