Beauty Clinic: Treating haystack hair

Q My salon-coloured hair goes straw-like every summer – not a good look. Can you give me tips on protecting it from the sun when I go on a beach holiday? A Protection is vital, but first prevention. Getting your mop into the best condition possible before you take off for sun, sea and sand is key.

Phyto Paris - one of the hair brands we have used ourselves for many years – suggests starting now by using their Repairing Shampoo and Repairing Serum for weakened, damaged hair before you go, plus the matching Ultra-repairing mask.

When you are actually on the beach, protect your hair with Phyto Plage Protective Sun Veil for normal to dry hair, £15 for 100 ml, which contains a UV filter. For ultra dry and damaged hair, Phyto offer Protective Sun Oil with Olive wax, £16 for 100 ml also in a spray.

Always shampoo when you come in, with Phyto Plage Après-Soleil Shampooing Réhydrant rehydrating shampoo, £11 for 200 ml, for hair exposed to sun, sea & pool water.

There’s also a rehydrating After-sun Recovery Mask for damaged hair, £14 for 125 ml and a no rinse After-sun Recovery Spray, £10 for 125 ml, to detangle and repair your haystack.

Also, Philip Kingsley’s iconic product Swimcap, £15 for 75 ml, was developed at the request of the first US Olympic Synchronised Swimming Team to protect against the harsh effects of chlorinated and salt water; it also contains a UV screen.

A mostly natural product is Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil, £22.50 for 100ml, a water-resistant UV defence mist that promises to protect hair from sun exposure for up to 16 hours.

And finally, never forget to pop on a close-woven, broad-brimmed hat whenever you go out. It’s the quickest easiest way to protect your hair, as Steven Little, genius colourist at John Frieda’s Mayfair salon, is always reminding Sarah.

Photo credit: Unsplash/Freestocks.org/Olsztyn