How To Get Your Hair Summer Ready

As the temperature rises and the calendar fills with sun-drenched plans, there's an unmistakable urge to hit reset—not just on our wardrobes and social calendars, but on our hair. The desire to lighten up, breathe new life into tired ends, and unveil a fresh new ‘do is part of the annual pre-summer ritual. But while booking that long-awaited salon appointment is tempting, there’s one crucial step to check off first: pre-summer hair prep.

From sun exposure and saltwater to seasonal colour changes, summer poses a unique challenge to the health of our hair. So before you commit to going brighter, shorter or blonder, it’s time to prioritise hydration, protection and prevention.

We tapped into the wisdom of SILKE London’s co-founder and resident hair expert, Maria Sotiriou, to guide us through the ultimate pre-summer haircare routine. With over 35 years of experience behind the chair, Maria’s advice is part science, part soul, and completely transformative.

1. From Winter to Summer: Why Your Hair Needs a Seasonal Reset

There’s a psychological shift that occurs as we transition into warmer weather. The coats come off, the bronzer comes out, and suddenly we start to notice just how lacklustre our hair has become. Whether it’s faded colour, parched ends or a general feeling of “blah,” the need for a seasonal refresh is real, and often, dramatic.

“Coming out of winter is like emerging from hibernation,” Maria explains. “So many of my clients feel the urge to make a big change—usually something lighter, brighter, more expressive. In summer, your hair becomes more of an accessory. With fewer layers and more skin on show, your hair plays a bigger role in defining your personal style.”

But what most of us overlook in our excitement is that summer hair goals require preparation. Lifting your colour, even with the most skilled stylist and highest quality bleach—can compromise your hair’s structure. Add UV rays, saltwater and chlorine to the mix, and suddenly your strands are crying out for support.

“Think of it like skincare,” Maria says. “You wouldn’t exfoliate and sunbathe without hydrating and protecting your skin. Your hair needs the same care - hydration before, during and after summer is essential.”

2. Hydration is Your Hair’s Secret Weapon

If there’s one word to define pre-summer haircare, it’s this: hydration.

Long before the beach days begin, your hair needs to be conditioned and fortified to withstand the seasonal stressors ahead. And according to Maria, this starts with your weekly routine - no miracle products required, just consistency and care.

Start with Your Wash Day

Your first line of defence? A hydration-focused routine that hits every step from shampoo to styling.

“I always recommend choosing a shampoo and conditioner that clearly say they’re for hydration or moisture,” Maria advises. “It sounds basic, but these products are specifically formulated to replenish and protect the hair’s moisture barrier.”

Make it a ritual:

• Use lukewarm, not hot, water to prevent drying out the scalp.
• Focus shampoo at the roots to remove build-up, and concentrate conditioner from root to tip.
• Finish with a cool rinse to seal the cuticle and lock in shine.

Add Weekly Oil Treatments

For deeper nourishment, Maria swears by pre-wash oil treatments. Done once a week, they deliver transformative results for dry, damaged, or colour-treated hair.

“I love using a single-ingredient oil or a nourishing scalp mask,” she shares. “I massage it into my scalp and hair, leave it overnight, or for a few hours during the day, and then follow with a double shampoo. My personal tip? Wear it to the gym. The heat helps activate the oil and enhances absorption.”

If the gym isn’t your thing, mimic the effect with a gentle blast of heat from a hairdryer, followed by a scalp-stimulating massage to boost circulation and distribute the product.

Over time, this weekly ritual doesn’t just hydrate, it strengthens, softens, and adds that coveted healthy sheen.

3. Summer Damage is Real—But It’s Preventable

While we love everything about summer - ocean swims, outdoor brunches, long balmy evenings—our hair? Not so much.

“Summer comes with a whole new set of environmental aggressors,” Maria warns. “UV rays can damage the outer cuticle layer of the hair, making it more porous and prone to breakage. Chlorine and saltwater strip away moisture. Even wind and sand can rough up the hair shaft.”

On top of that, our habits shift. Hair is often thrown up into a bun with a harsh elastic, brushed less frequently, and left to dry out in the sun - all of which compound dryness and lead to mechanical damage.

To combat this, Maria recommends treating hydration as a pre-emptive strategy, not a reactive fix.

“One of my go-to summer tips is applying a hydrating cream or oil before washing your hair. Dry hair has raised cuticles, so it absorbs the moisture quickly and softens the hair. Once you wash and dry it, it’s already in a better condition—and more resilient to further damage.”

4. The SILKE Hair Wrap: Your Summer Haircare Power Player

For years, the SILKE Hair Wrap has been a night-time essential for thousands of women (and their hairdressers). But as Maria points out, its summer benefits are unmatched—and often underestimated.

Why It Works

Wearing a silk wrap helps to:

• Preserve moisture levels by reducing friction while you sleep.
• Evenly distribute your natural sebum - the nourishing oil produced by your scalp, along the hair shaft.
• Prevent breakage by protecting hair from rough pillowcases, elastics, and the elements.

“Sebum is your hair’s best friend,” Maria explains. “It’s nature’s own conditioner - liquid gold, really. But most of us strip it away before it has a chance to nourish the hair. The SILKE Hair Wrap helps spread it from root to tip, keeping your hair hydrated naturally and without extra product.”

Not Just for Bed

The best part? The SILKE Hair Wrap isn’t confined to your nighttime routine. Celebrities like Rihanna and Beyoncé have been spotted wearing silk head wraps during yacht days and beach trips, proving that style and protection aren’t mutually exclusive.

“It’s the chicest way to create a physical barrier between your hair and the summer elements,” Maria says. “And it’s so easy - no extra products, no extra steps. Just wrap and go.”

It also happens to be the most travel-friendly haircare essential. Unlike masks and oils that take up precious liquid allowance, the SILKE Wrap tucks neatly into your carry-on or beach tote, and delivers round-the-clock results.

5. The End-of-Summer Glow-Up Starts Now

Your hair should be your crown, not your compromise. And when it comes to post-summer regrets, we’re officially in our prevention era. No more booking an emergency trim in September to nurse sun-frazzled strands back to life. No more split ends, straw textures, or colour that’s lost its sparkle.

By following a hydration-first routine, committing to regular treatments, and wrapping your hair with care, you’re not only maintaining its health - you’re enhancing its strength, shine and manageability.

As Maria puts it:

“Summer can be a beautiful time for your hair if you treat it right. We all want to emerge from the season with glowing skin and glossier hair. And the truth is, you absolutely can. You just need to start now.”

So whatever your dream summer hair looks like, honeyed highlights, beachy texture, sleek and straight, or big and bouncy—make sure it’s supported with hydration, care and a SILKE Hair Wrap.

Because your best hair days shouldn’t end with summer. They should start there.

With love, SILKE xo