How to Handle Unruly Hair in the Summer Heat ...

If your hair's been dried out by the sun (very common if it's processed), it needs the moisture put back in. But the last thing you want to do in the heat is hang around in the bathroom while your conditioner soaks in. A leave-in conditioner is perfect for your summer needs. You'll save time and give your hair some protection from the sun.

The best way to protect your sun from the harmful effects of the sun is to wear a hat. A wide-brimmed hat will keep the sun off your hair and face. It will also protect the scalp, which is often forgotten about. The only problem with wearing a hat is that it can leave you with 'hat hair', so either use leave-in conditioner as above, or run a few drops of serum through your hair.

During the summer months you may wash your hair more frequently, either because you're sweating or because you're going to the pool a lot. But frequent washing may not be that kind to your hair. Use a mild shampoo and let your hair dry naturally if you can. Also avoid brushing your hair when wet; use a wide-toothed comb instead.

Have you ever ended up with the dreaded green tinge after swimming? It's the chlorine in the pool that causes the problem, and colored hair is particularly prone to being affected in this way. Either use a pH balancer to stop the chlorine getting at your hair, or rinse your hair first.

One of the common hair problems in summer is hair that's limp and lifeless. Don't try to desperately perk it up with products, as you'll load it down even more. What limp hair needs is a shampoo and conditioner with protein to give it more body. You can also use hairspray to create volume at the roots - but don't overdo it!

Ladies aren't supposed to sweat, but we all know that's not true! Don't despair if your summer hair problem is that the heat leaves your hair looking greasy (to make things worse, the sweat dissolves your styling product and weighs your hair down even more). What you need is a hair powder or a dry shampoo to soak up the grease. And don't wash your hair too often, as that makes your scalp produce even more grease.

Curly-haired girls may be the envy of those of us with straight hair, but they dread the effect that heat and humidity has on their hair. Fight the dreaded frizz with a specialist product that will stop your hair absorbing the moisture from the air that makes it go wild. An oil treatment will also help, as will the right cut.

How do you like to style your hair in the summer?