Summer is full of everything we love: beach trips, pool days, vacations, and long sunny afternoons. Unfortunately, it's also one of the most damaging seasons for your hair. Between UV rays, chlorine, saltwater, humidity, and extra heat styling, your strands can quickly become dry, dull, and prone to breakage. The good news? A few simple habits (and the right products) can keep your hair looking just as healthy in August as it did in May!
1. Never Skip Heat Protectant
If you're reaching for a blow dryer, curling iron, or flat iron, heat protectant isn't optional. Heat styling without protection can strip moisture from the hair, weaken the cuticle, and contribute to breakage and color fading over time. Even if you're only doing a quick touch-up with a hot tool, always apply heat protectant first.
2. Don't Let Chlorine Sit in Your Hair
One of the biggest summer mistakes? Leaving pool water in your hair until later. Chlorine continues drying out your strands long after you've left the pool. For color-treated blondes, it can even contribute to brassiness or discoloration.
Here's what we recommend:
-Rinse your hair with fresh water before getting in the pool (this helps reduce how much chlorinated water your hair absorbs). Think of your hair as a sponge, if the sponge is saturated before you put it in water, it won't absorb as much of the chlorine! -Shampoo and condition as soon as possible after swimming. -Follow up with a deep conditioning treatment if you've spent the day in the pool.
3. Wet Hair Needs Extra TLC
Hair is at its weakest when it's wet. Pulling soaking wet hair into a tight ponytail or bun creates unnecessary tension that can lead to breakage and split ends…especially if you're doing it every day after the beach or gym.
Instead:
-Use a microfiber towel or cotton t-shirt to gently remove excess water. -Choose loose braids or a soft scrunchie if you need your hair up. -Let your hair air dry whenever possible.
4. Protect Your Hair From the Sun
We all know to wear SPF on our skin but your hair deserves protection, too.
UV rays can:
-Fade hair color -Dry out the hair shaft -Weaken the cuticle -Leave hair feeling rough and brittle
Using a leave-in conditioner or styling product with UV protection before spending time outdoors helps create a protective barrier against the sun. A hat or scarf can provide even more protection during long beach days.
Here’s some products we recommend:
L'Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox Leave-In Cream
Best for: Color-treated hair and swimmer
-Protects against heat up to 450°F -Helps minimize damage from metals that can build up in hair from water -Great before pool days and styling afterward
Kérastase Soleil Crème UV Sublime
Best for: All hair types, especially color-treated hair
-Lightweight leave-in cream -Helps protect against UV exposure -Reduces frizz caused by humidity -Adds softness and shine without feeling greasy
This is one of the strongest salon-grade options specifically formulated for sun protection.
Curly Hair Needs Even More Moisture
Humidity doesn't replace hydration.
Curly hair naturally has a harder time retaining moisture, and summer conditions can leave curls feeling dry, frizzy, and less defined. That's why one of our favorite seasonal recommendations is the Kérastase Curl Manifesto Hair Mask.
Why we love it
This ultra-rich treatment is designed specifically for very curly and coily hair that needs intense hydration.
Benefits include:
-Deeply nourishes dry curls without weighing them down. -Helps reduce frizz caused by humidity. -Improves softness and shine. -Enhances curl definition and bounce. -Strengthens hair to help minimize breakage.
Whether you've spent the weekend at the pool or your curls simply need a moisture reset, this mask gives your hair the hydration it craves.
Our recommendation: Use it once a week during the summer months for healthier, more manageable curls.
Need a Summer Hair Reset?
Whether you're protecting your color, maintaining your curls, or giving your hair some much-needed hydration after vacation, our team is here to help. Stop by FRĒ Salon & Extensions to find the professional products that fit your hair goals, including the Kérastase Curl Manifesto Hair Mask or book a treatment customized to what your hair needs this season! Healthy hair doesn't happen by accident. A little extra care now means stronger, shinier, more manageable hair all summer long. ☀️
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