Women tend to have many end of summer concerns.
On what official date do pumpkin candles become socially acceptable? Can we stop shaving our legs yet? Should we have included more educational summer activities for our kids? Will it have to be hot girl summer next year, too? Do we have to wear bras in the school drop off lane?
My end of summer questions this year are primarily concerning the state of the school cafeteria grapes. Are they always whole? Is no one going to cut them in halves or quarters for the kindergarteners? I don’t recall signing a grape waiver. (Yes, I’m worried for myself when my kids start to drive one day.)
In the salon, however, it’s consistently the same concern. The main end of summer question in my salon chair:
How do we fix my chlorine-y green, brassy, dry, dull hair?
I can’t fix the grape situation, but I CAN help you with this.
- Use a CLARIFYING shampoo. Chlorine and/or dry does not mean purple shampoo. For whatever reason, the blonde catch-all to remedy almost anything seems to be purple shampoo. Not applicable here! CLARIFYING is a hair detox. This strips your hair-and scalp-of unwanted residue and minerals. Generally, clarifying shampoos do not leave your hair soft as they also remove much of your hair’s natural oil, so you’ll want to pair it with a trusty conditioner. I’ve included my current VERY favorite of both at the end of this post.
- Clarifying is most effective BEFORE your hair is visibly a different color…a green hair preventative.
- (Clarifying shampoo is not for everyday use. Depending on how often you wash your hair, how often you’re swimming, using dry shampoo, etc., I’d recommend maybe a couple times a month.)
- $4 MALIBU CHLORINE TREATMENT: These are great for chlorine. This is a magic little pack of dry crystals. Pour them in your palm, get them wet, and rub together to make a paste. Massage through your hair, and let sit for about five minutes.
- While I think the result is generally subtle and may take a few packets, Amazon photos swear by it. With a very affordable price point and over 1,100 Amazon reviews (and several photos posted!), it’s definitely where I recommend starting.
- I do this often at the salon. Why? To get green out, of course, but also to prolong toner. Chlorine has a feel to it. You know what I mean? It’s a little stiff, and a little waxy. If you’re blonde, toner often doesn’t “stick” when hair is visibly coated in chlorine.
- DEEP CONDITION: Importante! There are just a handful of hair items I’d invest in, and a good conditioner is one. What you consider “good” will vary on your hair type (thick, fine, curl, resistant grey, oily, etc), but I’ve included a couple of my go-to in the salon that I love!
- Let your conditioner sit on your hair for a few minutes to absorb and do it’s job. Take this time to shave your legs, if we’ve decided we’re still doing that past September.
- I’ve included links to my favorite recommendations below, but I’ll be wordy and elaborate on them. Joico Luster Lock is a heavier conditioner, and it is has single handedly extended the life of my extensions. It’s the consistency of Aquaphor, and deeply moisturizing. The Bumble and bumble Bond Building Conditioner is not as heavy, but amazing. AND THE FRAGRANCE. I have yet to have a client that doesn’t ask about the scent every time I use it, and the reviews always mention the same. Is there anything better than a great smelling hair flip?
- Remember, conditioner is not for your scalp.
- TRIM YOUR HAIR: The combination of sun, heat, elements minerals in water (ocean, salt water pools, chlorine, and hard water mineral deposits) will definitely do a number on your hair. It needs to be trimmed. It just does. Not a lot, baby girl, just a little bit (please know 50 Cent). If you don’t trim your hair, the ends will keep splitting, undermining your new arsenal you just bought.
I’m linking the items below. In return, please get back to me on whether fall decor is dependent on a date or a temperature.
