Festival season has begun, with all that entails: great bands, crowds, camping and, in many cases, 3 days without a shower.
Preparing your hair for a festival means protecting it from the stress it's likely to endure. Whether it's from lack of showering, sun damage, or sweat and grease build-up in the crowds, your hair will face many challenges.
Luckily, you can follow a few simple steps to prevent your hair from looking greasy and keep it flake-free throughout the festival:
1. Preparation first and foremost The next few days will be tough: not for you, of course. For your hair! So, plan ahead. Wash your hair on the morning of the day you leave, not the night before or the day before.
On the third day of the festival, you'll be glad it's only three days without washing instead of four or five.
And if you're worried about a dandruff flare-up, forget about it: Head & Shoulders anti-dandruff shampoos protect you for up to 72 hours. Even if you don't shower, your hair will be protected.
2. Prepare your hair according to the weather Check the weather forecast before you go. If it's sunny and you plan to be outdoors for many hours, your hair may be at risk of sun damage. Use a conditioner: your hair will have all the nutrition and hydration possible to minimize sun damage.
But however you prepare, don't stay in the sun for too long. Conditioner doesn't block UV rays, so your hair may still get damaged.
Rain forecast? Don't forget to bring a bottle of Head & Shoulders Smooth & Silky to remedy unexpected frizz.
3. Bring emergency products Not everyone is lucky enough to go to a campsite with showers (or with showers they'd like to use). But even if there are no showers, there's nothing a travel-size bottle of Head & Shoulders and a bottle of water can't fix.
True, you won't get the full shower experience, but a little shampoo rinsed with a bottle of water will make your hair look less greasy in this year's festival photos.
4. Avoid overheating your head It's tempting to wear a hat to protect your head from the sun and to hide greasy, dirty hair after a few days of camping. But remember: raising your head's temperature creates ideal conditions for dandruff-causing microbes to thrive.
More information about the causes of dandruff
So, wearing a hat in a crowd or when you're enjoying music in the sun could make dandruff worse. Let your head breathe and if you need a break from the sun, find somewhere you can be in the shade for a few hours.
Who knows? You might discover a fantastic, little-known band away from the main stages!
5. Forget about styling products Hairspray, mousse, or gel probably look great when you leave home for the festival. But after a few days of camping, they'll most likely end up looking quite greasy.
Wear your hair natural to the festival: if it's long, you can braid it to keep it under control. Braids should last you the entire festival; you won't have to untie your hair every night and re-braid it in the morning.
And if it rains, all you have to do is undo the style and your hair will still have plenty of volume.
