Beat the Heat

If the summer sun’s strong enough to tan your skin, then it's strong enough to damage your clients’ beautiful tresses, too. There are so many ways to increase the life span of the beautiful summer creations waltzing out of your studio door! We asked two esteemed Sola stylists to weigh in on the best bets for keeping locks healthy from Fourth of July fireworks all the way through Labor Day pool parties. Check out what they recommend when it comes to styles, treatments, and tips for keeping cool under the blazing sun!

Be Snippy

“Don't be afraid to cut a few extra inches off during the summer,” advises Heather Yacenda, owner of Studio H Salon at Sola Salons Preston Village in Wichita, Kansas. Gypsy Hair Lounge founder and owner Nicole Digilio agrees: “Pixies are my favorite,” says the Sola Salons Port Jefferson Station stylist.

photo props: Nicole Digilio

Trim Away

If a client isn’t prepared for a super-short cut, you can still kick off the summer right with a good trim to encourage healthy hair growth and reduce unhealthy split ends, flyaways, and breakage. As Nicole puts it, “A small trim or dusting can go a long way.” Help clients stay on top of their trims with text alerts and a recurring salon newsletter. 

Lighten Up

The color of summer is bright and fun. Nicole, for example, has had requests for “blonde, silvery locks, pastels, and golden, sunny, warm color melts,” she says. “If you add sun-kissed babylights or a balayage color, that can be just enough of a change for a new summer look,” adds Heather.

photo props: Heather Yacenda

Create Texture

Both Heather and Nicole like textured cuts for the warm weather months. “They can be done at any length,” Heather says. Nicole is partial to wavy, tousled lobs — though, any sort of natural curl or kinky coif will do.

photo props: Heather Yacenda

Use Protection

Help clients reduce fading and dryness by recommending products that contain UV protection. “You can also use organic ingredient masks, if you prefer,” says Nicole, noting, “Avocado and coconut oil hair masks work wonders.” Both Nicole and Heather push leave-in treatments; tell clients to use them before prolonged stints in the sun and pre-pool. Nicole hawks La Brasiliana's Dieci at her salon, and it’s been flying off the shelves lately. Whatever you do, don’t forget to counsel clients to rinse chlorine and salt water out of their hair as soon as possible.

Treat Clients

Don’t hesitate to suggest add-on treatments when your clients come in to the studio this summer. “Olaplex is my go-to treatment, whether it's an admin service to my clients’ color, or a stand-alone treatment,” Heather says. Nicole recently started using b3 and continuum in-salon treatments for glazes and post-service, too, and the results have been increasingly positive.   

It’s time to keep your hair happy and healthy all summer long…enjoy the sunshine!