Sea air and saltwater might be good for the soul but not for your locks. To avoid a sea witch hairstyle after a day at the beach, we slathered on Fekkai’s naturally cooling cream for frizz-free mermaid hair instead.
Available at fekkai.com, $25.
The hair-wrecking duo of salty swims and highlights makes it look as though production coordinator Jillian was caught standing under a tree in a lightning storm. Five minutes of Aveda’s after-sun mask turned her Doc Brown do into smooth waves.
Available at aveda.com, $26.
New York editor Jordan has a love-hate relationship with her five-pound mane (exhibit A). Goody’s brush cut her wet-to-dry time from 25 minutes to eighteen, but she wishes the blue squeegee nubs were thirstier. Be sure to sandwich strands between the brush and your free hand to optimize absorbency.
Available at target.com, $11.
The morning after an all-day music festival left us choosing between sleep and clean hair. After hitting snooze for the last time, we skipped the old lather-and-rinse and brushed on Jonathan’s lightweight powder for instantly perky strands.
Available at jonathanproduct.com, $19.
On an antiblow-dryer campaign until late September, market director Danielle relies on Josie Maran’s Bohemian Waves Argan Hair Mist to make the most of an air-dry. The Himalayan pink sea salt makes waves, while argan oil keeps locks hydrated and frizz free.
Available at josiemarancosmetics.com, $22.
A hair product skeptic, Web editor Jennifer smashed a blueberry-size drop of Alterna’s cream into her strands one morning before blow-drying. The result (for the next three days): half her usual dry time, effortless style, and compliments from co-workers and boyfriend alike.
Available at sephora.com, $25.
Sachajuan’s Silver shampoo and conditioner get a gold medal for banishing brass on blond and highlighted hair, nourishing with a formula of sea algae, and protecting against UVA and UVB rays.
Available at woodleyandbunny.com, $28-$30.
A recent East Coast road trip saw Everywhere editor Tiffany swimming in the Atlantic, sunbathing without a hat, and falling into a saltwater harbor (twice). A quick rinse, dollop of Miss Jessie’s recovery treatment, and finger comb later, her hair was soft and tangle free.
Available at missjessies.com, $9-$48.
Our tester remains unsure if Kiehl’s concentrated rosemary leaf and avocado extract affected her scalp. However, she noticed a pleasant improvement in her hair’s softness and shine. Be careful when applying directly from bottle to scalp: Our guinea pig accidentally unloaded half the oil her first time around.
Available at kiehls.com, $20.
Editor-in-chief Ashley needed a solution for her product-filled locks. One wash with Ouidad’s clarifying shampoo removed serious buildup and revealed soft, shiny strands.
Available at ouidad.com, $15-$45.
Our locks were feeling particularly parched, so we went all out and kept Wen’s minty, puddinglike goop in overnight. (It gets messy; a towel over your pillow is a must.) The wait was worth it. One shampoo later, we had shiny, fresh hair.
Available at sephora.com, $58.
We tested Peter Thomas Roth’s mineral SPF at the quintessential summer event: a baseball game. The tiny tube took up little room in our tote, shielded the scalp from burning, and doubled as a grease fighter for unwashed hair.
Available at peterthomasroth.com, $30.
Spritz Serge Normant’s subtle musk in the morning, and it lingers through sweaty commutes, evening runs, and innumerable hair flips.
Available at shopsergenormant.com, $60.
If everything neon is new again, then it stands to reason that hair mousse would follow. Without too much crunch, Garnier’s airy formula gave us the summer waves we craved.
Available at drugstore.com, $4.
Long ago we swore allegiance to argan oil and to never leave the house without a few drops. Though we’re far from throwing it by the wayside, Ojon’s sorbet-colored combination of amber, crystal, and red oil instantly remedies flyaways and leaves behind a warm cinnamon scent.
Available at sephora.com, $35.
Run the Davines cream through strands before heading out (and reapply after each dip) for soft, smell-good beach hair. Sure, it hydrates and protects your mop from the sun’s rays, the ocean’s salt, and the pool’s chlorine, but the best part is that it makes you feel like Gabby Reese (from the neck up at least).
For salon locations, go to davinesworld.com, $17.
To drastically cut drying time, twist wet hair into the absorbent microfiber turban.
Available at sephora.com, $20.
Editor Lauren Lumsden has fine hair, so she worried that applying oil would make her mane look like a swim cap. To her surprise, Got2B’s argan, white grape, and marula combo left ends so crisp and clean that someone asked if she’d just had a haircut.
Available at amazon.com, $8.50.
Having tried every spray, powder, and cornstarch remedy on the market, we’ve become picky about our dry shampoos. This pleasantly scented formula made the cut and then some: Not only did it sop up excess oil with a single, light misting, it packed the last-all-day volume of a mattifying powder. Plus, it’s paraben, talc, and sodium chloride free.
Available at haircarechoices.com, $25.
Consider the awapuhi ginger mask your hair’s equivalent of eight glasses of water a day. In just three minutes, the unnaturally pink keratin treatment turned dry, color-treated locks soft as a summer’s breeze.
Available at ulta.com, $8.
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