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Curly hair is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get. It could be super-defined one day and a frizzy concoction the next day – and it's never exactly the same from one head to another. Our mission is to equip you with the necessary tools for restoring and maintaining healthy locks and celebrating the hair you were born with! 

Sizzling Summer Hair Products: Our Must-Have Picks!

June 19, 2023

 by

Verna Meachum

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With extensive experience in the beauty industry, I specialize in writing for curly hair care brands, websites, and magazines.

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Last Updated on June 20, 2023 by Verna Meachum

As your trusted beauty editor, I’m thrilled to present you with “Sizzling Summer Hair Products: Our Must-Have Picks!” – a sun-kissed compilation of the season’s most coveted hair care gems that’ll have your tresses turning heads and basking in the summer glory.

We’ve scoured the market, testing and vetting an array of products to bring you the crème de la crème of summer hair care, with each item boasting exceptional formulas, jaw-dropping results, and undeniable value.

With our expertise and passion for all things hair, we’ve curated a list that promises to transform your summer hair game, leaving you with locks that are both stunning and healthy.

So, buckle up and prepare to be whisked away on a hair care adventure as we reveal our top picks that will become your go-to essentials for sizzling summer strands.

Best Summer Hair Products

The summertime is one of the best times of the year to enjoy the sun, sea, pool, and everything outdoors. The season also comes with blazing sunshine, humidity, chlorine, and saltwater that can damage or change your hair’s natural state.  

While you can try to avoid sun exposure by staying indoors, it is not always practical and won’t always be possible. No matter what type of hair you have, you will need to take steps to ensure you protect your hair as much as possible from solar radiation and other summer seasonal factors.  

Here is a list of our 9 best summer hair product recommendations.

1. Hair Sunscreen  

You might be surprised to learn this, but sunscreen is not only for your skin. You get SPFs to protect your hair and scalp, which is essential during the summer months. The best option is a lightweight sunscreen spray that won’t wear your hair down or make it greasy.  

A sunscreen hair spray or hair mist will protect your scalp from UV rays and keep your hair moisturized and healthy while being exposed to different environmental factors under the sun.  

Our Suggestion:  

Sun Bum Sunscreen Scalp and Hair Mist  

2. Dry Shampoo  

Dry shampoo is a great companion any time of the year but is incredibly significant during summer. Humidity levels are high when the weather is hot, creating moisture on your scalp. Factors like sweating and excess sebum production also occur during summer.  

Using a dry shampoo, specifically on days you don’t wash your hair, will help maintain volume, eliminate oiliness, and keep your hair looking fresh and smelling clean until your next wash.  

Our Suggestions:  

Kerastase Fresh Affair Dry Shampoo  

Acure Dry Shampoo

3. Clarifying Shampoo  

A clarifying shampoo is one of life’s underrated helplines. It is super important to wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo occasionally to remove any product residue and oils that do not come off with regular washing.  

This is important when you sweat more during the summer or enjoy time in chlorine and salt water, like at the pool or beach. Even the use of excess products to maintain curls, beach waves, or keep hair hydrated can cause build-up. Detox shampoos do a thorough clean.  

Our Suggestion:  

Ouai Detox Shampoo  

4. Leave-In-Conditioner/Oil/Masks  

Leave-in products like conditioners and oils are magical for the summer months. The sun can cause a lot of dryness and photodamage. Oils, masks, and conditioners restore moisture. It is also great to apply these as a hydrophobic coating before swimming.  

That means your hair will have less ability to absorb chlorinated or salt water because the products will act as a barrier. Coconut oil and raspberry seed oil are known to reduce protein loss and are natural sunscreens for skin and hair.  

Our Suggestions:  

Nutiva Coconut Oil  

Raspberry Seed Oil  

Righteous Roots Oils

5. UAV/UVB Filtered Hair Coverings  

Reducing sun exposure is one of the best techniques to avoid sun damage. It’s not always possible to stay out of the sun, but you can try to cover your hair as much as possible. Using sun hats, caps, scarves, and bandanas is a fantastic way to protect your hair from overexposure.  

UAV and UVB-filtered hair coverings are a better option than regular ones because they offer that extra layer of sun protection that you need to keep your hair and scalp safe during the hot months. They also make a fun summer fashion statement for BBQs, picnics, and even workouts.  

Our Suggestions:  

Muryobao Ponytail Sunhat  

Gadiemkensd Reflective Outdoor Hat    

6. Hydrating Hair Mask  

Whether it’s photodamage from the sun, chlorine, or saltwater, summertime means sun damage to your hair. All these factors cause dryness, fizziness, hair fall, and brittle, lifeless hair. Regularly applying a mask can restore health to your roots, assisting healthier regrowth and adding moisture.  

It is imperative to apply a hydrating hair mask after you have been out in the sun for extended periods or after your hair has been in the pool or beach water. The mask can also be used as a hydrophobic coating before swimming.  

Our Suggestions:  

Arvazallia Argan Oil Mask  

Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair

7. Color Depositing Mask  

Photobleaching is a typical result of sun-exposed hair. The interaction between solar radiation and hair fibers changes the tone of your hair. This causes significant damage to colored hair. It can change the color and lighten your hair.  

Since it is impossible to entirely avoid the sun, especially with beach trips and BBQ pool parties in summer, having a color-depositing hair mask helps maintain your hair color. You can find one in your preferred color and use that after being in the sun for extended periods.  

Our Suggestion:  

Moroccanoil Color Depositing Mask  

8. Hair Gel/Mousse  

Hair gel is necessary for the summer, specifically if you have a curly hair type or style your hair a certain way. With the increased sweating, possible wind, rain, etc., your hair can easily fall out of place or lose its curls.  

A hair gel or a mousse are great options to apply to your hair before leaving the house. That way, even if you are exposed to different summer weather factors, your hair will be safe and stay in place. And if you can get a climate control and anti-humidity gel, it will be even better.  

Our Suggestions:  

Ouidad Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel  

Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Stronger Hold Gel

9. Heat Defense Serum  

Serums are a game changer, and they don’t only exist for your skin. Hair serums are lovely for adding shine and moisture and acting as a barrier to damaging factors like heating tools and the sun. Applying a serum on your hair before or after styling it prior to sun exposure will reduce damage.  

It will also give your dry, lifeless, sun-damaged hair shine and smoothness, reduce fizziness, lock in moisture, and decrease photodamage. Heat defense serums are always the best option if you want to focus on protecting your hair during summer.  

Our Suggestion:  

Amika Blockade Heat Defense Serum  

Summary  

Soaking up the sun, getting tanned, and enjoying the outdoors in summer are all fun and games until you realize your hair is damaged. Now you can prevent and reduce photodamage during the warmer months with the above products and ensure your hair is protected, always looking luscious and healthy! 

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