Why is it that your hair always looks great on the beach? All it takes is a quick dip in the ocean to bring out the best in it – tousled with plenty of volume and waves worthy of the sea itself. It’s no wonder that hair brands have tried to bottle this mysterious power, so you can have Bondi hair even if you’re going no further than Birmingham.

Bumble and bumble launched the first ever salt spray and Bb. Surf Spray has since achieved iconic status in the beauty world, bringing beachy style to dressing tables all around the world. Most haircare brands now have a salt spray of their own and it’s not hard to see why these products are so popular: “Salt spray will give you tousled, super textured, beachy waves without stepping a foot on sand or in the sea,” says Hayley Gibson-Forbes, co-director at SJ Forbes salons. “Our clients love the look, feel, and smell of a good salt spray, along with the added bonus that it is super easy to use as part of their at-home or holiday haircare regime.”

So, how do you use it?  “It is normally used as a styling tool once the hair has been cleansed and conditioned, giving the hair a gritty,  look,” explains says Gorka Arraras, creative manager at Charles Worthington Salons. “Salt spray is great for fine hair, adding volume and texture as long as the amount applied is not overpowering.” And you can use it in different ways, depending how strong an effect you want – “It is best applied to the mid-length and ends of the hair. You can simply spritz onto dry hair and scrunch into locks for messed up texture, or spray onto wet hair and blow-dry for a more subtle, voluminous look,” says Hayley.

However, as anyone who’s ever overindulged during a holiday will be able to tell you, you can have too much of a good thing. “Overuse of salt spray can lead to the hair feeling dry or matted,” warns Gorka. “To resolve this I would recommend weekly treatments or using a primer when blow drying. This will leave the hair nourished and in good condition without compromising on the styling. It will let you achieve the look that a salt spray gives without drying it out.” So, make sure that you treat your hair as nicely as you would after a day at the beach and top it up with plenty of hydration.

If you find salt spray too drying on your hair, Robert Eaton, creative director at Russell Eaton salons, has some advice. “Clients often strive for that perfect beach look hair full of texture, however finding then perfect product can be difficult,” he says. “For me, it is all about creating the texture but in a non-abrasive way – there are some amazing products out there that do this but if you can’t find the right salt spray, have a play with some different dry shampoos.” Sugar sprays are also a good alternative – Paul Mitchell’s Neon Sugar Spray maintains softness and hydration, while Kérastase Aura Botanica Eau du Vagues has protective properties and is made of 98% natural ingredients. Or you can always go for a twist on the original – Bumble and bumbleoffers a whole range of sea-inspired products including a the Surf Foam Wash shampoo and conditioner, to build texture as you cleanse, and the Surf Infusion which is a salt spray infused with oil. Race you to the beach!
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This article first appeared on Layered

BACK in the ’80s and ’90s, many Aussie girls forked out their hard-earned cash on a bottle of SunIn, soaked their hair, then lay out in the sun, hoping for lighter tresses.

But it turns out we probably didn’t need the extra help that spray provided. Spending all summer outdoors will lighten your hair even if you don’t put anything extra in it.

Trichologist Anthony Pearce says it’s all down to ultraviolet radiation. The colour pigment in our hair shafts is oxidised by exposure to ultraviolet radiation, that according to Pearce, is “the same chemical process as having the hair bleached”.

This might sound like welcome news for those who spend hundreds of dollars (and hundreds of hours in the hairdresser’s chair) attempting to lighten their hair. But be warned, “sun-kissed” hair isn’t exactly a good thing.

“The sun can ‘bleach’ hair blonde but in doing so degrades the hair as well,” Pearce, founder of Anthony Pearce Trichology, explains.

A lighter hair colour as a result of time spent in the sun equals a permanently weakened hair shaft. Hello split ends, dryness and a whole lot of irreversible damage.

The solution? For starters, wear a hat when you’re outdoors and opt for hair products that provide protection from ultraviolet radiation — they’re like sunscreen for your hair.

