Summer is tough on brunettes. Whether you color or not, 'tis the season for formerly rich, chocolate-y hues to turn brassy and washed out thanks to leisurely weekends spent at the beach or by the pool.

You might naturally assume that the sun is your color's biggest foe, and yes, those rays do nothing for glossy browns. BUT! Extended time spent in water -- either from swimming or frequent aprés-beach washings -- is worse. (Water swells the hair's cuticle, giving color molecules a chance to slip out.)

Try these summer tips from Lisa Evans, a colorist at Salon Mario Russo in Boston, to keep your color fresh well into fall.

Use a color-sealing shampoo - Such as the new Kiehl's Sunflower Color Preserving Shampoo, which smells like summer peaches and keeps color vibrant. Also look for styling products with added UV filters, like Pureology Nano Glaze blow-dry cream.

Wear a hat - Seriously, this is the best way to protect your color, and there are enough cute hats out there now that you won't look like a dork. Lisa also recommends carrying a sun-preserving product like Kérastase Micro-Voile Protecteur in your beach bag and reapply as often as you do sunscreen.

Get a salon treatment - Lisa says to ask your colorist for a cellophane treatment (also called a gloss or a glaze), which provides a protective top coat that will help keep your color true and counteract brassy tones.