Now that the cold winter has passed and we can stop worrying about the rain soaking our blow-out, it's time to start thinking about our next summer hairstyle and how to revive our hair after the grey winter time. Here are all the best things to try this season - and all the things you should avoid.

Colour Revive

Typically hair colours tend to fade more during the winter season than during the summer. Although our hair gets wet more often from either the pool, sea or general showering during summertime, it still doesn't affect our hair as much as the scalding hot water we use during winter. That's because when washing our hair with very hot water, the hair follicle opens up and releases the dye from within it, causing it to fade down the drain. And although colour save shampoos and conditioners help, washing your hair with hot water will still release some of the pigment.

So what can you do?

• Avoid super scalding washes and opt instead for warm water to maintain the hair colour.
• Use a coloured conditioner and leave it on for 5-10 minutes. This will serve as a quick hair colour boost in between salon visits.
• Rinse your hair off with cold water for about 10 seconds. Doing so will close the hair follicle up, sealing the hair colour and moisture into the hair.

Moisture Boost

The hot water mixed with the generally cold environment of the cold season can be particularly damaging to the hair, so it's also not uncommon for it to feel dryer and scalier during winter. Aside from stepping away from the boiling hot water, it's also important to condition the hair to bring some life back into it. Finding the perfect hair mask can be a challenge but once you've found it you'll notice a great difference in your hair's health and its overall look.

So what can you do?

Ideally, you should follow the below washing sequence for optimal results:

• After washing your hair with a colour save shampoo (if your hair is dyed), roughly towel dry your hair.
• Next apply a small scooping of your mask, first on the ends and then work your way up but stop about 2 inches from the roots. Wrap your hair up in a shower cap for better absorption of the product and leave it on for 10 minutes (leave longer if needed).
• Rinse the mask off with warm water and then rinse it with some cold water for 10 seconds.
• When drying your hair, use a t-shirt instead of a towel as it's less abrasive and always pat dry, never rub.
• Apply your favourite leave-in products and style as you normally would.

Hair Cuts

Although these can be heartbreaking and not something we often look forward to, hair cuts are necessary for maintaining your hair healthy and for ensuring that our most damaged ends are properly cut off. The best time to get a hair cut would be one right after the winter season and one right after summer. A good hair cut in March/April is great to remove any damaged ends that might have built up from the heat styling as well as the cold air that the hair might have been exposed to. It also ensures that the hair is in its best shape and health for the coming summer season. In contrast, a hair cut at the end of the season, say September/October would then be great to remove any sea/sun/salt damage that the hair might have been exposed to during the summer.

Hair Care for Summer

Prep work before the summer is amazing, however, the secret to having season-long healthy hair is taking proper care of it throughout this period. Remember that just like our skin, our hair can also get damaged by the sun and burnt which will end up making it look dull. Using a UV thermal hair protectant before hitting the beach would protect the hair like sunscreen protects our skin. Usually, these come in spray bottles so they can be sprayed right onto the hair and then you may comb it through. Covering it up with a hat would also work but it might be considerably less 'Instagrammable'. Speaking of sunburnt skin, here are 7 truly effective ways to protect yourself from the sun.

If you'll be wetting your hair on a daily basis because of swimming, either in salt or fresh water, avoid washing it every time. Rinse out with cold water and apply some conditioner to the ends. The water will remove any salt/light dirt but will not strip the hair of its natural oils, which both the hair and scalp can benefit from. DIY hair masks made with natural ingredients found at home work just as well as the store-bought hydrating hair masks that you can wear after the beach. So visit these supermarkets and discount stores to get some honey and coconut oil.

So what can you do?

Try this great hydrating and moisturising hair mask with coconut oil and honey.

• Mix equal parts coconut oil (lightly microwave if necessary) and honey together.
• Apply the mixture onto the ends, then move upwards but avoid the roots.
• Comb throughout and leave on for 10-30 minutes.
• Wash well with shampoo and condition lightly.

The coconut oil will add shine to the hair while the honey will nourish and hydrate it. Olive oil will also work well.

Hair Colours to Try

Summer is a great time to experiment and try out some new hair colours and styles. In fact, going for an ashy balayage will really give you that 'summer girl' vibe and would look amazing in pictures. Although constant upkeep is necessary to avoid any brassiness, the end result is truly worth it. Feeling more adventurous? Then trying a mauve/pink/rose gold colour might be just what you need this summer as a daring but still not over the top colour, which you can apply all over or only to the ends. Have a look at these 10 easy steps to dyeing your hair at home.

Style 1: Braided

Beach waves are always in during the summertime, so mastering how to do them is key for that perfect hair wave. Here is how to do it:

• Wash and condition your hair as usual and towel dry.
• After combing it thoroughly, apply a light hold mousse all over, starting from the roots and ending in the ends.
• Dry the hair until it is 80% dry (so cool to the touch but not wet).
• Part your hair down the middle starting from your hairline to the nape of your neck.
• French braid one half, starting from the hairline and working your way down, picking up hair strands from both sides of the braid. For bigger looser waves, pick big strands of hair, whereas for smaller and tighter waves, add in smaller stands of hair.
• Braid all the way down and repeat on the other side.
• Leave it overnight and then release in the morning. You may want to add some hair spray/sea salt spray for a more tousled look or style messily for a chic look.

Style 2: Heat Styled

Another option is to create waves by using heat. Here is how to do it:

• Wash, condition and dry the hair completely until no cool patches are left.
• Starting from the nape of your neck, separate a small section of hair (1 inch wide) and with a straightener curl it very lightly away from the face, leaving your ends straight.
• Separate another section and repeat, but curling towards your face this time.
• Curl small sections of hair, always alternating the direction, while don't forget to keep the ends straight.
• Work your way up the head until you get to your hairline. Curl all the front pieces away from the face for a more flattering effect.
• Open up the curls and spray lightly with a sea salt spray.

Summer is the perfect time to play around with all sorts of different looks, colours and styles, be it for beach parties, festivals, days by the pool or just because you want to and can. Try out a new colour, learn how to get that perfect beach wave and you're set for the whole summer season - but remember to take care of it first and give it some much needed TLC in between. And last but not least - do not wet your freshly bleached hair in chlorinated pool water- it will turn green!

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