We caught up with hair stylist Stephen Knoll and asked him how to take good care of our hair while enjoying the summer at its fullest.

Will my hair be affected by sun as skin is?
Like skin, sun exposure depletes hair of its natural moisture and leaves it looking and feeling dry and dull. The Sunlight (UVA/UVB) exposes hair to free radicals that break down protein structures, such as melanin and keratin, which make up the hair structure and damage your hair’s natural protective film. After just a few days of sun exposure, the hair cuticles that cover each individual hair shaft begin to pull off. This makes your hair dry, dull, fragile and brittle, and leading to color fading.

How should we prep our hair for summer? You should start by getting a deep conditioning treatment to prep and help protect hair from the damaging effects of sun, salt and chlorine while enhancing color tonality and shine. My Deep Treatment Hair Mask seals the hair cuticle to maintain moisture, while adding body and helping reduce breakage caused by damage to the hair strand. To keep your hair’s strength during the warmer month, it is imperative to create a barrier of protection against the damaging elements of the summer elements.

How can you prevent flat hair from going limp in humid weather — and conversely, How can you prevent frizz if you have curly hair? What makes flat hair to go limp is the moisture in the air that weighs the hair down. To avoid humidity overload, prep hair with a shampoo and conditioner that add body and use a styling product that enhances volume and creates texture. My must-have styling product for defeating limp hair is my Shape Memory Gel, which provides long lasting volume, lift, and texture.

Curly hair responds differently to the moisture in the air — it creates more frizz and flyaways and the key to preventing frizz is to use styling products that act as a barrier between hair and humidity. I recommend, depending on the amount and length of your hair, to mix 3-4 squirts of my Super Smoothing Lotion to a dime-size amount of Shape Memory Gel: The Lotion will coat and condition the hair to seal in its natural moisture, giving curls structure and blocking out excess moisture in the air, while the Gel give the curls more definition. The result is smooth, frizz-free curls all day long.

What’s the ONE most important hair product for summer? I actually need to recommend two products. First and foremost: a good deep conditioning, such as my Deep Treatment Hair Mask, to keep your hair healthy and beautiful. Deep conditioning adds moisture back into the hair that is removed by daily activities and some styling products. This is extremely important in the summer and I have found the best way to replenish lost moisture is to do a weekly deep conditioning treatment.

Second, a leave-in conditioner, like my Hydro Repair Mist. This mist is a multi-purpose product, and you should not leave home without it in your purse. It work exceptionally well to prevent wind tangles (when applied before) and help you gently comb out knots (when applied after). You should apply generously over your entire hair before entering the pool or ocean — By filling your hair’s cuticle with the Hydro Repair Mist, as it will act as a barrier and less chemicals will seep in, combating the damaging results.

Hair trends moving forward with a definite side part, weather short or long. Gone are the under cuts. Short hair begins with an exaggerated side part and a definite shape — Pixie tosseled, loosely crop or slicked. The side part and shape is always evident.

For Long hair that is 70’s inspired with exaggerated side parts and natural movement that is not over blown. I. E. Bed Head Hair. This also works well with very long hair.

Thanks,

Michael Longo

To get luscious curls, I recommend using my Curling Lotion, which is a perfect tool to change your look completely, since you should use it on dry hair. Just work section by section, spraying 2-3 times per section, and blow dry or curl you hair. I use clips to hold the hair up, making it easier to maneuver from section to section. When you are done, just run your fingers through your hair and you will have the most wonderful, silky, and shinny curls.

For a last minute change, you should try the Solid Wax, which is a great tool to change you daily blow-dry to a sexy evening look. Using a small amount on the palm of your hands, spread it throughout your hair and finish styling using your fingers. It will add great texture and give you a glamorous evening look

So, I tell all my clients — do try something new and different for a holiday party, and these are looks you can definitely do yourself.

Wishing you a very happy holiday season,

Stephen

Suggested products:

Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

Shishedo Eyeliner and Mascara

Nars Blush in Orgasm

Laura Mercier Eyeshadow in Gold Dust

Laura Mercier Lipstick in Truly Red

Focusing on the eyes: Start with a grey eyeshadow on lids and apply black eyeshadow to outer corners and crease area. Use a black eyeliner and mascara or apply false lashes.

Even out skin tone for a clean look and apply concealer. Apply a creamy peachtone to the cheeks and finish with a peachy beige lipstick and/or gloss.

Suggested products:

Christian Dior Night Butterfly eyeshadow palette

Shisheido 53 Shine Stick for cheeks

Chantacaille lipstick in Pegasus

Chantacaille gloss in Modern

YSL Touch Flat concealer

The dry and cold winter can be very damaging for your hair.

The dry and cold winter can be very damaging for your hair. As the seasons change, so does the amount of moisture in the air and in your hair, so it easily becomes dry during the winter from the dry indoor heating and the dry cold weather outside.

“Severe weather conditions, like cold and wind, strip the hair cuticle making it rough and susceptible to dryness and static,” says Stephen Knoll. “When properly hydrated, the cuticle lies flat, sealing in moisture and giving hair its luster and softness.” If proper care is not taken during the winter, then your hair can get seriously damaged. Here are three tips selected by Stephen Knoll to help take the edge off of the winter blast on your hair:

1. Keep Moisture In: There are many winter hair care tips and you can find them a lot these days, but probably the main advice for winter hair care is to keep it moisturized. The first thing to recognize is that hair and skin are very similar — Skin dries out in the winter so you use more intense moisturizers, the same applies to hair.

“During the winter months, you need to help your hair maintain moisture, by using good quality products and condition after each shampoo,” Stephen says. “Rinse conditioner out with cool water, if you can stand it. This seals the cuticle layer to trap moisture inside the hair shaft.

To prevent excessive moisture loss, treat your hair to a deep conditioning treatment, such as Stephen Knoll Deep Treatment Hair Mask, at least once a week to infuse hair with moisture and smooth the cuticle layer.

2. Be Extra Gentle: Dehydrated hair is more likely to break when brushed, explains Stephen. “You need to shampoo and towel it dry gently, and take time to detangle knots — Don’t yank at them.”

To protect hair after showering, lightly spray ends with a leave-in conditioner (opt for Stephen Knoll Hydro Repair Mist) to help make hair strands more supple. “Then Comb wet hair gently and slowly with a wide-toothed comb and blot with a soft towel and remember that rubbing too strongly can cause further breakage” says Stephen.

And remember to dry your hair completely before entering freezing temperature to avoid breakage. “Wet hair leads very quickly to frozen hair. Frozen hair leads to breakage and stress,” says Stephen.

3. Fight Hat Head: A hat is a great accessory and way to protect your hair. “Wear cotton hats” says Stephen, “they generate less static electricity than wool or acrylic and always wait until hair is completely dry before putting on a hat. Otherwise your hair will be set in the position in which it dried. If you have long hair, use a clip to pull hair toward the top of your head before putting on your hat.

Freezing cold temperatures, excessive winds, snow and rain can all wreak havoc on your hair this winter. But with a little extra care and preventative steps taken during this seasons will ensure that your hair does not get damaged.

(illustration: Maljuk @ Fotolia.com)