Summer is my favorite time of year. The warmth, the energy, the way everyone seems to walk in wanting something fresh and fun. But I’ll be honest with you — summer is also one of the hardest seasons on your hair. Between the sun beating down, jumping in the pool, and that Michigan humidity that seems to have a personal grudge against a good blowout, your hair takes a beating from June through August.
The good news? A little preparation goes a long way. Here’s what I tell my clients every spring before the season hits.
My first tip is one of the easiest — wear a sun hat when you can. It’s the simplest form of UV protection for your hair and your scalp, and honestly, a great hat is a whole summer look on its own. Beyond that, use a UV protectant spray on your hair just like you’d apply sunscreen to your skin.
I also recommend switching to a UV protecting shampoo during the summer months. It’s an easy swap that adds a layer of defense every single time you wash your hair without any extra steps in your routine.
A great product to try is the Kenra Platinum Silkening Mist — it protects against UV damage while adding shine and smoothness. Another solid choice is IGK Heat & UV Protecting Spray which gives you heat protection and UV defense in one step.
If you’re a swimmer or you spend time in the pool with your kids or grandkids, chlorine is something you need to take seriously. It strips moisture from your hair, causes color to fade unevenly, and over time can leave hair feeling dry, brittle, and rough. If you have lighter colored or blonde hair, chlorine can even cause an unwanted green tint.
Here’s my game plan for pool season:
For targeted protection, I love UltraSwim Chlorine Removal Shampoo — it’s specifically formulated to remove chlorine and restore moisture. It’s affordable, effective, and a summer staple.
Anyone who lives here knows exactly what I’m talking about. You leave the house looking great and arrive somewhere looking like a completely different person. Humidity causes the hair shaft to swell and absorb moisture from the air unevenly, which is what creates frizz.
The key to fighting humidity isn’t fighting moisture — it’s sealing it out before it gets in.
My top recommendation here is Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray — we’ve talked about this one before and for good reason. It creates a protective coating over the hair shaft that literally repels humidity. It’s a game changer for Michigan summers. Apply it before you blow dry and you’ll be amazed at the difference.
Here’s something I love telling my clients — if you’ve been thinking about going lighter, summer is the perfect time to do it. The sun naturally lightens hair, which means it works with your color service rather than against it. You get a more natural, sun-kissed result and your color tends to blend and grow out more beautifully. Come in and let’s talk about what going lighter could look like for you this season.
Come in for a trim before summer gets into full swing. Removing split ends means your hair starts the season strong and is less vulnerable to damage. We can also talk about a deep conditioning treatment to build up your hair’s moisture reserves before the heat and sun start working against you.
Summer should be fun — and your hair should be too. A little prep now means you spend less time fighting your hair and more time enjoying the season.
See you soon! — Jonathon