Guide to protecting your hair in summer

Summer rhymes with sunshine, sea, relaxation, and hair blowing in the wind. However, behind these postcard images often lies a less glamorous reality for our hair: dry ends, dull lengths, uncontrollable frizz… Between UV rays, salty water, pool chlorine, and wind, our hair is put to the test.

Whether curly, straight, colored, or natural, all hair types need special attention during the summer. But don't panic: with a few simple steps and a good routine, it is entirely possible to preserve the beauty and health of your hair while fully enjoying the beach and sun.

We give you all our essential tips for taking care of your hair in summer: the right reflexes before, during, and after the beach, hairstyles to favor, gestures to avoid, and even some recommended products to pamper it daily.

Soft, strong, and shiny hair, even after three weeks of hot sand and turquoise water. 🌞

Why does summer damage our hair?

If skin suffers from the sun, so does hair. In summer, hair undergoes numerous environmental aggressions which, combined, can weaken the hair fiber, alter color, and cause lasting dryness. Here are the main enemies of your hair during the summer season:

1. Sun and UV rays

Ultraviolet rays penetrate the hair cuticle and damage the proteins that compose it, especially keratin. Result: hair becomes dry, brittle, and dull. On colored hair, UV rays also alter pigments, causing color to fade more quickly (blond hair turns yellow, red dulls, brown lightens in places).

2. Saltwater

Seawater contains salt, which acts as a dehydrator. By infiltrating the hair fiber, it makes it more porous and accentuates frizz. It can also make the scalp drier or irritable in sensitive people. And once dried in the sun, salt water leaves crystals that further increase dehydration.

3. Pool chlorine

Chlorine is an aggressive disinfectant, particularly harmful to colored, highlighted, or very dry hair. It alters the fiber, can give blond hair a greenish tint, and often causes split ends or loss of flexibility.

4. Wind and sand

Wind tangles hair, promotes breakage, and makes detangling difficult, especially for long or fine hair. Sand, meanwhile, can irritate the scalp and damage the cuticle by acting as an abrasive exfoliant.

Summer can turn brilliant hair into a dry, hard-to-style mass. Fortunately, adopting an adapted routine can limit damage and avoid unpleasant surprises when returning from vacation.

Essential steps to protect your hair at the beach

Preserving your hair during summer does not necessarily require a complex routine, but rather good habits to adopt before, during, and after each exposure to the sun, sea, or pool. Here is our practical guide for protected hair in all circumstances.

Before the beach: prepare and protect

Even before laying your towel on the warm sand, a few simple steps can limit aggressions:

• Dampen your hair with clean water: like a sponge, hair absorbs less salty or chlorinated water if it is already soaked with fresh water. Wet your lengths with mineral water or under the shower before swimming.
  
  
• Apply a protective sun care product: opt for a spray, light oil, or leave-in cream containing a UV filter. It forms a barrier between the hair fiber and external aggressions.
  

Examples to discover:
– René Furterer Sun Ritual
– Nuxe Moisturizing Protective Hair Milk Oil
– Schwarzkopf Professional BC Bonacure Sun Protect Spray

• Tie up your hair: tied-up hair (braid, bun, low ponytail) is less exposed to the sun and friction. Moreover, it prevents knots due to the wind. We will share inspiring and easy-to-do hairstyles to enhance your summer days further down in this article.

During the beach: limit damage

During your lazy time, adopt these simple steps to prevent your sunbathing day from turning into a hair nightmare:

• Cover your hair: a wide-brimmed hat, cap, or light scarf effectively protects from the sun and limits dehydration. It is also an essential fashion accessory for summer.
  

• Rinse regularly with fresh water: if you swim, remember to rinse your hair as soon as you get out of the water, if possible with a bottle of clean water. This prevents salt or chlorine from drying on the lengths.
  

• Reapply the protective spray every two hours, like sunscreen, especially after swimming.
  
  

After the beach: repair and nourish

Back home or at the hotel, it's time to gently repair what the day may have altered:

• Wash your hair with a gentle clarifying shampoo: it removes salt, sand, chlorine, and sun product residues without irritating the scalp.
  To try: Klorane Solar Shampoo with Ylang-Ylang Wax
  

• Do a deep conditioning treatment: use a nourishing or repairing mask to intensely hydrate the hair fiber. Leave on for at least 10 to 20 minutes.
  Recommendations:
  – Kérastase Nutritive Mask Masquintense
  – Le Petit Marseillais Ultra-Hydrating Coconut Mask
  

• Apply an oil or serum to the ends: to maintain shine and flexibility, use a few drops of vegetable oil (argan, jojoba, coconut) or a repairing serum.
  

