While winter gets a bad rap when it comes to hair, summer can be just as bad. Think about it: sun, sweat, humidity, heat, chlorine, the ocean — the list goes on. That's why this one conditioner hack a celebrity stylist swears by is so important. Not only will it nourish your locks while you're on vacation, it'll also ensure that your hair is protected from the elements while you're out and about so you can focus on having fun, not taking care of your hair.
I had the chance to speak to Suave Professionals celebrity stylist Jenny Cho, whose client list includes some of Hollywood's most enviable heads of hair, from Selena Gomez to Daenerys Targaryen herself, Emilia Clarke. Although she's responsible for some of the most glamorous and intricate red carpet and magazine cover looks out there, Cho likes to keep it simple when it comes to summer, especially when she's on vacation.
"I only bring a beach spray. I don’t even take dry shampoo — I just bring a little bit of beach spray and conditioner," Cho tells me. "When it comes to vacation hair, you want your hair to look bohemian, you want it to look natural, you want your skin to be the star." But if she's feeling extra lazy — which, let's be honest, is a feeling we all have on vacation — she'll even skip the beach spray and focus solely on nourishing and protecting her strands.
"If I’m feeling a little lazy, I’ll just use my conditioner." Cho suggests taking a little bit of conditioner and applying it to your ends. Then, throw your hair into a cute little braid or put a hat on, and head to the beach! That's it. No need to rinse it off in the shower or anything.
Her assistant, celebrity colorist Eddie Cook, explains that "it puts a layer between you and the elements in the sun, the water, etc. — it just puts a barrier to protect your hair while also nourishing your strands."
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You don't even need fancy leave-in conditioner. Regular conditioner will do. If you're on the go and plan on spending the entire day out at the beach or on the road, you could even make your own little conditioning spray. "You could use a regular conditioner and dilute it with water, and you could use that as a leave-in spray."
But don't reach for the one in your hotel. Cho warns, "The only thing about conditioner — I never travel without mine. Hotel conditioner is never good. Conditioner is a must to travel with."
Images: Corey O'Brien/Unsplash; Jeromy Robert Photography Suave;
