In the summer months, clients may be looking to switch up styling routines, ensuring their hair can withstand heat and humidity.
Jim Shaw, global hair educator and director of TONI&GUY Billericay, shares his advice and key product recommendations.
Switch to Shorter Styles
Having long, heavy hair in the summer is not ideal. Instead, clients may use the summer season to change their look and opt for a style that’s shorter and more low maintenance.
Some of Jim's favourite short, on-trend hairstyles are the crew cut, the buzzcut and the textured crop. If your client has never had a buzzcut before, check out our consultation tips.
Embrace the Wet Hair Look
The wet look is a trend that’s here to stay, and is a great style for clients to experiment with during summer. It helps hold their hair in place, tames flyaways, and by using the right products, works to nourish their hair at the same time.
Slicked Back Styles
A slicked back style always proves popular. Not only does it look well-groomed in the summer months, but it can help to cover the scalp, avoiding any potential sunburn.
Product Recommendations to Help Clients Keep Hair Fresh During a Heatwave
Matte Clays
Matte clays are a great choice for during a heatwave as they absorb sweat and excess oil, resist melting in high temperatures and provide a strong, non-greasy hold that keeps hair looking clean instead of sweaty. Products like high-shine gels can melt, mix with swear and make the hair look slick or greasy whereas a matte finish maintains a dry, natural look. Whether you have short or long hair, a matte clay will help tame and add texture on the hottest of days.
Sea Salt Sprays
Sea salt sprays are an essential during a heatwave as flat or limp hair usually collapses within minutes in humid summer air. Salt adds gritty friction to the hair strands, lifting them from the roots for lasting, effortless volume. Traditional heavy gels or oil-based pomades can liquify and feel suffocating when you sweat. As sea salt sprays are water based, the breathable mist leaves a clean, non-greasy finish.
Spray 3-6 spritzes on towel-dried hair and focus mainly on the roots and mid-lengths to get beach ready hair.
Sweat Proof Styling Gel
Sweat proof styling gels are ideal during a heatwave as they prevent your hairstyle from collapsing, resist humidity and-induced frizz and avoid a heavy, greasy buildup when your scalp naturally perspires.
Unlike heavy winter pomades, sweat proof gels offer a breathable, non-greasy finish and stop sweat and high humidity from breaking down the hold. They typically wash out easily with water, preventing the sweat, salt and product residue combination from irritating a hot scalp.
UV-Protectant Leave-in Spray
UV protectant products are a must during a heatwave because the shield hair from sun damage, lock in vital moisture and prevent frizz from weighing the hair down. Strong sunlight breaks down hair proteins but UV sprays act like a shield against harsh rays.
Many leave-in mists offer a dual protection by safeguarding exposed scalp areas or thinning hair lines from direct sunburn. Humid, sticky heat opens the hair cuticle and causes swelling but a lightweight leave-in spray smooths flyway’s and keeps styles controlled all day.
You should advise your clients that a less-is-more approach often works best in summer; if a client creates a cocktail of too many products, their hair may end up looking sweaty and greasy. To avoid overloading the hair and experiencing product build up, discuss your favourite lightweight products with clients.
A texture spray is often a great choice, giving hair volume and hold without becoming too sticky.
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