THE SECRET TO LIGHTENING YOUR HAIR FOR SUMMER… WITHOUT SUFFERING A STRAND SOS
Why? Firstly, to echo the changes in fashion – as the weather gets warmer, our wardrobes begin to burst with lightweight fabrics, bold prints, and vibrant colours. No longer do we want to indulge in dark tones and moody monochrome, but rather bright, beachy hues for the fresh sartorial season upon us. What’s more, with the increased exposure to sunlight, its known more UV rays equals naturally lighter locks... so why not speed up the process and spoil your strands to that longed-for salon appointment?
There’s a but… although lighter lengths are the epitome of summer, it means your tresses take on a more fragile state once treated, and they’ll need extra TLC to maintain hair health. Discover the saviours we’re obtressed with for keeping lighter locks thriving without suffering a strand SOS.
THE SCIENCE
It’s simple: when you colour your hair, it becomes weaker. And when you bleach tresses, you use a mix of ammonia and peroxide (and, as you can imagine, these aren’t the most nourishing ingredients). When your expose your locks to bleach, you lift the outer protective layer of each strand so the colour can get in and pull the natural pigments out, leaving your hair vulnerable to split ends, thinning and dryness. Don’t worry, it’s preventable…
WASH WITH CAUTION
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Our top tip? Treat coloured hair like your favourite item of clothing. Wash at a lower temperature and handle carefully (try brushing or combing your locks before wetting them). And… we’re sorry to break it to you, but you should think about washing your hair less often – the more you rinse it, the more you’ll strip the natural oils and moisture.
When the time comes for your shower ritual, we recommend introducing Fable & Mane’s Holiroots Hydrating Shampoo and Holiroots Hydrating Conditioner to your routine. Enriched with coconut and turmeric, this deeply nourishing duo restores shine and transforms straw-like strands into silk by teasing out knots and promoting healthy scalp circulation. Plus, you’ll be transported to a palm-fridged paradise thanks to its sweet yet musky scent…
MAINTAIN YOUR COLOUR
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We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but the time will eventually come when dyed hair will start to look a little brassy. This means yellow or orange hues will develop which is usually caused by bleaching, sunlight or the hair colouring process. No need to panic... this is where amika’s Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Repair Shampoo comes into play (AKA a blonde’s best friend). Featuring a potent violet tint, this clarifying cleanser neutralises lengths while strengthening compromised hair for a cool-toned and nourished finish. Alternate into your hair wash routine either once a week or every other wash, and you can soon wave goodbye to those brassy hues…
MAKE TIME FOR MASKS
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Dousing your locks in a powerful hair treatment once a week is the easiest way to care for bleached hair as it instantly nourishes strands craving an extra bit of TLC. Indulge in a bit of ‘me time’ with the Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Intensive Treatment, a luxurious mask that transforms locks from dull to dazzling within minutes. The secret to its success? It’s rich formula (read: hydrolysed elastin, castor oil, olive oil and glycerine) adds elasticity, manageability, bounce and shine. With frequent use, you can expect stronger, thicker and healthier hair…
YOU ARE WHAT YOU HEAT
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Bleached hair doesn’t hold on to moisture as well as unbleached hair, so reducing how often you heat-style and ensuring you have the right heat protection is really going to help maintain its health and colour in the long run. So why not get to know Oribe’s Gold Lust Dry Heat Protection Spray? This stellar staple features a botanical based polymer (the brassica oil copolymer) to shield strands from sizzling temperatures of up to 232 degrees. What’s more, it also features a bio-restorative complex – made of plant-based collagen, caffeine, biotin and niacinamide – to soothe the cuticle and deeply nourish your mane, while an infusion of macadamia oil smooths, conditions and keeps locks looking and feeling silky soft.
THE FINISHING TOUCH…
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Last but certainly not least, add a nourishing hair oil or serum to your after care for long-lasting hydration, softness and a mirror-like shine. Featuring the Honey Infused Hair Oil and Repair Serum, Gisou’s Hair Repair and Intense Hydration Duo is perfect for manetaining hair health. How? Thanks to infusion of antioxidant-rich honey from the Mirsalehi Bee Garden and plant-based keratin, each hair hero works to strengthen, nourish and seal split ends. Note: using this delectable duo comes with endless compliments, not just for the appearance of your hair, but its addictive scent, too...
And there you have it! If you’re planning on treating your locks to a lighter hue this summer, you can now rest easy knowing how to care for your hair without causing a serious strand SOS…
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Anya is one of Cult Beauty’s Junior Copywriters. A huge lover of all things skin and body care, time spent intently researching product ingredients has resulted in a mass of skin care know-how (which don’t worry, she’s more than happy to share). When Anya's not treating herself to a new Maison Margiela fragrance or Aesop hand cream, you'll find her at the latest natural wine bar with friends, buying a new book (even though there is already a stack waiting), or walking through Hampstead Heath with her regular order of an almond latte.
