When you’re a kid, summer feels endless and dreamy — it’s all ice cream and swimming pools. As an adult, summer can come and go before you know it. One minute you’re lying by the pool, and the next, you’re sipping pumpkin spice lattes in your favorite cozy sweater.

We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but all that fun in the sun can subject our hair to a lot of damage. The sun's rays can cause damage down to the cuticle resulting in common issues, such as dry, brittle hair and breakage. Salt water and chlorine can wreak havoc on your hair as they can be particularly drying. All that humidity can make your hair frizz, causing tangles, and split ends — gasp!

That all may sound scary but don’t sweat it! The key to any weather transition is simply to prepare by returning to the basics of haircare. Here’s how you can restore and reset.

Clarify your hair

Chances are you were able to escape the heat, cool off, relax, and swim this summer — at least we hope! However, in doing so, you’ve exposed your hair to sand, salt water, and chlorine, and you need to remove buildup. How exactly do you do that? It’s simple. You can use a store-bought clarifying shampoo or create your own clarifying rinse by mixing 1 ounce of apple cider vinegar with 8 ounces of water and rinse through your hair before you shower. Make sure you follow up with a hydrating conditioner. This combination will make your hair shiny, remove the buildup, and help wash away impurities.

Deep condition

As we already mentioned, soaring temperatures and sunshine can be harsh on your hair and skin, completely drying you out. As the warmer months transition into cooler weather, it’s ideal to saturate thirsty strands with deep conditioning moisture masks, especially after clarifying your hair. For some extra TLC, use heat to penetrate your strands with our Hair La Vie Mask. Wrap your hair up in the mask and cover with saran wrap. You’ll get softer hair in just minutes, and no one will ever be the wiser.

Scalp massages

Cooler weather can also mean a slowing of circulation, especially on your scalp. Healthy scalp circulation is important for maintaining natural oil production, which is essential for retaining moisture. A scalp massage will not only feel oh-so relaxing, but it can also help support healthy hair growth by bringing more oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles.

Try placing a few drops of the Hair La Vie Pure Argan Oil in the palm of your hands and warm them by rubbing your palms together. Then, apply directly onto the scalp. Using your fingertips, massage around your temples using gentle, firm circular motions. Try to fit one in before shampooing your hair, as the massage will help to loosen any debris.

Trim your ends

We like to go for a beachy au naturalè look in warmer months and embrace our texture with unfussy styling. But by September, we can end up with tattered split ends that feel straw-like. If this is the case, it’s time to start the new season with a clean slate. You don’t want to go into fall and winter with damaged ends. The chilly outdoor temps and indoor heating will not be kind to them…so chop away those frazzled summer ends and head into fall with a polished ‘do.

Seal your strands

Now that you have hit the reset button on your hair, don’t forget to protect it. As the weather shifts, so should your haircare. Swap moisture stripping dry shampoo and salt sprays for nourishing emollient products. After being exposed to the heat and sun, replenish moisture in your hair by applying a hydrating leave-in treatment that softens, smooths, and gives shine. We love to use the Hair La Vie Nº 77 Leave-In and alternate it with the Hair La Vie Serum.

As chillier days approach, you may want to opt for protective styles like braids or buns that you can seal your ends in and tuck away.

Final thoughts

With summer almost in the rearview, it’s time to look ahead with your head held high. We can’t undo those hard seltzers and sunburns, but luckily with a few simple steps, we can restore and replenish a whole season of sun. Your mane will be back in tip-top shape before your tan fades and shorter days are upon us.