Summer Hair Care for Colored Hair & Loving Your Color Through Salt & Chlorine
- Balance & Blonde
- Aug 5
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 13
By Balance & Blonde Salon – Chelsea, NYC
Summer is for joy.
It’s for being outside, soaking up the sun, feeling the warm breeze, and saying yes to last‑minute pool parties or beach days.
But if you’ve just had your color done, that perfect shade you’ve been dreaming of, salt water and chlorine can be the kind of “surprise guest” that overstays its welcome.
I see it every summer in the salon. Someone walks in with gorgeous color in May, and by July, they’re telling me, “I don’t know what happened, my hair feels rough and the shine is gone.”
Truth is, it’s not magic. It’s science. Both salt water and chlorine are tough on hair, especially when it’s been lightened or colored. But with a few easy habits, you can enjoy the season without sacrificing your color or the health of your hair.
1. Hydrate Before You Even Step In the Water
Here’s what I tellHere’s something most people don’t realize, hair works a lot like a sponge.
If it’s dry when you dive into the ocean or pool, it will soak up whatever’s around it, salt, chlorine, minerals, you name it. But if it’s already full of clean water, it can’t absorb as much of the bad stuff.
my clients:
Before swimming, head to the shower and rinse your hair with fresh water. Then smooth in a light leave‑in conditioner or protective spray. This gives your hair a “shield” and helps lock in moisture before you ever hit the water.
And this is where protective oils can make all the difference. In my shop, we carry nutrient‑rich, sun‑protective hair oils that not only guard your strands from UV damage but also help resist salt and chlorine absorption. A small amount worked through the mid‑lengths and ends before swimming creates a barrier, so your hair stays soft and your color stays richer longer.
2. Salt Water: Friend and Foe
There’s something beautiful about the ocean, that beachy texture, the sun on your skin, the rhythm of the waves. But here’s the catch: salt water is naturally dehydrating.
When it dries on your hair, it pulls out moisture, leaving strands feeling rough and tangled. If your hair is colored, this can speed up fading and dullness.
How to enjoy it without the damage:
Follow the rinse‑before rule (fresh water + conditioner or protective oil from the shop).
After swimming, rinse your hair again as soon as you can, even if it’s just with bottled water in your beach bag.
If you’re spending the whole day at the beach, braid your hair loosely after applying your leave‑in and oil. It keeps tangles down and helps your hair hold onto that moisture.
Salt water gives us that effortless “surfer girl” look, but the healthiest way to keep that vibe is to fake it with texturizing spray, not hours in the ocean without protection.
3. Chlorine: The Color Thief
Chlorine is designed to keep pool water clean, which is great for your health, but not so great for your hair. It can strip away the natural oils that keep hair smooth, and with colored hair, it can pull out pigment faster than you can say “touch‑up appointment.”
For blondes, chlorine can also leave behind a greenish cast, that’s copper in the water reacting with your hair.
My pool routine for clients:
Rinse first and coat with leave‑in and a thin layer of protective oil from the shop, the oil acts like an invisible swim cap.
If you swim often, consider a real swim cap (not glamorous, but your future hair will thank you).
After swimming, use a gentle, color‑safe clarifying shampoo once a week to lift out any build‑up before it causes problems.
4. Sun: The Silent Fader
We talk so much about salt and chlorine, but the sun itself is a big reason color fades faster in summer. UV rays break down hair’s pigment, especially if it’s been lightened. That’s why even without swimming, some people notice their color looks lighter after a few weeks of outdoor time.
Recommended by B&B Salon:
Easy protection:
Wear a wide‑brim hat when you can (bonus: skin protection).
Use a UV‑protective mist or oil, the ones we stock in the salon are weightless, smell amazing, and keep color from oxidizing in the sun.
If you’re at the pool or beach all day, reapply your oil just like you reapply sunscreen.
5. Deep Conditioning & Toners = Summer Hair Insurance
No matter how careful you are, summer activities are going to challenge your hair. That’s why I recommend a weekly deep conditioning treatment, it’s like giving your hair a drink after a hot day.
In the salon, we can do a professional treatment that penetrates deep into the hair’s cuticle. At home, keep a jar of nourishing mask and take 10 minutes to let it soak in. Look for ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, or hydrolyzed keratin — all great for colored hair.
And here’s something many people don’t realize, hair toners are also a form of conditioning. A toner refreshes your color, seals the cuticle, and adds back shine and softness that summer elements strip away.
If your hair is lightened or highlighted, I recommend having your toner refreshed every six weeks during summer. It’s not just about keeping the tone perfect — it’s about keeping the hair healthy, balanced, and strong.
Recommended by B&B Salon:
6. Gentle Styling After the Water
Wet hair is fragile, especially after swimming. Skip the rough towel drying , instead, wrap it gently in a microfiber towel or soft cotton T-shirt. Detangle with a wide‑tooth comb, starting from the ends and working upward.
Heat styling should be minimal in summer if you want to keep your color and moisture intact. But if you do blow‑dry or curl, use a heat protectant every time. Oils from the shop can double as a heat protectant while giving you that soft, polished finish.
7. Your Summer Hair Kit
If I could hand every client a “Summer Hair Survival Kit,” it would have:
Leave‑in conditioner
Protective hair oil from the shop (UV + salt/chlorine shield)
Wide‑brim hat
Gentle clarifying shampoo
Deep conditioning mask
Microfiber towel
Toner appointment on the calendar every 6 weeks
With these tools, you can dive into summer without fear of fading, frizz, or dryness taking over.
Final Word
Summer should be about fun, not worrying about your hair. With the right habits and the right products, especially those protective oils
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