Celebrity hair stylist, author and SheaMoisture brand ambassador, Diane Bailey offers her tips for keeping your natural hair bouncy, shiny and hydrated during this sizzling summer.
Summer is here and with it comes a bevy of outdoor activities and fun. But how to keep your hair beautiful and free of frizz and damage, while protecting it from those harsh environmental elements sun, heat and salt?
Oil up, baby! While on the beach put a barrier between your hair and the sun’s damaging rays, which may fade color and leave tresses feeling like straw. Spritz on an oil-based treatment such as SheaMoisture Raw Reconstructive Elixir with argan oil, unrefined “raw” shea butter and sea kelp. Oils seal in moisture and provide high-gloss shine.
Other alternatives are Eden BodyWorks Jojoboa Monoi Oil which is one of my personal favorites.
Or whip up a batch of Whipped Coconut Oil or Shealoe which has SPF properties. I also combo coconut and olive oil.
Be a mad hatter! Sport a chic sun hat to help to keep hair and skin shielded from those bright UV rays, while protecting color and moisture. Sun hats come in all colors, patterns, shapes and fabrics, so have fun selecting hats that compliment your style and wardrobe. This is also a great time to sport a colorful turban or scarf on your hair.
Detox those locks! After swimming in a pool or the ocean, be sure to wash your hair that same day with a clarifying shampoo such as SheaMoisture African Black Soap Deep Cleansing Shampoo to remove chlorine or salt, which can cause dryness and damage, leaving it brittle and fading color. This sulfate-free shampoo also gently washes away product build-up for healthier tresses.
Why don’t we sleep on it? Sleep on a satin pillowcase or a Pillow Bonnet to lock in moisture, preserve your hairstyle, prevent breakage and protect hair that’s been exposed to the extreme summer weather. Diane recommends Neero & Ana’s Satin Pillowcases to her clients, which are all-natural and gentle on hair and skin. Available at NeeroAna.com.
Moisture, moisture, moisture! After being exposed to the heat and sun, always replenish moisture in your hair by applying a hydrating leave-in treatment that softens, promotes manageability and shine, while busting frizz. Giovanni Leave-In Conditioner and Eden BodyWorks Coconut Shea Leave-In Conditioner. Another good choice is Curls Also, be sure to do a deep conditioning treatment every two weeks to rejuvenate your locks.
Diane uses SheaMoisture Anti-Breakage Masque, which intensely moisturizes, aids in reducing breakage and supports healthy hair growth.
SEE: 5 Best Moisturizing Deep Conditioners
Distribute the mask evenly throughout wet hair after shampooing, place hair under a plastic cap and apply moderate heat for up to 30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
For an added super boost of moisture, shine and nourishing fatty acids, Diane suggests adding a teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil to your deep conditioning treatment when you apply it to your hair.
SEE: 10 Natural Oils For Natural Hair
What Products Do You Use To Keep Your Hair Healthy during the Summer?
Comment Below
Great tips but I am wearing a protective style to keep my hair protected for the summer.
Like Philena and yourself said hair can become more dry when it gets warm outside. About three weeks ago I started doing an apple cider vinegar rinse ( the past two weeks I just added the deep conditioner and sprayed the mix in at the same time) and it works wonders for my hair. Prior to doing these treatments after about three days my hair looked dry and dull but not only does it stay moisturized longer but it looks healthier and restores the PH of the hair follicles( this is important if you still use sulfate shampoos).