How to Get Surfer Girl Hair

With search engines leading people who are trying to get “Surfer Girl Hair” to my article essentially detailing how to avoid it (“Secret Hair Tips for the Surfer Girl”), I decided I might as well publish my own recipe for the look. Likely a “How To” appeared on some trendy web site inflicting fads on experimental youth. Surfer Girls whose hair turns dry and brittle from the daily effects of salt and sun may not understand those who want to purposefully put their hair through such abuse. And similarly, like the new tanning salon that opened up in our little Hawai’i town, I would find it absurd for anyone who has sun/ocean access to try to capitalize on one piece of the puzzle, like “the look” instead of simply going for the whole the experience and the multitude of benefits one can experience surfing, swimming, etc. But I do have sympathy for those who simply can’t get the look the natural way, and I’d do anything to help you avoid harsh bleaches and chemical hair coloring products!

Naturally, my hair is so dark brown it’s almost black, but as a surfer it lightens up with highlights that go all the way to bright blonde (as opposed to lemon juice it seems to skip the icky orangy phase). It’s the combination of the salt and sun that creates the look. Ocean water is on average 3.5% salt - though salinity is effected by evaporation, precipitation and ground water or river water entering into it. I know the more salty and sunny the surf spot, the quicker my hair fries. On the East side of Hawai’i Island, where there are many river mouth breaks and more rain and clouds to block the sun, the condition of my hair doesn’t get quite so bad. On the West side though, with less fresh water and more sun, I can get “Surfer Girl Hair” in just a few sessions.

Ingredients (approximate):

* Sea Salt - 1-2 heaping tablespoons

* Water - 2 cups

* Oil (olive or coconut or whatever you have lying around)

Heat water on stove. Pour in salt and stir. Turn off heat, let cool to warm. Rinse hair in warm/hot water in shower. After shampoo -do not use conditioner- pour solution over hair. Do not rinse; towel dry. If you have curly or slightly thick or dry hair that can handle some oil, put roughly one tablespoon of the oil into your palm, rub hands together, then cover outer layer of hair (avoid bangs or you’ll get zit-faced). Oil attracts sun rays and holds in heat and helps cook it better.

If you don’t have access to a xenon lamp (ehem), simply go out in the sun (do not put hair in a rubber band if you can avoid it). Even if it’s overcast, some rays that provide general light are coming through - but try to get as much sun as you can. Though it may take longer than your average Hawai’i surfer girl, you should see the effects. If you are going to be lying out in the sun at all (wear sunscreen), then do something so your hair is splayed out as much as possible. The hair that dries fastest and gets the most exposure seems to be the hair that bleaches out the most. And after it dries, wet hair again with a spray bottle that contains some salt water mix. Stop once you get the streaks/highlights you want and invest in some good conditioners. Also, we recommend adding some omega/flax oils to your diet, which seems to help keep hair flaxen!

There are also a bunch of products that have come on the market recently, which can add to the look. We recommend Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray, which is designed to give you that “sexy, salty, wind-styled texture”. No dough? Use conditioner mixed with a few drops of jojoba or coconut or other oil you happen to have. Plus, if you simply don’t wash your hair too often and let it get a little gunky, throw in a dash of sand, stick your head out the car window… be creative… you can find your own methods of achieving your own carefree surfer look.

So, that’s it. But hey, if you ever decide to cruise Hawai’i to charge some waves and get the natural surfer girl style… give us a buzz!