If you like the way the sun and saltwater give you that “effortless” look during the summer months, celebrity colorist Chad Kenyon says to be prepared, as the mix is just waiting to turn your hair into a dried-out, tangled mess if not tended to properly come Labor Day. Here are his six go-to tips for transitioning from “summer-to-fall” hair, without damaging your ’do.
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Do a Refresh
Sounds pretty simple, but Kenyon says it’s smart to schedule a “back-to-school” trim or cut come September to clean up and refresh hair.
Coordination Is Key
Pro tip: The cut comes first. “Be sure to coordinate between your hairstylist and colorist so that the cut is first,” Kenyon says. “Hair color looks best on top of a fresh cut. Cut-color-style is the proper order once at the salon. This is especially true with balayage. Cutting hair after balayage can throw off balance and intentional depth.”
A Sealed Cuticle = Shine
Kenyon says a good acidic gloss with or without pigment will seal the hair’s cuticle. “Think of it as a ‘conditioner on steroids.’ A sealed cuticle boosts shine by smoothing the cuticle because light reflects better off of a smoother more pristine surface. This also prevents tangling and helps the hair from becoming hollow or sparse at the ends.”
Let the Pigment Come Through
Did you know we all have warm pigment inside of our visible hair color? According to Kenyon, the term is underlying pigment and sealing the cuticle “with an acidic gloss is the most effective aid in preventing the visibility of this brassy underlying pigment.”
This Treatment Is a MUST
“Olaplex treatments are a must! The patented chemistry relinks broken disulfide bonds, our hair’s structure or mesh that holds it together,” Kenyon says, adding that, in his opinion, an in-salon Olaplex treatment will help hair damaged by the sun, chlorine, salt water, as well as in-salon chemical services. “Olaplex also prepares your hair for the winter months ahead. It is not a protein so you can’t overuse it like you can proteins, which can leave your hair dry and brittle if overused.”
Low-Maintenance Does Not Mean No-Maintenance
“At-home hair care does not have to be a burden. I ask each client how many times a day she hydrates her skin with moisturizer and ‘twice’ is usually the answer. I then prescribe an ultralight hair oil to be used twice a day—it only takes 30 seconds and it makes a huge difference in hair’s health and appearance. Once a week, I recommend using Olaplex N°3, and it helps to sleep in a hair mask once every 10 days. Use a priming spray after you shampoo-condition-towel dry and before you apply oil. The days you do not wash, skip the primer, but do use oil.”
