Hot Summer Hair
Last week, while discreetly gazing at my reflection in the mirrored elevator in my building, I noticed something disturbing: split ends! If you look closely, under the right light, you can actually see dry, split ends in the section of hair I flat iron the most! Horror of horrors!
Now I know that this is what happens in the summer. The sun, sweat, water, chlorine and extra washes it takes to remove that summer gunk are all damaging, but I for one, won’t stand for bad hair! If you’re with me, read on.
The bad news: you cannot repair split or dead ends. I don’t care what the girl with the silky, shiny hair in the shampoo commercial tells you, your hair is dead and no Ouija Board or deep conditioner will bring it back. Your best bet is to get a trim and cut off the offending ends. The good news is that there are products out there that will infuse your hair with moisture, protect it from the elements (natural and heated) and make it so healthy-looking and shiny your entourage will need sunglasses.
First in your routine should be a good cleansing system. In stores next month, Pantene’s Beautiful Lengths shampoo and conditioner featuring Aquacurrent Science (a new approach to providing protection and preserving moisture in a whole collection of products from Procter & Gamble) actually protect hair from absorbing too much water because, despite what you’ve heard about retaining moisture, when your hair is wet, it swells leaving it vulnerable to breakage. Plus, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of every bottle goes to create real hair wigs for women fighting cancer.
Next, you’ll need products that protect your hair from all the damage you will inevitably cause in your pursuit of beauty. I had been told that Kiehl’s Heat Protective Silk Straightening Cream was fantastic to use before you clamped down with your flat iron but I had no idea that it also de-frizzes, adds shine AND can be used on wet or dry hair. It’s my frizz-free dream product. The bottle is 5 oz and at $20 is much cheaper than many high-end products that do a lot less.
Dove Advanced Colour Therapy Hairspray with UV Protectant gets in between your salon-created colour and the sun. Those evil UV rays that give you wrinkles can also damage your dye job. The UV filters in Dove’s product protect highlights and lightened hair from becoming brassy.
Finally, get yourself a good brush. While these days everyone knows better than to sit in front of their mirror brushing their hair a hundred times (If you still do it, Rapunzel, stop, or you won’t have long hair for long), you do need to get those tangles out. And a soft, natural brush like Goody’s So Natural paddle brush with boar bristles will help distribute the oil from your scalp throughout your hair so you can take advantage of your own personal conditioner.
If you’re following all of my advice and still seeing split ends. Give John Frieda’s Overnight Repair serum a try. You apply it at bed time — it won’t ruin your pillows, I promise! — and wash it out in the morning for an intense conditioning experience. If you’re a rebel with thick, dry hair like me, don’t wash the stuff out. It’ll make your hair super soft and touchable… but don’t let people touch too much. While it feels good to have your hair played with, you must always consider the aesthetic consequences.
Written by: Vanessa Grant