By now, most of us are militant about applying SPF to our faces, as we should be. But SPF isn’t just for preventing premature skin-ageing and damage. Dedicated SPFs for your hair exist and they have myriad benefits, most importantly giving your strands a halo of protection against UV rays.
If your hair is exposed to the sun for prolonged periods of time, it can dry out, break, and your colour can fade more quickly. Add in swimming in chlorinated pools and salt water over the summer and you might even notice an orangey tinge to your carefully coloured locks.
But here to prevent summertime hair damage and rescue dyed ‘dos from colour fade is Vichy's Capital Soleil Cell Protect Oil Spray SPF. It can be applied all over your body if you fancy, and, most importantly to the lengths of your hair, the area most susceptible to fading and breakage.
I’ve been trying it out in the 30-degree heat – here’s everything you need to know about this new heatwave handbag essential.
Vichy Capital Soleil Cell Protect Oil SPF50 at a glance
Pros:
- Strong SPF50 protection
- Silky oil, formulated with nourishing ingredients such as squalene and vitamin E
- Can be applied to the face, body and hair
- Spray format means makes it easy to apply
- Quick absorption and dry to touch
Cons:
- Some may prefer a cream format over oil
Alongside the strong SPF50 factor, which protects against harmful UVA rays, Vichy’s oil is packed with hair-friendly ingredients. Let’s start with squalane, which mimics the skin’s natural oils to keep both skin and hair hydrated and moisturised. There’s also vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects against damaging oxidative stress, which can be brought on my prolonged UV exposure and can leave hair and skin looking dry and feeling brittle.
UV exposure also increases the rate of fading in dyed hair. This is because the rays act as a natural bleach (the days of lemon juice highlights spring to mind) that inhibits natural melanin production and degrades chemical colour molecules, leading to brassiness and fading. Vichy’s spray aims to keep your colour looking good for longer.
My honest verdict
When it comes to beauty products, haircare is my favourite thing to try and write about. But hair SPF is something I’d never even considered until a few weeks ago, when my colleague and co-beauty confidant, Florence Reeves-White, told me it was the latest trending summer beauty buy. Trending doesn't always equate to effective but knowing the proven protective properties of SPF and with the second heatwave of the summer well and truly here, I was keen to give it a go. I’ll try anything to expand the lifespan of freshly dyed hair. If you’re going to spend four hours getting it down, you don’t want it to fade after a couple of weeks.
First up, I love how lightweight the spray is – I was worried it would make my hair greasy, but as I only apply it to the ends, it gives it a rather glossy, smoothing effect instead, as a normal hair oil would. It’s great for slicking hair back with too, but I wouldn’t apply it to my roots if I was wearing my hair down, as there is a slight residue when you spray it beyond the ends. For my scalp, which is a no.1 burn spot for me, I like to pair it with the Garnier Solaire Over Makeup Mist, which is an ultra-lightweight, protective spray that leaves no trace.
I apply the Vichy oil on days when I know I’ll be out in the sun, and I can’t wait to try it out on languid beach days on holiday. It feels immediately nourishing when I apply it to my body, so I can only imagine the good it’s doing for my hair. I've noticed that I don’t need to use my toning shampoo as frequently as I usually do between dyes too, as my colour holds better, despite days spent in the heat.
The final verdict
I don’t leave home without this lightweight spray now. It’s ideal for packing in your suitcase as it’s the ultimate multitasking product, protecting your body, face and hair against harmful UV rays. The silky dry-oil doesn’t leave behind any dreaded white cast or sticky feel either. Instead, it absorbs quickly, shielding your skin and hair.
It’s a simple, one-stop-shop for protection in the heat – made for holidays and good old British heatwaves *spritzes it all over self*.
Madeleine is our Lifestyle Writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and round-ups on the latest beauty Beauty and Health & Wellness products. From skincare to protein powders, Maddie is committed to providing honest and helpful reviews to help guide readers to the best product for them. Maddie has a BA in English Literature and Language, which stemmed from her lifelong interest in reading and writing. She started her post graduate life at Hearst UK within a marketing capacity, which quickly turned into a desire to fulfil a writing career.
When she is not writing about the latest expert reviewed products, you can find her rifling through vintage shops or car boots, reading a print magazine, or capturing portraits on her film camera.
