Give your hair a summer holiday, writes Phyl Clarke
Beach-blown silky locks enlivened by the sun, creating natural highlights for a relaxed, easy holiday look. That's my rose-tinted spectacle view of my summer hair. The reality is often hidden under my sunhat - a dry and coarse head of frizz. This year, I'm determined to get some way along the road to my aspirational hair, and be prepared for whatever the weather might throw at me.
There are many quick fixes to combat bad hair days on holidays. A hair treatment applied before you go to the beach will look smart if you simply comb hair back, and secure into a ponytail or bun if it is long. Add shades and your favourite lip colour and you're ready for the paparazzi. Ditto a hairband or scarf. Of course a sunhat will hide a multitude, just make sure it's not too big to wear indoors when you nip up to the restaurant for a spot of lunch.
Having your hair coloured before exposure to the sun will make it more susceptible to the sun's rays, so while I would advise getting a good cut, hold out for a colour until you get back; your hair will thank you for it. If you need a bit of root touch-up, try Tween Times, which is a crayon colour stick for hair - brilliantly easy to use, and available in a number of shades. It costs €6.95 from Sassi, 21 Drury Street, Dublin 2 (01-6774904).
If you feel the need for a colour "freshen-up" for your hair, the delightfully old-fashioned but highly effective Fancifulrange is a colour-refreshing rinse also available from Sassi, and selected pharmacies, for €9.09. You will have a temporary "fix" until your next shampoo. Shades with names such as "Frivolous Fawn" and "Chocolate Kiss" seem to hail from a bygone era, but will keep you going until your next salon visit.
Inexpensive shampoos are good for holidays, as you will probably be washing your hair more often - the Pantenerange is excellent. However, it's worth spending more on a deep conditioner Kerastase Nutritive Masquintense(€35.30) is an intensive hair mask that will nourish your locks. For maximum effect, leave it on overnight. Umberto GianniniOvernight Beauty Moisture Balm is the first "nightcream for hair" with the added advantage of not needing to be rinsed out next morning (€7.90, from Boots).
Radiant Shine mask from L'Occitanepreserves colour and adds shine (€30.50). AvedaSap Moss Nourishing Concentrate is a pre-shampoo treatment, which helps repair dry and damaged hair, (€24). Lifetex Extra Rich Self Warming Mask from Wella is a mask with a difference. It warms up on contact with water, resulting in velvety-smooth hair (€11.40). Call 1800-236303 for stockists.
The Apivitarange is new to our shores and its Propoline products treat colour-stressed hair It costs €9, from McCabes and Hickeys pharmacies. An old favourite is the Aussie3-minute miracle, which is now available for colour-treated hair, €6.99 from supermarkets and pharmacies.
After all that nourishment, treat your hair to a styling product, and my current squeeze is the divine smelling AlfaparfSemi di Lino Diamante from (€29.50), which adds a diamond touch to your tresses, and will add a glamorous air to your holiday hair.