Black hair care: The top 12 best black hair tips for summer

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6. Store bought hair color may not do the job.

“The color that is seen on a picture on a box is not really the color you’re going to get on your hair,” Wellington warned. “As a hairdresser, we know by looking at certain charts what type of pigment clients have and how to get the precise results. Unless you’re doing black you will not get the exact color you want doing it at home.” So if you are going for some summer shine by adding color to your hair, you may want to seriously consider having it professionally done. Also, protect your color from fading in the summer sun by covering it or dying it a richer color in anticipation that it will fade from added exposure.

7. Do wash your hair at least once a week in the summer.

“Summertime always requires a little bit more maintenance. You don’t always have the hats to cover it up, you always want to look good. It takes a little bit more work; more washing. You’re perspiring; you’re probably working out, so definitely wash your hair once a week.”

8. Co-washing FTW!

“For those with natural hair you can co-wash and wet your hair everyday in the summertime, if you want to.” Co-washing is the practice of washing your hair with conditioner. Pretty interesting. Have you ever tried it? It helps natural hair retain moisture.

9. Look for products with oils derived from nuts.

“Almond, peanuts and coconut are good ones to look for in products,” Wellington recommended. “Moroccan oil is fabulous, but you cannot use too much or it will overweigh your hair.”

10. Don’t over-style.

“African-American hair is very delicate and that’s a challenge. You can’t do too much at once,” the black hair care expert continued. “Some clients come in and want color and a relaxer and I have to tell them: Look, we can do all of those things, but there are repercussions. Your hair will break. So, you have to make a choice, either do one or the other. Or do highlights instead of trying to get the whole head covered.” On top of the stress of being in the sun, you don’t want to put your tresses through too much.

11. Leave-in conditioners and swim caps: must-haves for swimming.

“At the beach, women can put a leave-in conditioner throughout their hair before they get in the water,” Wellington offered. “This will keep the salt from stripping the moisture from your hair. But for the pool you shouldn’t have your hair out, because you’re messing with the pH of the water. So you need a swim cap and make sure to wash and condition right after coming out of the pool.” Right away ladies and gents! That means keeping your favorite hair care products poolside.

12. The most important tip: Love what you have and work it.

This one applies year-round. “We have to embrace the individual textures that we all have, because it’s not going to change. You just have to come to love it and be able to work with it,” Wellington concluded. “With our hair, we have curls— [whether] it’s small curls, tight curls, [or] loose curls… so it all varies from person to person. We can’t look at our girlfriend or at another person and say, ‘I want that.’ You have to love what you have.”

Follow Danielle Kwateng on Twitter at @danispecialk