Summer is finally here – and that means it’s time to get our priorities in check! Warm weather presents us with a list of several important tasks: get tan, get in shape, and do something “summer” to our hair. But tanning takes time (not to mention it’s not the healthiest), and so does getting in shape. However, there is one thing that you can learn to do right here, right now! Learn how to make your hair look like it spent the day at the beach, no salty water required.
Finally Achieve Natural-Looking Beach Waves
It is important to realize that every collegiette has different hair, so not every beach-tastic tactic will work for you. But there are different products and techniques that will aid you in your quest to achieve the luminous locks you crave.
Julianne Carell, Freelance Beauty Assistant at Glamour says, “If you want beach waves, a curling wand should be your best friend. Let your hair dry naturally but add a texture product. Then go in with the wand everywhere and don’t worry about achieving perfect curls. Leave the ends out, so it doesn’t look too done up. After, finger through and loosen the curl. If it feels too curly, loosen it up with a flat iron. Spray and you’re done!”
Specific Tips for Hair Type
Straight and Thin Hair
“Look for texture and volume sprays. My favorite is Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray. I also really like TRESemme 24 Hour Body Root Boost Spray,” Carell says. “Lift your hair in places you want to achieve volume and spray. A little teasing helps too! If you’re still not satisfied, grab a curling wand and add some waves. Then spray again!”
For those of you on a tight budget, Olga Santiago, a rising junior at the Fashion Institute of Technology, recommends Fructis Style Surf Hair Texture Paste. “This is my favorite product!,” Olga says. “It is one of the only ones that adds waves to my texture-less hair. In the summer it’s my go-to product!” Simply rub through your hair and then scrunch. Easy enough!
Naturally Wavy Hair
You girls have it so easy! Out of the shower you’re practically ready to rock the waves that everyone craves with almost no effort at all. However, if you want to be adventurous, try a leave-in conditioner. Spritz a little in your hair, comb through with a wide-tooth pick, and head out the door. Check out: It’s A Ten Miracle Leave-In, it does wonders to your hair!
“For me, nothing beats letting my hair go all natural. I love letting my waves air dry once I get out of the shower,” says Laura Williams, a rising sophomore at Michigan State University. “Sometimes I’ll aid the wave formation by shaping my waves with my fingers while it’s drying.”
Curly and “Bigger” Hair
“Get blowouts. Straight hair is much easier to tame than curly,” Carell explains. “Also use smoothing products to lessen the frizz. If you want a more permanent solution I would recommend getting a treatment like the Brazilian Blowout or something similar.”
But if you are living off a smaller budget you can try running some relaxing crème through your hair and letting it air dry in a braid. Take the braid out right before it’s completely dry. Try Fekkai Smooth Sailing Anti-Frizz Cream, to help maintain the frizz and tone down the curl.
Carell also recommends any product from the Fekkai Summer Hair Collection. “The whole line is amazing for beachy waves!”
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Let The Sun Brighten Your Hair
The sun has the power to do so many things, like brighten your hair at little to no cost at all! Salon visits add up throughout the year, so this summer take a break from your hairdresser and let the sun work its magic.
Autumn Hauer, a rising junior at Michigan State University and part-time hair and makeup artist says, “During the summer the sun is one of the best options for lightening your hair. However, you have to be careful on what products you use depending on your base color. I’ve had a lot of friends call me in tears asking for help in fixing their color errors.”
Specific Tips for Hair Color
Again, different hair types mean different tactics. Follow these color groups as a base guideline for the approach that you should try!
Darker to Medium Brown Hair
Unless you’re going for brassy and orangey tones, Autumn recommends staying away from pure lemon juice. “Mix one part lemon juice to one part water and add in a few drops of olive oil as well. Make sure you massage this mixture into your hair – don’t just spray it in! The point is to apply this evenly which will help your hair steer clear of any unwanted orange tones.”
Light Brown to Blonde Hair
If you are the girl who always wants to go blonder then I’m sure the sun is already your summer best friend! From natural sea-salt, to chlorine and just running around outside the sun aids tremendously in lightening your hair. However, Autumn recommends, “if you have really light hair I suggest Sun In or lemon juice, but applying it in select places where you would want highlights!”
“I spend my summer playing with kids at camp so I take advantage of my time outside by adding Sun In to select strands of my hair,” says Maddy Avino, a rising sophomore from the Fashion Institute of Technology. “I leave my hair down and it gradually gets lighter over the course of the summer. It’s so easy and most girls don’t think to do it. But if you’re going to be outside anyway, then why not?”
Don’t Let The Sea-Salt Dry Your Hair Out
Sea-salt, endless product, curling wand action, and heat from the sun can be harmful to your beautiful mane. But it’s okay because there are ways to keep your hair conditioned, feeling fresh, and looking alive.
Carell is an advocate for deep conditioning treatments and a good hair oil. “Every time I wash my hair (only 2-3x per week) I condition with a deep conditioning treatment and leave it on for 20 minutes. I focus the product on the ends, since my hair is long and I want to avoid trims for as long as possible! After that I comb (from the bottom up) and smooth an Argan or Moroccan oil in my hair. This not only tames frizz but keeps my hair super soft, shiny and strong. The key is to apply when hair is still wet.”
Another great tip for the summer is to style your hair less with heat. If you can get away with natural hair during the summer then there’s no reason to heat iron it. The less heat the better.
Finally, Marni Weinstein, a rising senior at Grand Valley State University says, “I mix two cups of hot water, 1 tablespoon of salt, 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, and 1 tablespoon of conditioner together, put in a spray bottle, and let it cool. I simply spray this through my hair, scrunch, and let it air dry. It leaves my waves feeling soft and looking beachy – plus, it doesn’t put a damper on my bank account!” If you know what’s going into your hair then you know how to treat your hair after. Plus by adding in the conditioner she is counteracting the damage from the salt right away, while still getting the texture she craves.
Now you know how to get the bombshell beach waves that you crave, the lighter hair or highlights that everyone will admire, and even healthier locks that will leave yourself thanking you. Enjoy all the compliments that come your way!