My hairdresser repurposes a bathroom staple to save my hair every summer
Every summer, it’s the same story: you spend months carefully nurturing your lengths, then three weeks at the beach are enough to undo everything. Yet one Parisian hairdresser has a simple, near-free routine to prevent this hair disaster. The solution comes from a staple we all already have in our bathroom.
Why traditional hairdressers don’t always hit the mark
Salon appointments are often a source of frustration. Too time-consuming, too expensive, and rarely matching the carefully chosen inspiration photo you brought along. As a result, many people end up putting off these visits indefinitely.
And yet, some professionals genuinely change the game. Ingrid Awad, who runs the salon La Clé Paris in the Latin Quarter, describes herself as “the anti-hairdresser.” She dismantles received wisdom, tells it straight, and has no interest in selling unnecessary treatments.
As a hairdresser, Ingrid won’t tell you your hair is burnt out just to justify an eye-watering bill. Nor will she claim your ends are heading for disaster if you don’t cut them every three months. It’s this honesty that sets her apart.
A name passed around on the quiet
Ingrid Awad was recommended by Virginie Chapuis, who had herself heard about her from a friend, Clémentine Galey of the Bliss podcasts. That kind of word-of-mouth says a great deal about the trust her clients place in her.
Now the unofficial artistic director of more than a few Parisian heads of hair, this hairdresser works alongside her mother, also a professional in the field. It is precisely from this family transmission that the routine described here was born.
“It’s counterproductive. Not only do they offer no real UV protection, but they further weaken bleached or highlighted hair fibres, especially when a toner has been applied.”
Why solar oils are not the right solution for hair in summer
Many people rely on UV-protective solar oils to shield their lengths at the beach. But Ingrid is categorical: this approach is counterproductive. These products offer no real UV protection and actually weaken bleached or highlighted hair fibres even further.
Hair that has had a toner applied is particularly vulnerable as a result. Applying a solar oil therefore often ends up making the damage worse rather than preventing it. The hairdresser recommends a completely different approach.
The routine she advocates costs almost nothing. She inherited it from her mother, who has been using it with clients at La Clé Paris for forty years. Generations of Parisian manes have benefited from it.
- Apply a mask, cream or nourishing treatment to your lengths before heading to the beach or pool.
- Reapply after every swim to maintain the protective barrier.
- Detangle your hair after the treatment to prevent knots and breakage.
- Braid your lengths to limit friction and tangling caused by wind and salt.
- Opt for a leave-in conditioner or a rinse-out conditioner, as also recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology.
The saturated-sponge principle
The mechanism is simple to understand. The mask saturates the hair fibres with water and nourishing agents, creating a protective film. This film prevents salt, chlorine and water from attacking the hair.
It works on the same principle as a water-logged sponge submerged in liquid: it can’t absorb anything more because it’s already full. In the same way, saturated lengths no longer let aggressive elements in.
A repurposed conditioner to protect your lengths all summer long
The routine recommended by this hairdresser therefore relies on a product you already own. No need to invest in a special summer range or expensive sprays. A simple nourishing mask or conditioner is all it takes.
Before arriving at the beach or pool, apply the treatment to your lengths. After every swim, repeat the process. Then detangle, and if possible, braid your hair to stop it tangling in the wind and sand.
Researchers at the American Academy of Dermatology also confirm the value of a leave-in conditioner or rinse-out conditioner before swimming as a protective barrier. This piece of hairdresser wisdom, passed down from mother to daughter, therefore has solid scientific backing.
By adopting this habit from summer 2026 onwards, your lengths will be in far better shape come September. The routine is quick, accessible, and validated by decades of practice at salon La Clé Paris, located at 23 rue Échaudé in Paris.
