Summer is the season that is kindest to hair (unless you’re going somewhere humid, in which case good luck to you). Though we still have to deal with the Irish weather’s unremitting sense of humour, there are fewer downpours and no hair-fuzzing winter fog.
As a result, there’s a good chance that if you’ve had the audacity to style your hair, no act of divine providence will come from the sky to ruin it.
Here are some products worth trying this summer.
Kiehl's Smooth Infused Shampoo (€18.80) and Conditioner (€23): For those prone to fuzz, this woody-scented shampoo and conditioner smooths and defrizzes, without the sulfates or silicones with which not all hair gets on well.
Redken High Rise Volume-Lifting Shampoo (€17) and Conditioner (€19.30): In damp weather, voluminous hair is something we can but dream of (unless you count horizontally voluminous hair). This light and effective formula leaves hair light, bouncy and big.
L'Oréal Magic Retouch Instant Root Concealer (€12.99): Hair grows faster in the summer, and consequently so do grey roots. As if we didn't have enough to cope with already. This root spray genuinely works, comes in five shades, and looks natural. Save yourself a salon trip.
L'Oréal Elvive Extraordinary Clay Re-Balancing Conditioner (€4.99): Elvive is a consistently popular and affordable brand. If you're prone to oiliness in warm weather but don't want to forgo conditioner, this will do the trick without causing greasiness.
Matrix Oil Wonders Volume Rose Pre-Shampoo Oil (€15.45 from lookfantastic.com): If humidity can find you no matter where you go, a pre-shampoo oil treatment in the ends of hair will make it less prone to quite such vicious fuzzing. The rose scent of this product is delectable. Sleep in it for extra effectiveness.
Kérastase Couture Styling L'Incroyable Blowdry (€25): This nifty styling cream works on contact with heat, then locks your style like a hairspray when it cools. You can activate it again to change the style by reapplying heat, skipping the need to wash hair before restyling it.
L'Oréal Professional Tecni Art 60's Babe Savage Panache (€17.99): Though I'm starting to wish this brand would apply the same efficiency to its naming as it does its products, you can't fault this tube of texturiser. For lazy days, it turns ghastly bed-head into entirely on-purpose beachy texture.
Matrix Biolage Sugarshine Polishing Scrub (€18.84): A pre-shampoo treatment to give hair and scalp a deep cleanse and tackle build-up of product residue. After washing and conditioning, hair will be noticeably shinier in the summer sun (or gloom).
Product of the week – Vita Coco Organic Coconut Oil (€7.99 for 250ml): Yes, you can buy cheaper coconut oil in pharmacies, but you can't eat it. I like a multi-tasker, and have had this in my hair as well as on my face and body, all while cooking with it. It smells delectably coconutty, and can be used for everything from lip balm and greasing hinges to a toast topping. It also makes an excellent hair mask for dry or frizzy hair. A sound investment.
