Your Essential End-of-Summer Hair Repair Guide

This week it becomes official, at long last: the season will change from summer to fall. And while that means you'll no doubt be changing up your routine—and opting for spiced lattes instead of iced coffee—you should be changing up your beauty routine, as well. After all, during summer, your hair-care focus should be about protection. (As fun as it is hitting up the beach or the pool, all that sunshine and chlorine can wreak major havoc on your hair, leaving it frizzy, full, dry, or brassy.) In fall, it should be about repair.
So we tracked down two top hairstylists and found the best hydrating and restorative tips to reverse the negative effects of summer. So read on to learn how to look your very best. And while you're reinvigorating your life for fall, don't miss the Complete Guide to Fall's Hottest Hair Colors and Cuts.

"Sun exposure, wind, salt and chlorine water really damage and dehydrate your hair," explains hairstylist Adrien Flammier. "As a result of exposure to these conditions, the smooth, overlapping scales of the outer layer of your hair (the cuticle) are raised, becoming rougher and allowing moisture to escape."
To fight these effects, you need to replenish the moisture that the hair has lost. The best way to do this is by using mask such as the Pai-Shau Supreme Revitalizing Mask. Incorporate it into your hair routine once or twice a week, using a quarter-size amount on just the ends, and see smoother and shinier strands. Hair is not the only thing that is deeply affected by summertime—taking care of your skin is also a must when the weather starts to change. After you're done with bringing your hair back to life, check how to Get Shapely, Sexy Legs With These 14-Ready-For-Fall Beauty Products.

One of the biggest issues for blondes coming out of summer is the effect sun and chlorine have on coloring. Any blonde knows the dread of those unwanted yellow-orange tones that start to blend throughout. This is because sun oxidizes the hair and "chlorine not only strips away hair's natural oils and pushes up the cuticle," says Flammier. "It also can cause a chemical reaction with hair color, turning it brassy."
To really guarantee flawless results, you might want to look into a salon color gloss or toning treatment. This will not only rid hair of brassiness, but it will also brighten the overall color. If you'd rather handle it at home on your own, try using a toning shampoo and conditioners such as R+Co Sunset Blvd Blonde Shampoo and Conditione, or Clariol Professional Shimmer Lights Blonde & Silver Shampoo and Conditioner. Substitute this for your regular shampoo and conditioner once or twice a week.

"When the cuticle is dehydrated, rough and lifted, and the weather is humid, the moisture in the air swells up the hair shaft, resulting in unruly, frizzy hair," explains Flammier. And since thick, curly hair has a much more uneven structure than sleek, straight hair, it's more likely to dry out, then comes the frizz. So what can textured hair girls do to replenish? "You want a rich, silicone-free formula with protective ingredients like Shea butter which has antioxidants, vitamins and essential fatty acids) and Argan oil."

Dullness isn't only an issue for women with blonde hair. "Hair can be dull because the cuticle is open and because the pH of the water," explains Flammier. If you're traveling a lot over the summer, that means you're showering in different places.
"The shower in your vacation getaway might be different than where you live year round. So the pH of your hair will be different," he says. To rebalance the pH back to the proper level, use a vinegar rinse such as dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse. This will help smooth the cuticle and neutralize effects of hair water deposits, giving you gorgeous, shiny hair.

When it's hot, you're always pulling your hair up off your neck and face. This can really cause breakage to already delicate, dry hair. "During summer months, hair is pulled all over—often tied up multiple times a day with an elastic," says Redken's Brand Ambassador Rodney Cutler. "Not even the gentlest elastic can prevent breakage caused at the crown from constant pulling." So give your hair a break, and leave it down.

For anyone that works in an active job that requires your hair to be pulled back, Cutler recommends wearing it in a low braid. "Maintain a natural part instead of tugging hair all the way back," he explains. Get a little boost of hydration by applying a deep conditioner before braiding it.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb

When hair is weakened by all of these harsh conditions, split ends are basically a given. The clearest, most efficient way to get rid of them are through a haircut. The good news is there's tons of short styles that are trendy for fall. If you're truly opposed to a trim, try Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Fresh Cut Split End Mender to help clean up and seal split ends. Whatever you choose, your hair will look fresh and stunning for the crisp fall months. Now that you know all the secrets to bringing your hair back to it's prime, let's give that wardrobe a makeover, girl! Here are 10 Super Low-Maintenance Ways to Update Your Fall Wardrobe.

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