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Extra care for coloured hair: Fair hair

As colour and naturals oils are depleted in the lightening process follow some words of wisdom to help restore moisture, shine and softness

• As hair naturally lightens in the summer, there will be a bigger contrast between the main body of your hair and root re-growth. To create a balance, have a few warmer tints put through your parting and hairline rather than using just bleach. Ask for a quarter or half-head of highlights as this will give added depth to your hair, making it appear thicker
• As tempting as it is, don't sit in the sun with neat lemon juice on your hair to lighten it further. It will dry it out and can leave your scalp sore and sun-sensitive, too. It won't know when to stop its bleaching action and will weaken the structure of your hair causing permanent damage. So best leave it to the professionals
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• If you're going somewhere hot for your hols, hairdressers recommend getting your hair in shape by having your cut and colour done about two weeks before you go so that it's fresh and your hair has time to settle. Use an intensive treatment a day or two before you go so that your hair's in the best possible condition before your trip
• The process of going blonde means that colour is stripped from your hair along with its natural oils, leaving it weakened. Try leaving an extra day between washes to disturb your hair a little less and make sure you use a gentle shampoo with added moisturising properties, like Dove's Colour Care Reviving Shampoo. You can alternate between products for colour treated hair and colour enhancing variants to minimise fading
• To stop your hair from becoming dull, brittle and straw-like, it's vital to use a conditioner after every shampoo. Use one that's designed for colour treated hair, like Dove's Colour Care Reviving Conditioner, which adds a lightweight, nourishing film to each strand to keep it looking shiny, soft and tangle-free. If you have a greasy scalp, apply it to the mid-lengths and ends which will also protect them from splitting
• While Claudia Schiffer is well known for letting her hair down in the sun, the only fool-proof, total protection you can give your hair as favoured by Elle McPherson, is to keep it covered. Whether you go for a hat or a bandana, make sure it's a closely woven material to stop the rays getting through. If it's going to be uncovered on the beach or in your garden, make sure you use a protective spray or conditioner with UV filters
• Swimming may be refreshingly good for the body, but chlorine is the enemy of lightened hair, which is more porous than usual and can end up with a greenish tinge. Wet your hair before getting into the pool and apply a little hair wax or conditioner so that your already saturated hair can't let the chlorine molecules in
• When hair has been lightened and contains less than the normal ten per cent moisture, the less drying heat - natural or blown - on your hair, the better. So wrap just-washed hair in a towel and pat to absorb as much water as possible and let your hair dry naturally until it's 80 per cent dry before styling with a dryer. And don't forget to switch to a lower heat/speed setting for gentler drying
• To counteract the dulling effect of the sun, dryness and smoky atmospheres give your hair a once-a-week treat. After shampooing apply a nourishing hair mask, like Dove's Colour Care Reviving Intensive Conditioning Mask, and leave it on for about three minutes before rinsing. Wrapping it up in some cling film will keep the heat in and make the treatment even more effective. Try working the tiniest amount into the ends after drying long hair for added protection and shine
• Dryness in straight, highlighted hair can cause static build-up. Conditioner will help reduce it, but using one that you can leave in or working in some serum and switching to a natural bristle brush will help even more. Steer clear of hairsprays with drying alcohol which will only make the problem worse

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