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Summer’s on the horizon, gents, and it’s time to talk hair. Not just any hair—your summer-ready mane that’s going to see you through beach parties, barbecues, and everything in between. So, what’s the quickest answer to getting your hair summer-ready? A solid grooming game, a little maintenance, and the right products. Stick with me, and you’ll learn how to adapt your haircare routine for the summer, protect it from the sun, and keep that fresh look going all season long.
The Basics: Summer Hair 101
Before diving deep, let’s cover some summer hair basics. High humidity, scorching temperatures, and chlorine-packed swimming pools can wreak havoc on your locks. In summer, your hair is basically in survival mode. So, focus on hydration and protection.
How to Take Care of Your Hair in Summer
Before we dive into the latest styles and cuts of summer 2018, we should revisit some general tips and suggestions into how you should take care of your hair. Some of these suggestions apply for all seasons. However, it’s important to make a special note of them during the summer months – especially when the weather becomes hot and humid. We tend to be more active during summer and expose more of ourselves outside, so it’s important to look after your hair as much as your skin.
Get a Hair Cut
Yes, this is perhaps the most obvious suggestion, but if you want a quick and easy way to look after your hair then you should take a trip to your local barbers. (We’ll look at possible styles and cuts in a moment.) Having less hair obviously means you’ll feel cooler, just like wearing less clothes will make your body feel cooler.
A word of caution, however: it might be tempting to shave all your hair off, but even a little hair will help keep the sun off your scalp. It can even help stop sweat running down and falling into your eyes. So just try to keep it short.
Wash Your Hair Regularly
One quick tip is to wash your hair regularly, preferably every day. Since you go out more often in the summer, you’ll sweat more and your scalp will get dirtier quicker. Also, depending on your hair type, your hair will get greasier or dryer easily. Shampooing and conditioning your hair regularly will help to keep your hair fresh and clean.
Apply Sunscreen to Your Scalp
When people talk about the benefits of sunscreen, they generally overlook the scalp. Even though it’s covered with hair, your scalp is just as much exposed to the sun as your face, arms etc., and is prone to skin cancers. So it’s a good idea to apply a little sunscreen lotion to your scalp before you go out, especially at the crown. Spray sunscreens work really well too and can double up as a styling product. If for any reason you’re unable to apply sunscreen, always wear a hat when you’re outside.
Take Care of Your Hair in the Pool
Summer means keeping active, and the best way to exercise and keep cool is to go for a swim after or before work – or even on a weekend. However, there is a drawback to going to the pool. Pool water contains chlorine which can damage your hair and make it feel like straw. Whether you have short or long hair, it’s always a good idea to wear a swimming cap to stop your hair from soaking up pool water.
Another suggestion is filling a spray bottle with water and adding a few drops of leave-in conditioner. Apply the mixture to your hair before you get into the pool. This will help prevent your hair from soaking up the water. There are many leave-in conditioners on the market that are suitable for all hair types and you can use often as you like.
Summer Hairstyles for Men
Now, the big question is what’s in style this summer? Avoiding particularly long hair is always a good call, it’s best to stick with short to medium haircuts in the summer. While much of the focus is on the clothes, the eagle-eyed fashionistas will notice that there are five key summer haircuts for men that are really taking off:
- The Textured Crop
- Textured Curls
- Revived Pompadour
- Modernised Side Part
- The Short Afro and Fade
The Textured Crop
Perhaps the most versatile hairstyle this summer is the textured crop. Easily one of the best short hairstyles for men, It’s a simple and sleek style which makes it ideal for just about any event in summer. The key to this particular style is not to look like you’re trying too hard. Having a slightly messy, natural look only makes this style better.
If you have the right haircut, then this hairstyle will suit almost all hair types and face shapes. It will work better with guys who have straighter hair as it’s easier to style.
Textured Curls
This season isn’t just for those with straight hair. Fashion houses such as Valentino and Salvatore Ferragamo showed their love for textured curls on the catwalk. When a couple of fashion brands represent a certain look, it can quickly become one of the current cool hairstyles for men – so that’s good news for those of you who already have curly or wavy hair. You can keep it natural or wear a cap.
