We’d all love to have gorgeous beachy waves while we’re enjoying the sun on holiday. You might picture yourself with luscious, shiny hair that always looks fantastic. Unfortunately, the reality is often very different. Direct sunlight, time in the pool and the sea, and a seafront breeze often mean that after even a few hours on the beach, our hair is dry, brittle and broken. Oils from sweat and sunscreen might mean that your hair is lifeless and flat, and let’s face it, wearing a hat is never going to help with volume or shape. 

The good news is, with a little care and attention and some preparation, your hair can look great for your whole beach break. Here are some great tips to help.

Visit the Salon Before Your Break

The first thing that you should do is prepare your hair. Visit julia-lampard.co.uk to book an appointment with a stylist before you go. Make sure you have at least a good trim to remove all dead ends and breakages. Then, spend time caring for your hair. Make sure you are using heat defence treatments and use a deep conditioner once a week for a month before your break to make sure your hair is in its best condition before you head to the beach. 

Use Coconut Oil After a Day in the Sun

A simple coconut oil mask is the best after-sun hair conditioner. Like putting after-sun on your skin, coconut oil adds moisture to dry strands. When you get back to your room after a day in the sun, coat your hair in coconut oil and wrap it in a towel. Leave for as long as you can before washing out thoroughly. 

Rinse Before Getting Wet

Wet hair doesn’t absorb as much salt or chlorine as dry hair. Before getting in the pool or the sea, make sure you rinse your hair. Your follicles will soak up the clean water, instead of the salt or chlorine. 

But Don’t Get Wet More Than You Need To

That said, repeatedly wetting your hair is bad for it. Rinse with clean water if you know that it’s going to get wet in the pool or sea. But, if you can avoid getting it wet completely by tying it up, this is better. 

Practise Braiding

One of the biggest problems we have at the beach isn’t the sun or the water, but the wind. It’s often breezy by the sea, and we’re running around without thinking about our hair. This leaves it tangled and causes breakages. Boho beachy braids look great and prevent too many tangles. French or Dutch braids that are tight to your head, or a crown braid, can be the most effective. Just make sure you are using one-piece bands without any metal or other attachments, and never elastic bands. 

Other ways to protect your hair on the beach include packing shampoo and conditioner and investing in a good hairbrush that removes tangles gently and carefully without causing more breakages.