By
Arielle Avila,
a writer at the Strategist covering wardrobe basics and personal care.
She joined the Strategist in 2020 as a junior writer. Previously, she wrote about style at Texas Monthly.
When I moved to Los Angeles, I knew I’d be out in the sun more, but I didn’t anticipate all the ways it would affect my beauty routine. I now have UPF tops in my wardrobe; SPF is an essential in my lip balms; and I’ve become a reluctant hat person. My hair has gotten more brittle, frizzier, and somewhat lighter as a reaction to getting much more sun. I assumed this was a result from being outdoors more, and when I started reporting on this story, my hunch was confirmed. “The biggest sign of UV damage comes from your hair starting to feel rough and dry,” cosmetic chemist Valerie George told me. “You may notice more breakage or that your hair takes longer to blow-dry because it gets wet more easily.”