If you have wavy hair and you’re looking for a little more bounce, try adding some matte mousse to enhance your curls. This will provide more texture, which is always important when considering long hairstyles for men. Those of you with more curlier hair may want to define your locks with a bit of pomade, but thankfully; due to the nature of this style, you can decide to leave it go a little wild, making it a one of the best hairstyles for men with thick hair.
The Revived Pompadour
One style that keeps coming up on the catwalk is the pompadour. The pompadour hairstyle is enjoying a revival this season having easily become one of the most popular men’s medium haircuts, but is also embracing new interpretations and looking more textured. There are a number of ways you can make it work for you. One main feature, however, is to keep the sides of your hair very short.
You can create a more dramatic or edgier look by keeping the longer parts on top, this gives you more volume. If you have straight hair, you could try a side sweep for an alternative look. Check out this video on how to create an undercut pompadour hairstyle. It will also help you ask your barber for the exact look you want to achieve.
Modernised Side Part
Another hairstyle that’s being reinvented is the classic side part. The classic side parting is a timeless trend, but this season the catwalk has revealed newer interpretations, making it one of the most popular men’s short haircuts around – hence the term ‘modernised’. This is probably the easiest style to try as it relies more on your personal taste. Reinvent this traditional look by experimenting with different hair partings to create a version of this style.
For example, try having your parting on your right side if you normally have it on the left side. By experimenting, you can tailor your hair to your own personal style. Make sure you blow dry your hair using a high-quality matte mousse to set it and keep it looking smooth and sleek.
The Short Afro
One of the key styles this summer is the short afro with fade. Similarly to the revived pompadour, the volume and length of the hair is bigger on the top of the head compared to the sides and back. The fade (which is the sides and back), should be kept very short.
The combination of the afro and the fade makes it a versatile hairstyle, ideal for the summer months. If you want to add a bit more texture or volume at the top, apply some sea salt spray through the hair using a hairdryer and diffuser attachment or allow to dry naturally.
Facial Hair
Now, it would be a good idea to discuss a few grooming tips regarding facial hair. Those with a more ragged or manly appearance will appreciate the need to maintain and care for the beard or moustache (or both) in summer. It’s easy to assume that the best thing to do is to shave it all off! However, if you’re a man who takes pride in his facial hair, this is what you should be doing:
Bathe Your Beard Daily
If you have a short beard or just a bit of stubble and you’re washing your face normally every day, then that’s probably all you need to do. If you have a medium or long beard, then you should think about bathing it daily in the summer months just like how you would wash your hair every day. That way, you’re clean from all the sweat and dirt that builds up after a long, hot day. Ensure you wash out all the shampoo and conditioner out thoroughly, otherwise you’ll be stuck with visible flakes. Pat dry your beard with a towel.
Keep It Moisturised
You should finish your cleaning regime with a good quality moisturiser. After all, you don’t want a dry, rough beard. Once you’ve washed and dried it, moisturise it with a little scented beard oil. Not only will it smell great, it’ll also feel more supple while still retaining that manly look.
Trim Frequently
It’s probably a good idea to keep your beard nice and trim to avoid that ‘pirate look’ – unless of course you want a pirate look in which case you can disregard this. Make sure you use shaving oil before you trim. This will nourish and repair the skin underneath your beard and will keep it healthy.
If you have a moustache, make sure you keep this thin and trim as well. This will prevent a lot of sweat and dirt from building up on your upper lip. Having the right kind of shaving trimmer will help you get the right size and shape.
Workout Warriors: The Ultimate Gym Hair Care Guide for Men
Alright, let’s talk sweat and iron—no, not that kind of ironing board you dread, I mean the gym. If you’re a workout junkie or even just a weekend warrior, you’ve probably noticed that the gym isn’t exactly a friend to your hair. Summer intensifies this by adding extra salt (sweat, duh) to the wound. Here’s how to manage that sweaty mane while still crushing your fitness goals.
Pre-Workout Prep
First things first, don’t hit the gym with product-laden hair. Hair products mixed with sweat can clog your pores and lead to an itchy scalp. So, if you’re heading straight from work or some social event to the gym, give your hair a quick rinse.
Hair Ties and Headbands: Choose Wisely
If you’ve got longer hair, you’ll probably want it out of your face. Instead of rubber bands, which can damage your hair, go for fabric hair ties or sweat-wicking headbands.
