The Ultimate Summer Hair Guide

ULTIMATE BEACHY LOCKS

The one summer hair look everyone always wants to know how to create is tousled, beachy waves. There are a couple of ways to achieve it - just depends on how tousled you wanna go!

For Blake Lively waves, which are dishevelled but still have shape, you’ll need to put in a bit of prep. Tong hair in smallish sections around a medium barrelled tong, winding the hair away from your face. Spritz it with a little hairspray, then massage your head with your fingers – this breaks up the waves a bit so they look a bit more undone.

If you want authentic surfer hair (closer to this amazing pic above), it’s even easier – just spritz damp hair with loads of surf spray and leave it to dry naturally, scrunching it occasionally in your fingers. We’ve tried nearly every surf spray out there and the ones that give the best texture are Schwarzkopf OSIS+ Session Label Salt Spray £8.50, Lee Stafford My Big Fat Texturised Hair Super Spray, £9.49, and Wella EIMI's Ocean Sprtiz, £9.50.

HAIR HOW-TO: THE DESERT BRAID

FRIZZ-FREE & FANCY

If your hair goes a bit Monica-Geller-in-Barbados-esque when you it gets a bit hot and humid, then you'll probably want to know that KeraStraight (the permanent blow-dry experts) have just launched a new hair-smoothing treatment that you can do at home.

The Intense Boost by KeraStraight Moisture Mask, £25, contains a hydrating Brazilian palm extract that fights frizz and keeps your hair smooth for up to 30 days. Just apply the product to clean, damp hair and then blow-dry it so that the heat helps it penetrate. Rinse and style for smooth, frizz-free hair. If you want perfectly smooth hair in just one minute though, you HAVE to try Dove's Intensive Repair 60 Second Shot, £1.49.

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GLOSSY SUMMER WAVES

There’s nothing wrong with beachy, tousled waves (that’s basically our default summer style) but sometimes you want to look a bit more groomed and glossy – you know, like you have your own agent, condo with a pool, and a stylist on speed-dial.

The way to make your hair look this luxe is to blowdry your hair smooth with a setting spray (we like L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Go Create Sculpting Spritz, £3.69), and then tong sections around a wide-barreled curling iron, pinning up each curl with a sectioning clip and leaving them to cool and set for 20 minutes. Spray with a frizz-proofing hairspray like Aveda Brilliant Medium Hold Hair Spray, £19.50, unpin the curls and then brush them through with a ghd Oval Dressing Brush, £20, to smooth them into groomed waves. To add A-list shine, rub a little RUSH Silk & Gloss Multi Use Oil, £9.50, into your palms and then work your hands through the lengths of your hair.

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SUN PROTECTION FOR YOUR HAIR

If your hair is coloured, prone to going lighter in the sun or a bit damaged from years of styling, then it definitely needs protecting - and to be honest, we'd advise it even if your heair seems glossy and healthy. Exposure to the sun's ultra-violet A and B (UVA and UVB) rays can damage your hair from its cuticle to its inner structure. If you plan on spending time in the sun, it is important to protect your hair (as well as your skin) from its damaging effects.

Excessive exposure to the sun can cause weak, dry and brittle hair, as well as making your hair more susceptible to split ends. Natural brunette hair can develop a reddish hue if left unprotected in the sunlight, while chemically treated hair can yellow, dull and fade - all scary enough reasons to protect, big time. Build up a resistance (as well as detoxing from the sea and swimming pool) with Schwarzkopf BC Bonacure Sun Protect Shampoo £6.70, followed by Wella Professionals Sun Protection Cream£11.49 - and then apply Soltan Head & Hair Dry-Touch Transparent Suncare Spray SPF30, £4.00 religiously throughtout the day on holiday whether you're out and about or sunbathing.