Beach, Pool, Blow-Dry Bar: Summer Haircare That Goes the Distance
Salt, sun, humidity, SPF overload… summer may give you a glow, but your hair? That’s another story. Here’s how to protect your colour, tame the frizz, and survive the season in style.
Summer brings many things: better moods, longer evenings, too much rosé — and absolute havoc for your hair. There’s UV to fry your lengths, sweat to flood your scalp, salt and chlorine to rough up your cuticles, and just the right amount of humidity to frizz it all into submission. Throw in the fact you’re washing more, tying up more, and probably styling less — and you’ve got the ultimate stress test for even the healthiest head of hair.
And yet, the summer hair conversation still feels like an afterthought — buried under SPFs and vitamin C serums. But your hair (and scalp) deserve a proper seasonal switch-up too. From bond-building masks to UV-protective sprays, frizz-smoothing creams to colour-shielding shampoos, these are the formulas that’ll help you sail through July, August and beyond — whether you’re in Santorini or Somerset.
1. Shield the Strands: UV, Heat + Environmental Protection
Before the styling and the shine comes protection. UV rays don’t just fade your colour, they break down keratin and weaken your hair’s structure. Add in heat tools and city pollution, and a daily defence is non-negotiable.
Living Proof Restore Perfecting Spray – £29
A lightweight multitasker that shields against UV, heat, and pollution, while detangling and conditioning in one.
Colour Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray – £27
Humidity-proofing at its finest. This heat-activated mist wraps hair in a waterproof shield, keeping it smooth, glossy and frizz-free for days.
https://uk.colorwowhair.com/products/dream-coat-anti-frizz-treatmentMonpure Follicle Boost Hair Density Serum – £83
Lightweight and scalp-focused, this serum helps reduce seasonal shedding and boost volume thanks to rosemary, caffeine and peptides.
2. Summer-Safe Cleansing: Hydrate + Protect Your Colour
More sweat, more sea, more product means more washing — and with that comes a greater risk of fading colour and stripping moisture. These formulas cleanse without compromise.
Maria Nila Luminous Colour Shampoo – £23
Sulphate-free, pH-balanced and packed with antioxidant-rich pomegranate extract, this vegan shampoo gently cleanses while locking in colour.
OUAI Detox Shampoo – £28
A clarifying wash to hit reset on SPF, sweat and styling build-up. Apple cider vinegar and keratin leave your hair clean but never squeaky.
Davines MOMO Conditioner – £24.75
Made with Sicilian yellow melon extract, this cult hydrating conditioner is perfect for dry summer hair — weightless but nourishing.
3. Rebuild & Rescue: Bond Builders, But Better
Sun, salt and heat break down your hair’s internal structure. These treatments are here to patch things up, restore elasticity, and revive bounce.
Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector – £28
The original bond-builder, loved for a reason. Apply pre-shampoo once a week to restore strength and reduce breakage.
Gisou Honey Infused Hair Mask – £45
A nutrient-rich treatment powered by Mirsalehi honey, this mask deeply hydrates and softens — perfect after sun exposure.
https://gisou.com/products/honey-infused-hair-maskJVN Complete Instant Recovery Serum – £28
A lightweight leave-in powered by hemisqualane and niacinamide. It repairs the hair cuticle while protecting against further damage.
4. The Frizz Edit: Smooth Without Sacrificing Movement
Humidity happens. These styling staples smooth and shape your hair without crispiness, tackiness, or weight — just glossy, defined softness.
Oribe Supershine Moisturizing Cream Light – £66
A featherlight version of the cult classic, this leave-in cream adds gloss, tames frizz and keeps your style polished all day.
Sam McKnight Dressed to Kill Define & Defrizz Crème – £26
Silky pomade to smooth, define, and polish – perfect for post-blow-dry or second-day texture.
Davines This Is A Curl Building Serum – £23.50
Defines waves and curls while maintaining bounce and volume — humidity, meet your match.
Summer Hair Survival Tips — From the Editors’ Own Playbook
Pre-soak before pool:
Rinse hair with fresh water before swimming — it helps reduce chlorine or salt damage.
Watch your SPF hands:
Apply sunscreen before styling to avoid greasy roots.
Brush with care:
Use a wide-tooth comb on damp hair only — never drag through dry tangles.
Scrunchies > elastics:
Always reach for silk — even for topknots.
Travel like a pro:
Most of these brands offer luxe mini sizes perfect for weekends or carry-ons.
Summer hair doesn’t have to be perfect — just supported. With the right formulas and a little seasonal sense, you can dodge the damage, hold onto the shine, and keep the frizz in check until September.
