If you don't want to look like Strewelpeter come September, we recommend investing a little time and extra money in some really high quality summer haircare that will protect and repair. When it comes to hair, an ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure, and what you need is products that will guard against the worst of the ravages by sun, sea and chlorine. We trialled many different 'summer hair' products for our Summer Special and declare these the shining stars that every beach bag needs...

Philip Kingsley Swimcap/£12.50 for 75 ml - bit of a legend, this hair saviour for fine, thin, dry and colour-treated hair. The citrus and rose-scented leave-in cream conditioner helps guard against UV, and chlorinated and salt water.

Color Wow Kale Cocktail Bionic Tonic/£22 for 200 ml - the range that started with a brilliant root cover-up now offers this super-strengthening, UV-protecting tonic for colour-processed tresses. (NB Despite the name, don't drink it: apply a small amount to wet hair, and smooth through from roots to tips.

Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil/£21.50 for 100 ml - water-resistant, conditioning mist with natural UV filters to help protect hair from sun damage for up to 16 hours.