‘Tis soon to be the season of sun, sea and sand! Of course, we’re talking about summer. From relaxing in the park, to trips to the beach or sitting in pub gardens with friends as you lather on your hourly dose of SPF, it’s swiftly become our favourite time of year. And, in anticipation of the sun-drenched months ahead, one beauty ritual has become apparent over the years: the perennial trend of treating tresses to blonder and brighter hues to indicate the start of summer.
Why? Firstly, to echo the changes in fashion – as the weather gets warmer, our wardrobes begin to burst with lightweight fabrics, bold prints, and vibrant colours. No longer do we want to indulge in dark tones and moody monochrome, but rather bright, beachy hues for the fresh sartorial season upon us. What’s more, with the increased exposure to sunlight, its known more UV rays equals naturally lighter locks… so why not speed up the process and spoil your strands to that longed-for salon appointment?
There’s a but… although lighter lengths are the epitome of summer, it means your tresses take on a more fragile state once treated, and they’ll need extra TLC to maintain hair health. Discover the saviours we’re obtressed with for keeping lighter locks thriving without suffering a strand SOS.
THE SCIENCE
It’s simple: when you colour your hair, it becomes weaker. And when you bleach tresses, you use a mix of ammonia and peroxide (and, as you can imagine, these aren’t the most nourishing ingredients). When your expose your locks to bleach, you lift the outer protective layer of each strand so the colour can get in and pull the natural pigments out, leaving your hair vulnerable to split ends, thinning and dryness. Don’t worry, it’s preventable…