'Summer is ruining our hair. My hairdresser swears by these 3 little known hacks to save it.'

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My hairdresser, who is also one of the best in the biz, Joseph Bond, just happens to be one of my best friends. So, as well as gossiping endlessly while he does my hair, I always mine him for his professional advice.

I regularly bleach my hair and as a result, it is high maintenance (but as they say in Kath and Kim, you've gotta be.)

Watch: Our beauty experts reveal the best foundation for summer. Post continues below.

In summer, I find my hair is at its most vulnerable. It gets dry, frizzy and my addiction to swimming and being outdoors means I compromise the colour my hairdresser so ingeniously spends hours creating.

So this summer I asked Joseph exactly what we are doing wrong, and how we can summer-proof our hair. And as an act of community service, I am passing on his words of wisdom.

"The three best ways to summer-proof your hair are: shield it from UV rays, hydrate deeply and regularly, and minimise heat styling while using lightweight products," he said.

Simple enough, right? But I needed the details, so I pressed him on exactly how to execute each of these principles.

Protect against sun and UV damage.

"Just like skin, hair is vulnerable to UV rays, which can fade colour, weaken strands, and dry out the cuticle," Joseph explained.

This one genuinely surprised me. I've always been diligent about sunscreen on my face and body, but it never occurred to me that my hair was essentially getting sunburnt too.

How to do it: "Use leave-in conditioners or sprays with UV filters, wear hats when outdoors for extended periods. If you swim, rinse hair immediately after to remove chlorine or salt that intensifies sun damage,"

Pro tip: "Colour-treated hair especially benefits from UV protection to prevent brassiness and fading," Joseph added. Given the small fortune I spend on my blonde, this was a wake-up call.

Hydrate and nourish your hair.

"Summer heat, saltwater, and chlorine strip moisture, leaving hair brittle and frizzy," he warned.

This is where I've been failing spectacularly. Between beach days and pool hangs, I was basically asking my already compromised hair to survive in the harshest possible conditions.

How to do it: "Apply weekly deep-conditioning masks or hydrating treatments. Use lightweight oils like argan or jojoba to lock in moisture without weighing hair down and switch to sulfate-free shampoos to avoid stripping natural oils."

Pro tip: "After swimming, a quick rinse plus conditioner can prevent dryness before it sets in," Joseph told me. This advice has already changed my life—it takes two minutes and saves days of dealing with straw-like hair.

Adjust styling and products for heat.

Tips in action: hat, SPF hair product, no heat tools, leave in conditioner, and an oil serum! Image: Supplied.

"Heavy gels and pomades break down in humidity, while heat styling adds extra stress," he explained.

This is where Joseph really spoke to my laziness in the best possible way. His solution is basically permission to do less.

How to do it: "Opt for lightweight, matte-finish products that resist sweat and humidity. Limit blow-drying and hot tools; embrace air-drying or loose braids for natural texture. Use anti-frizz serums or humidity-resistant sprays to keep styles intact."

Pro tip: "A trim at the start of summer helps remove split ends and keeps hair looking fresh," Joseph advised.

The takeaway.

After years of watching my hair suffer through Australian summers while I complained about it, I finally feel armed with actual solutions.

Joseph's final words really stuck with me: "Summer-proofing your hair is about protection, hydration, and smart styling choices. Think of it as giving your hair the same care you'd give your skin in summer—shield, nourish, and adapt."

The best part? None of these tips requires hours of effort or hundreds of dollars in products. It's about making smarter choices with the time and resources you already have.

My hair is already thanking me, and my colour is lasting longer than it ever has through summer. Joseph, as always, was absolutely right.

For more tried and tested beauty recommendations, listen to the You Beauty podcast or watch You Beauty on YouTube.

Feature Image: Supplied.

You can find Joseph at Alan Buki Paddington or on Instagram.