Summer is one of the most popular times for women to change their hair color. Unfortunately, summer is also one of the harshest seasons on the hair. No matter what hue you choose, it is important to find a shade that works with your lifestyle and coloring. It's also essential to take care of your hair properly throughout the warmer months so that your color stays beautiful.
Choose Your Hue
Although many women think blonde for summer, you can choose from many different shades of color and coloring techniques to achieve a look that is right for you.
Add Modern Highlights
Basic blonde highlights, starting at the part, used to be a popular summertime hair color optionr. While this is still a popular option for natural blondes, these highlights aren't as common anymore on darker hair color shades. Instead:
- Add highlights that are just one or two shades lighter than your natural color. This will add add dimension to your locks while giving your hair a sun-kissed summer look.
- If you want to go lighter all over, with a full head of blonde highlights, don't simply settle for just plain blonde. Choose a lighter hue that complements your skin tone; this may mean a more golden or dirty blonde color.
Try Two-Toned Hair
When you are looking for summertime hair color, highlights aren't your only option.
- If you want to lighten your hair slightly for summer without having your hair look streaky, you can color the top section of your hair a lighter color, while leaving the bottom section of your hair in its natural state.
- This look is more edgy, so consider your overall personality and lifestyle before committing to a two-toned color.
Lighten Up with Surfer Hair
The surfer hair color look has also been popular in recent years and gives hair a really different look.
- Instead of lighter highlights on the top of the head, highlights are applied to the middle and bottom layers of the hair. This still gives hair a bit of lighter color and breaks up monochromatic hair, but there is less need for upkeep as roots aren't as noticeable.
- Try this hair color style for summer if you want to spice up your look but want a low-maintenance commitment.
Add Red Tones
Red shades have become popular summer color choices as well. Red tones complement many different skin types, and warmer red-toned hair really shines in the sun.
- When choosing a red-toned hair color, you don't always have to go for a bright red color. Coppery brown colors have just enough red in them in make the color really stand out.
- Natural blondes can try strawberry-blonde highlights to add a different dimension of color to lighter locks.
Go with a Darker Color
When it comes to summer hair color, many times people only think about coloring their hair lighter. However, dark hair also works for summer.
- When choosing a darker hair color for summer, try to use a warmer brown color. Dark hair color with warmth looks great in the sunlight, and will keep brunette hair from looking too dark or black.
- If you are dying your hair darker, however, keep in mind that it may fade more easily during the summer months. It will be essential to keep hair protected from sun and chlorine in order to keep the color rich.
Summer Hair Color Care Tips
In order for summer hair color to withstand harsh elements such as sun exposure and chlorine, colored hair should be properly cared for all summer long to prevent fading and hair damage.
Protect the Hair from Sun
Summertime often means time outdoors, which also means many people subject their hair to harmful sunlight rays.
- Cover your hair: If you are spending time outdoors, try to wear a hat or scarf as much as possible.
- Use leave-in conditioner: If you are going out in the sun without protection, apply a leave-in conditioner with sunscreen, such as Kenra Professional Leave-in Conditioner to your hair. This will help protect the hair from the sun while keeping it moisturized.
Avoid Chlorine
Chlorine exposure can cause hair to dry out and alter hair color.
- Wear a swim cap while swimming or exposing hair to chlorinated water.
- If it's not possible to wear a swim cap, wash hair as soon as possible after contact with pool water.
Use Protective Products
Daily care of colored hair is important to maintaining your hair color through the summer.
- Shampoo: Always use shampoos designed specifically for colored hair so that your new color is not stripped away. Natural shampoos such as Aveda's Color Conserve shampoo are great for colored hair because they don't have harsh sulfates or chemicals in them that can strip the hair of color and cause fading.
- Conditioner: A good daily conditioner is also important for maintaining hair color, especially in the summer. Moisturizing the hair is especially important in the summer as hair that is dry and damaged from the sun will not hold color as long.
Bonfire Hair Tips
Being outdoors in the summer often means enjoying bonfires in the evening. However, it is important to take precautions to protect your hair.
- Protect hair by pulling it back into a low ponytail, bun or braid.
- Wear a hat or scarf over your har as well to prevent tendrils from getting too much heat, and don't sit too close to a bonfire for long periods of time or you risk damaging your hair.
- If your hair is exposed to large amount is smoke, you may need to use a clarifying shampoo after the event.
Avoid Insect Spray in the Hair
Using insect spray to enjoy bug-free time outdoors is popular in summer, but insect sprays can be very drying, so it is best to avoid applying them directly to the hair. Since most formulas are very flammable, you want to be particularly careful if applying bug spray near a bonfire not to let the spray get in your hair.
Perfect Summer Color
Summer is a time to try a new, fun shade of hair color. However, it is important to research color ideas before making a drastic change since re-coloring hair can be a difficult and costly process. Choose a great color and care for it properly, and your summer hair can be gorgeous all season long.
