The upside to beach hair is well documented: the sun-kissed highlights, the piece-y texture, the cool-girl waves that come from doing exactly nothing. But what about the downside? The salty ocean can leave strands feeling parched, while the beating sun can take a toll on color. Of course, that doesn’t keep die-hard surfers from hitting the water however often they can. It all comes down to a few savvy tricks, from an early morning slather of coconut oil to a gentle end-of-day detangling with a wet-hair-friendly brush. Here, five beach regulars—rooted in the world of fashion but just as firmly planted on a surfboard—share the secrets to their summer hair-care routines.
Photo: Courtesy of Oleema Miller / @oleemamiller
Oleema MillerHawaii-based designer of the swimwear line Mikoh“My hair has always been pretty healthy, despite the long hours spent in the sun and in the salty ocean. When my hair is feeling a bit dry, I do an hour-long coconut oil mask. It’s as simple as it sounds: I slather my hair in [Monoi] oil, wrap it up in a towel, and leave it for as long as I can. The smell is magical, and your hair will feel like silk after—the perfect summer remedy. For a beach-wave look, I simply wash out my hair with water (no shampoo or conditioner) and let it air-dry. The salt from the sea leaves my hair with the perfect volume and wave.”
