We can finally breathe a sweet sigh of relief – summer has arrived! As the weather warms up and we finally shake off the winter, we can prep for the good times ahead. And those good times include sunshine-packed trips to the beach. Whether you’re heading somewhere local (a treasured holiday spot down the coast!) or hopping on a flight to Majorca or Bali, you might be wondering how to take care of those curls of yours. We’ve got you!

As glorious as it may be, spending time in the sunshine and salt water can take a toll on your curls. But don’t worry — we’ve got some tips to help you prep your curly hair for a beach trip and take care of them while you’re away.

First things first, let's talk about the effects of sun and salt water on curls. Both can be fairly harsh on hair, and you can sometimes end up with dry, frizzy, and damaged hair. This is because sun exposure can cause damage to the hair cuticle. As we know, the type of water your hair is exposed to can affect its health — and salt water is no exception. Salt water can strip your hair of its natural oils, leaving it dry and brittle. When you put these two factors together, it can be a little tricky to maintain healthy curls.

Now, let's get into how we can plan for that! Here are some tips on how to prep your curls for your upcoming beach vacation:

1. Deep condition before you head off

There’s never a bad time for a deep conditioning treatment. But before a beach trip? Now that’s the perfect time! The secret is to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. To prevent damage from the sun and salt water, it's important to give your curls a decent dose of moisture before you hit the beach. Try a deep conditioning treatment the night before your trip. 

Give your hair a little love by deep conditioning with the 05 Curl Mask, which contains FiberHance, an active ingredient penetrates the hair shaft to restore the hair’s internal keratin structure, and baobab oil, which leaves curls soft and moisturised with its three omega fatty acids. Apply the mask to dripping wet hair after cleansing, comb it through, and wait 15 minutes before rinsing. And while you wait, try a meditation to help you get in the best headspace for your adventure ahead! Your curls will thank you for this conditioning treatment, as it will help your hair lock in moisture, making it less prone to dryness and damage from the sun and salt water.

2. Wear a hat or scarf to the beach

One easy way to guard your curls against the sun is to wear a hat or scarf. This will keep your curls better protected against the elements like sand and wind and prevent your hair from becoming dry and damaged from prolonged sun exposure. It will also add a sweet spot of style to your beach look— and there’s nothing wrong with that!

3. Wet your hair before going into the water

Try wetting your hair with fresh water before jumping in. This will help prevent your hair from absorbing too much salt water, which can cause it to become dry and brittle. You can also protect your hair by wearing a swim cap, which will keep your curls from getting wet.

4. Try a protective style on the day

Another way to keep your curls looking fresh during your beach vacay is to style them into a protective hairstyle. A top knot, braid, or twist will ensure your curls are contained and will allow them to get less tangled or damaged by the harsh wind and sun.

5. Use a leave-in conditioner during the trip

Of course, not every one’s hair is suited to swim caps— and you might not even be a fan of them! If that’s the case, while at the beach, you can still protect your hair by applying a leave-in conditioner or serum to your hair before getting in the sea. This will create a protective barrier between your hair and the salt water.

Of course, as this is nature we’re talking about, we always recommend disrupting it as little as possible by choosing a natural haircare product, like the 06 Oil Serum. This is enriched with hemisqualane, a natural ingredient that defends the hair cuticle, sealing in moisture.

6. Rinse your hair with fresh water after your swim

Just as you might wet your hair with fresh water pre-swim, you can do that very same thing once you’re done swimming! After swimming in salt water, rinse your hair with fresh water as soon as you can. This can be done by heading to a beach shower or simply packing an extra refillable bottle of water. This will help remove any salt and sand that may have accumulated in your curls, preventing them from getting tangled and dry.

7. Use a hydrating shampoo and conditioner 

After a day well spent at the beach, wash your hair using a hydrating shampoo and conditioner to help restock any moisture that has been lost due to sun and salt water exposure. To keep some curl product essentials close during your travels, check out the Discovery Kit, which includes mini versions of your favourite haircare products.

8. Leave the heat styling tools at home

While it might be super tempting to turn to heat products to style your hair for a night in a new city, try to resist the temptation. Heat can only add extra stress to your curls after they have been exposed to salt and sun all day. So, if you can, let those luscious curls dry naturally.

So, that’s our guide to how to prep for your beach trip! Of course, some of these tips might not work for everyone, so it’s totally up to you. We hope that with some of these tips and tricks, you can protect your curls from the sun and salt water while having an absolute blast on your beach trip. x