If you’re in Southern California, you’re probably happy to see some normal and warmer weather return. And this warmer weather is giving us that sweet taste of summer.

We love summer but summer certainly doesn’t always love us, well our hair, back.

Whether you’re going on a tropical vacation or taking advantage of our local beaches and sunny weather. Summer means extended time in the various bodies of water and the sun.

We don’t want to limit you from summer activities. After all, summer screams carefree and we’re not here to make you more stressed out.

Like your skin, your hair requires protection and regular maintenance. Summer fun can be damaging to your hair with or without extensions. So we’ve compiled a list of Dos and Don’ts to keep your hair radiant all summer long. So before you set off on your summer vacations, read the below Dos and Don'ts of summer haircare.

DO…

DO remember that chlorine is a chemical and it is not hair friendly. We recommend applying a leave-in conditioner mid to ends and then tightly securing your hair in a braid or ponytail.
DO rinse your hair BEFORE you submerge it in saltwater or chlorine. If your hair is already wet or damp with freshwater, it’s less likely to absorb and hold as much saltwater or chlorine. Pro Tip: Cocktail ILES Formula Serum and Conditioner and apply on damp hair before any water activities.
DO rinse hair with fresh water AFTER any time spent in saltwater or chlorine. Both saltwater and chlorine have their respective evils when it comes to your hair. So make sure you give your hair a good rinse immediately after any time spent in saltwater or chlorine.
DO bring a brush wherever you go and brush your hair thoroughly before it gets wet and very gently after it’s rinsed with fresh water. The goal here is to avoid matting at all costs.
DO wear a hat if you can. The sun can be damaging to both your scalp and hair. So if you’re not submerging your hair in water, wear a hat to protect that scalp and most of your hair.
DO contact your stylist immediately if your hair gets matted or turns orange. Don’t try to be the superhero here. You may be able to work out the matting with a fine tooth comb but still contact your stylist for suggestions.
DO keep up with your regular hair care routine. If you’re traveling, we recommend Iles Minis for emergency hair washing. Sticking to your normal routine will keep your hair from getting dry or worn from common summer activities.

DON’T…

DON’T use just any sunscreen. The quality and type of sunscreen you use matters, especially for hair extensions. We strongly recommend using a mineral sunscreen that’s reef safe. Pay extra attention to the ingredients in your sunscreen. Some sunscreens can turn extensions orange. Orange is a no on the skin and in the hair. The two main ingredients to AVOID are Avobenzone or Octocrylene. Approved sunscreen brands include: Bare Republic Mineral Sunscreen, Sun Bum Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen and Coola Mineral Body Organic Sunscreen.
DON’T go in the sun without using a heat protectant in your hair. Heat protectants can protect your hair from the heat of the sun, too! We like to lather up with our holy grail, Iles Finishing Serum, before spending the day in the sun.
DON’T leave your hair braided after you get out of the water. Quickly remove braids, rinse in freshwater, apply more leave-in and gently brush out. Sometimes braids can tangle your hair so follow these steps to prevent that.
DON’T ignore hair matting if it happens. We get it, sometimes matting is inevitable. Bring a fine tooth comb with you on vacation. It’s the best tool to slowly work out that matting if it does happen. Leave-in, freshwater and consistent brushing will be your triple threat this summer to prevent matting of any kind.

Now that we’ve reviewed the dos and don’ts, here’s a quick cheat sheet for packing the essentials. Whether you're packing your beach bag for a day at the beach or your suitcase for a vacation, we’ve got you.

SUMMER HAIR CARE ESSENTIALS

Mineral Sunscreen - Bare Republic Mineral Sunscreen, Sun Bum Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen and Coola Mineral Body Organic Sunscreen.
Ibiza Brush
Fine tooth comb
Iles Finishing Serum (also included in the Minis linked below)
Iles Minis
Iles Mask
Hair Ties
Claw Clip
Hat
Fresh water (jk, but make sure you have access to some)

So go enjoy your summer staycations, vacations, pool and beach days! Now you have everything you need to have the best hair this summer.

Text (310) 340-1053 to book your next appointment or click the link below to apply for a free consultation.