Let Down your Hair

Hair dazzles, hair shines and hair needs care, especially when the hot sun burns down. Two hair experts share tips on haircare, colours and styles for the summer months.

Haircare: According to Priscilla Corner, Partner, June Tomkyns Eco Salon, the summer heat often means an oily scalp that needs frequent cleansing, leaving tresses dehydrated, frizzy and split! “Setting clients’ Summer Hair Goals, around a care blueprint that caters to both the scalp and hair is the way to go! My top tips are: ensure that your clients weatherproof their hair in the summer by using a mild shampoo and a lightweight moisture emulsion conditioner that is “leave-in”. The former will not strip the scalp and ends, and the latter will serve the purpose of conditioning without product overload that leads to lank locks. Secondly, I suggest cold mould to clients – they can style their hair overnight with the help of appropriately configured products, and use their fingers, cloths, and clips, instead of heat – this can help them create twirls, twist, curls, and curves – the good old-fashioned way. Thirdly, beacher’s can protect their hair colour from sun-and-swim fade with the help of a leave-in conditioner laced with 25 SPF factor. A light-weight oil works well too – as the emollient quotient provides the perfect barrier for hair prone to frizz. Fourthly, they should carry a water spritzer and spray their hair with it at the first sign of dryness; this will also reactivate the leave-in conditioner.

Colour: “Hair colour has become an integral part of a woman’s looks, and the choice of colours she chooses depends on the phase or stage of life that she is in,” says Braganza. Of course, there are some client’s who never experiment and keep the same look or tone as it gives them a sense of comfort.” Braganza strongly does not recommend seasonal colours. “I feel a colour has to be based on a client’s skin type, eye colour, personality and most importantly the texture of their hair. Trending colours do not necessarily suit everyone. I select the colour based on the above factors and keep the hair texture and weather or season in mind. Warmer tones in winter and cool in summer! But again, it is a personal choice and depends on the client's comfort levels."

“In terms of hair colour, I have seen clients go colour crazy!”, Corner exclaims. “Corona and it’s set-backs have meant that the hair is being relied upon to do all the expressing since the rest of the face has gone ‘undercover’!” According to Corner, since you cannot keep a colour rebel away from exploring, she has done colours ranging from violets, blues, muted mystical tones, to bright oranges and reds! Since all these are hi-lift pastels, she factors in the plex element to prevent cuticle and cortex blitz. Lighter colours are in this summer but it is the cooler tones that reign supreme! These perfectly complement most client’s complexions and can be worked around to give the illusion of an overall brightness using the Balayage, Ombré and Money-piece techniques, without having to put all the hair through a lift too far from its base. Styles and cuts: “In terms of summer styles, an edgy DIY insouciant lived-in vibe that allows one to embrace natural texture is in,” Corner shares. She thinks that we will see the Textured Shag – a cut that is low maintenance and can be adapted to any length; followed by the Choppy Bob – a timeless, summer go to that can be worn in lengths ranging from shoulder grazing to lobe tickling; and finally, Curtain Bangs, which are all the rage and can be paired with almost any haircut. “It looks particularly good when worn with the shag as it gives off a la mode retro vibe that can come off as insouciant or mysterious!”

The top three hair styles on Braganza’s list this summer are the high ponytail, scalp braids or milkmaid hairstyle and the top knot! “These looks are super convenient to wear, they are low in maintenance through the day and also at work; also they work for almost any age group. The face shape is important when considering a style – a style should frame and accentuate features. Keeping the above style tight and neat, or textured or loose is based on your client’s choice and face shape. For round, square and heart shaped faces, keep the strands loose around the face, to frame it.” According to Braganza, summer cuts will involve enhancing naturals with lots of leavein conditioners and serums. Straight hair can be cut into a long bob or graduated bob, and finally, wavy hair can be cut into multiple layers almost like a modern shag.