Among the arbitrary calendar dates we choose to reinvent ourselves, spring has a habit of triggering a full beauty reset. But while a skincare overhaul or commitment to dry body brushing (at least for those initial idealistic weeks) won’t have lasting repercussions, when it comes to hair, a wrong snip could leave you battling months of bad hair days. “Spring always does the same thing; it makes everyone want to do something to their hair,” says celebrity stylist Larry King. “Sometimes that’s exactly right. Other times, you’re setting yourself up for frustration. Hair should feel effortless; if you’re overworking it, or forcing it into something it’s not, it’s probably not working.” That doesn’t mean do nothing. In fact, prepping your hair now is key. “Your hair is likely to take a pounding in the warmer months so what you do in spring sets the tone for summer,” adds hair stylist Michael Douglas.
We’ve enlisted the best in the business to identify the ‘don’ts’ currently sabotaging your seasonal glow-up. Spolier alert: while Sun-In isn’t on the list, now isn’t the time to revisit that particular 90s relic either.)
Avoid the extremes
© ulas&merve“The biggest spring hair mistake I see is people trying to force their hair into a summer version of itself too early, whether that’s holding onto length that really needs a cut, or going for a drastic change without thinking it through,” says hairstylist and founder of Arkive Headcare Adam Reed. “Healthy hair is maintained, not rescued. Waiting until June means you’re starting summer with hair that already feels compromised.” It’s a sentiment echoed by Larry “I get that everyone wants that longer, looser summer hair. But if your ends are thin or dry, holding onto length isn’t helping you.” That said, don’t swing too far the other way either; “There’s always that ‘new season, new me’ energy,” he says. “But hair doesn’t need that level of drama. Big changes don’t always translate into real life.” The sweet spot? “Shape, movement and quiet polish are the things that elevates your hair,” he adds, “shift things but don’t shock yourself.”
Turn down the heat
“Over-reliance on heat styling as the weather changes is another common mistake,” says Adam. “As we move into warmer months, hair is already under more stress from sun, humidity and environmental exposure, so adding excessive heat can leave it feeling dry and less responsive.” Spring is the perfect moment to embrace a more natural texture and scale things back. Reducing heat styling is something all our experts recommend including Michael who suggests blow drying less often, using lower temperatures (his MD Blow hair Dryer, £199, has adjustable heat settings) and letting your hair air-dry where possible.
Luke Hersheson, hairstylist and CEO of Hersheson's salons also warns against one common post-wash habit; leaving hair wrapped in a towel for too long. “That trapped heat and humidity is a fast track to frizz,” he says. “Now the weather is warmer let your hair breathe and don’t even think about blow-drying until it’s at least 80% dry. Not only will it make your styling journey easier, you’ll save on damage.” And while beachy texture might be on your mind, hold off on salt sprays for now.
“Salt dries the hair out,” Luke explains. “If you want that undone texture, choose products that add movement without stripping moisture,” (Hersheson's Air Dry Spray, £22, for example, contains sugar to create that ‘your-hair-but-better’ finish whilst Larry King's Ride Or Die Texture Spray, £25, has a boost of Vitamin B5 for added care). “Overusing heat to create texture is a sign that you’re probably working against your hair instead of with it,” says Larry. “Texture should feel natural, not forced and the right styling product gives that undone, lived-in feel without having to over-style.”
Don’t skip the scalp
“Something that’s often overlooked at this time of year is scalp care,” says Adam. “No one thinks about their scalp until it’s burnt and by then it’s too late,” agrees Larry. “Your parting is one of the most exposed areas, especially as the sun comes out. If you’re not protecting it, you’re damaging both your skin and the quality of your hair long term. It’s a small step that makes a big difference.” Start now by incorporating gentle exfoliation, hydration and daily SPF into your routine (we love Arkive Headcare's Salt Scrub £15, followed by Coola's Scalp and Hair Sunscreen Mist, £29).
Rethink your colour timing
When it comes to colour, patience pays off. “Sunlight naturally lightens the hair – it’s essentially a slow bleaching process where the UV light alters the structure of the hair,” says Michael. “The healthier your hair is going into summer, the better it can handle that.”
As a result, Michael advises stretching out your highlights where possible aiming for a refresh in May and then leaving it until early autumn to avoid over-processing.
Another colour misstep is holding onto winter colour for too long. Deep, one-dimensional shades can start to look heavy and flat as the light changes. “Spring light exposes everything,” says hair colourist Francesco De Chiara from Nicola Clarke Hair Salon. ”Single-tone colour can look lifeless – adding dimension makes all the difference.” Think soft balayage or subtle tonal variation rather than full transformation – and always transition gradually to keep hair in its best condition.
Because spring isn’t about reinventing your hair – it’s about setting it up. Make smarter, softer changes now and your summer hair will thank you for it.
Your strength training kit
Arkive Headcare The Crown Salt Scrub, £15
Coola Scalp and Hair Sunscreen Mist, £29
Hershesons Air Dry Spray with UV protection, £22
Larry King Ride Or Die Texture Spray, £25
