Summer is finally here – fresh tans, a new wardrobe and all the sunshine you can soak up. But while you’re making the most of the season, your hair needs a little extra love. Sun, sea, salt, chlorine and humidity are all fun until you’re trying to get a brush through knotted, dry, brittle hair on the way back from the beach. This doesn’t have to be you!
At Headmasters, we want you to enjoy every second of summer without worrying about the toll it takes on your hair. With the right products in your routine, you genuinely can have it all – the holiday, the pool days, the beach walks – and still come home with hair that looks and feels incredible.
What Summer Actually Does to Your Hair
It’s worth understanding what you’re up against, because the summer elements are more damaging than most people realise.
UV rays cause protein degradation in the hair, leading to loss of elasticity, dryness and breakage – and they can fade colour significantly too. UV protection for your hair is just as important as suncream for your skin, and it’s still one of the most overlooked steps in a summer haircare routine.
Salt water opens the hair cuticle, stripping moisture and leaving hair prone to frizz, dehydration and breakage. Sand is abrasive against the scalp and hair shaft, causing irritation and roughening the surface of the hair. And chlorine strips the hair of its natural oils, leaving it dry and brittle – and can even give blonde hair that dreaded green tinge.
The good news? A handful of the right products deal with all of it beautifully. Here’s our edit for summer 2026.
The Headmasters Summer Hair Edit
Colour Fanatic Multi-Tasking Leave-In Spray – Pureology
This is the one product that does practically everything. With 21 benefits in a single spray – including UV colour protection, detangling, heat protection, added moisture and shine – it’s the ultimate multi-tasker for summer. Spritz onto towel-dried hair before blow-drying or air-drying, or use on dry hair whenever your hair needs a boost of protection and hydration throughout the day. For colour-treated hair especially, this is non-negotiable.
Soleil Range – Kérastase
If you’re serious about protecting your hair in summer, this is the range to reach for. Formulated with UV filters, coconut water and vitamin E, every product in the Kérastase Soleil range is designed to protect against the damaging effects of sun, sea, salt, chlorine and sand – while keeping hair hydrated, smooth and luminous throughout.
Start with the Huile Sirène Oil Mist – a lightweight, bi-phase leave-in spray that guards against UV damage and the drying effects of chlorine and salt water, without weighing hair down. It’s perfect to pop in your beach bag and spritz onto strands on the go. After a day in the elements, the Bain Après Soleil gently removes every trace of sand, salt and chlorine without stripping colour or drying the hair out. Follow with the Masque Après Soleil on your lengths and ends to replenish lost moisture, seal the cuticle and reduce frizz. This is the must-have range for anyone who wants to come home from holiday with hair as good as their tan.
Kérastase Blond Absolu Blonde Guard
A brilliant new addition to the Blond Absolu family and an absolute must for anyone with lightened or blonde hair. The Blond Absolu Blonde Guard is specifically formulated to protect lightened hair from the damaging effects of UV exposure, chlorine and salt water – the three biggest summer enemies of blonde colour. It keeps hair hydrated, strong and glossy throughout the season, so your colour stays fresh and your hair stays healthy no matter what summer throws at it.
Gloss Absolu Frizz-Glaze Cream – Kérastase
Humidity and frizz go hand in hand in summer – and the Kérastase Gloss Absolu Frizz-Glaze Cream is the answer. This is Kérastase’s first anti-frizz styling leave-in cream designed specifically for thick and frizzy hair, and it’s brilliant. It smooths the hair fibre, enhances shine, and keeps everything looking sleek and polished while still feeling completely soft and natural – not stiff, not coated, just beautifully controlled. And it provides long-lasting frizz protection even in strong humidity, so your blowout actually stays put.
Color Wow Dream Coat
A cult classic for very good reason. The Color Wow Dream Coat coats every strand with an invisible waterproofing layer that locks out humidity and gives a genuinely mirror-like shine. If summer humidity is your biggest hair enemy, this is your secret weapon. Spray onto damp hair and blow-dry to activate – and enjoy smooth, glossy hair that the weather simply can’t touch.
OLAPLEX Nº.7 Bonding Oil
One of the most talked-about products across our salons and for good reason – the OLAPLEX Nº.7 Bonding Oil is a weightless, reparative styling oil that strengthens and protects strands while reducing breakage and split ends. It adds gorgeous glossy shine, manages frizz and flyaways, and provides heat protection up to 230°C. A few drops on damp hair before styling or on dry hair as a finisher makes an enormous difference – and it’s light enough to use throughout the summer without any heaviness or buildup. Read our full guide to the Nº.7 here.
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What’s the best way to prevent frizz in hot and humid weather?
The key is locking out moisture before it gets in. The Color Wow Dream Coat and Kérastase Gloss Absolu Frizz-Glaze Cream are both brilliant for this – used together they create a powerful barrier against humidity while keeping hair looking smooth and natural. A hydrating shampoo and conditioner underneath the routine keeps the moisture balance right too.
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Is chlorine bad for my hair, and how can I protect it when swimming?
Yes – chlorine strips the hair of its natural oils and can leave it dry, brittle and dull. Before swimming, apply the Kérastase Huile Sirène to create a protective barrier. Rinse your hair immediately after getting out of the pool and follow up with the Bain Après Soleil to gently remove any residue and restore softness.
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How often should I wash my hair in summer?
Increased heat and sweat may mean washing a little more frequently – 2–3 times a week works well for most hair types. The Kérastase Bain Après Soleil is ideal as your summer shampoo, gently cleansing away chlorine, salt and sand while maintaining softness and shine.
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Can I repair sun-damaged hair?
Absolutely. Consistent use of the Kérastase Soleil range will go a long way, and adding an in-salon treatment – like the Kérastase Fusio Dose + Serum – is brilliant for restoring condition and luminosity after a summer of sun exposure. Regular trims help too, removing any dry or split ends and keeping your hair looking its best.
Ready to summer-proof your hair? All of these products are available in Headmasters salons – ask your stylist at your next appointment and they’ll put together the perfect summer routine for your hair type. Find your nearest salon and book today.
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