01 Aug 5 Ways to Stretch Your Hair Colour This Summer
Sun, salt, and spritzes can fade even the glossiest salon colour. But late summer is when lived-in beauty reigns supreme. Here’s how to extend your colour’s glow—without rushing back to the chair—through glosses, root melts, luxe hydration, UV shields, and chic styling tricks.
Late Summer, Lived-In Colour
Late August in South Surrey carries its own kind of shimmer: golden evenings on the White Rock Promenade, ferry weekends to The Island, and spritzes at Morgan’s patio under soft amber skies. But while summer leaves the skin bronzed, it often leaves the hair begging for mercy. UV rays, chlorine, and saltwater are the triple threat—dulling shine, flattening brunettes, yellowing blondes, and draining reds of their fire.
It’s no wonder so many women feel that restless itch for a colour refresh just as September looms. But here’s the secret: you don’t need to overhaul your entire look just to stay luminous. Late summer colour is about longevity, about coaxing softness, shine, and intention from what you already have until it’s truly time for autumn’s richer tones.
This is where stylist sleight-of-hand comes in. With the right mid-season maintenance—think glosses, root melts, deep hydration, and strategic styling—you can transform what might feel like “overdue” into “effortlessly chic.” Your colour lasts longer, grows out gracefully, and looks intentionally lived-in rather than tired.
So whether you’re at a long lunch in Ocean Park or slipping away for a weekend at Harrison Lake, here are five stylist-approved ways to stretch your colour through the last shimmer of summer.
1. Gloss It, Don’t Redo It
A gloss is the salon’s not-so-secret magic trick. In just 20 minutes, it refreshes tone, revives shine, and softens brassiness without committing to a full recolour. It’s the perfect summer stopgap—your sun-dulled strands instantly look luminous again. Think of it as a finishing veil of polish, the kind that makes hair catch light in the most enviable way.
A gloss isn’t just colour—it’s conditioner with a tint. I layer a cool glaze over blondes to soften brass and a warm gloss over brunettes to banish flatness. — Jenn Mallette
- Perfect For: Faded blondes, dulled brunettes, tired reds
- Maintenance: 6–8 weeks toner refreshers keep colour vibrant
- Pairs With: Patio cocktails, silk blouses, sunset selfies
2. Root Melts & Shadows
When roots start to creep in, a root melt turns the line of demarcation into a gradient. Think soft shadow at the top, sunlit brightness through the ends. It’s not just forgiving—it’s effortlessly chic. This technique buys you weeks of grace, so your grow-out feels intentional rather than overdue, a hallmark of refined, lived-in colour.
I feather the melt lower around the face for softness, then keep the back higher for longevity. It’s about tailoring light placement to where you want glow. — Katea Skinner
- Perfect For: Balayage & Highlights
- Maintenance: every 10 to 12 weeks
- Pairs With: white denim, woven totes, ferry rides to The Island
3. Bond-Building Hydration
Summer ravages bonds as much as colour. Bond-repairing treatments rebuild strength and restore softness, so colour holds longer and looks healthier. Think of it as giving your hair a restorative retreat before fall. With bonds mended, even the most fragile strands take on that supple, glossy resilience reserved for freshly coloured hair.
A salon-strength bond builder post-summer is like pressing reset. It revives elasticity, enhances shine, and extends the life of your highlights. — Marty Hunter
- Perfect For: hair exposed to sun, salt, or chlorine
- Maintenance: monthly treatments
- Pairs With: spa days, hydrating masks, slow Sundays
4. UV & Salt Shields
Just as your skin needs SPF, your hair deserves protection. UV and salt shields lock in tone, prevent brassiness, and keep glosses lasting. They’re summer’s unsung hero—especially if your weekends revolve around Vancouver Island’s ocean spray. A light spritz before a beach day can be the difference between luminous highlights and faded, straw-like ends by September.
I recommend a leave-in UV protectant before every beach day. It keeps blondes bright, reds vibrant, and brunettes glossy—without the post-ocean dullness. — Maryan Lee
- Perfect For: Beachgoers and pool regulars
- Maintenance: Daily during sun or water exposure
- Pairs With: Straw hats, rosé spritzes, ocean air
5. Strategic Styling
Sometimes the secret isn’t more colour—it’s better styling. A polished blowout, a clever part shift, or soft curls can camouflage regrowth and faded tone until your next salon visit. These tricks don’t just disguise—they reframe your look entirely, turning “overdue” colour into a deliberate, powerfully chic aesthetic.
A deep side part paired with a voluminous blowout disguises roots and adds drama. It’s my go-to trick for clients stretching colour. — Stephanie Sabourin
- Perfect For: Any colour type
- Maintenance: As needed between washes
- Pairs With: Power blazers, espresso dates, executive chic
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make my hair colour last longer in summer?
Glosses, UV protection, and bond-building treatments extend colour life. Strategic styling and root melts keep regrowth looking chic instead of overdue.
Is a gloss damaging to my hair?
Not at all. Glosses are often conditioning and add shine while depositing tone. They’re one of the healthiest, lowest-commitment ways to refresh colour between appointments.
Do UV sprays really protect hair colour?
Yes. UV shields prevent pigment breakdown from sun exposure, which is the biggest culprit for faded, brassy tones in summer. Think of it as sunscreen for your hair.
What’s the best at-home trick to stretch my colour?
Shift your part or style in soft waves to camouflage regrowth. Pair this with weekly deep hydration masks to preserve softness and shine.
How often should I get a gloss in summer?
Most clients benefit from a gloss every 6–8 weeks. It refreshes tone, restores shine, and makes hair look salon-fresh without the time or cost of a full recolour.