By incorporating these steps into your summer routine, your hair will remain healthy, soft, and luminous, even after several days in the sun. These are small attentions that make a big difference in the long run!

 

What hairstyles to adopt at the beach?

Leaving your hair down on vacation? Yes, but at your own risk: wind, salt, and sand can quickly turn free-flowing hair into a detangling nightmare. To avoid knots and limit aggressions, protective hairstyles are your best allies at the beach.

Here is our selection of simple, effective, and stylish looks.

Braids, great anti-knot allies

The simple braid

Classic but always effective, the simple braid is quick to create and very useful for keeping hair neatly in place. It limits friction with sand or your towel fabric, and prevents lengths from tangling in the wind. Ideal for long or medium-long hair, it can be worn centered, on the side, or even in two pigtails.

The fishtail braid

Also called a fishtail, this slightly more sophisticated braid immediately gives a boho chic effect. It is perfect for a romantic beach look, and stays put throughout the day, especially if you make it tight. It also works very well on slightly damp hair.

Cornrows (or African braids)

These are the queens of hair protection. Plaited against the scalp, they don't budge, even after several swims. In addition to being very aesthetic, they perfectly protect the lengths and prevent knots. They are suitable for all hair types, but especially for thick, curly, or coily hair.

Before braiding, apply a leave-in treatment or a light oil to the lengths. This nourishes the hair while keeping it in place, and facilitates detangling after the beach.

The messy bun: practical and elegant

The high messy bun

This is the quick and stylish hairstyle par excellence. Loosely wrap your hair high on your crown to create a messy bun. It keeps your neck cool, protects the ends, and prevents them from soaking in seawater. Bonus: once undone, it leaves pretty natural waves, perfect for a "wavy" effect after the beach.

The twisted low bun

More discreet, the low bun is ideal if you are looking for a more chic style but just as practical. It keeps hair gathered at the nape of the neck and limits its exposure to wind and sun. By lightly twisting the strands before securing them, you add a sophisticated touch to your hairstyle effortlessly.

Braided or knotted ponytail

The ponytail remains a great classic, but there are several variations that allow you to protect your hair while staying trendy:

Braided

Start by tying your hair in a ponytail, then braid the lengths. This prevents strands from tangling, especially after a dip in the sea or pool. It stays well in place and is easy to undo.

Knotted in sections

Divide the ponytail into several parts and tie them with small elastic bands. It's a modern and effective hairstyle that holds the hair without pulling. Perfect for very active days.

Bubble ponytail

Very popular, this hairstyle consists of spacing several elastic bands along the ponytail to create "bubbles". Easy to do, it gives a fun and original look, ideal for a beach day with friends or an aperitif by the sea.

Warning: avoid a high, unbraided ponytail if your hair is wet. The weight of the water can pull on the roots and promote breakage, especially on long hair.

Bonus: useful and stylish accessories

Good accessories are not just decorative: they also contribute to protecting your hair.

• Scarves and bandanas: they protect the scalp from the sun and prevent direct exposure of the roots. Plus, they help to camouflage frizz with style.
  
  

• Claw clips and flat barrettes: ideal for tying hair without damaging it, even when wet. Like the models from the Love by Bon Depp collection, in pretty colors, they comfortably hold hair without pulling or slipping, while adding a touch of style to every hairstyle.
  
  

• Spiral or fabric elastic bands: softer than classic elastic bands, they leave no marks and limit breakage. Like Kknekki elastic bands, with a unique weaving technique that makes them exceptionally gentle on all hair types.
  
  

Adopting a suitable hairstyle at the beach is the best way to preserve your hair length while staying stylish. Practical, protective, and perfect for your vacation photos: we approve!

Summer is made for enjoying, not sacrificing your hair! With the right techniques, the right products, and suitable hairstyles, it is entirely possible to maintain healthy, shiny, and vibrant hair, even after several days of sun, salt, and sand.

Remember: a little daily prevention is far better than last-minute repair. ✨