Holiday hair, as the advertisers would have it, is soft, tousled (whatever that means), waist length, with natural highlights and a shine only comparable to the sun, under which it basks. It looks too, like it would be soft as velvet to the touch. But in reality our summer barnet looks more like we've been fiddling with some wiring with soaking-wet hands.
When we emerge from the sea, like a poor man's Halle Berry, our hair is crunchy to the touch, and it seems to remain as such when we return home and sit back at our desks. Sun, sea, chlorine, pollution, straighteners, bleach, hair-ties and over-washing – we really torture our tresses, don't we? And, 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 still leaves it looking dull, or a good comb-out still leaves it flat?
Firstly. Do. Not. Freak. 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 really dry, brittle hair, a hair mask is a good place to start. Unlike a conditioner, masks get right inside the hair cuticle. Apply this Davines Minu Mask, after shampoo, and leave on for fifteen minutes under a hot towel and rinse, or wear it over night with a shower cap on and rinse twice in the morning.
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
If you're not using oils, why not? Oils will change your hair's life. Apply a pea sized amount through lengths and ends to towel dried hair. Let your hair dry naturally if you can bear it, and feel your smooth, silky ends.
This should be added to your daily routine and a small amount can be smoothed over dry hair for moisture and sparkle. This Davines oil works a treat and smells amazing.
At Home Hair Treatments
You can make really nourishing masks at home, as Alex Brownsell, co-founder of London's cult salon, Bleach, showed us:
All you'll need is the following ingredients:
2 eggs
1/2 an avocado
4 tbsps of mayo
Mash the avocado, whisk the eggs and pour in, add 4 spoons of mayo and mix together. Apply liberally to pre shampooed hair as a conditioner and cover with a shower cap. Leave for approx 30 mins. Rinse well with lukewarm water.
The protein in the eggs will hydrate your hair, whilst the the vinegar, soybean oil and lemon juice in mayo adds shine and locks in moisture. The fatty acids in avocados also hydrate your hair, and are rich with vitamins and nutrients.
Olaplex
Olaplex should be the ultimate restorative step for people really seeking out a long-term solution.
Despite having to visit a salon, it's relatively cheap (£21-30) compared to say, a Brazilian blow dry, and highly effective. It is applied in three steps at the salon, and can un-do damage caused by dying and styling, while also being used in conjunction with dye at the salon to protect follicles. Either have it applied as a treatment, as part of your cut and colour, or purchase Step 3 and use it at home twice a week as a leave in treatment.
Put Down The Heat
For those of you addicted to your tongs and straighteners, you won't want to hear this but no good can come from heavy heat tools.
They're best left in your drawers. But if that's just not an option then don't think about using them without a heat defence spray like this MoroccanOil Heat Styling spray that creates a thermal shield around delicate hair follicles.
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