Summer Hair Care with Sydney’s Top Hair Colourist

Summer is here, and while the sun, sand, and sea are calling, they can take a toll on your hair. To help you keep your locks looking their best, we spoke with Monique McMahon, one of Australia’s most sought-after colourists and founder of the iconic Sydney salon QUE Colour. 

Come along as Monique shares her essential summer hair care tips along with her trusted products to ensure your tresses stay stunning all season long.

1. What are your top three tips for keeping hair healthy and hydrated during summer?

Monique:

1. Non-negotiable is putting a hydrating cream or oil, such as the Night Recovery Monoi Oil, through your hair before swimming. This will make the biggest difference to your hair colour and the integrity of your hair over summer.

2. Swap to a hydrating shampoo and mask, as this is the time of year when hair is most dehydrated by the elements. Christophe Robin’s Hydrating Shampoo and Melting Mask are fantastic for the job.

If you're fighting humidity and frizz, especially in Australia, choose a leave-in hydrating cream like Christophe Robin’s Hydrating Leave-In Cream with Aloe Vera as your product of the summer so you don't get any unruly flyaways and avoid tangles.

2. How does the sun affect our hair, and what products or techniques do you recommend to protect it from UV damage?

Monique: The sun acts like a natural bleach on your hair. Just as it can burn our skin, the sun can alter our hair colour, causing drying, brittleness, colour fade, and oxidation.

1. A simple one is to wear a hat, if you remember!
2. I recommend a double-up though, so if you can, use a hydrating cream or oil in your hair before going in the sun—that's the easiest method of guaranteeing protection.
3. Another is to amp up your at-home colour-boosting treatments like Christophe Robin's iconic Shade Variation Masks, which will help to keep your colour vibrant and hair nourished before you can make it back to the salon.

3. What’s the best way to manage frizz and humidity-induced flyaways during hot weather?

Monique: Use a hydrating cream or mist like Christophe Robin’s Hydrating Mist with Aloe Vera to de-puff and smooth the frizziness.

4. How should we care for our hair after swimming in chlorine or saltwater?

Monique:

1. Opt for a detoxifying or deep-cleansing shampoo like Christophe Robin's Colour Shield Cleansing Mask. This is important after chlorine or salt to rinse any residue from your hair and scalp.
2. Always double shampoo after swimming. Choose an SLS-free or low-foam shampoo—it’s gentler on your hair and better for the planet.
3. And of course, to counteract the detox shampoo, opt for the most luxe mask you can to replenish your hair afterward. We can't go past Christophe Robin's Regenerating Mask with Prickly Pear Oil. Use a wide-tooth comb to distribute the mask from roots to tips (don't use a brush as wet hair is super fragile and is more likely to split and break if you do).

5. Do you have any advice for styling hair without causing damage from heat tools in the summer heat?

Monique: Heat protectant! And air dry if you can—use heatless curlers rather than hot tools. If you have to style, I recommend blow drying, not straightening tools.
Christophe Robin’s Regenerating Serum is great, protecting from heat up to 110℃ and no silicone.

6. How important is scalp care in summer, and what products or techniques do you recommend?

Monique: Scalp health is important all year round. If you're having an SOS moment, reach for the Purifying Scrub to reset your scalp—or the Hydrating Cream Scrub as a leave-in treatment for the scalp. The prebiotic action gently exfoliates the scalp, and aloe vera rehydrates the skin.

7. Which ingredients or products are must-haves for keeping hair hydrated and soft during the summer months?

Monique: Look for ingredients like aloe vera, monoi, flaxseed oil, and white lotus. Aloe is incredible for boosting hydration and soothing sunburned scalps!

Christophe Robin’s Night Recovery cream is a weekly go-to that I recommend all of my clients use during the summer—apply before going to the beach or leave it overnight for soft, shiny hair.

8. How can we keep colour-treated hair vibrant and prevent fading in the sun?

Monique:

1. Comb through a hydrating cream or heat protectant before you hit the beach. 
2. Wear a hat if you remember.
3. Use a colour-protecting shampoo and mask to keep your colour from fading. 

Red hair is super prone to colour fade, so make sure you cover it up. Christophe's new Shade Variation Shampoo and Conditioner will be your blonde's new BF this summer—it’s enriched with iris flower and almond butter for new-generation blonde care that nourishes, tones, and leaves hair feeling soft and supple.

9. What are your go-to hairstyles for summer that are low-maintenance yet stylish?

Monique: Absolutely the Air Dry—summer is the time to embrace your natural texture. This is your moment to rock it, I don't care what anyone else thinks! Leave the house with wet hair—who cares? We love a wet hair look—use Christophe Robin's Curl Reactivating Mist. It leaves a sexy wet-look film on the hair while also hydrating it and amplifying your texture.

Another hack we love is a vintage Hermès carré moment with a silk scarf—honestly, anything that means not putting heat on your hair in summer. And of course, there's the French hair pin trend. Stay cool, throw your hair back, and use the French pin to create a chic upstyle.

10. What are your must-have travel-sized hair care products for summer vacations?

Monique:

• Regenerating Mask – This luxurious essential is a non-negotiable for me, now in a handy 75ml size too.

• Purifying Scrub – Your answer to scalp health in a cute 75ml-sized pot.

• Cleansing Volumising Treatment – For my fine-haired girls, the 75ml size will see you through the summer and beyond.

With these summer hair care tips from Monique McMahon, you’ll be ready to embrace the season with confidence. 

For more expert advice and inspiration, follow Monique on Instagram @moniquemcmahoncolour and TikTok @quecolour.