Hot Asian Summers? Hairstylist to the Queens Alexandul’s Hair Tips Will Save You

Southeast Asia is no stranger to the extremes—typhoons, traffic, and all—but nothing quite fries your patience (and your hair) like the relentless summer sun. Luckily, salvation arrived in the form of Alexandul, Thailand’s hair whisperer and full-time miracle worker. Flown in by TRESemmé for a Pro Class, Alexandul came ready to teach Manila’s rising hair stars (and you) tips on how to survive the sun with expert care, insider color recommendations, and other tips only a true hair master can deliver.

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Flat or Frizzy? Here’s What to Do

Filipinas often find their hair falling into two camps: thin and flat, or thick and frizzy. Alexandul reveals that Pinays share the same hair types as the Thais.

“For flat hair, I often take the oil out with a product. After that, I do a blowout to make it appear higher and achieve more volume.” To make that volume last, he adds: “Before you blow it out, it has to be supported by a dry shampoo, applied under, to keep it stronger.”

Thick hair, however, is the stubborn sibling, holding shape longer but demanding intense care from the get-go. “Thick hair, for me, is easier to manage, but the volume can be too much,” he shared. “So, it’s about knowing how to take care of it from the start. From brushing it to blowing it out, you have to prepare your hair before starting.”

How to Fight Dry and Dull-Looking Tresses

The hair expert has styled a long line of beauty queens like Catriona Gray and Pia Wurtzbach. The damage? Almost inevitable. Alexandul’s remedy? Shine. “When we are on the stage, you have to make it look more beautiful,” he says. “For me, I always make it shine. When the hair shines, it’s the definition of health.” Put some hair serum, he advises. 

As for battling the region’s notorious humidity, Alexandul embraces the mess: “I suggest you go for an ‘undone hair’ style. It’s not the odd-looking type, but more cool, more fashion.” It’s a woke-up-like-this look that turns humidity from enemy to friend.

Summer’s Made for Bright Hair

When it comes to color, you might expect Alexandul to warn against going bigger and brighter for the sake of hair health. But instead, he’s all for taking the plunge.

“In Thailand, a lot go for bright hair in the summer, like blonde, red, and pink,” he shared. “Here in the Philippines, you can do the same and try something new. Express yourself through your hair, and your hair can tell a story about who you are.”

His personal dare? Go bright or go home. “Blonde is nice! You can try it once in your life. Maybe you can learn to love it.” It becomes all the more appealing with TRESemmé’s latest Color Vibrancy System. Tried, tested, and expert-approved, the products above tone brassiness, protect from chemical damage, and keep your hair looking bold instead of busted.

Protect Your Hair Like Skin

Sun, salt, and sweat are the triple threat of tropical vacations. So what’s his first non-negotiable? Heat protection.

“You need products that provide heat protection,” he began. “The same way you use sunscreen for the face, your hair needs it, too.”

And don’t forget the recovery: “After you wash it, it’s not always going to be smooth. You need some time to go for a treatment each week. It helps.”

Only someone fluent in the double language of hair science and Southeast Asian hair woes can truly school you on beating summer’s relentless heat, so bookmark this wisdom and consider your hair officially equipped for the rest of the summer.

To learn more expert haircare and hairstyling tips, stay tuned for future TRESemmé’s Pro Classes.

Featured Image and Photos: ALEXANDUL (via Instagram) and ALEXIS DAVE CO