Summer school

Mane management
“If you’re in the pool often it’s important to strip the chlorine or salt water out of your hair on regular basis, so when you come out of the water, give your hair a light shampoo,” says Alain Larivée, owner of CAJH Maîtres Coiffeurs salon in Montreal. If you’ve been skipping this light wash, you may currently have some chemical buildup on your mane. For this problem, he suggests using a buildup-remover or clarifying shampoo. Also, read the label and use products that contain UV protection to guard against the sun damaging your mane. Your swim regime already done some damage to your hair? Larivee swears by hair products containing eucalyptus—“this essential oil has been show to mend and improve hair health,” he says. And going forward, consider pulling your hair back into a loose ponytail and tucking it into a swim cap to further shield your hair from the pool’s harsh chemicals. Scared of the ponytail elastic causing breakage? Larivee, who is also the Canadian creative consultant for John Frieda, recommends this little trick: cut the elastic off the top of a pair of nylon knee-highs to use as your ponytail holder—“the nylon’s flexibility won’t harm your hair,” he says.

Check out the latest products to protect your locks this summer.

Crossing the tan line
You slathered on sunscreen but ended up with tan lines -- and you’ve got a chic strapless number to wear to that soiree tomorrow night. The best way to conceal those unsightly lines? “A spray tan will give you a whole new, even coat to cover everything,” says Toronto-based makeup artist Sabrina Rinaldi.

Reluctant to spray-tan? If you prefer a DIY beauty project, Rinaldi (who works with many fitness models who bare a fair amount of bronzed skin) recommends you use concealer to mask your tan lines. (Note: Using a self-tanner is an option but it can be tricky to get it to blend evenly with your tan skin). To get the best results using a concealer, start off by exfoliating and moisturizing your skin well. Then using a synthetic powder brush apply a thick concealer—her personal favourite for this purpose is M.A.C. Studio Finish Concealer—and “blend, blend, blend.” Then take a bronzer with a slight hint of shimmer and apply it to the entire area, to help further blend the edges and set the concealer. You’ll want to avoid using this method, though, if you’ll be hugging lots of people or if it’s a particularly steamy summer night as the makeup will transfer.

Do you have a healthy relationship with the sun?

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