Ready or not, August is fast evaporating under the blazing sun, nearly forcing us into fall hair mode. Doesn’t help that school bells start ringing soon. Can’t ignore that … Can you tell? I’m not ready.

So, it’s time to start plotting a course for those fall hairstyles and colors. During the summer we are all generally outdoors, in the sun, running, swimming, traveling where the water can be soft, hard, salty or full of who knows what. A good majority of us have done some sort of chemical treatment (maybe two or three) on our hair from highlights to all-over color, perms and straighteners.

All that summer fun can do a lot of damage to your hair, so while you’re flipping through those hair galleries on your phone and wondering what to do next, begin the transition to fall by getting your hair in healthy condition.

Maybe you want to make the move toward a rainbow color, like purple, green or one of the smoky greys. These colors have been trending strong and are here to stay for a while, partly because there is such variety. Or maybe you’ll go for one of the natural colors, like chestnut brown, red or make a move toward a buttery blonde from a bright summer blonde. The blonde shades were very popular last fall and winter. Blonde never went away. Regardless, your hair will take new colors better and keep them longer if your hair is healthy.

Here are some tips for getting your hair into shape:

• Use a clarifying shampoo at least once a week to get rid of the buildup from hard water, dirt, hair products and medications that can leave a residue in your hair.

• Start a weekly deep conditioning routine.

• You may not be ready for the big move, but go to your salon professional for a trim to get rid of all those dried-out, broken and split ends.

New color will take better and have a richer tone in healthy hair. When the hair is damaged or dried out, the color has a harder time staying in the hair which can result in fast fading. The price will be added trips to your stylist to get the color and look that you want.

Create a pre-fall hair routine. Clarify the hair once or twice a month, use a daily conditioner and incorporate a deep conditioner or hair mask at least once a week. On those ‘lounge’ days, let the hair air dry instead of blow drying. Your hair needs a break, too.