Beauty

|12 Feb 2023|4 mins

How to Revive Your Post-Summer Hair

From masks to oils, here's how to heal summer-damaged strands.

Main image via Instagram @emrata

Summer can wreak havoc on even the healthiest strands. The combination of sun, salt and chlorine can leave you with damaged and dry hair, not to mention discolouration and brittleness. The feeling that comes from walking out of the salon with a fresh cut, colour and blow-dry is long gone after a few days out in the sunshine. But, the good news is that with the right products, like a hydrating hair mask and nourishing hair oil, it is possible to hold on to that fresh hair feeling and revive your hair post-summer.

And so to help you on your way, we’ve pulled together an edit of at-home essentials to heal summer-damaged strands.

Hydrating Hair Mask

For a quick hit of hydration, you can't go past Coco & Eve's Sweet Repair Repairing & Restoring Hair Mask. Brimming with a combination of biomimetic ceramides, hyaluronic acid and vegan keratin, plus vitamin-rich tropical fruit to help repair damaged and dry hair, this mask will leave your strands looking healthy and smooth in just 5 minutes.

Coco & Eve Sweet Repair Repairing & Restoring Hair Mask RRP $51.90

Shampoo Smarter

Washing your post-summer hair with any old shampoo is like committing a beauty sin. Instead seek out a gentle, sulfate-free formula that will preserve your strands and prevent unnecessary fade, like L’Oreal Professionnel’s Serie Expert Vitamino Color. The soft, silky foam will cleanse away any product build-up while adding shine and volume.

L’Oreal Professionnel’s Serie Expert Vitamino Color RRP $31.95

Hair Oil

This 10-in-1 leave-in hair oil helps to bring summer-damaged hair back to life as the ultimate multi-tasking treatment. The lightweight formula is nourishing, resurfacing, softening & detangling, conditioning, and smoothing while improving manageability and bringing your locks back to life.

L'Oreal Professionnel Serie Expert absolut Repair Gold Oil 90ml RRP $33.95

Brighter Blonde

If you’re spending a small fortune on blonde highlights, it makes sense to keep them bright for as long as possible. The best way to do so at home is through a purple toning shampoo – the violet pigments work to colour-correct yellow, golden or brassy tones. Shu Uemura’s Yubi Blonde formula is extremely effective, so you’ll notice a huge difference by using it just once a week.

Shu Uemura Yūbi Blonde Anti-Brass Shampoo 300ml RRP $50.00

Bond Repair

It’s no secret that damaged, and dry hair takes away from your overall style. But a professional tip is to use a bond repair treatment at-home, in between your hair appointments, like Redken’s Acidic Bonding Concentrate Conditioner. It works by repairing keratin bonds, defending against breakage, frizz and split ends. It’s also sulfate-free and 100% colour-safe.

Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Conditioner 300ml RRP $45.00

Condition + Treat

Part of the reason hair looks so lush post-salon is that it's hydrated and cared-for, so why not show it similar love at home? Look for a treatment like Pureology’s Color Fanatic Multi-Tasking Deep-Conditioning Mask. Packed with plant oils, it works to repair damage, restore vibrancy and prevent UV-induced colour fade. A big yes from us.

Pureology Color Fanatic Multi-Tasking Deep-Conditioning Mask 200ml RRP $51.95

Gloss

One of the easiest ways to bring back that post blow-dry shine is with a leave-in oil. We’re especially fond of the Essence Absolue All-In-Oil Spray from Shu Uemura. Made with camellia and coconut oil, it adds shine and smoothness without greasy or weight. Run it through the mid-lengths and ends, or to smooth over a sleek ponytail.

Shu Uemura Essence Absolue All-In-Oil Spray 100ml RRP $68.00

Protect

Heat, sun exposure and swimming are quick to derail fresh, healthy strands – which is why a little UV protection never goes astray (yes, sunscreen for hair is a thing). Alterna’s Infinite Colour Hold Dual-Use Serum wraps around hair strands protecting them from the elements (plus it smooths, adds shine and smells amazing). Basically, it never misses.

Alterna Infinite Colour Hold Dual-Use Serum RRP $49.50

Fast delivery – free over $50 – and free returns.

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