About hair and the end of summer

Photos Sam Falk / New York Times

Words Matthieu Morge Zucconi

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Our expert Jules Fauvey answers your questions about returning from holidays.

The end of August is the time to go back, at home or the office. Some come back with damaged hair, others with melancholy and nostalgia. Your questions mirror this ambivalence: our hair expert, Jules Fauvey, offers tailored solutions.

I have long hair. Should I cut my hair ends in September so they’ll look better?

"Coming back from holidays, it’s always better to cut your hair ends, at least slightly. It removes the damaged parts, usually located at the extremities. Hair, during summer, is attacked by UV rays, salt, or chlorine. Cutting ends on long hair allows a better new growth and gives them a healthier look."

I’m coming back from holidays. My hair is rough and coarse, brittle, dry and turning blond because of the sun. How do I fix it?

"Begin by giving your hairdresser a visit for a cut, as with long hair. Then, you’ll need to change your hair care routine to your hair’s state. Change your shampoo, and switch to a dry hair solution. Apply repairing masks, made especially for damaged and very dry hair. It will restructure your hair and your dear hair and yourself will meet again very soon."

I especially like my hair during the summer, because it is less fine than the rest of the year. How can I maintain this state of grace, now that I’m back?

“During summer, hair often have more volume, because of salt, among other things. People with fine hair are saddened to lose their summer hair, when they never had a bad hair day. A good solution to maintain this state of grace, as you’re saying, is to use a salt spray. Its texturing effect strengthens hairs to give you a surfer’s look, without the damaged hair. The result is a very pleasing ‘leaving the beach’ look."

You are now ready to go back to whatever September has in store with perfect hair. The scent of holidays won’t fade so soon.