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Summer hair conjures up images of tousled waves, natural highlights and luscious locks, but the reality is often brittle, damaged and dull hair. Kelly Barriball explains how you can get your dream hair this summer…
If I asked you to describe your ultimate summer hair, I’m confident that a large portion of you would respond with ‘natural highlights’; ‘quick and easy’; or ‘long, luscious, beach hair a la Miranda Kerr and Gisele Bundchen’.

While this is often the ideal we see in magazines, heat and humidity, sun, saltwater and chlorine leave us with dry, dull, lifeless hair and brittle or split ends, meaning Gisele Bundchen-ish hair is just not possible without the right tools.

Prevention is your best friend, but knowing how to repair damage is also a good friend to have on board – much like the girlfriend that tells you your butt does look big in those jeans. Moisture, replenishment and heat protection are also high on the list of BFFs to keep your hair in its best possible condition.

The sun is undoubtedly your worst enemy in summer with UVA and UVB rays constantly bombarding hair that is unprotected. The easiest and most efficient way to keep your hair at its optimum is the aforementioned BFF: heat protection.

Brad Ngata from Brad Ngata Hair Direction says: “The best way to keep your hair in top notch condition is to wear a solar protection crème. I also recommend you do a treatment at least once a week – I love Kerastase Soleil, they do a shampoo and treatment vital to maintaining condition and a spray that you can use before swimming, and they all contain UV protection”.

If salon products are not your thing, never fear, you can dabble in a little alchemy of sorts and concoct your very own home made recipes. These are four of the tried and tested best for deep conditioning:

• Mix 1 tablespoon honey and any type of vegetable oil. Distribute mixture evenly all over the hair. Leave for 20 minutes.

• Coat dry hair with mayonnaise, once finished cover with a plastic shower cap and leave on for 10-20 minutes.

• Apply olive oil all over your hair. Cover with a plastic bag and let it stay for 20 minutes. For extra conditioning take a warm shower while waiting. The heat will help the oil work to its maximum potential.

• Beat one egg, add 3 tablespoons of water and apply to scalp and hair.

For all of these recipes, shampoo after 20 minutes and condition as usual.

If lack of shine is your biggest weakness try one of these never fail homemade methods:

•Boil used tea leaves in water, let it cool and then use the liquid as the final rinse in your hair regime.

•Alternatively, you can use flat beer as the final rinse.

•Lemon juice mixed with water can also be used to give your hair a shiny and bouncy look.

Ngata tells me, as predicted, the biggest trend for summer is ‘goddess hair’. Long and luscious, and sits like you’ve just walked out of a salon when you leave it to dry naturally. Unfortunately, many of us are not blessed with such luck but Ngata says extensions are always a valid option.

“The want for extensions grows rapidly in the summer and it is a great way to get instant locks. Extensions also allow you to have lighter strands to work in with your existing colour,” he says.

If extensions are above and beyond your price range, Thickefy Foam (RRP $38) by Sebastian professional is one of the best thickening and bodylicious products I have used to date. I have naturally fine hair but a dollop of this weightless thickener worked wonders for light-lifting texture. It’s also quick and easy, you can apply it to damp hair from roots to end and then blowdry for weightless body or scrunch it into dry hair for added texture and hold and voila! Miranda Kerr’ish hair!
I also love the new Flaunt range from Sebastian that includes everything you need to smooth and shine your locks after a long day at the beach. Trilliant (RRP $38) gives thermal heat protection with brilliant shine; Liquid Gloss (RRP $36) defrizzes, adds shine and promotes manageability and Shine Define (RRP $30) is the ultimate flexible hold spray – perfect for recreating those beach waves at night.
 
As well as professional advice, old-school tips and tricks and wonder products, there are always quick and easy tips to protect your lovely locks this summer:
•Wear a hat to cover your delicate strands – Kristen Cavallari from The Hills often teams a fedora with her bikini at the beach.
•Tie your hair in a top knot, as seen on the twentyseven names runway during this year’s Fashion Week, a bun or braids is perfect if frizz gets the better of you.
•Use hair products with sun protection in them.
•Rinse your hair with cold fresh water after a swim in the sea or chlorine and then add a leave-in conditioner to de-stress your locks.
•Headpieces and headbands are making a comeback, as seen in this month’s Russh magazine, or go here http://www.littledoeislove.com/ for inspiration.

Summer is all about relaxation and restoration so the last thing you want to worry about is your hair care. Take on board some of these simple tips and techniques and have a summer free of bad hair days!

Article by Kelly Barriball

Kelly Barriball is a daydream believer. She reads books about crazies and listens to songs the same. They make her feel a little less insane. She always tints her lashes and her eyebrows are almost a prized possession. She loves the smell of rain and playing with new beauty products. Sometimes she wishes she could play fairies in an open field and fend off responsibilities. She loves to write. She wishes craziness, madness and foolishness upon you.

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