The Best Summer Haircare Routine for Women Over 35...

...and it'

s not the advice you thought you were going to get.

If there is one thing I’ve learned in my 40s, it’s that the hair routine that worked at 25 may not work anymore.

As a 40-year-old hairstylist, curl specialist, and someone currently fascinated by all things perimenopause because HELLO! Time to learn our bodies ladies!? Again. I’ve become very aware of how much hormones can affect everything but especially our hair.

One summer your hair behaves beautifully.

The next, it feels dry, frizzy, oily, limp, or somehow all four at once. And then there's the thinning!

If you’ve been wondering why your hair seems different lately, you’re not imagining things.

Our own Morgan, enjoying a beachy sunset.

Summer Can Be Tough on Hair

New England summers bring a little bit of everything:

• Humidity

• Sunshine

• Chlorine

• Saltwater

• Sweat

• Air conditioning

Each one impacts hair differently.

Combined with hormonal changes that many women experience 35+, summer can leave hair feeling unpredictable.

Justine kayaking in Easthampton.

My Favorite Summer Hair Rule

Enjoy the summer.

Seriously.

The beach recharges my spirit. The forest grounds me. Life is too short to spend all season worrying about your hairstyle.

I would rather see you swimming, traveling, paddleboarding, hiking, and making memories than avoiding life because you’re afraid of frizz.

Healthy hair matters.

A healthy life matters more.

Frizz never ACTUALLY hurt anybody.

Before You Jump In The Pool

One of my favorite tips is incredibly simple.

Wet your hair with fresh water before entering a chlorinated pool.

Hair acts like a sponge.

If it’s already full of clean water, it has less room to absorb chlorinated water.

For extra protection, work a little conditioner through your ends before swimming.

Afterward, rinse your hair thoroughly.

That’s it.

No complicated routine required.

Morgan clarifying in the salon.

Clarify More Often During Summer

Many women need more frequent clarifying during the summer months.

Between sunscreen, sweat, minerals, styling products, chlorine, and environmental buildup, hair can start feeling dull or coated.

Signs you may need clarification:

• Products stop working

• Hair feels heavy

• Curls lose bounce

• Hair feels greasy quickly

• Color appears dull

Think of clarifying like washing your windows. The glass is still there—it just looks brighter when it’s clean.

My favorite clatifyer is All Nutrient Clarphx ($22 available in salon) or Olaplex Clarifyer available anywhere Olaplex is sold. 

Hydration Matters More Than You Think

As someone who is organic, dairy-free, gluten-free, and clean living, I’m constantly paying attention to how lifestyle choices affect how I feel.

Hair is no different.

Hydration starts from the inside.

Drink your water.

Eat your protein. Seriously! The hair is made of protein. If you don't put gas in the tank, the car doesn't go. The body needs real, pure sources of protein to make good hair. Shakes and bars are helpful in a pinch but should NOT be your only source.

Enjoy seasonal fruits and vegetables from local farms and markets throughout Southwick, Suffield, Granby, and the surrounding communities.

Your hair notices. If th

What About Curly Hair?

For my fellow waves and curls, summer often brings extra volume and extra frizz.

Personally, I have a mix of type 2 and type 3 waves and curls, so I understand the struggle.

The goal isn’t to eliminate every bit of frizz.

Frizz is often just a curl looking for friends.

Enjoy the free volume and the compliments. This is our season where everyone loves our hair!

Focus instead on:

• Gentle cleansing

• Regular hydration

• Appropriate styling products

• Protecting hair from excessive sun exposure

Summer Self-Care Counts Too

One thing I’ve noticed during perimenopause is that STRESS AFFECTS EVERYTHING.

Sleep.

Skin.

Energy.

Hair.

Sometimes the best thing you can do for your hair isn’t a product.

It’s taking a walk.

Visiting the beach.

Taking a weekend trip.

Having coffee with a friend. Social health matters! Mel Robins just did a great podcast on Social Health. Let me know if you are interested, Ill send you a direct link to it. Its a great listen. 

Or sitting quietly with a cup from The Daily Grind before your appointment.

At Fern Hollow Holistic Hair in Southwick, MA, we believe beautiful hair is part of overall wellness—not separate from it.

If your hair feels different this summer, know that you’re not alone.

Sometimes a few small adjustments make all the difference.

Okay, if you've made it this far.... now let's talk about hair thinning (more info in an upcoming feature).

First off, you do not get to compare your hair, your skin or your body to the version it was of itself when were were 22. We're not 22. Our hormones are different, our stressors are different, and it's not fair to ourselves to use THAT time as comparison. What we can do is try (and it IS hard) to be the best, healthiest version of ourselves now.

Noone wants to hear it but the hair is the body's LAST priority. It's pretty but its not vital to survival so if we are depleted IN ANY WAY...guess what suffers first.

We all know what we SHOULD be doing. Even when its hard, slowly start to make the changes to get it done. In the mean time, to help things along while you are working on healthy changes, products like ZENAGEN Revolve, Evolve and Eclipse (this is the one I personally use), can help effectively and botanically to slow thinning, graying and actually help you regrow hair. Ask me about more information anytime.