I’ve just returned from a week in Cornwall. Not the most glamorous holiday destination perhaps (my days lazing on a sun-lounger with a cocktail in my hand are over for a while now I have a 4-month old baby in tow), but certainly an enjoyable one. We stayed in a beautiful house overlooking the beach in Porthtowan and spent our days on the sand and in the surf. I’ve come back feeling more relaxed, with a little colour in my skin – but I have to admit that my hair is really suffering.

The combination of salt water, sunshine, and frequent washes has left my locks sapped of moisture and feeling extra brittle – and I’m guessing I’m not the only one in that boat as August comes to a close. If it sounds familiar and you’d like to join me in injecting life back into your hair, follow my action plan below…

1 – SWAP SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER
Swapping to a moisturising shampoo and conditioner makes a surprising difference to the way my hair feels and looks. I wouldn’t usually use something so heavy as my hair is quite fine, but I always swap over for a few weeks after a holiday to give my locks an intensive shot of moisture. TIGI Bedhead Urban Antidotes 2 Recovery Shampoo, £8.20, and Conditioner, £9.20, are designed to hydrate seriously stressed hair and they really work.

2 – INTRODUCE AN INTENSIVE TREATMENT
I’m usually quite lazy about home hair treatments, opting to let the stylists do the hard work when I visit the salon – but when my hair is desperately needing some tender loving care, it makes sense to make the effort. Schwarzkopf Professional BC Bonacure Repair Rescue Treatment, £5.95, is affordable, but effective. The thick, creamy formula is surprisingly lightweight when it’s applied to hair – and you notice a difference in the condition of hair from the very first use. It smells fabulous too!

3 – USE A DETANGLING SPRAY
When my hair is dry and brittle, it’s more likely to tangle after a wash – but pulling and tugging with a hairbrush isn’t an option, as it will cause the weaker hairs to snap. A detangling spray is therefore an essential component of any post-holiday haircare regime – and my favourite is TIGI Rockaholic Born to Rock Leave in Detangler, £7.10. Investing in a detangling hairbrush is always a good idea too, such as Michel Mercier Detangling Brush for Fine Hair, £14.95, which makes working out knots a doddle.

4 – REST YOUR HEAT STYLERS
Finally, it’s time to step away from the heat stylers… I’m not even blow-drying my hair at the moment, allowing the warmer weather to do the job for me – and I wouldn’t dream of going near the straighteners when my hair is in such bad condition. Giving hair a holiday from heat prevents further damage and allows past damage to heal. If you can’t bear to part with your stylers, however, I strongly advise using a heat protection spray like Sexy Hair Straight Sexy Hair Smooth and Protect, £10.10.

Let us know how you get on!