Beach Proofing Your Hair

Dateline: 07/10/98

The hot summer sun we know, can do a number on our skin and we know enough to take precautions! But what about our hair? What do those rays do to our tresses? In a nutshell, nothing good! It robs it of moisture, color and leaves it looking like straw. So what can we do about it besides staying away from the beach? Check out what the readers have shared with you!!

Hi Shirley,
I have blonde very baby fine hair and so I have to be very careful especially since we have an inground swimming pool in our backyard. I always rinse the chlorine out of my hair after swimming, don't necessarily have to shampoo but a rinse with water is very important. Since my hair has now grown out some (damaged, fried from a perm about two years ago) I wash my hair everyday and make sure I use a very good conditioner. Also there is a conditioner that can be used for deep deep conditioning and I do that about three times a week. You put this particular conditioner on and put a plastic cap over it and it is highly recommended that you sit out where the sun can shine on it for about 15 minutes, makes the conditioner even work better. I don't ever brush my hair and especially when it is wet. I have a variety of combs that I use and most of the time I keep my hair pinned on either the back of my head or the top. Wearing it down lets the longer hair be exposed to the elements! I have found the more I keep it pinned up the better condition it is. I have used spray on, leave on, hair conditioners but I have found that they just don't work too well on my hair because it is so baby fine so I stick to the deep conditioners and always use a very good conditioner each time I shampoo my hair.

Denise

1) How do you take care of your hair during the summer? The same way I do in the winter. Make sure it's dry before going outside after washing it. It's *very* thick and takes hours to dry all the way through, and I don't use a hair dryer or anything on it -just a towel.

Joyce

SUMMER HAIR CARE TIPS:

(1) Get a good haircut - This is the basis for nice-looking hair. If you can't manage long hair, consider a shorter cut. You know your hair better than anyone else. Discuss your hairdo with your beautician.

(2) Keep your hair clean - The tannin in tea protects your hair. No, don't drink it! You shampoo with it! Try this recipe.

8 oz unscented shampoo (the inexpensive jugs are good), 8 oz strongly brewed tea (regular, tea bags; not decaf, not instant)! That's camomile tea for any hair, but especially light colored hair. Regular tea for dark hair. Mix shampoo and tea. Return to bottle(s). Use daily.

(3) Hair rinse - Mix vinegar and water, 50/50. Keep this near your shampoo. When you have rinsed the shampoo out of your hair, use 1/2 to 1 cup vinegar mixture (depending on the length of your hair). This will remove the soap residue and keep your hair shining and soft.

Note: This is a double-duty formula. It's great for the complexion as well. Wash & rinse face; pat dry; with cotton ball or make-up pad, apply this to the face - but keep it out of the eyes.

(4) Conditioner - Use a leave-in conditioner daily. (I mix mine 50/50 with a spray gel and use it as a finishing hairspray.) Use a deep conditioner weekly if you spend much time outdoors, or every other week otherwise.

Note: These products have not been tested on laboratory animals. Just on my daughters, who have passed the process on to their daughters.

JO

I take care of my hair by keeping it cut short and cool. I am blessed with natural curly hair and it is wonderful. I shampoo it and go.

Patti Hicks

Here is a great tip for summerizing your scalp and also the olive oil and lemon juice gives hair a beautiful shine. Heat can make the scalp condition change rendering it prone to flakes or oilier. This regiment really helps combat the problem.

Once a week: mix 2 Tbs. lemon juice, 2Tbs. olive oil and massage mixture into scalp. Leave on 20 minutes, then shampoo as usual.

The 20 minute wait would be a great time to soak in a nice aromatherapy bath to relieve some of that weekly build up of stress. Everyone knows that too much stress can reflect on your skin and hair's looks as well as your physical and mental.

If you are going to be out in the sun and wind (the hair's worst enemies) simply apply sun screen into your hair at the same time you are applying it to your skin. A hat also helps tremendously but isn't always practical.

Carlie

*This Week's Mini Tour

Join us for a tour of a few sites will teach you all you want to know about caring for your hair!!

Summer Hair
Not sure what to do with your hair after spending time in the hot sun. This site has a few suggestions that should make your locks look gorgeous! From "All About Hair"!

Summer Care For Color Treated Hair
The sun and chlorine can do a number on your hair. Learn what you need to know to prevent this from happening!! From "Aveda"!

Trimming Your Own Bangs
Not sure how to accomplish this yourself? Instructions are waiting at this site for you! From the "Aurel Salon"!

Mart's Long Hair Faq
Ladies, here is a man with hair down to his butt!! Quite impressive! Gentlemen...you might want to take a look too! "From World of Trousers"!

BeautiFax
Lots of great tips on caring for your hair. Be sure to check out the question and answer area! From "BeautiFax"!

*Product Review

I have a luscious product for you this week and no its not for your hair. Your lips are going to need a little babying too so that's what I went looking for! It will not only moisturize your lips...it gives a great shine!!

But, before I tell you about this product, I want to give you some advice on lip care. The summer sun can cause just as much damage here as anywhere else on your body. It's really important to keep your lips protected so that they don't dry out! Lips that aren't cared for, lead to cracking skin and the temptation to bite/chew your lips. Its a vicious circle but I have something that will help!

It's called "Sweet Lips"...freshly squeezed lip gloss! It comes in a tiny little metal tube and they aren't kidding about the freshly squeezed part. I chose Strawberries and Watermelon (can't get much more summery than that) and it smells just as wonderful as it tastes! Now there is the problem! If you lick your lips, it's not going to work!!

Apply with a brush so that you don't transfer bacteria into the tube and toss it in your beach bag! Your lips will look soft and luscious and isn't that what you want??

Previous Features

Graphics courtesy of:
The Mouse Pad,   The Country Coop,   Rainbow Connection Graphics,   Just Janes,   Diana's Little Creations