Typical. You lust after sun-kissed, wavy beach styles throughout summer, but actually, mix sand with a splash of salt water and a surfeit of sunshine and, come the end of August, you’re the proud owner of a full head of straw. According to the trichologist Anabel Kingsley: “UV rays have a similar effect on hair to bleach. They damage the protein structure, making it weaker and resulting in dry, brittle and often broken hair.” So, if you didn’t wear a swimming cap on holiday (and really, who does?) or apply hair sunscreen (again, who does — covering up your body took long enough, right?), then here’s how to win the post-summer battle for better hair.
Pool problems
Chlorine is a key culprit behind dry locks, as it can strip hair of natural oils. Use Pureology Purify Shampoo (£15) to rid hair of any built-up impurities, then seek out a silicone-rich serum such as John Frieda Frizz Ease Miracle Recovery Crème Serum (£6) to restore silkiness and moisture. If you have developed an unintentional green tint (a common problem among bottle blondes), then book in for a Redken Shades EQ Gloss treatment (from £20), suggests Sally Northwood, head colourist at George Northwood Salon. “It delivers a new lease of colour, while the wheat protein adds an extra dose of shine.” And if your blonde has gone brassy, the hair expert Adam Reed favours L’Oréal Professionnel Vitamino A:OX CC Cream for Blondes (£12.50): “It neutralises while adding a layer of shine.”
A parched parting
If coming home to reality isn’t enough of a drag, you may also be contending with a part-burnt, part-flaky scalp. “Be gentle,” Reed advises. “Swap your regular shampoo for a soothing, more sensitive option.” Philip Kingsley Exfoliating Scalp Mask (£8) lifts away dead skin cells and soothes dryness. And a note for next summer: switch the position of your parting throughout the day to avoid overexposing one section, rock a topknot and keep that hat on.
Dreaded dryness
“Pump a couple of drops of Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil [£45; spacenk.com] into your conditioner for an extra moisture boost,” says Miffy Goknil, senior stylist at Aer Blowdry Bar. “Both almond and argan oil are ideal for softening and hydrating.” Spray on a leave-in conditioner such as Aussie Miracle Hair Insurance (£4.50) daily, and use Shu Uemura Art of Hair Moisture Velvet Nourishing Treatment (£39.50) once every week. “Apply it, then wrap your hair in a towel for 15 minutes, so the cuticle can absorb all the goodness,” says James Galvin, a Kérastase ambassador. “And as your hair is already on the dry side, avoid too much direct heat from tools.”
Naughty knots
Post-holiday hair is often more brittle, “with lots of tiny raised cuticles that tangle easily”, Kingsley says. “Don’t rush the detangling process and rip through knots.” She suggests taking your time, using detangling sprays and investing in a brush that has flexible, rounded plastic prongs. Give the beauty-editor-approved Tangle Teezer (£9.50) a go: it will triumph over even the toughest of twists.
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Style it out
While we love tonged waves, poker-straight dos and bouncy blow-dries, the key to nursing sun-drenched hair is to stick to styles that require minimal tools and maintenance. Work Bumble and Bumble Don’t Blow It (£12) into damp hair for improved root-to-tip texture, no heat required. “If it’s movement you’re after, tie up your hair into a bun when it’s 80% dry for one to two hours,” says Galvin. “Then let it down, apply a styling cream and shake your hands through your hair to break it up.” He also favours braiding as a simple style update.
Make the cut
As soon as you’ve faced the fact that your holiday is over, book in for a cut. “If split ends are left for too long, they’re likely to split further up the shaft and worsen existing damage,” Kingsley says. And if you’re feeling brave, the quickest and most effective fix is a restyle. “Chop it into a fresh, shorter statement style,” Galvin says. “It’s a great way to make the transition into the winter months.”
The one in-salon fix you should know about
I almost don’t want to share this secret, but Amir Delijani at Daniel Hersheson has a magic trick that goes by the name of the Permanent Blow-Dry. It’s an all-year-round treatment, but perfect for summer-frazzled hair, leaving a healthy glow and a manageable, frizz-free mane. Who would have thought it?
Hersheson Permanent Blow-Dry, from £250