Hot days under the blazing sun, dips in chlorinated water, and constant sunscreen application — all the elements are there to make summer the most damaging season for your hair.

Even though it might seem difficult to maintain healthy hair throughout the summer, we promise it’s possible! By choosing the right products and adjusting your routine to fit the season — just like you do with your wardrobe — you can definitely achieve it!

To make things easier for you, here are 5 tips to take care of your hair this summer!

Tip #1: Apply a Hydrating Hair Mask

Consistency is often the key to seeing long-term results from a mask or treatment. Applying a mask occasionally during the summer may show some improvement, but applying it weekly will make a noticeable difference!

A mask can easily replace your conditioner, especially if you don’t wash your hair frequently. It can be applied in the shower following the instructions, or to dry hair* before showering.

*Note: Only a hydrating mask should be applied to dry hair. Repair masks should be applied to damp hair only.

This method can save you time in the mornings, especially after working out and before heading to work. When applying a mask to dry hair, you’ll need to use more product to ensure even distribution, but the results are worth it.

Applying a hydrating mask to dry hair allows for better absorption of nourishing ingredients, as there’s no water to dilute the treatment. The result? A more intense and targeted treatment, especially for damaged areas.

Psst! You can also dampen your hair before applying the mask. This is just as effective and allows you to use a little less product! You can even style your hair into a sleek bun after applying the mask to lock in moisture all day long.

What’s important is to follow the application instructions properly to get the best results! We’re often reminded to stay hydrated during summer — but we tend to neglect our hair. This is your sign to give it some love!

At Concept C, we offer a wide selection of hydrating masks for every taste and budget! We know it can be overwhelming to choose, so here are some of our favorites:

• Superfood Hydrate Mask by Pureology
  A reliable go-to we’ve loved for years. Its hydrating and nourishing formula makes it perfect for all hair types — and the scent is amazing!

• 911 Mask by Biotop
  Made with quinoa, this mask delivers intense hydration and leaves hair softer and shinier after just a few uses.

• Food For Soft Mask by Matrix
  A favorite in a small package — probably the best travel-sized hydrating mask on the market. Infused with avocado oil, it deeply moisturizes and softens the hair.

• Urban Moisture by Shu Uemura
  Our all-time favorite! It hydrates, revitalizes, and provides essential nutrients to the hair while helping prevent future dryness.

For visible and long-lasting results, regularly apply a hydrating mask using the proper techniques — your hair will thank you all summer long!

Tip #2: Go for Air-Drying

Take advantage of summer to give your hair a well-deserved break! It’s the perfect time of year to put away your hot tools — at least for a few weeks. We all know that air-drying rarely delivers a salon-quality blowout result. However, in recent years, many major brands have released creams and balms specially designed for air-drying. These products help create beautiful texture and reduce frizz — all without a flat iron or blow dryer.

Our current favorite air-dry products are Oribe’s Heatless Styling Balm and R+Co’s Cool Wind Air Dry Crème. Applied to damp hair, they provide texture and frizz control without weighing your hair down. It’s the perfect choice for those with straight hair who love a beachy effect.

To finish your look, we recommend trying a sea spray. If you have straight hair, simply apply a little to your ends and scrunch your hair to get a natural, tousled result. You can also apply it the day after styling to revive your hair without adding weight!

We’re particularly fond of the Ocean Mist Sea Salt Spray by SachaJuan and Verb’s Sea Spray. This type of spray is the perfect addition to your hair routine for an easy, one-step beachy look!

This summer, ditch the hot tools and embrace heat-free styling for hair that’s textured, light, and frizz-free!

Tip #3: Protect Your Hair from the Sun

Before a day out in the sun, you apply sunscreen to your face and body, right? So why not do the same for your hair?

True, your scalp isn’t at risk of a sunburn the same way your skin is, but the damage can be just as serious. Without protection, your hair can become dry, brittle, and your color can fade quickly. That’s why UV protection for your hair is just as essential in summer as it is for your skin.

Good news: more and more hair products now offer UV protection, even if they don’t come with a “sun care” label.

One of our favorites is SachaJuan’s Hair In The Sun cream, which both nourishes and effectively protects the hair fiber. We also recommend R+Co’s High Dive cream — a year-round styling staple that smooths, hydrates, and yes, also offers UV protection.

Another must-have for the season is the Actiiv Defense Sun Protection Spray. With SPF 30, it’s designed for both your scalp and your skin — perfect for long days outdoors.

For a glossy finish, try the Vitamino Color 10-in-1 Mirror Shine Serum by L’Oréal. This new product combines shine, UV protection, heat defense, and anti-frizz benefits in one sleek formula.

Finally, our all-around favorite is the Miracle Creator by Matrix. This multi-benefit leave-in treatment detangles, hydrates, repairs, and protects against UV rays and heat — all at a budget-friendly price!

Tip #4: Use a Clarifying Shampoo

This tip is especially for those who love spending time in the water! Whether you’re hitting the beach, lounging by the pool, or swimming in the ocean, your hair picks up salt, chlorine, sand, and sunscreen. The result? A saturated scalp and dull hair. That’s why a clarifying shampoo is a summer must-have.

Don’t worry — modern formulas are much gentler than they used to be. They deeply cleanse without stripping the hair fiber or dulling your hair color or shine.

If you wash your hair once a week, you can use a clarifying shampoo every time. If you wash more frequently, once a week is enough to purify without drying your hair.

Here are some of our top picks:

• Metal Detox by L’Oréal: This shampoo reduces breakage, provides UV protection, and improves hair elasticity. It’s especially useful if you have hard water at home.

• Redken’s Cleansing Cream Shampoo: A fantastic choice for removing product buildup and stubborn residues while purifying the scalp.

• Nutri-Repair Shampoo by René Furterer: Ideal for post-sun care, it nourishes, repairs, and counteracts dryness caused by UV rays, salt, and chlorine. Your hair will thank you!

• Shu Uemura’s Gentle Radiance Shampoo: Last but not least, this clarifying formula gently cleanses the scalp, removes dirt, oils, and buildup, while leaving hair soft and shiny.

Tip #5: Adjust Your Washing Frequency

In summer, between swimming, festivals, workouts, and the heat, it’s tempting to wash your hair much more often. However, frequent washing can dry out the hair fiber and disrupt the scalp’s natural balance.

Thankfully, there’s a simple solution to refresh your hair between washes: dry shampoo. It absorbs excess oil, eliminates odors, and restores volume with just a few sprays — no water needed.

Here are two of our favorite picks:

• Perfect Hair Day – Advanced Clean by Living Proof: This dry shampoo leaves hair feeling light and clean with no residue.

• AirWash by K18: A non-aerosol version that neutralizes odors and purifies your hair — perfect for more eco-conscious routines.

For travel-size options to slip into your bag, we recommend:

• Refresh Dust by Schwarzkopf Osis+

• Dry Queen by O&M

These are ideal after a hot day or a beach outing — they bring body and freshness back to your hair in seconds.

Psst! Need some application tips? Check out our full article here: Dry Shampoo: Tips and Favorites.