"Vacation hair," as the advertisers would have it, is tousled (whatever that means) and waist-length, with natural highlights and a shine only comparable to the sun, under which it basks. It looks like it would be as soft as velvet to the touch. But in reality, our summer 'do looks more like we've been fiddling with some wiring with soaking-wet hands. (Fun fact: Not everyone's locks dry to perfection when exposed to the elements.)
In fact, when some of us emerge from the sea, our hair is crunchy to the touch, and it seems to remain as such when we return home and sit back at our desks — even after a shower. We expose our hair to sun, sea, chlorine, pollution, bleach, humidity, heat, and over-washing (we really torture our tresses, don't we?) and yet we expect it to bounce back each time. So what to do when hot hair just doesn't look hot anymore? When a blow-dry leaves it looking dull, or a good comb-out still leaves it flat?
First, don't freak out. There are plenty of solutions to get your hair back on track — the majority of which can be tried and tested sink-side. Honestly, there's lots you can do, even if your hair is suffering from acute heat exhaustion. Here's the drill.
Hair Masks
For dry, brittle tresses, a hair mask is a good place to start. Unlike a conditioner, masks provide deeper, more intense hydration. Apply this Davines Minu Mask after you shampoo and leave on for fifteen minutes. For even better results, pop on a shower cap and cover with a hot towel.
At Home Hair Treatments
In a pinch? Fret not: You can make a nourishing mask at home, as Alex Brownsell, co-founder of London cult salon Bleach, shows us.
All you'll need are the following ingredients:
2 eggs
1/2 an avocado
4 tbsps of mayonnaise
Mash the avocado, whisk the eggs, add four spoons of mayo, and mix together. Apply liberally to pre-shampooed hair as a conditioner and cover with a shower cap. Leave for 30 minutes. Rinse well with lukewarm water.
The protein in the eggs will hydrate your hair, while the the vinegar, soybean oil, and lemon juice in the mayo adds shine and locks in moisture. Meanwhile, the fatty acids in avocado also hydrate your hair.
Leave-In Conditioner
A leave-in treatment, like this Bumble and Bumble Quenching complex, is ideal for people with chronically dry hair. Apply all over to damp hair and comb, or lightly coat dry hair and don't rinse. Your hair's texture will feel entirely different.
Hair Oil
PSA: You should be using oil on your hair! Why? Oil softens and moisturizes — it's as simple as that. Apply a pea- to quarter-sized amount through lengths and ends of towel dried hair. (More if your hair is thick, less if it's thin.) Let your hair dry naturally; the oil will help smooth frizz and calm dry ends. This Davines oil works like a charm and smells amazing.
Bond-Building Treatments
Bond-building treatments, like Olaplex, can help restore strength to processed hair. They are typically applied in three steps at the salon, and can undo damage caused by dyeing and styling. Your options: Either have it applied as part of your cut and color, or purchase Step 3 and use it at home twice a week as a leave-in treatment.
Put Down The Heat
This may be hard to hear, but if you're truly rehabbing your 'do, stow your irons. If that's just not an option, at least don't think about using them without a heat defense spray like this MoroccanOil Heat Styling spray. It creates a thermal shield around delicate hair follicles to help ward off more damage.
Like this post? There's more. Get tons of beauty tips, tutorials, and news on the Refinery29 Beauty Facebook page. Like us on Facebook — we'll see you there!
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
5 Ways To Fake Naturally Fuller Hair
7 Dry Shampoos That Will Change How You Don't Wash Your Hair