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Summer heat takes a toll on your tresses—and blow-drying and flat ironing your mane into submission a few times a week only worsens the dry ends, moisture loss, and lack of shine. The solution: finding alternate ways to wear your hair that don’t involve heat damage. I asked Hilary O’Toole, lead stylist at the now fully staffed Level 3 Salon (it opened in January) at Four Seasons Hotel Denver, for her top three easy summer hairstyles.
Step One: O’Toole starts each look with a dime– to quarter–size application of Kerastase‘s lightweight Elixir Ultime the Imperial ($36) to protect hair color against UV rays. (Full disclosure: Level 3 is a Kerastase salon.)
That's only $1 per issue!
As Seen At: Diane Von Furstenberg (pictured), Christopher Kane, Calvin Klein Collection
Work a light salt spray (try Spray À Porter, $36) through damp hair after your shower (you can even use it to refresh your waves the next day). Finger comb or use a wide-tooth comb to smooth hair. Next, section hair (smaller sections will result in tighter waves, while bigger sections create looser ones) and use your fingers to create loose spiral curls. Allow hair to dry for about 10 minutes and then shake it for relaxed waves. Finish the look with Touche Perfection ($35), a nourishing balm that controls frizz and keep ends smooth.
As Seen At: Michael Kors (pictured), Stella McCartney, Giambattista Valli
O’Toole’s version of the classic style is a sleek, topsy-turvy bun. Prep hair with Forme Fatale ($36) to hydrate and smooth tresses. Then brush hair into a low, loose ponytail. Create an opening just above the center of the elastic band and tuck the ponytail under and draw it up and through. Tighten and pin loose ends into a low bun, and spray with Laque Couture Hairspray ($37) to hold.
As Seen At: Vera Wang (pictured), Derek Lam, Valentino
If you hair isn’t just-washed, freshen up roots and create volume with Kerastase’s Powder Bluff ($37). Then fold a square scarf into a narrow rectangle (for more ideas on how to tie a scarf, check out the free Hermès Silk Knots app on iTunes and Android) and wrap it around your head and under your hair. Tie the scarf at the nape of the neck for a stylish finish.
Follow fashion editor Georgia Benjou on Twitter at @gabenjou and on Pinterest at /gabenjou.
—Top image courtesy of Kim Cook; runway images courtesy of Shutterstock