I usually spend a lot of time outside in the summer, running up and down hills and bumping Jay-Z on my iPod. When my knees are functioning (sigh!), it breaks down to an hour or two in the sun at least every other day.
While I’m consistent about applying sunscreen before leaving the house for a run, I haven’t been as mindful when it comes to protecting my hair from sun damage. That summer sun gets hot, ya’ll. It’ll fade highlights in no time, so I’ve been on the lookout for products to protect my long, highlighted hair.
I found PureOlogy ColourMax ($18), a spray that protects against UVA and UVB radiation and prevents color fading.
About a half an hour before going for a run, I’ll spray ColourMax onto the sun-exposed parts of my hair from roots to ends, brushing it through. It smells a little like roses.
According to PureOlogy, the spray works to prevent color fading by some kind of nano technology. Hmm… I don’t know about that, but it does help to keep my hair from getting tangled and adds a little extra shine. The company also claims the product is 100% vegan and not tested on animals (I guess nanites don’t count).
I’ve been using it on my runs for about two weeks now (since returning from Hawaii) and haven’t noticed any fading of my caramel highlights in that time. I wish I had brought it with me to the islands because, over the short time I was there, I did notice some fading.
The real test will come after I get my roots done next month. I’ll keep you updated.
More Hair Products with UV Protection
If you spend a lot of time in the sun, consider using a hair product with UV protection. In addition to bleaching the color out of your hair, UV chemically breaks down the keratin proteins in hair, drying it out and making it more likely to break.
- Frederick Fekkai Coiff Defense UV Protectant ($25) — a leave-in conditioner that protects hair against damage from UV rays and heat styling.
- John Frieda Thermal Protection Serum ($9) — a drugstore hair product that prevents UV fading, provides heat styling protection and makes hair smooth and soft.
- Re|center Anti-Frizz Serum ($10) — a hair serum that not only protects against UV rays and color fading but also smooths hair, adds shine and defrizzes. All that, and it’s 100% vegan and made from certified botanicals, too.
- Terax Finishing Spray ($18) — a medium hold hairspray with UV protectant.
- Mark Anthony Brilliant Color Color Lock Shampoo ($8) — a drugstore shampoo with vitamin C and UV sunscreens.
- Oscar Blandi Capri Sun-Shield Spray ($20) — a UV protectant spray that boosts shine while preventing fading from sun and chlorine.
- GHD Guardian Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair ($29) — a moisturizing conditioner with UVA and UVB protection for color-treated hair.
- Rene Furterer Okara Restructuring Mask ($28) — a deep conditioner with UV filters.
Sun or no sun, there will be no running outside for yours truly today. My bum knee is feeling much better now (thanks to your well wishes and loads of ice), but it doesn’t feel strong enough to attempt a run. Looks like I’m forced to continue relaxing at home. 🙂
Last night I did a whole lotta nothing from the comfort of the couch and watched a random sample of late-night 90’s movie fair. First, I watched American Pie, which I hadn’t seen in years (since band camp), and the second was Rounders. I forgot how much I liked Rounders. You can’t really go wrong with Ed Norton, Matt Damon and John Malcovich all in the same movie.
How’s your weekend coming along? Do you have any plans for today?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Girls of The Beauty Blog Network
P.S. It’s time again for the weekly roundup of makeup and beauty posts from some of the stars of the beauty blogosphere. I really liked this video review of Clinique Moisture Tint over at Pursebuzz.
Melissa from The Makeup Divas reviews and shares photos of eye shadows and slimshines from the Mac Cool Heat Collection.
A Touch of Blusher looks at Dior’s fall 2008 makeup collection.
Still confused about products that use the words NATURAL, ORGANIC and PURE on their packaging? Cybelesays discovers an organization that’s setting a standard with their seal and some big indy brands are joining up.
Beauty Banter uncovers the most important sweatproof beauty products of the summer – a sweaty face is SO 2007!!!
Are you ready for a Warm Chill? Roselyn from Makeup Makes Me Happyâ„¢ is also raving about the latest collection from MAC Cosmetics. Here she gives us another wonderful makeup tutorial featuring the cool blue hues from MAC’s Cool Heat.
Beauty Anonymous reviews La Mer The SPF 18 Fluid Tint.
Get your summer beauty fix with The Daily Cookie’s coverage of Nordstrom’s Beauty Trend Show in 3 parts – Summer in the City, Get the Look, and All About the Tan!
15 Minute Beauty Fanatic finds her new favorite hot weather fragrance, Elizabeth Arden’s Green Tea Lotus!
The Muse decides to saw her Urban Decay Primer Potion in half and make the most of it!.
Beyond Beauty Basics is having a Burt’s Bees Radiance Kit Giveaway in honor of National Pollinator Week June 22-28. Comment and win an assortment of natural personal care products!
Makeup Moxie dishes on her favorite way to practice safe sun in this face sunscreen review.
Beauty Blogging Junkie tells you how to channel Gossip Girl‘s Serena van der Woodsen here.
The Fragrance Fanatic tells you some great ways to Wear Your Fragrance.
Beautiful Makeup Search picks out some products from the Shu Uemura 25th Boutique Birthday collection.
