Summer is a time to relax, have fun and enjoy the good weather. Unfortunately enjoying the sun, the sea and the pool causes a great deal of distress to our hair. The mixture of sun, salt and chlorine is disastrous for good looking hair, most of the time resulting in dull and lifeless tresses. To avoid that it is important to remember that better than repairing damaged hair is to concentrate in avoiding damaging agents.

Here you will find some of my favourite hair products, tried and tested, most of them belonging to the Rene Furterer collection.

Remember that regardless of hair fashion styles, shiny, sexy, healthy looking hair is always in. Instead of creating complicated styles, focus most of your attention on the care and conditioning of your hair. Healthy hair that moves and shines is always in style.

The sun is often one of the causes of damaged hair because it can cause the hair's protein bonds to diminish and weaken and while the sun won't really negatively affect healthy hair, chemically processed hair does not react well to ultraviolet rays.

Prevent damage and colour fading by spraying your hair with SPF products

Spending the days at the beach or pool are one of the great things about summer, unfortunately, the sun, salt water and chlorine cause havoc with our hair. Prevent damage and colour fading by spraying your hair with SPF products like Renee Furterer’s Very High Protection Moisturizing Fluid. This product works wonders on your hair preventing dehydration and protecting against UV rays, sea water, pool water and other environmental factors.

Use a nourishing and hydrating shampoo.

After a day at the pool or beach, wash your hair with a nourishing and hydrating shampoo. My favourite one is the French Renee Furterer Nourishing Sun Shampoo for Dry Hair. It can be a little expensive but it is well worth it as you only need a tiny amount to leave your hair feeling soft, shiny and healthy. Another all time favourite but a bit more difficult to find in France is the Aussie 3 minute miracle Shampoo and it smells heavenly.

Use a deep conditioner, hair mask or a moisturizing cream after your shampoo

Whenever possible finish up with a hair mask or a moisturizing cream. Again, my favourite product comes from Rene Furterer, the Karite Intense Nourishing Conditioning Cream which nourishes and hydrates all hair types. Fortified with essential oils it conditions, repairs, rejuvenates and beautifies even the driest of hair.

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Give yourself a hot oil treatment

Give yourself a hot oil treatment while you sunbathe by using Paul Labrecque Repair Condition Hair & Scalp Treatment. Take one of the 5 bottles of Lemon Grass Oil and bury it in the sand to heat the liquid to oil. Then slick it into your hair, make it into a pony tail and continue to sunbathe or spend the day on the beach. It will not only protect your hair but you will have received an excellent deep hot oil treatment whilst you’re out. Do not forget to shampoo later on and style your hair as normal.

1. Wet your hair before you go swimming –your hair can only hold so much water so if it’s already wet it will not soak up much chlorine or salt.
2. Wear a swimming hat for the swimming pool it will protect your hair from chlorine discoloration.
3. After swimming in the ocean, lake or pool, rinse hair immediately to remove chemicals, salts and other impurities that can be disastrous to hair colour and condition.
4. If you are going to be out in the sun for the day, use a bandana to cover those beautiful strands. This will keep the sun from turning your hair brassy and it is fashionable!
   

The boring ponytail is classy but not fashionable anymore.  Try leaving your hair wild for an ethnic look.  If you prefer chic styles that keep the hair out of your face, why not try a French-braid headband.

If you love that curly California surfer look, spray your hair while still damp with some hair spray, oil or conditioner and twist around your fingers.

You can also take the sides of your hair at the temple and give them a little twist and pin back with a clip. This is a great style if you have curly or wavy hair.