While the beachy look might be desirable on some occasions, our hair can get a real beating during summer. The sun, sand and sea can all have a nasty effect on your hair, leaving it limp and lacklustre. Prepare your hair so that it’s healthy, shiny and radiant, with these five easy summer hair tips:

Summer hair tip 1: Sun protection

Just like our skin, our hair needs protection from harmful UV rays, which leave hair dry, brittle and faded.  For complete protection from the summer sun, try a sunscreen spray for hair. Some of these products can also be used as a leave-in conditioner for dry hair.

Top tip:

The best sun protection for your hair can be summed up using three little letters: H.A.T!  Don’t leave home without one!

Summer hair tip 2: Shampoo snob

Not all shampoos are created equal, and many will be stripping your hair of all its goodness. Look for one that is free from harmful chemicals and synthetic substances – so you can care for your hair, as well as the environment.

Top tip:

To retain your hair’s natural moisture avoid using a hair dryer. In the warm summer months pop the hair dryer away in the cupboard and air-dry your hair as much as possible.

Summer hair tip 3: Get styling

Styling products are highly underrated. With the right products you can add real flair to your hair. Make sure you have a product that helps define your hair type (curly or straight) and some that can be used in either wet or dry hair. For the icing on the cake, finish off your ‘do’ with an Oil or a Shimmer shine spray – it will enhance your hair colour and leave your whole head shimmering.

Top tip:

Using products every day will suffocate your hair and require more washing, so allocate at least one day a week to leave your hair ‘au naturale’.

Summer hair tip 4: Keeping your colour

Summer can be the enemy of colour-treated hair. The sun can bleach your colour and chlorine will strip it from your hair shaft in the blink of an eye. Make sure you don’t enter summer without some hair care products to protect your coloured locks.

Top tip:

Remember, shampoo will also slowly strip your colour. There’s nothing wrong with skipping the shampoo every now and then, and going straight for the colour-protect conditioner, especially after a day at the beach!

Summer hair tip 5: Don’t forget to brush

Brushing your hair regularly will not only keep it free from knots, but it will stimulate circulation in the scalp which encourages blood flow to the roots of your hair. The golden rule of brushing says: The longer your hair, the bigger your brush should be.

Top tip:

Never underestimate the power of a good trim. Experts recommend getting rid of your split-ends every six to eight weeks for maximum hair health (and to help it grow faster).

*Source: Euromonitor International Limited; NIVEA in the category Sun Care,incl. Sun Protection, Aftersun & Self Tanning; in retail value terms, 2017. Always read the label. Use only as directed.