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Fixing botched fake tan with baking soda, using potatoes for a home pedicure and washing in tomato juice to cure chlorinated hair are just some of the summer tips and tricks you NEED to know. The experts at online hair and beauty retailer Hairtrade.com have come up with their 15 hacks to protect your hair from the sun and keep makeup lasting through the heat.

 1. Fix Uneven Fake Tan With Baking Soda

If you’re staying away from the sunshine this summer and opting for a false glow instead, fix any fake tan botches with baking soda. Simply apply some baking soda on a loofah with warm water, and exfoliate to get rid of any patchiness.

2. Use a Potato to Pedicure

Get your feet flip-flop ready by giving yourself a home pedicure. To exfoliate the skin, cut a potato in half and coat in sea salt. Then, begin by rubbing along the bottom and sides of your feet for an instant exfoliator.

3. Make Your Eye Shadows Suitcase-Friendly

Place a cotton pad in-between your blush and bronzer compacts to prevent them from shattering in your suitcase. Your expensive beauty products will thank you for this hack.

4. Prevent Hair From Fading by Using Vinegar

Sun and salt water may be great for our skin and hair, but if your hair is coloured, it can encourage fading. Half a cup of apple cider vinegar is a great natural remedy to help brighten up your locks. Simply add the vinegar to a spritz bottle and spray all over the hair before leaving it in for about 10 minutes, then rinse out.

5. Make Coconut Oil Your New BFF

Coconut oil is a multi purpose product that is great to use as moisturiser, conditioner, serum and cuticle oil. Pack into a small travel bottle and take away with you on holiday to keep your skin hydrated. Coconut oil is also great to use to fight summer frizz. Simply dab some on your fingers and lightly apply onto your hair for a quick fix.

6. Use Tomato Juice to Keep Blonde Hair Bright

Chlorine can certainly damage your hair, especially if you’re blonde or have highlights. It can also add an awful greenish tinge.

To protect your colour, coat your hair in leave-in conditioner or sesame oil before swimming. Always remember to rinse your hair after getting out the pool and wash in cold water to boost shine.

For a post-swim remedy, coat your hair and your scalp in tomato juice for 5-10 minutes before washing with shampoo and conditioner. This will help fade the greenish hue if you have one.

7. Give Your Legs a Summer Glow

If you want to give a glow to your tanned legs, try adding a sprinkle of copper or gold eye shadow or bronzer to your moisturiser.

8. Put Your Nail Polishes in the Fridge

High temperatures can cause nail polish to turn thick and gloopy. Keeping it in a cool place like the fridge can extend your nail varnishes shelf life and make it smooth and easy to apply.

9. Repair Dry Hair With an Avocado Mask

Chlorine and beaches can take the moisture out of your hair, leaving it feeling dry and strand-like. A homemade moisturising hair mask can resurrect your hair in summer.

Simply crush one whole avocado with a quarter of a cup of olive oil and one tablespoon of lemon juice. Mix it together and apply onto the hair, then leave it in for 20 minutes before rinsing.

10. Say Goodbye to Foundation and Hello to BB Cream

When the weather heats up, opt for a BB cream instead of foundation. BB cream acts as a tinted moisturiser, which means that you’ll still get some coverage but it won’t melt off your skin. If you have blemishes go for a BB cream, but if you’re looking to colour correct, go for a CC cream.

11. Make Aloe Vera Ice Cubes to Treat Sunburn

If you get too much sun, freeze Aloe Vera into ice cube trays. This will feel amazing on your burnt skin and it will help your skin heal.

12. Get Yourself Some Baby Powder

Baby powder isn’t just for little ones; it can be used as a cheaper alternative to dry shampoo and can also remove wet sand from the skin, making it perfect to stash away in your beach bag.

13. Use Deodorant to Sweat-Proof your Hair

Besides being a necessity for your underarms, a swipe or spritz of deodorant on the back of your neck will keep you feeling cool in high temperatures, as well as preventing hair from sticking to the skin.

14. Shave Less With a Home Remedy

The summer sun comes with more exposure, which means having to shave more. If you’re looking to skip a couple of days of shaving, try mixing sugar, lemon and water, a remedy that is supposed to slow down hair growth.

15. Take Multi-Purpose Items on Holiday

If you’re travelling with weight-restricted suitcases, take items that can double up. Bronzer makes a great eye shadow transition shade, mascara can also double up as eyeliner and lipstick can be a blush.

Danielle Mead