We know you must be wondering what is meant by ‘summer hair’, but relax, it’s nothing you do not or cannot have. Summer hair is simply your hair… ready for the season. By this we mean fabulous, durable hairstyles that are easily managed with the rise in temperature taken into consideration. Well, now that you know what it is, we can tell you exactly how to get it. Under the Dryer had hairstylist Marva Keane of Kelsie’s Beauty Salon & Spa give us a demonstration. Here’s what we learnt.

Christine Long – Braided Beauty

Christine wanted a hairstyle that looks good, is easy to maintain and can last throughout the summer, so she opted for shoulder-length braids. After braiding, her hair was shampooed with Motions, then Phoenix hair colour in ‘Russet Rage’ was applied to the hairline and allowed to set in.

Marva then deep-conditioned Christine’s hair with Organics Olive Oil Deep Conditioner to restore the PH balance, which is important because hair must be properly moisturised after using strong chemicals like hair dyes. Her hair was then dried, oiled and sprayed with African Pride Braids Spray.

She now has a chic, durable look that can be worn in a chic updo, bun, ponytail, or simply let down on cooler days. Braids are always a smart choice, whatever the season.

Joy Skyers – Summer Curls

Joy’s hair is very fine and has a long curl pattern, as such no-lye relaxers work best for her delicate hair type. She also has a very itchy and tender scalp, which is why Marva had to create a special concoction with two relaxers, Soft & Beautiful ‘No itchiness’ Aloe Vera Relaxer and Revlon, for her hair. Her hair was then shampooed using Mizani Neutralizing Shampoo, ‘rinsed’ with Phoenix hair colour in Cranberry Crush and deep-conditioned using Mizani Hydrafuse Intensive Moisturizing Treatment to restore the PH balance, then straw set and styled.

Joy’s look is perfect for the long, hot summer months because it keeps hair away from the neck and shoulders, plus if you wrap it with a silk scarf nightly it can last up to six weeks! Another great benefit of this style is that the curls will droop a bit lower as time passes, which makes it look like a different hairstyle. And who wouldn’t want two cute hairstyles for the price of one?

Michelle Keane – Luminous Locks

Michelle sports short locks which give her an edgy look, but if you have short, natural hair, you can do a rope-twist instead. It’s also easy to maintain, is durable, and suits persons with various face shapes, so you don’t have much to worry about when choosing this style.

Keracare Itchy Scalp Treatment Shampoo was used in Michelle’s hair, after which it was deep- conditioned using Mizani Hydrafuse Intensive Moisturizing Treatment. Her hair was then towel- dried, retightened and plaited (while wet) to give it a few curls.

When her hair was properly dried, Marva pulled out the plaits to release the curls and applied Parnevu T-Tree Scalp Oil to stimulate growth, heal her scalp and combat itchiness. We think it looks great!

Kelsie-Joy Keane – Classic Cornrows

Little Kelsie’s hair has a short curl pattern, so her hair was texturised to soften it up a bit and make it more manageable. Her hair was then corn-rowed — this is done every couple of weeks, with just shampooing and treatments required in-between.

This hairstyle was chosen because it usually works for children, it’s neat enough for school, yet stylish enough for other occasions and lasts for weeks, saving busy mothers like Marva a lot of time and energy. Persons with natural hair frequently prefer wearing twists or cornrows for this very reason… plus there are tons of braided styles you can rock, like Kelsie’s attractive updo.

Loraine Lewis – Glamorous Waves

Loraine loves her hairdo so much that she has kept it for years, and rightly so as these sexy summery waves suit her just fine. She sports what Marva describes as a ‘full-house weave’, where about an inch of her hair is sectioned in the front and permed using Dudley’s relaxer, then shampooed and deep-conditioned with the Itchy Scalp Treatment from the same hair care line. Her hair is also dyed with Dudley’s Sienna Brown hair colour to match the weave that is chosen. The larger section of the hair is corn rowed in a spiral pattern so the human hair can be woven in, after which the section in front is curled back to complete the look.

Loraine loves her hair because its low maintenance, full of body, bounce and shine, has minimal waves and looks great. We love it too!

Hair and make-up by – Marva Keane

Kelsie’s Beauty Salon & Spa

Shop 117, Princeville Plaza

95 Constant Spring Road, Kingston 10.

(Open Mondays – Sundays at 10:00 am)