“I’m a big believer in protecting your hair against UV rays the same as we do for our skin. It is especially important for weak or colour-treated hair,” explains Lisa Farrall, hair expert for Fudge Professional.

“It is also important to think of your scalp, especially your part. I find the best trick is to use a high SPF lip balm on your scalp to avoid it burning, it’s easy to apply with no grease and it will stop you from having a flaky scalp.”

If you are looking to speed up the hair lightening process, there are some great options out there that don’t involve sun damage. For anyone who grew up in the late nineties or early noughties and abused hair lightening product Sun In like I did (I still shudder thinking about the Coke-coloured patches on my head), you’ll be pleased to know the technologies and formulas have improved dramatically.

The key? Three-time Australian Hairdresser of the Year and Co-Creative Director of ELEVEN Australia, Joey Scandizzo, recommends simply asking for subtle highlights.

“Most hairdressers understand what ‘sun-kissed’ hair is — a great way to describe it is to say you would like subtle variation through the front or the ends which are generally the places the sun hits,” explains Scandizzo. “Sun-kissed means you want to go only one or two shades lighter, nothing too drastic.”

If you’re religious about keeping your hair out of the sun but still find your hair has lightened by the time March rolls around, there are a couple of reasons for that.

“Salt water will also lighten hair in it’s dual effects with ultraviolet light. Salt water can add to hair damage as it can swell and dry hair shafts; making them more porous and prone to breakage,” explains Pearce.

Oh, and that chlorinated pool you’ve been swimming in? It’s not your hair’s friend either.

“As an alkaline, chlorine is potentially the most damaging to hair. Hair should be double shampooed immediately after swimming. Depending upon what chemicals are added to the pool water, Chlorine pools can gradually cause a green/blue discolouration to hair,” says Pearce.

Edwina Carr Barraclough is a Sydney-based lifestyle editor and social media and content strategist. You can see more from her on Instagram or Facebook. 

This article first appeared on news.com.au

Summer is right around the corner, but if you’re here reading this, then you’re already pretty aware of that. There is a difference between winter hair and summer hair, and you probably want to make sure that yours stays protected under this cruel, unforgiving heat that we’re about to have. Sometimes that can be a bit easier said than done, but with the right products, and with the right techniques you can keep your hair looking just as healthy and shiny as ever. Argan oil in your hair, for example, is a great start, but so is paying attention to the elements that we introduce.

The Three Elements of Summer
There seem to be three elements that summer brings with it,
some natural, some not:

    Sun
    Chlorine
    Water

You don’t need us to explain how these are going to introduce themselves to you – you’ve been down this road before. What you might not realize, however, is how much damage they can actually cause. Our hair takes serious beating, especially during the summer months, and with that being the case, you need to find a way to keep your hair as healthy as possible. Don’t worry, we have a few tips, including those that involve Argan for hair.

Step 1: Protect Your Hair by Locking in the Moisture

The elements of summer that we mentioned above can do a great job of tearing the moisture right from your hair, and it won’t be long before you start experiencing breakage. There are a lot of different methods you can use to protect yourself from this, the first being to wear a wide brimmed hat – though not everyone is in favor of adding a hat to their wardrobe. Your other option, will be to use a product that moisturizes and shields your hair – make sure you always use such a product after a shower to keep your hair in good condition every single day.

Step 2: Shield Your Hair

The summertime sees us putting our hair through a lot of ‘torture’, as it were. We’re more prone to taking a dip in the pool, or baking in the hot sun, and so, before you do any of those things, we strongly recommend applying a leave-in conditioner to your hair. By doing this, you will ensure that your hair absorbs the conditioner rather than chlorine from a pool or salt from the ocean.

