Glossy blonde hair is the perfect accompaniment to an all-over tan, sex-kitten swimwear and soft-top sports cars. Whether you're a natural or a committed faker it's vital you invest in styling products containing UV filters for summer - check out the Trevor Sorbie Professional and Schwarzkopf Pro-Styling ranges among others.
If you're holidaying in the sun, book an appointment for a trim to remove any split ends or a restyle if the thought of a fortnight off work has made you adventurous. The golden rule however is NOT to have any chemical colour work - i.e. tint or highlights - done before a beach holiday. Seawater, sunlight and salt will have a bleaching effect on your crowning glory and cause any colourwork to “lift”. Chlorine can also turn chemically blonded hair green after just one dip in the pool so be warned.
However, if you're naturally fair Timotei Golden Highlights Shampoo (£1.69) and Conditioner (£1.99) will add blondeness. Té Tao's colour enhancing shampoo (£3.45) and conditioner (£3.95) in Camomile Blonde will boost your natural shade and add shine and are ideal for use during the weeks prior to your holiday. There are also several highlighting products in the John Frieda Beach Blonde collection to subtly beef up blondeness and disguise any regrowth.
Once you've arrived at your preferred hotspot you're better off using specialist products designed for a sunworshipping scenario. Wella's System Professional Sun range comprises both Sunshine and Sunset formulations (from £7.60, call 08704 007423). During the daytime a water-resistant Sun Screen Formula with UVA and UVB filters helps maintain condition and slow down colour fade. As night falls you can restructure hair and provide additional stability and shine with Sunset's Sun Builder Formula.
Knowing that wannabe jet-setters like to preserve as much room as possible in their luggage for multiple swimwear-and-sandal options, Charles Worthington has expanded his miniature Takeaways range to include four SunTime summer grooming essentials. Each has a revolutionary new UV-B absorbing ingredient unique to the range. Sun Wash UV-Protection Shampoo, After Sun Repair UV-Protection Conditioner, Sun Screen UV-Protection Spray and Safe Sun Waterproof UV-Protection Hair Gel are each priced at £1.75.
While you're people watching or absorbed in your blockbuster read sunlight activated Fudge Beach Bum Blonding Crème (£7.95, call 01282 683100) gradually lightens hair's natural colour with every application. The citrus based Beach Bum Blonding Shampoo (£7.95) and Conditioner (£7.95) which complete the line-up prep hair for the colouring process and are gentle enough to be used every day.
If you've long or coloured hair or are popping in and out of the pool or ocean a leave-in conditioner provides protection and will give your hair a stylish, sleek, slicked back look. Look for ones in space-saving sachets like Botanics Deep Conditioning Mask (£1) or Daniel Galvin Junior's Hair Clinic HairJuice Protein Lavender Conditioner (£1.29, Tesco).
However it's advisable to slap on a hat or a cute cotton headscarf whenever you're not making like a water baby. If you're a fan of the surfer-babe look try KMS Turnstyle Beach Head Sea Salt Spray (£8.95, call 01268 290300), Wella High Hair Ocean Spritz (£5.70, 0800 3283400) or John Frieda Beach Blonde Ocean Waves (£4.95). Spritz onto clean damp hair and twist into ropes or scrunch into mermaid-tastic waves. Leave to dry naturally in the summer breeze.
If your hair is short or you want to create texture Umberto Giannini Total Exposure Streaks and Lights Enhancer (£4.95) is an iridescent gel that styles and conditions whilst adding shimmer to the hair, leaving it glossy and velvety in texture. Vitamin B5 moisturises the hair and scalp and a UV filter protects against sunlight.
Hair accessories are a must if you want versatility from beach to bar. The Bumble & bumble Accessory Pack (£20.90, call: 01768 895505) comprises a skinny hairband, 4 bungees in black, 2 silver combs and 6 silver hairgrips in a little pouch that fits into the palm of your hand. If you want a more Mediterranean vibe look for natural textures - wood, raffia and turquoise beads - which are stunning contrasted with golden locks. Check out Boots tortoise and turquoise multi-bead scrunchie (£7) and multi-bead slide (£4.95). Cherry Chau's Tortoiseshell Flower Claw (£10.95, 020 7289 9575) as well as wooden bead slides from Claire's Accessories (£2.50, 0121 6828000). Updos are cool – literally – and the height of fashion, think Nicole Kidman. If you're worried about wearing your hair scraped back off your face a couple of loose tendrils will soften the effect. Remember that unwashed hair is easier to work with than squeaky-clean locks.