Use a Microfiber Towel
Standard cotton towels can be harsh on wet, fragile hair. Microfiber towels are softer and gentler on your hair and are great for a quick pat-down mid-workout.
Stay Hydrated
I’m not talking about just chugging down water for your muscles—hydration also helps your scalp and hair. A well-hydrated body helps maintain natural oils in the scalp, keeping your hair healthier. So keep that water bottle close, not just for your biceps but for your hair too.
Dry Shampoo: A Quick Fix
We all know that washing your hair every day can strip it of its natural oils, but after a workout, doing nothing isn’t appealing either. Enter dry shampoo. A couple of spritzes can absorb excess sweat and oil, making your hair look fresher.
Cold Shower Finish
After your workout, if you opt for a full wash, rinse your hair with cold water at the end. It closes the hair cuticles, making your hair stronger and less prone to breakage. Trust me, it’s a game-changer.
Avoid Tight Hairstyles
When working out, you might be tempted to pull your hair back tight. Avoid this. Tight hairstyles can pull your hair from the roots and cause breakage. Go for loose ponytails or buns instead.
Weekly Deep Conditioning
The gym is already putting your hair through the wringer. Give it some TLC once a week with a deep conditioning treatment. This will help counterbalance the stress and sweat that comes from your workouts.
DIY Hair Treatment Recipes: Hack Your Way to a Healthy Mane
Alright, you’ve got the basics down for keeping that mop of yours in top shape during the blazing summer months. Now let’s get our hands a little dirty and talk DIY. Yeah, you heard me. We’re going beyond off-the-shelf products to some homemade concoctions that’ll make your hair feel like it just spent a week at a luxury spa. And the best part? You can whip these up using stuff you probably already have in your kitchen.
Coconut Oil and Honey Hydrating Mask
This one’s like a piña colada for your hair. Coconut oil penetrates deep into the hair shaft, and honey’s a natural humectant. Together, they’re the dynamic duo your hair needs.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp Coconut Oil
- 2 tbsp Honey
How-To:
- Mix equal parts coconut oil and honey in a bowl.
- Apply to damp hair, focusing on the ends.
- Leave it on for 20-30 minutes.
- Wash out and proceed with your regular shampoo routine.
Aloe Vera Soothing Gel
Aloe vera is nature’s own scalp soother and conditioner. Perfect for after a day in the sun when your scalp might be a bit red and angry.
Ingredients:
- Aloe Vera Gel (directly from the plant or store-bought pure gel)
How-To:
- Apply aloe vera gel directly onto your scalp.
- Let it sit for 15-20 minutes.
- Rinse it out and shampoo as usual.
Avocado and Banana Shine Boost
Avocado is rich in oils that can hydrate your hair, and bananas are packed with natural oils and potassium—great for adding shine and managing frizz.
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe Avocado
- 1 ripe Banana
How-To:
- Mash the avocado and banana together until smooth.
- Apply the mix to your hair, especially the tips.
- Let it sit for 20-30 minutes.
- Wash it out and shampoo as you normally would.
DIY UV Hair Spray
Alright, this one’s a bit more sophisticated but hear me out. Green tea has natural antioxidants that can help protect your hair from UV rays.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of Green Tea (cooled)
- 2-3 drops of Coconut Oil
How-To:
- Brew some strong green tea and let it cool.
- Add a few drops of coconut oil and mix.
- Pour it into a spray bottle.
- Spritz your hair with it before you go out in the sun.
So, there you have it—DIY recipes that’ll make your hair feel like a million bucks without you having to spend it. A little effort in the kitchen can go a long way in keeping you looking sharp all summer long.
On That Note
Summer is the perfect time to try out new styles and be a little experimental. In regards to the type of haircut you choose, you should always see what works best with your face shape when considering popular men’s hairstyles. If you’re unsure about it, you can always get advice from your local barber on some of the more popular hairstyles for men and what face shape suits each one. Now you should feel equipped and ready with knowledge on some of the best summer haircuts for men to take on summer without worrying too much about how you should take care of your hair. Follow our guide and you’ll avoid any hair-raising experiences.
Feature image from Pinterest
