It's been a long one. You've spent the summer frolicking in salty sea water, drying off on the sand and extending languorous sun-drenched afternoons, spending way too long in chlorinated pools. However, anyone who knows a good time also knows it comes at a price, this time at the expense of your once healthy hair. Vigilant application of SPF to your face may have distracted you from your tresses, now ravaged, and cleverly hiding under a floppy wide-brimmed straw hat or a groovy silk head scarf.

But summer is winding down. Before you know it, that brittle, dull or perhaps green- tinted chlorine hair is soon to be exposed. Fortunately, psychoPEDIA has done the homework, and consulted Bumble and Bumble stylist Jordan M, to compile the best alternative home-made treatments, natural products and expert styling tips that will restore and rejuvenate even the most weathered manes.

Apparently, kitchen cabinets have all the makings for the age-old hair on the fly fixes. To reap the benefits of mayo, olive oil and eggs, believed to be good for giving hair that little extra conditioning and shine, requires getting over the oddity of running food through your hair. Jordan cautions that the better the quality, the more effective, and recommends pharmaceutical grade oils over grocery store brands. “I don't think these products actually penetrate the hair cuticle, which is what's necessary for a good deep treatment. These are more likely topical. But the bottom line is, if it works for you, great. Do it everyday!" he continues. "People have all sorts of weird remedies. I've even heard of using lamb placenta in your hair."

A little less exotic but maybe more effective, are good old-fashioned hot oil treatments. They'll repair brittle, over-processed hair, and split ends, but leave the V05 in the 80's and opt for an organic botanical blend. Remember to heat the oil and keep the head warm with a towel or plastic wrap. Heat opens the follicles so the oil can penetrate deeper. Cold water closes the follicle. After rinsing everything out, rinse again with a blast of very cold water. This will make hair super shiny. Another natural alternative you can find in the fridge is ripened fruit, which can increase flexibility and shine. Mash up fresh mango, banana or avocado, rub it in your hair, wrap a warm towel around your head and let it sit for 30 minutes. For restorative and preventative measures, Jordan says, "Run that extra sun tan lotion or shea butter through your hair." Shea butter has a mild natural sunscreen, approximately SPF 6. Then, après sun, shampoo with rush nut oil.

There are even home-made remedies to eradicate chlorine-induced green hair or simply get the nasty stuff out of your mane. "Dissolve Alka- Seltzer tabs in water and rinse it through your hair. White vinegar also works great and I just heard of someone using ketchup, which actually makes sense - the green cancels out the red.” Explains Jordan. To prevent chlorine damage, comb shea butter through your hair before you swim. This will protect hair from soaking up damaging chemicals. Not everyone seems to mind the chlorine though. Jordan smirks while running his hands through his hair, saying, "After a good morning swim on the Lower East side, I'm all set for the day."

Jordan's other unconventional summer time styling product is abundant and absolutely free. "The Atlantic Ocean," he says and points east. "I love salt water in my hair. For some reason it's even better than the Pacific- and I'm from the West Coast. Maybe there's more salt in the Atlantic- it's almost sticky." If you're looking for something edgier, try beer for volume or Reed's ginger ale - the sugar creates a bond perfect for texture and hold. Jordan's latest easy chic Summer trick takes very little work. "I'm really into the braids this year. Not so much the Princess Leia/Williamsburg braid, but the kind where you just have your friend split your hair down the back and you do the rest," he says.

And, lest we forget the all-time favorite summer classic: ."Spray lemon juice in your hair before you go out in the sun. It will definitely lighten it and the acid will give it some texture," he says, which always helps with styling.

If all that's a little too crunchy or DIY, try these professional hair care products made of naturally derived ingredients, all sure to get your hair back on the road to recovery. Bear in mind the importance of prevention, repair and smart styling.

PREVENTION
Phyto Plage Protective Sun Veil
Finally, sun block for hair. This oil- free formula contains a UV filter that forms a protective screen. The veil shields hair against the drying effects of the sun, wind, salt and chlorine.
David Babaii for WildAid Hair Polish
A leave-in styling treatment to repair, mend, nourish, strengthen, de- frizz and shine each strand of hair. Loaded with ingredients such as Nettle, Orchid, Oat, Cucumber and White Ginger to strengthen, Shea and Capuacu butter to moisturize, and Coconut Oil to mend.
Bumble and Bumble Leave-in Conditioner
A perfect styling aid to moisturize, de-tame frizz and& soften without weighing hair down.
Bumble and Bumble - Tonic Lotion
A blend of herbs, vitamins & Tea Tree Oil detangles and moisturizes. A great prep for styling - or not.

REPAIR
Dr. Hauschka - Neem Hair Oil
An intensive hair and scalp treatment infused with Rosemary essential oil repairs damaged hair, restores healthy sheen and stimulates scalp circulation.
John Masters Organics - Lavender and Avocado Intensive Conditioner
A combination of lavender & avocado oils and vitamin B5 creates an intensive moisturizer. Over a dozen plant extracts and essential oils strengthen the hair shaft and increase manageability.
Masters Organics - Honey and Hibiscus Hair Reconstructor
Linoleic and hyaluronic acids help to reconstruct damaged hair. Honey and hibiscus extracts give it an amazing scent.
Amikole's Hair Butter
Scented with Rosemary, Lavender and Bergamot essential oils, this dressing stimulates hair growth and can be used to repair dry hair and scalp.
Aubrey Organics - White Camellia Oil Smoothing Emollient
Hand-harvested from Japan, this oil can be used for dry skin, hair and scalp. Heat for an organic hot oil treatment.

STYLING
Aubrey Organics - White Camellia and Jasmine Shine Conditioner Spray
Spray-on formula doubles as a conditioner and styling spray for dry, lifeless hair. Use after and in-between shampoos to add softness and manageability with herbal gums and vitamin B-5.
Bumble and Bumble - Defrizz
This magical formula protects against frizz, acts as a barrier to humidity and leaves hair soft, silky and fly-away free.
David Babaii for WildAid - Bohemian Beach Spray
Take the ocean wherever you go: sea salt from the Dead Sea adds texture, and mineral-rich volcanic ash from the Vanuatu Islands enhances volume. This spray creates different textures on wet or dry hair. Take the ocean wherever you go.
John Masters Organics - Dry Hair Nourishment and Defrizzer
Just a few drops of this 100% pure plant and essential- oils blend to protect, moisturize and restore hair. Leave in, to tame dry or frizzy locks.

~Lisa Germinsky