Summertime always takes its toll on hair. This is why Eduardo Sánchez, Director of Maison Eduardo Sánchez in Spain, reveals eight little tips that enable us to avoid disaster and reach September with our manes in the best possible condition.
1. You Can’t Get Too Much Protection
In addition to sun screens which protect hair from the sun and other aggression, remember to wear caps, hats, or scarves to create a physical barrier against so many assiduous enemies. Remember that every external agent has a different impact on your hair: UV rays alter the pigments, drastically dehydrate and weaken keratin, as well as depriving hair of its shine. Wind can tangle your hair, gets it dirtier faster and, when trying to detangle, weakens the hair fibres and causes them to suffer. Sand can irritate the scalp to no end and increases its sensitivity. Chlorine changes the colour and dries hair out, as well as reducing the natural protective oils. Sea salt can crystallise on the hair fibre and split the ends. And finally, heat can inflame and irritate the scalp and reduce its nourishment.
2. Careful when Combing out Hair After a Swim
Immediately after a swim, hair is particularly fragile. This is why, before combing it, you must use a leave-in conditioner or a sun screen specifically formulated for hair in order to detangle and nourish it at the same time. It is always better to use a wide-toothed comb to avoid useless pulling that can break the hair fibre.
3. Wash Your Hair Every Day
Forget about all the recommendations about how washing your hair every day is not good for it. Whether you’re taking a dip in the sea or in a pool, it is essential that you wash your hair to remove any and all traces of salt and/or chlorine. Your best ally? A purifying shampoo that is delicate to be used every day, and always finish a rinse-out or leave-in conditioner, or even an oil or serum… Whatever you prefer.
4. Lots of Hydrating Masks, but on Dry Hair!
At least twice a week it is necessary to apply a mask that will repair and hydrate your hair intensely, but the trick is to apply it to dry hair. The amount of time you leave it in does not matter much even 10-15 minutes is enough – but always apply it to dry hair, before washing it, because the water prevents the product from penetrating into the hair fibre and reduces its efficacy. After having applied the mask, then wash your hair as you normally do.
5. Maximum Protection for Coloured Hair
Coloured hair or hair with balayage or highlights are more exposed during the summer months: they are more porous and hence more sensitive to external aggression. Blond hair tends to oxidate more and reds are more sensitive to a loss of tone. This is why the use of shampoo, conditioner, masks, and even oils and serums are fundamental.
6. Blondes Should Lower Their Tone!
During your last visit to your hairdresser for before heading for sun and sea, you should opt for a blond that is slightly darker, because exposure to the sun, to chlorine, and brine already tends to lighten hair. Pay particular attention to golden and honey tones, which are lighter and may take on undesired tones. Cool and platinum blonds make it through summer more easily because the summertime exalts them.
7. Pigments Are a Must
Shampoos, conditioners and masks with pigments are essential allies for coloured or lightened hair. If used according to the recommendations of the individual manufacturers, they can help to maintain the intensity of the colour and the shine and keep hair safe from the continuous assault that summer carries out on hair. They can also neutralise undesired tones.
8. Stay Loyal
Avoid going to a different hairdresser when you’re on holiday. The most serious colour catastrophes take place precisely when you look for a salon for an emergency touch-up at your holiday destination… That’s when disaster is almost guaranteed. If you really can’t do without, it would be better to ask your personal colourist for the formula he or she uses for your colour service to reduce the margin of error to a minimum.