OK, so it's not been the hottest summer on record but it doesn't mean our hair hasn't suffered. What we have had has been a mix of humidity, sun, rain and wind, which can still have a damaging effect on our tresses. Many of us will find that as we head into the new season our hair is dry and lifeless. So we've taken some of your hair questions and put together some advice, tips and products which should have your hair smiling in no time and your new season styles bang up to date.
Dear Handbag
I would usually let the sun dry my hair naturally in the summer months but we just haven't had any. Now my hair feels over-styled and damaged more than ever, can I ever bring it back to its former glory in time for autumn?
Thanks, Chloe
Your hair is never damaged forever, it's always fixable, although it may take some tender loving care and time. Karine Jackson (karinejackson.co.uk) tells us, "It's worth styling your hair with pins and grips instead of using a hair dryer in the summer. If you have long hair then use felt or plastic rollers and let your hair dry naturally. Doing this will give the hair a styled finish without stressing or damaging the hair with excess styling." Thankfully, the look for pretty tousled tresses is still big right now so twisting your hair and gripping it while it dries will give it some a natural wave. Andrew John who is the creative director at Charles Worthington (charlesworthington.com) recently also told us that it's best to do your hair last thing in the morning. Moisturise, dress and do your make-up while your hair dries slightly, then give it a quick blast with the dryer.
Dear Handbag
I have been getting my hair coloured for years and have tried most colours out there. Now I opt for blonde highlights but I'm finding it hard to keep up with the appointments as they are pricy. How can I keep my colour looking vibrant in between appointments?
Best wishes, Karen
You're right, once you start colouring your hair it's hard to stop. At the first sign of roots I often find myself dialling the salon in a state of panic. Recently we caught up with Ben Cooke (lockonego.com), ambassador for Herbal Essence and whose celebrity clients include Victoria Beckham and Gwyneth Paltrow. He told us that roots are simply a sign that we are busy ladies (very true) and that roots are in right now - they don't have the stigma attached to them that they did a couple of years back. Yes, rock chick hair is still on-trend! But, sometimes you're right you do need a pick-me-up between appointments. Schwarzkopf (hairsupermarket.com) have a new range out which is perfect for use on coloured hair from the day after your appointment. Designed to keep your colour looking brighter for longer, their Silver Shampoo and Conditioner is ideal for a weekly colour boost with the silver formula locking in colour. Or for blondes and brunettes John Frieda's Go Blonder and Brilliant Brunette (boots.com) duos are perfect for lifting your hair a shade or two and keeping colour brighter for longer.
Dear Handbag
I really hate having to wash my hair every day, it's such a chore. The problem is my hair is always a complete mess in the mornings and even more so if I've been out the night before. Any tips on how to look good without washing?
Thanks, Pam
It's a trap we all fall into. Get a good updo under your belt, one that you do well and know looks good. That way if you ever feel too tired to shampoo in the mornings you can reply on a solid style which you feel comfortable wearing. Lee Stafford says, "If you are in a rush and don't have the luxury of a hair wash, I always suggest keeping the Lee Stafford Bling Wake up Call Spray (£5.37 from boots.com) in your handbag for hair emergencies - perfect for the morning after. It's designed to refresh and wake up hair while leaving it smelling great." Failing that, use a dry shampoo on greasy roots to give you another day's leeway. We love James Brown's new Scandalous Fabulously Flirty Dry Shampoo (£5.99 at boots.com) which is great for those of us that are just too tired to wash before work.
Dear Handbag
As the UK's summer turned out to be a complete wash-out, I've been chasing the sun with weekends away. But the constant air con on planes, sunshine and salt water while surfing down south has really left my hair feeling dry. Even after I blow-dry it looks really straw-like. Are there any ways I can fix this quickly?
