Thoughts of summer may conjure up glorious dreams of natural honey highlights and beautiful surfer chick waves. But in reality, high humidity can cause frizz, and the heat of the summer sun can do irreparable damage to your crowning glory.

To ensure that your hair stays manageable, glossy and healthy this summer, just follow our top tips:

• Give your hair a break. Sunshine can dry out your hair, so try washing it a little less often to avoid stripping out its natural oils. If you can, opt for an easier style that can dry naturally and give your hair a breather from hairdryers, hot curlers and straightening irons.

• Try a hair mask to give parched summer locks a moisture injection. Smooth it over your hair after shampooing and leave for 5-10 minutes for super-silky results. You can get them in most supermarkets, or why not make your own? Mix together 3 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of honey. Massage it into your hair, wrap it in a towel or shower cap and leave for 15 minutes before shampooing.

• Use a sunscreen on your hair to prevent hair damage and colour fade. Many people don't realise that hair can get sunburned just like the scalp. The only way to deal with severely burnt hair is by trimming away damaged sections. Not ideal for your summer hairstyle! You can buy special sunscreen for your hair, but if you don’t have any to hand, just run your skin sunscreen through your locks and secure with a soft grip, or if it's long, pull it back into a ponytail or chic chignon. Shampoo well afterwards to avoid build-up.

• Quit smoking to rejuvenate your locks*. Cigarette smoke can make your hair look dull, so going smokefree could help give you back a natural, healthy shine. And without smoke, your hair will smell fresher too.

• Wet your hair with tap water before you swim in the sea or in chlorinated water. If your hair is wet before you go in to swim, the less salt water and chlorine it will absorb. Even better, why not wear a retro bathing cap - think how good Keira Knightley looked in 1930s style bathing gear in 'Atonement'.

* If you would like to find out more about going smokefree and the free support that is available, visit the NHS Smokefree website or call one of the freephone helplines:

NHS Smoking Helpline: 0800 169 0 169
NHS Pregnancy Smoking Helpline: 0800 169 9 169