7 Tips on How to Protect Your Hair at the Beach ...

1. Ditch the Styling Agents

One of the best ways I can recommend on how to protect your hair at the beach is to rid yourself of gels, hairsprays, and other harsh styling agents while you're on vacation. If you have oily or flat hair, try a little sea salt mist instead, or skip shampooing one or two days. If you have dry hair like I do, double up on the conditioner and use a moisturizing styling lotion instead. I like ones with shea butter or coconut oil to keep my hair shiny, soft and tamed.

2. Condition before You Comb

Never attempt to comb your hair after being out on the beach or after your shower at the beach. Condition before you comb your hair. I like to condition in the shower and when I get out with a non-greasy cream. If your hair is dried out from the ocean air and you try to comb through it before conditioning, you're going to break it off and cause it to look frizzy, frayed and all out of sorts. Condition it, then comb through it and try to let it air dry if you can.

3. Go Natural

When it comes to drying your hair, try to do it naturally by letting it air dry. My favorite trick is to actually wash my hair and put it in a bun with conditioner in it. A few hours later, I take it down, and I have soft, wavy hair that is a little moist, but dry in no time once I take it down. Commercial hair dryers should be a last resort when you're at the beach to save your hair from the extra heat.

4. Use Coconut Oil on Your Tips

Coconut oil is such a great, all- around beauty product. If you think the oil will make your hair oily, think again! It's all in how you use it. Here's my tip: rub about a dime size amount between your hands for a few seconds, and then rub the ends of your hair with your hands. Just sealing your tips can make all the difference, and it won't make your hair oily. Do this before you go out on the beach and after to maintain your pretty strands. If your hair is really dry like mine, you can actually rub your hands through your entire head and not just your ends. This works wonders for my locks and smells great too!

5. Choose the Right Comb

Don't use combs without a rubber tip on the end to protect your hair. I like a special comb made especially for tangled hair by Goody brand. The comb is shaped in a way that prevents it from breaking your hair and the tips are coated so they aren't harsh on your hair. When you're at the beach, this will make all the difference in protecting your hair.

6. Eat Fat

Yes, that's right, you should eat healthy fats to protect your hair at the beach too! Your diet will make or break your hair. Fats condition your hair from the inside out, plus they are great for your metabolism in the correct portions. I like to eat light and easy-to-digest raw fats at the beach, like almonds, avocados, coconut oil in smoothies, shredded coconut in yogurt or in homemade trail-mix, and salads dressed with some olive, flax or hemp oil. Your hair will be soft, manageable and shiny, which is crucial at the beach when the humidity and ocean air dries it out so quickly.

7. Embrace Bobby Pins

I love bobby pins so much that I keep them everywhere. How do they help your hair at the beach? For starters, they don't tear your hair like rubberbands do, and when hair is a little drier at the beach, this is super important. I like to pin mine up into an up-do with bobby pins, such as a chic bun or low pony, and also like using them to keep fly- away strands off my face. They don't tear my hair, are cheap and there are endless styling creations you can make with them.

I've often read tips that you can wear a hair mask out on the beach or wrap your hair up before you go out in the sun, but honestly, I want to look cute and not like I'm in the salon while I'm out on the sand. These tips I've shared with you are easy, and they don't sacrifice your style either. What are your favorite tricks on how to protect your hair at the beach?