Step 3: The Defense Against Frizz

Humidity is rampant in the summer, and if you don’t protect your hair properly, then there is a good chance that you’re going to end up dealing with frizzy hair. Anyone who is already prone to frizzy hair knows the dal: keep your hair defended against it. One of the most common methods for doing so is the use of Argan oil, which you will find plenty of in our online store.

Step 4: Protect it from Heat

We’re not talking about the heat from the sun, we’re talking about the heat you inflict on yourself – heat that you would find right inside your very own bathroom. The heat from your flat iron can be a serious problem for you, and you may not have even been aware. Flat irons can take a toll on your hair, which is why we strongly recommend using our heat protectant product.

Using Argan for hair, this product really is light years ahead of most others on the market, so strongly consider it when you’re getting ready for the rigors of summer. 

As you can see, there’s a lot you need to do to make sure that your hair is ready for summer, and it’s not necessarily going to be the easiest thing in the world.
Now would be a great time to start stocking up on products that will keep your hair in top shape, and ensure that it stay safe whether you’re soaking up the sun, swimming, or straightening.  Summer is harsh, so prepare yourself with the right products!
 This article first appeared on HSI Professional

The secret to healthy hair begins at the root. Maintaining a clean, moisturized and healthy scalp leads to healthy hair and hair growth. If your scalp is itchy, irritated, or dry your curls will pay the price which can lead to hair breakage. In order to create a healthy hair regimen, you can revitalize your scalp with the use of oils. Here are 4 of the best oils for scalp-care to use when you just can't stand the itch.
 
1. Lavender
This is one of the most obvious oil choices. Lavender is naturally antibacterial, so it can help cleanse the scalp of bacteria, fungus, and other gross things that go on there. It also smells great and can give a nice calming effect. The main reason people choose this oil is that it has been reported to help with hair growth. In fact, a study published in the journal, Toxicological Research, found that lavender oil increases hair growth. The Jamaican Mango & Lime Black Castor Oil Lavender is pure and unrefined, retaining all their nutritive properties making it great to use as a skin softener, moisturizing massage oil or as a hot oil treatment for dry damaged hair, hair growth, and thinning hair.


2. Peppermint
When looking at the best oils for scalp health, peppermint oil is a no-brainer. This oil gives cool, tingling sensations that many people enjoy. While the feeling itself is pleasant, the effects of the tingle are an increase in circulation. Without proper circulation of blood, the scalp has a hard time generating new growth and turning over cell regeneration. Again, much like lavender oil, studies have confirmed that peppermint oil has benefits in the area of hair growth. Studies published in Toxicological Research indicate peppermint oil helps with hair growth by extending the anagen phase of the hair growth process. Eden Bodyworks Peppermint Tea Tree Hair Oil is an exotic blend of nourishing ingredients that penetrate the hair from root to tip to promote new hair growth without clogging pores. A perfect choice for hot oil treatments on all hair types.


3. Horsetail
One of the rare plants that can be used as an oil and an oral supplement, horsetail is rich in silica. Silica helps hair to grow, as well as helps to improve the strength of your curly strands. A study published in Dermatology Research and Practice reports that taking horsetail oil supplements can decrease hair shedding for women with thinning hair. There is also evidence to suggest that topical applications of the oil can have similar effects. Alikay Naturals Essential 17 Hair Growth Oil is blended with 17 of the best natural oils such as the horsetail powder which is extracted from the plant to reduce dandruff and hair loss.


4. Tea Tree
Dandruff, dead cells, and bacteria can get in the way of a healthy scalp. With tea tree oil, your scalp gets a powerful clean to remove product build-up. A study published in Journal of American Academy of Dermatology found that the use of shampoo with even a small percentage of tea tree oil in the formula could cause a 41% improvement in reducing dandruff flakes. Tea tree oil is known to be the cure scalp issues and has so many amazing benefits such as being an antibacterial, antifungal, and helps with dandruff and hair loss.

 Do you use any of these oils to care for your scalp?
Let me know which ones are your favorite the next time you're in the salon.

This first appeared on NaturallyCruly