We can thank sunburns and summer pests for the itchiness associated with summer. A good plan of defense is to use a naturally derived bath treatment that's dermatologist-recommended, like this one from Aveeno. Angelina Lucheux, award-winning esthetician and owner of Tailormade for You Skin & Body Care in Long Island City, New York, uses the stuff religiously. "It's a miracle product for any type of skin irritation and also works wonders on eczema," she says. "If you've had too much sun, soaking into a soothing, cool bath will help your skin relax and provide instant relief."
"If you're heading out on a really hot and muggy day, this will help save your style," says NYC master hair colorist Stephanie Brown. "Not only will this dry shampoo help absorb any moisture or sweat building up in your hair due to warm weather, but it's also great for bangs—it helps keep them from sticking to your forehead." She recommends spraying a little on your forehead to prevent any sweat from your forehead transferring to your bangs. "It's also great for grip, so when you want to braid your hair to keep your hair out of your face, it'll help keep the braid intact and tighter."
Though on the pricier side for a drugstore-bought hair mask, this one is worth every penny, especially since it will last you the better part of summer. Brown leaves this mask in her hair while she's out in the sun for two reasons: to protect it from the sun's rays and to utilize the sun's heat to help open the cuticle, allowing the mask to penetrate throughout. The natural heat provides the same benefits as a heat lamp at your salon. "This mask will also protect you from salt water or harsh pool chemicals, so your hair won't dry out as much without that extra layer of protection," she says. "Moisture is so important for your hair in the summertime, so even if you don't want to use it through the day like I do, you can use masks as intended and leave on and then rinse it out."
You know that sunscreen is an important staple in your summer routine (as well as year-round—even on cloudy days!) so you shouldn't take choosing the right brand and SPF level lightly. Sondriel, expert curly hair stylist and colorist, takes things one step further by selecting a sunscreen that's ideal for hair protection too. Her go-to is this lotion from CeraVe. "The key to using sunscreen to protect your hair is to choose a lightweight, oil-free, waterproof brand," she says. "Apply about a quarter size to your ends to help protect your hair from drying out and your color from fading while you're in and out of the pool." Tip: When you get out of the water, rinse your hair out with bottled water and reapply your daily conditioner and detangler.
The key to choosing the right shampoo for summer is to find a brand that helps remove dulling residue caused by chlorine, saltwater and other hairstyling products containing chemicals, says Nelson Chan, celebrity hairstylist and owner of Nelson J Natural Salon in Beverly Hills. "This non-irritating, top-rated clarifying shampoo cleans your hair and instantly rinses away residue," he says. "It's made for all hair types and is specially formulated for once-a-week use to clear out residue that can build up, especially in summer." This product is also ideal for use before coloring or any deep conditioning treatment, he adds.