Thank you, Jenna
Well, here's the thing, it's hard to win. The summer sun and intense heat can leave the hair dry and the cold months, wind and rain can leave hair, yep you've guessed it... dry. Every season has its downfall, so caring for your hair is a year round must-do. Vas Karpetas, creative director at Tommyguns recommends using their Colour Save Intensive Masque (tommyguns.com) if you colour your hair. He told us, "During the hot summer months, hair becomes brittle and dry, so when autumn finally rolls around, hair can look tired and washed out. Use this mask to refresh colour, hydrate and add shine back to the hair. Apply evenly, leave for 10 minutes while you relax in the bath, then rinse." Also don't forget it's important to prevent the damage in the first place - check out our top 10 sun protecting hair sprays, which will stop the harmful UV rays attacking your hair. Also wearing a hat will stop your scalp getting burnt. If you are swimming a lot while on holiday then try Philip Kingsley's Swimcap, (£17, lookfantastic.com) which protects the hair from salt water and chlorine damage.
Dear Handbag
I know you keep telling us that wavy hair is on-trend right now, but I still love the straight look. I've heard there are some new products out there which help to keep hair straight - can you recommend any?
Thanks, Amy
It depends on your cash flow, if you have some money to spare then perhaps try a permanent blow-dry (Daniel Hersheson's permanent blow dry from £200, danielhersheson.com) which uses vitamins, white clay and proteins to smooth the hair, leaving it straighter and frizz-free - results can last for up to three months. If you want products from the high street try the smoothing range from TRESemmé (boots.com) It has a frizz control formula which trains the hair to stay straighter for longer. The shampoo and conditioner are a great place to start but we also love the Smooth Memory Straightening Spray which you apply to damp hair before styling. This spray works best alongside heated hair tools so will be perfect for those that straighten or tong their hair often.
Dear Handbag
I know you do your reviews of products on the site but I still feel that it's impossible to know what hair mask to spend my money on. My hair is below shoulder length, brunette and fairly dry from styling - it needs some rejuvenation. Can you let me know your favourite masks so I don't have to spend ages scanning all the reviews?
Thanks so much, Lisa
You're right, it's a hair mask minefield out there and it's often hard to know what is best for what hair condition, so here goes. We love the Herbal Essence Hello Hydration mask (£3.98, boots.com) for an in-the-shower hair treat that really brings dull hair back to life. Use it a couple of times a week to see a real difference, it's great for long hair that needs a weekly treat and it's cheap. TIGI's S Factor Balance Boosters (£19.50, lookfantastic.com) are great for coloured hair that's overly dry. Use half a tube a week as a colour condition booster. The Espa Pink Hair and Scalp Mud (£29, liberty.co.uk) not only treats the hair but your scalp too. Minerals and clays will hydrate your hair and give it a shiny glossy finish while soothing an irritated scalp. Finally the Mashooq Deep Penetrating Oil (£6.99 mashooqhair.com) is great when combed through wet or dry hair and left to penetrate the hair for 30 minutes. This is for seriously over-styled, colour damaged hair - you will see results instantly.
Dear Handbag
I know that each new season brings lots of new looks and I really want to get a good new style under my belt. I was thinking of going for a loosely tonged look (my hair is black and mid-length) that can also go into an updo. Problem is which tongs do I buy and more importantly, can I get any under £30?
Thanks in advance, Reena
Hair tools have taken off big time and with each new season we always try to look at which ones give the best results for what style. In the office we love the Vidal Sassoon Ribbon Curl. (£23.50, amazon.co.uk) It has flatter tongs to you looser waves, which is great on short hair. However this year lots of us have fallen for the new trend of curling wands, they are easy to use and allow you to use the thicker end for big curls or the thinner end for corkscrew curls. Our favourites are Yogi (which goes a little over your price range £49.95 yogiwand.com), but is lightweight, has a long manageable handle and heats up super fast - plus the bright colours are great fun! Also the new BaByliss Porcelain Curling Wand (£24.49, boots.com) is a budget busting £24, is really easy to use and hasn't given us a burnt finger yet!
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