Festival Season Hair: How to Keep It Cute (and Protected) All Summer Long

Good hair, good vibes, and festival sunsets.

Festival season is officially here—kicked off in full force by Sueños this past weekend! Whether you're dancing in Grant Park or vibing at neighborhood block parties, Chicago’s summer lineup is packed with events that call for fun, photo-ready hair. But with all the sun, sweat, and styling, how do you keep your hair looking fresh and feeling healthy?

Allen’s got you covered. Here are some tips to keep your hair cute, protected, and low-maintenance all season long:

1. Go for a Style That Can Handle the Heat

Braids, space buns, or half-up styles are festival favorites for a reason—they stay put while you dance and keep your hair off your face.

Allen’s rec: Try a bubble braid or low double buns with texture spray to keep things secure but soft. He loves Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray for grip without crunch.

2. Hydrate, Don’t Fry

The sun, sweat, and product buildup can leave hair dry and stressed. Use a leave-in conditioner or UV-protectant spray before heading out. Think of it as sunscreen for your strands.

Allen’s rec: Oribe Invisible Defense Universal Protection Spray—lightweight, hydrating, and packed with UV and heat protection without weighing your hair down.

3. Color Care Is Self Care

If you’ve recently gone lighter or refreshed your color, take extra steps to protect it from fading. Hats, scarves, or UV-blocking hair products are your best friends. And when in doubt—book a gloss refresh post-festival to revive shine and tone.

Allen’s rec: Use a color-safe shampoo and conditioner like Kerastase Chroma Absolu, and don’t sleep on a quick gloss after long sun exposure.

4. Extensions? Keep Them Fresh

Wearing extensions or hand-tied wefts? Be mindful of tangling and sweat. A loose braid at night or a silk scarf can help prevent friction while you recover from a long day of dancing.

Allen’s rec: Invisibobble ties for low-pressure ponytails or braids, and a silk pillowcase or scarf at night to reduce stress on your wefts.

5. When In Doubt, Book a Post-Festival Reset

Festivals can take a toll on your hair. If your curls feel dry or your ends need love, a conditioning treatment, trim, or gloss can help you reset before the next big weekend.

Allen’s rec: Book a deep conditioning mask and gloss combo to revive softness and shine—and take a second to breathe before the next RSVP.

Ready for Your Summer Hair Era?

Book a session with Allen at Thomas West Salon to get festival-ready—or bounce back after a weekend of sun and sound. Whether it’s a fresh cut, color refresh, or deep conditioning, he’s got the tools to keep your hair looking as good as your Instagram feed.

Or Call to book at 312.670.2270

Love the Allen’s Recs? Grab It at Thomas West