It’s officially summer in Fort Collins, which means long days on the lake, camping along the Poudre or hiking another mountain. While we all love the idea of gorgeous, beachy waves, summertime doesn’t always agree with our hair. The combination of heat, salt, sun and swimming can actually take a toll on our locks. But don’t worry, for every summer hair problem – there’s a solution!
Your favorite stylists at Balayage had amazing facts and tricks to help keep your mane looking and feeling great all summer long. In addition, don’t forget to double tie those bikini tops and slather on the sunscreen!
Chlorine vs Cleansing Shampoo & Conditioner
Despite the fact that chlorine is most well-known for turning blonde hair green, the chemical can (and will) wreak havoc on every hair color. When you cool off in the pool or spark a little romance in the hot tub, the chlorine can weaken the protein structure of your hair just like the sun, making it susceptible to breakage.
Protect your hair by rinsing your hair immediately after leaving the pool. For ultimate purification and restoration, use Oribe’s Cleanse Clarifying Shampoo and Cleansing Crème for Moisture and Control. One of our stylists also mentioned using a leave-in conditioner before diving in to temporarily block the chlorine from seeping into your hair.
The Downside of Real Ocean Water
Who doesn’t love a good salt spray? After a day at the beach, there’s nothing sexier than gritty texture and rumpled waves; however, real ocean water doesn’t usually come with the conditioner and oils you’re used to. Pure ocean salt adheres to your hair, roughs up strands and usually causes them to stick together. As refreshing as a dip in the ocean is, this is how you end up with a mess of tangled knots.
We all know the pain and torture that comes with trying to rip out the slew of knots with our fingers or a brush. Save yourself the tears and just head straight to the shower to rinse out the salt. Don’t even try to comb out the knots until you’ve had a chance to use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Another great tip? Pack Oribe’s Foundation Mist, spritz it on liberally and then gently comb through your hair.
The ‘Hair Up’ Conundrum
It’s been between 90-100 degrees in Fort Collins this past week, which means it’s nearly impossible to leave your hair down all the time. Unfortunately, wearing your hair up day after day, in the same ponytail, can actually cause some serious damage. We know it’s not realistic to say ‘never wear your hair up’ but it’s good to know how to alleviate some breakage.
Our stylists recommend switching up your elastic for one that’s less likely to cause breakage. You can find wide, flat elastics at Walgreens that are way less aggressive than the usual skinny band. Remember, the absolute worst thing you can do is rip a hair tie straight out of your hair! Try to uncoil it until it becomes loose and then gently slide it out. There’s nothing wrong with getting your hair off your neck, just be smart about protecting your locks!
The Shower Addiction
When it’s this hot out, all you want to do is shower after being outside even for just 10 minutes. While it’s totally fine to wash your hair as often as you want, remember to take it easy. Our stylists have noticed that a number of people wash their hair every day but aren’t being as gentle as they need to be. Remember, when your hair is wet, it’s at its weakest state and the most susceptible to breakage.
Especially in a dry climate like Colorado, just be gentle and moisturize as much as possible. In the shower, use a shampoo enriched with hydrating oils and proteins to strengthen your hair. When you get out, be sure to pat (not rub) your hair dry with a towel. Comb through your hair gently and you’ll be good to wash your hair as often as you’d like!
If you have other summer hair questions, don’t be afraid to stop by and talk to our stylists! They’re more than happy to recommend the best products and practices to keep your hair healthy and beautiful all summer long.