Hair and makeup by Kevin Smith for Tresemme Hair Care/Judy Inc.Geneviève Caron for The Globe and Mail
With a little frizz control, a bit of brighter colour and a light touch in the shower, your hair can have a new spring in its step this season.
Keep frizz at bay
Now is the time to switch to something "carefree and airy" when it comes to hair, says Alain Larivée, Canadian creative consultant for John Frieda and coowner of CAJH Maîtres Coiffeurs in Montreal. But that doesn't mean abandoning product altogether. Swap heavy styling creams and damaging straightening treatments for a humectant that lends polish to a breezy look by keeping frizz at bay.
TRY: Kérastase Elixir Ultime ($68 through www.kerastase.ca) or Nexxus Frizz Defy Frizz Protection Leave-In Oil Shine Treatment ($12.99 at drugstores across Canada).
Brighten subtly
The inclination, Larivée says, is to lighten hair colour at this time of year. But he warns against overly pigmented dyes. To keep the emphasis on natural-looking hair, he recommends using a lightening spray prior to blow-drying, which will lighten locks one to two shades over time, imparting a subtle sun-kissed effect.
TRY: John Frieda Sheer Blonde Go Blonder Controlled Lightening Spray ($12.99 at drugstores across Canada) or Marc Anthony Easy-Lites Instant Highlighting Spray ($11.99 at drugstores across Canada).
Eliminate buildup
Start the new season with a clean slate – or at least a very clean head of hair: Use a clarifying shampoo once or twice weekly to rid your hair and scalp of product buildup without over-drying it or stripping it of its natural oils.
TRY: Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo ($6.99 at drugstores across Canada) or Redken Hair Cleansing Cream Shampoo ($15.99 through www.redken.ca)
Condition lightly
Though you may be tempted to skip conditioner in the summertime, Larivée stresses that it's an important step in maintaining the pH balance in your hair, which helps to manage frizz control. He does advise, however, holding off on heavy masques or deep-conditioning treatments, which cause excess buildup and weigh hair down.
TRY: Kiehl's Superbly Smoothing Argan Conditioner ($26.50 through www.kiehls.ca) or Pantene Pro-V Aqua Light Conditioner ($5.99 at drugstores across Canada).