Come rain or shine! How to weather

By Astrid Joss

How does your hair grow? Keep your locks luscious – no matter what the weather

The shifting weather has thrown holiday plans and summer wardrobes into turmoil. But girls-about-town will have noticed another unwanted side effect from this ever-changing August: more bad hair days. One minute it’s wet and windy and your hair is all at sea. The next it’s sunny and warm – and along comes the frizz. How does one stay perfectly coiffed in such unpredictable conditions? Preparation is key, insists Moe Harb, the Lebanese hair guru transforming the colour and style of London’s most high maintenance women, one head at a time. Here, he shares the unmissable tips and tricks to keep in your beauty bag this summer…

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SUNSHINE & HEAT

‘Treat your hair as you would your skin,’ says Harb, founder and director of Beauty Club London. ‘There's no point spending money and time on beautiful hair that you don’t look after,’ he says. ‘Protect your hair from the heat and direct sunlight by wearing a wide-brimmed hat or a scarf to stop it from drying out and getting brittle. It may sound obvious you’d be surprised how many people forget to do the simplest things when the weather is so changeable.’

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Secondly consider using hair products with built-in UV protection or applying a small amount of sunscreen specially formulated for hair. Just like your skin, your hair can also get damaged by the sun’s UV rays.

Before heading out into harsh weather conditions, apply a leave-in conditioner to your hair. This will create a protective barrier and keep your strands hydrated, reducing the chances of damage.

On humid days when hair is most likely to frizz of course invest in excellent anti-frizz products but also think about what I call 'protective hairstyles' that keep your hair tightly secured and protected, like plaits, buns, or ponytails. This will reduce the exposure of your hair to the elements and thus avoid frizz and damage.

Finally if you really struggle with excessive frizz it's worth thinking about investing in a hair straightening treatment for the summer especially if you are heading off to somewhere extra hot and humid. Most salons will offer this treatment although it's not great for the hair so should only be done twice a year at most.

‘Again a little bit of common sense will take you far,’ says Harb. ‘When weather is bad tie it up and back or plait it to avoid tangling and make sure you have an umbrella to hand at all times. A good blow dry will survive being tied up. Opt for silk ties where possible.’

Don’t forget the obvious! ‘Regular trims will help keep your hair healthy and prevent split ends, which are more prone to damage from environmental factors,’ Harb reiterates. ‘Also remember to treat hair as you would your skin. Staying hydrated and maintaining a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals will contribute to the overall health and strength of your hair, making it more resilient against external stressors.’