Summer Haircare Tips & Holiday Essentials
Planning a summer holiday? Whether you're hitting the beach, relaxing poolside or exploring a city in the sun, your hair needs a little extra TLC during the warmer months.
Heat, humidity, UV rays, salt water, chlorine and even frequent heat styling can all take a toll, leaving hair feeling dry, frizzy and difficult to manage.
The good news? A few simple changes to your routine can help keep your hair healthy, shiny and protected all summer long.
Whether you're travelling abroad, enjoying a UK heatwave or simply looking to keep frizz under control, discover our expert summer haircare tips below.
Holiday Haircare Made Easy
Travelling light doesn't mean leaving your favourite products behind.
Travel-size haircare products are perfect for hand luggage and beach bags, making it easy to maintain your routine wherever your holiday takes you.
Choose from top-rated travel minis, including:
- Travel-size shampoos & conditioners
- Mini hair treatments & masks
- Styling sprays & finishing products
Shop our range of travel mini’s here
Hair tips from professionals
1. Take a Break from Heat Styling
Summer is the perfect time to embrace your natural texture.
Hair dryers, straighteners and curling wands can all contribute to dryness and breakage, particularly when your hair is already exposed to strong sunshine and warm temperatures.
Whenever possible:
- Allow hair to air dry
- Use the cool setting on your hairdryer
- Finish with a blast of cold air to help smooth the cuticle
- Always apply a heat protectant before using heated styling tools
Expert Tip: "One of the easiest ways to reduce summer hair damage is to avoid combining prolonged sun exposure with excessive heat styling. Giving your hair regular heat-free days or using heat-protection products can help maintain moisture and shine." - Jane Wanniaratchy - Head of Product and Technical Education – 30+ years Hairdressing experience & Nail Experience 20+ years
2. Rinse Before You Swim
Before jumping into the pool or sea, rinse your hair with fresh water.
Hair naturally absorbs water, so saturating it beforehand helps reduce the amount of chlorine or salt water it can absorb, helping minimise dryness and damage.
After swimming:
- Rinse thoroughly
- Shampoo to remove chlorine or salt
- Follow with a nourishing conditioner or hair mask
Making this a regular part of your summer haircare routine can help keep your hair feeling softer, healthier and easier to manage throughout the season.
Expert Tip: "Rinsing your hair before and after swimming is one of the simplest ways to help minimise chlorine and salt water damage. Follow with a hydrating conditioner or mask to replenish lost moisture." - Rena Parrock - Education Design Team Lead – 30+ Years Hairdressing Experience
3. Manage Humidity and Frizz
Humidity is one of the biggest causes of summer hair frustrations.
When moisture from the air enters the hair shaft, it can cause strands to swell, leading to frizz, flyaways and loss of style definition.
To help keep frizz under control:
- Use moisturising shampoos and conditioners
- Apply anti-frizz styling products
- Avoid over-washing your hair
- Finish styles with smoothing serums or lightweight oils
- Use a microfibre towel to reduce friction
Well-hydrated hair is generally less susceptible to humidity-related frizz than dry or damaged hair.
Expert Tip: Frizz often comes from hair looking for moisture in the air. Hydrated hair is less likely to absorb moisture from the air, helping to reduce frizz and keep styles smoother for longer." - Rena Parrock, Education Design Team Lead - 30+ Years Hairdressing Experience
4. Protect Hair from UV Damage
Most people remember to apply SPF to their skin, but hair and scalp can also be affected by prolonged sun exposure.
UV rays can contribute to:
- Dryness
- Colour fading
- Increased frizz
- Weakened hair fibres
If you're spending long periods outdoors, consider wearing a hat or using haircare products designed to help protect and hydrate hair during summer.
This is especially important for colour-treated hair, as UV exposure can accelerate colour fade and reduce vibrancy.
Expert Tip: "Blonde, red and fashion shades are particularly vulnerable to sun-induced colour fade. Adding a protective leave-in product to your routine can help keep colour looking fresher for longer." - Elke VanDaal - Education Designer – 20 + Hairdressing Experience – 20+ Nail Experience
Protect your hair
Protect your hair with Wella Professionals Invigo Sun Range
Your skin isn’t the only thing that needs protection in the sun. The Wella Invigo Sun haircare range is designed to defend your strands from UV rays, salt water and chlorine whilst nourishing and reviving sun-stressed hair.
What’s in the Wella Sun Haircare Range?
- Invigo Sun After Sun Shampoo – Gently removes salt, sand, chlorine and product buildup
- Invigo Sun After Sun Conditioner – Deeply hydrates and smooths post-sun hair
- Invigo Sun Protection Spray – Lightweight mist with UV filters for all-day sun protection
Ideal for coloured hair, dry hair or anyone spending time outdoors this summer.
Summer Haircare Checklist
Don’t leave these behind when you pack:
✅ Travel-size shampoo & conditioner
✅ UV-protecting hair spray
✅ Leave-in mask or treatment
✅ Wide-tooth comb or detangling brush
✅ Hair accessories like scrunchies, clips or scarves
✅ Heatless styling tools (like rollers or braiding bands)
Give your hair the care it deserves this summer, wherever your travels take you.
Shop the Holiday Essentials
Some hair masks can be used in small amounts as a leave-in treatment, but always check the product instructions. Leave-in products are generally formulated to provide lightweight hydration and frizz control throughout the day.
Wind, salt water and sand can roughen the hair cuticle, making strands more likely to knot. Using a leave-in conditioner and gently detangling with a wide-tooth comb can help reduce tangles.
Yes. Air-drying is a great way to reduce heat damage during warmer months. Apply a leave-in treatment or styling cream to help minimise frizz and enhance your natural texture.
Stick to a simple routine of cleansing, conditioning and protecting your hair from the sun. Packing travel-size versions of your favourite products makes it easy to maintain healthy-looking hair wherever you go.
Yes. If you're spending time outdoors, a UV protection spray can be used daily to help defend your hair from sun exposure, especially if your hair is coloured or chemically treated.
Hair that feels dry, rough, dull or difficult to manage may benefit from extra moisture. Regular conditioning treatments and nourishing masks can help restore softness and shine.