This week was the first time in months that I was able to wear one of my favorite summer dresses with sandals. You know what that means? Summer is finally here! With the arrival of warmer weather comes a reassessment of my hair products. At one time, a change in seasons meant that I would take out my summer hair products and put away my winter hair products, much like one might unpack dresses and shorts from storage bins. Over the last few years, however, I have simplified my hair regimen by using the same products throughout the year. It is no longer about what I use, as much as how I choose to use the product to meet the needs of my hair in varying weather.
Lighten Up Your Butters
If you have fine hair, hair butters may be something you sparingly use even during very cold, dry weather; but for those of us with thick hair, butters offer a kind of protective shield against the elements. However, using butters in the summer can pose many challenges. If too much is used it will melt, making our neck and face oily and greasy.
While I still use butters in summer to seal in moisture, I tend to use less and mix it with either a very light water based moisturizer or aloe vera. If you choose either of these methods, it may be useful to melt a small quantity of the butter of your choice, mix in the moisturizer or aloe vera then apply it to your hair. I find that this method allows me to enjoy the benefits of sealed hair without the stickiness of melted hair butter running down my back.
Oil Rinses
Pre-shampoo treatments that incorporate oils are a helpful way to limit the harmful effects of harsh cleansers. They also provide a means of helping your hair retain moisture during and after your hair wash routine. During the summer you can oil rinses in a method somewhat different from a traditional pre-poo treatment.
Oil rinses require that you either:
a) use the oil as the last step in your hair washing process, such that you coat the hair in oil and only rinse with water
or
b) coat the hair in oil before you wash your hair and rinse with only water.
By eliminating the usual step of using a cleanser, some of the oil will remain on your hair, providing it with shine and sealing in moisture. Personally, I have found that coconut oil is pretty effective as an oil to use during oil rinses. In fact, I have used coconut oil during my pre-poo treatment, washed with a cleanser and even still find that my hair is sealed with the oil after washing. My twist outs are shiny and soft and don’t require any oil after the hair dries. If you’re looking for a way to retain lightness and shine of your hair, while keeping it sealed, oil rinses are a fantastic option during the summer months.
Do you change how you use oils and butters during the summer? If so, how?