Come join The Life of a Ladybug’s no!no! giveaway! All you have to do is enter your name and e-mail address and you have a chance to win a brand new no!no! hair removal device!
The fabulous ladies of Beauty in Real Life, have the details on the N.Y.C. Color Big Apple Bronze Summer Collection.
Have you tried Yes To Carrots Lip Balm? Face Candy tells you what she thinks of it.
Every day this week, Spoiled Pretty is giving away a chic summer bag, filled with beauty booty to help you beat the heat. This series of giveaways is all that and a bag of products! Enter today!
Summer heat doing a number on your skin? Beauty411 shares how the new June Jacobs Cooling and Soothing Masque can help you beat the heat and improve your skin!
Makeup Junkie shares a new Makeup Obsession!
Pursebuzz.com reviews her favorite tinted moisturizer. Clinique Moisture Tint. 🙂 See why I love it so much here.
The Beauty of Life is giving away over $100 worth of Lisa Hoffman products! Click here to enter!
Dao says
June 29th, 2008 at 4:32 pmI remember Redken also has a similar product. The sun does fade your hair really fast, a lesson I learned in Florida. After a month or two, my really nice coppery toned hair turned brassy. So I just stopped coloring my hair altogether 😀
Briana says
June 29th, 2008 at 4:50 pmThis is one of my favourite products from pureology! My stylist recommended it for my trip to hawaii when i got my color done two months ago. I use it every day, and two months and a sun & saltwater filled trip to hawaii later, my color still looks great!
TUPRNUT says
June 29th, 2008 at 5:21 pmI wish I knew these products existed when I used to lifeguard. My hair is naturally medium brown and I was bleach-blonde by the end of the summer. My hair was always fried.
I may check out one of the more moderately priced ones next time I’m at Ulta.
Glad to hear your knee is feeling a bit better!
Karen says
June 29th, 2008 at 9:11 pmHi Dao,
You’re lucky you have that option. I’ve got grey growin’ in (all my relatives on my dad’s side go grey early), and lighter highlights help hide it.
Karen says
June 29th, 2008 at 9:11 pmHi Briana,
Which island did you go to? I wish I had this product when I was there a two weeks ago.
Karen says
June 29th, 2008 at 9:11 pmHi Tuprnut,
Thanks, girl. It was feeling pretty good this afternoon so I did some vacuuming (can I just say I LOVE MY BISSELL?) and now that the house is clean all is well with the world. 🙂
I saw quite a few products on the Ulta website. Just enter the search term “hair uv” and a whole bunch will pop up. Right now the Re|center is on sale for 50% off online. 🙂
Briana says
June 29th, 2008 at 11:17 pmHi Karen,
We went to Maui, I’ve been to Maui and Oahu both before this trip. I like both, but Oahu is a little too much city for me on a vacation.
Just tonight I discovered the cheapest and easiest french manicure product! Sally Hansen French Manicure Pen. I dunno if you like the french manicure, or have already tried the product, but it is certainly worth checking out. I love it! So easy to use, and it looks great! I posted a whole shameless entry in my personal blog about it with pictures and everything.
TUPRNUT says
June 30th, 2008 at 8:12 am“…and now that the house is clean all is well with the world”
This is how I life my life. If my house is a mess, I’m a wreck and seriously cannot function. Have I told you about my love affair with vacuuming? It’s out of control. I asked for (and received) a vacuum for my 21st birthday 🙂 It’s one of my favorite things to do and is a great stress reliever for me. Now, Grace has figured out how to get the vacuum out of the closet and plug it in. She’s still trying to figure out how the attachments work. It’s soo cute.
Dao says
June 30th, 2008 at 8:22 amawwwww, so sorry to hear that. Yeah, highlighting does help. My dad uses henna on his hair. He told me he left it on for about 2hrs and when he rinsed off, he got blond highlights. If you can stand the smell and 2hrs then you should try. His blond highlights looked quite natural as I remember. And he has brownish hair so the highlights totally blend in 😀
Angela says
June 30th, 2008 at 11:29 amI love Pureology products! It makes my hair color last twice as long. I swear by them….especially the hydrate shampoo and conditioner. They have a great glossing mist for flat irons too 🙂
Karen says
June 30th, 2008 at 9:18 pmHi Briana,
I hear ya. Both islands have a very different vibe. Where did you stay when you were on Oahu? If you go up to the North Shore it’s a very different world in comparison to Waikiki.
That pen sounds very cool. I like the look of French manicures but don’t have the talent to pull ’em off by myself, so I think I will try it.
Have a great night!
Karen says
June 30th, 2008 at 9:18 pmHi Tuprnut,
How cute, Grace is trying to help. 🙂
Would you believe that when I got home from work today, I did a quick five minute vacuuming job while I was cooking a snack? Vacuuming freaks unite! 🙂
Karen says
June 30th, 2008 at 9:19 pmHi Dao,
In the past I’ve helped my dad color his hair, LOL. That’s cool that your dad uses henna and has highlights. He sounds very hip. 🙂
I used to dye my hair, but now I totally don’t trust myself. I fried it a few years ago, and don’t want to risk ruining it again.
Karen says
June 30th, 2008 at 9:19 pmHi Angela,
I haven’t tried the hydrate products. They sound great though. What other things from the line do you like?