Late summer hair and skin survival tips

In the Nick of Time for Color-Treated or Damaged Hair:

Minimize sun and salt water damage to color treated hair by slathering on a deep-conditioner like Aesop's Rose Hair Masque and leaving on during the day. Normally used as a rinse out treatment, a high-protein product will act as a barrier between hair and the elements when applied after a morning shower and rinsed out at night. Ideal in resort situations when you wear your hair in a pony anyway.

Our solution to reducing the damage caused to hair by daily blow-drying is to replace your regular dryer with a diffuser. A diffuser creates gentle heat rather than bursts of hot air. After shampooing, comb hair gently into shape and wrap with a clean, dry towel. Let towel soak up moisture for at least ten minutes.

Hairstyling Tip:

To remove that 'too clean' feel from freshly washed hair that won't bend into form, rub a little volumizing cream like Aesop Wild Lime Hair Polish into the hair. Finishing products provides the hair with a wonderfully pliable texture enabling you to 'fix' it into a plethora of shapes.

Dry or Dehydrated Body Skin:

Dehydrated skin stripped of essential moisture from swimming in salt and chlorinated water must be immediately rinsed and lightly cleansed with a gentle, moisturizing, non-deodorant soap or gel, like Aesop's Rind Bath and Shower Therapy. Follow with a deeply emollient body soother like Rind Aromatique Oil containing botanical extracts of grapefruit, lemon and orange, which help rehydrate scorched skin.

Oily Skin:

For faces that suffer from excess oiliness in the warmer, humid weather, try keeping an alcohol-free toning mist like Aesop's Facial Shower on hand. A light spritz will refresh the face, set make-up, and gently scent skin. Keep refrigerated in hot weather for a wonderfully soothing effect. Good news for open pores and oily T-zones that require deep-cleansing: a clay-based drying masque like Aesop's new, improved Primrose, Geranium and Sage Cleansing Face Masque. After rinsing, apply an oil-free gel moisturizer.

Puffy Eyes:

To reduce puffiness around the eyes, pour leftover chamomile tea into an ice tray and freeze. After a late night when skin looks fatigued, wrap a couple of these chamomile ice cubes in a face cloth and press gently around closed eyes for a few minutes.

Summer Travel Fatigue:

On the road, on the high seas, or in the air, combat travel fatigue and motion sickness with ginger. Either sips ginger tea from teabags you have brought; or transfer fresh ginger slices from a Ziploc bag into hot tea; or dab Aesop's compact Ginger Flight Therapy Rolette onto pulse points. It will help settle the stomach and ease headaches.

Special Treat:

Reward yourself mentally and physically this summer by scheduling a month's worth of one-hour weekly massages. Ask your masseur to concentrate on a different part of the body each week, i.e.: neck and back, head and feet, face and chest. The final week, finish with an indulgent, intensive two-hour session. For best results, loosen your body first with a light workout and follow your massage with a steaming shower to open pores and allow nourishing penetration of an aromatique oil blend. One summer favorite: Aesop's citrus-smelling Revive Aromatique Oil with extracts of wild lime, lemon rind and pink grapefruit.