Welcome to Splitsville. Population: You
If your tips are looking ratty, you’re sporting split ends... and they ain’t cute! “Split ends are caused by brushing too roughly or too much (so forget the 100 brush strokes a day thing – totes not good for your hair), as well as over-colouring and using hot styling tools too often,” says Emiliano Vitale, creative director of é Salon (esalonhair.com). To help prevent split ends, apply a repairing treatment every second night and have your hair trimmed every four to six weeks.

Try: 1. Wella System Professional Perfect Ends, $32, 1300 885 002. 2. Indola Innova Repair Split Ends, $17.95, 1800 440 040.

Attack of the Frizz Monster
With summer comes humidity, and it can do all kinds of fun things to our hair – like making us look like we’ve stuck our finger in a power socket. “Humidity causes straight hair to frizz and wavy hair to curl, and it’s due to the moisture content in the air,” says Richard Watson, master educator for Fudge Australia (1300 764 437).
If your mop’s frizzier than Hermione Granger’s ’do, you need to get your hands on an anti-frizz shampoo and conditioner, as well as a smoothing cream to keep the fuzz-factor under control.

Try: 3. L’Oreal Paris Elvive Anti-Breakage Shampoo, $6.95, 1300 659 359. 4. Sunsilk Co-Creations Frizz & Weather Defence Conditioner, $4.79, 1800 061 027. 5. John Frieda Frizz-Ease Secret Weapon Flawless Finishing Crème, $16.99, 1800 468 318.

Grease Lightning
Mane slicker than an oil spill? We feel your pain. “Oily hair is caused by the sebaceous glands working overtime,” says hair stylist Troy Brennan (troybrennan.com). “Try not to use thermal styling aids such as hair dryers and ceramic straighteners in summer – as they can stimulate oil production – and try to let your hair dry naturally. Keep your hair off your face to help prevent skin problems, especially on your forehead.” Use an oil-control shampoo every second or third day and dry shampoo every other day to keep unwanted shine at bay. Opt for an oil-free moisturiser for your face to help prevent fringe-related breakouts.

Try: 6. Herbal Essences Drama Clean Refreshing Shampoo for Normal/Oily Hair, $5.99, 1800 028 280. 7. Proactiv Oil-Free Moisture, $51.50, 1300 557 337. 8. Fudge Dry Shampoo, $18.95, 1300 764 437.

All Dried Up
Ah, the dreaded CHS (crunchy hair syndrome). We’ve all been there. “Hair can become dry for several reasons,” says Tracey Hughes of Mieka Hairdressing (miekahairdressing.com.au). “This includes chemical damage from colouring too much, mechanical damage from using hot styling tools, and environmental damage from exposure to the sun, sea and chlorine.” Wash with a moisturising shampoo and conditioner and apply a hydrating hair mask prior to going for a swim to stop hair absorbing too much salt water or chlorine.

Try: 9. KMS California Moistrepair Shampoo & Conditioner, $28.95 each, 1800 506 060. 10. Pantene Pro-V Nature Fusion Intensive Penetrating Treatment, $6.99, 1800 028 280.

HAIR HOW-TO: THE FRONT BRAID

Don’t Be Dull, Baby
The sun, the sand, the surf. It’s what dreams are made of (espesh if Taylor Lautner happens to jog past with his shirt off. A girl can dream, right?). We hate to spoil the moment, but there is a downside to all this bliss – trips to the beach and days spent soaking up the sun will leave your hair looking less than lustrous. If you want to get glossy again, it’s time to reach for the big guns. And by big guns, we don’t mean Taylor’s biceps – we’re talking nourishing oil and shine spray. Improving your diet can also help make your hair glossy and healthy. “Eat plenty of salmon, organic chicken, nuts, seeds, beans and eggs for shiny, healthy hair,” says naturopath Emma Sutherland (emmasutherland.com.au).

Try: 11. Organix Moroccan Argan Oil, $24.99, organixhair.com.au. 12. Seven Wonders Moroccan Treatment Spray, $34.95, sevenwonders.com.au. 13. Terax Gloss Finishing Serum, $24.95, 1800 137 480.

HAIR HOW-TO: EASY PARTY HAIR

Bleached as, Bro
So you decided to go lighter for summer. Totes understandable – ’tis the season. But now you’re noticing your hair is feeling dry, fluffy and straw-like. Ick! “Bleaching will increase visible damage, including split ends. Once split ends have appeared, hair is even more susceptible to damage. Use a hair mask or an intensive treatment for your hair at least twice a week,” says Dr Jasmine Karsono, Procter & Gamble’s senior scientist.
If you’re being slap-happy with peroxide this summer, it’s time to give the curling tongs a mini vacay. “It’s crucial to use hot styling tools less during the summer months to help reduce hair damage, especially if you have bleached hair,” says hair stylist Shane Jones (shanejones.com.au). You can also help protect your colour-treated mane with a UV protection spray every day and a rich overnight hair treatment.

Try: 14. L’Oreal Professionnel Série Expert Solar Sublime Anti-Frizz Conditioning Protective Milk, $26, 1300 651 141. 15. Garnier Fructis Nutri-Repair 5 Minute Ultra Nourishing Butter Mask, $7.95, 1300 659 259.