From color to style, there are several considerations to make about your hair as the seasons change. As autumn quickly approaches, take some time to address the health and look of your locks with these five tips.
1. Clarify
Whether you spend a lot of time in the pool or use styling products, the end of summer is the perfect time to get rid of the chemical buildup that accumulates over time so that you can start fall with a fresh slate. To do this, look for a clarifying shampoo. Dave Alexander, guide for About, explains that it’s best to use these highly acidic shampoos only once a month.
For an easy at-home clarifying rinse, Women’s Day offers an easy recipe. Simply combine one ounce of apple cider vinegar with eight ounces of water. Lather the mixture through wet hair and let sit for five minutes.
2. Trim your tresses
After you clarify your hair, you’ll nearly have a fresh slate of tresses. The next step is to take care of those split ends that may be lurking at the end of your locks. Summer is full of activities that may contribute to breakages, including ponytails, being in the sun and swimming in chlorinated pools. Most of the time, you don’t have to take off drastic lengths in order to eliminate split ends. Typically, unless your stylist advises otherwise, he or she will just need to trim off a few centimeters. To maintain healthy, fresh locks, try to schedule a cut every six to eight weeks.
- Product pick: Repair split ends with Melvita Capiforce Split End Serum, an advanced formula that’s specially blended with olive, argan, jojoba, hemp, camellia and safflower oils to protect, hydrate and repair from root to tip.
3. Restore healthy hydration
Summer often zaps hair of moisture, leaving you with dry, limp locks when fall rolls around. Infuse moisture back into your hair with by swapping out your summertime shampoo and conditioners for moisturizing formulas or using an intense hydrating treatment once per week.
In addition, be sure to minimize thermal damage, which is especially hard on dry hair. Spray on a thermal protectant before using the hairdryer or flattening iron. And consider washing your hair less often and avoid scalding hot water to encourage the production of natural oils.
4. Sidestep dry scalp and dandruff
When hair is dry, chances are that the scalp is thirsty, too. And, unfortunately, the most visible sign of dry scalp is dandruff. To avoid this embarrassing issue, pick up a shampoo and conditioner with tea tree oil, which research shows is an effective ingredient to improve flaking and itchiness associated with dry scalp.
For an easy at-home hydrating solution, try massaging warm olive oil into your scalp and letting it sit for a half an hour.
- Product pick: L'Occitane Aromachologie Anti-Dandruff Shampoo is a gentle way to relieve dandruff and a dry scalp. Blended with essential oils including tea tree, lemon pepper and thyme, this powerful cleanser brings balance, hydration and a healthier scalp.
5. Reconsider color
Typically, our locks love the autumn weather when the air cools and the humidity dies down. This is actually a great time to try out a new hair color as you won’t have to worry so much about sun and chlorine damaging your new ‘do.
When it comes to choosing a new fall color, first examine your hair for signs of summer wear and tear. If the bright sun faded or bleached out your shade, consider freshening up your color by adding some high or low lights around the face. Also, consider colors that compliment your fall complexion, which has likely lost a bit of its summer glow. Skip ashy blonde and beige, and instead, opt for a warm brown that’ll compliment most pale complexions. It’s a good rule of thumb to keep your new shade within two or three shades of your natural color.
- Product pick: Even in autumn, it’s a good idea to defend chemically treated hair with a color protectant like Alterna BAMBOO UV Color Protection Fade-Proof Fluide to prevent fading and promote shine. Blended with organic bamboo extract and Kalahari melon extract, this formula weightlessly shields hair with a UVA/UVB barrier to guarantee vibrant locks for longer.
Fall into beautiful hair
Fall is the ideal time to pay some extra attention to your tresses. Repair summer damage and prime your hair for the winter season that’s just around the corner with a fresh cut, conditioning treatment and weekly clarifying rinse.
See also:
The Fall Switch-Up: 7 Tips for Office Skincare This Fall
Back To School Study Guide Part One: Ten Up-and-Coming Ingredients
Escape From the Office: Eight Lunchtime Treatments
10 Ways to Get Ready for Fall