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How to Prep Your Hair Before (and After) a Day on the Poudre River

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 19:49:26 GMT

How to Prep Your Hair Before (and After) a Day on the Poudre River

The Cache la Poudre River is one of Fort Collins' crown jewels — a designated Wild and Scenic River where locals go whitewater rafting, tubing, and fly fishing all summer long. But while a day on the Poudre is good for the soul, it can be rough on your hair. Between the river water, sun exposure, and wind, your strands take a beating.

Here's how to protect and recover your hair before and after a river day — straight from the stylists at Salon Salon.

Before You Go: Pre-Treat and Protect

Apply a leave-in conditioner or protective oil to your hair before you hit the water. This creates a barrier that helps prevent river minerals and chlorine (if any is present) from penetrating your hair shaft. Wet your hair with clean water before you jump in — saturated hair absorbs less of whatever it contacts. Braid or bun your hair to minimize tangling in the current. Apply a UV-protectant product to guard against color fading and sun damage.

After the River: Recovery Routine

Rinse your hair thoroughly with clean, cool water as soon as possible after getting out. Use a clarifying shampoo once a week during river season to remove mineral buildup. Follow with a deep conditioning mask — Colorado's dry air pulls moisture from your strands fast. Detangle gently with a wide-tooth comb starting from the ends and working up. If your color looks brassy or dull after a summer of river days, come see us for a gloss or toning treatment.

When to See a Stylist

Extended sun and water exposure can cause real cumulative damage over a summer season — dryness, breakage, and color fading are all common. We recommend scheduling a mid-summer treatment appointment (a deep conditioning service or Olaplex treatment) to restore integrity to your strands before the fall season.

The Poudre River is too good to skip — so plan ahead, protect your hair, and let Salon Salon keep your strands healthy all season long.

�� Raft all summer and still have gorgeous hair. Book a hydration treatment or color refresh at Salon Salon in Fort Collins!

5 Hairstyles Perfect for Fort Collins' Wind and Weather

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 19:49:24 GMT

5 Hairstyles Perfect for Fort Collins' Wind and Weather

If you live in Fort Collins, you already know: the wind is a real thing. From the infamous Chinook winds that barrel down the Front Range in the spring to the brisk fall gusts along the Poudre River Trail, your hair needs to be ready for anything — and still look great when you walk into a meeting on College Avenue.

The good news? There are plenty of stylish, practical cuts and styling strategies that let you live your best Colorado life without fighting your hair every morning.

The Lob (Long Bob)

The lob is Fort Collins-proof. It's long enough for a quick ponytail when the wind picks up near Fossil Creek Park, but short enough to air-dry beautifully without turning into a tangled mess. It works with straight, wavy, and curly textures — and our stylists can customize the cut with layers to suit your face shape and lifestyle.

Textured Pixie Cut

For low-maintenance lovers, a textured pixie is basically wind-resistant by design. There's no length to get blown around. A little texture paste and you're out the door — ready for a morning run on the Spring Creek Trail or a busy day at CSU.

Beachy Waves with Anti-Humidity Products

Love longer hair? Embrace it — but work smarter. Beachy, tousled waves actually look better with a little wind movement. Prep with a salt spray or curl-enhancing mousse, and finish with a light anti-humidity serum. When the Chinooks hit, your hair will look intentionally effortless.

Braids and Updos

Protective styles like braids, French twists, and half-up styles are lifesavers in Fort Collins' weather. They also photograph beautifully if you're heading to one of the outdoor festivals on Civic Center Park or hiking the Devil's Backbone with friends.

The Shag Cut

Shag haircuts are having a major moment — and for good reason. The built-in layers and movement of a shag actually play well with Colorado wind. It's the kind of cut that's supposed to look a little undone, so even on a gusty day along the Poudre River, you're still serving looks.

At Salon Salon, our stylists specialize in finding the perfect cut for your unique hair texture, lifestyle, and Fort Collins weather reality. Come in for a consultation and let us help you find your perfect match.

�� Stop fighting the wind — let Salon Salon give you a cut that works for your Fort Collins lifestyle. Book your consultation today!

The Best Hair Colors to Rock at Horsetooth Reservoir This Summer

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 19:49:21 GMT

The Best Hair Colors to Rock at Horsetooth Reservoir This Summer

Fort Collins summers are legendary — and nowhere is that more true than at Horsetooth Reservoir, where locals kayak, hike the dam trail, and soak up Colorado sunshine for months on end. If you're spending weekends out on the water or exploring the surrounding trails, your hair deserves to shine just as bright as the scenery.

This summer, the biggest hair color trends are all about sun-kissed dimension: think warm honey balayage, copper-toned highlights, and beachy blonde that looks effortless whether you're paddleboarding the reservoir or grabbing a patio drink in Old Town afterward.

Why These Colors Work for Fort Collins Summers

Fort Collins sits at over 5,000 feet elevation, meaning UV rays are stronger here than in most of the country. The right color technique actually works with the sun rather than against it. Balayage and hand-painted highlights, for example, grow out beautifully — so even as the season progresses, your color stays intentional and polished.

Our color specialists at Salon Salon love using techniques like babylights and toning glosses to give clients that luminous, vacation-hair look without the damage. Whether you're naturally brunette and dreaming of warm caramel tones, or you're a blonde who wants to amp up the brightness before the Horsetooth season kicks off, we have a formula for you.

Pro Tips for Color-Treated Hair in Colorado

Colorado's dry climate and high altitude are tough on color-treated hair. Here's what our stylists recommend to keep your color vibrant all summer long: Use a UV-protectant hair serum or SPF spray before outdoor activities. Rinse hair with cool water after swimming — hot water opens the cuticle and strips pigment. Invest in a purple or blue shampoo if you're maintaining blonde or cool-toned color. Come in for a gloss refresh every 6–8 weeks to maintain tone and shine.

Whether you're a Horsetooth regular or just planning your first summer hike up Soderberg Trail, Salon Salon is ready to give you the color that matches your Colorado summer energy.

�� Ready to glow this summer? Book your color appointment at Salon Salon in Fort Collins — call us or book online today!