Don’t get me wrong, I love the summertime—and not just because it’s Leo season—but the oppressive heat, suffocating humidity, and the persistent sweat can ruin the vibe. And by ‘the vibe’ I mean your hair. There’s nothing more annoying than putting a significant amount of time and effort into a hairstyle only to have it deflate just a few minutes after you step into the elements. However, not all hope is lost. The key is to beating the heat is finding a summer hairstyle that’s practical yet stylish. Ahead, we've rounded up our favorite hairstyles for summer along with styling tips from experts Glenn Ellis and Kieron Justin.
Air-Dried Hair
Photo: Instagram/@kathleen_hair
Opt for a hairstyle that works with summer humidity rather than against it. “Air-dried hair is a super popular way to spice up your look with minimal effort,” says Ellis. For added texture, hit your hair with a curling wand while you’re in between washes, spritz on sea salt spray, then scrunch up your hair for added volume.
Cornrows
Photo: Instagram/@lacyredway
“For summer, I predict that there are going to be a lot of braids,” says Ellis. While they’re not the fastest style to get done, cornrows are a low-maintenance and cute way to keep your hair off your neck all summer long.
Loose Crimped Hair
Photo: Instagram/@kendalljenner
Don’t stress about keeping your hair straight and flat this summer. Here’s a rule of thumb for you: the less styled, the better. Crimp your hair, blast it with hairspray to lock in the waves, then rake your fingers through them for soft, piece-y texture.
Blunt Bob
Photo: Instagram/@tylnnnguyen
A sharp, blunt bob can be scary but there’s a reason why it’s a go-to hairstyle. “The cut brings versatility as it can be worn natural, straight, textured, tousled or glam,” says Justin.
Sleek Bun
Photo: Instagram/@kathleen_hair
Messy buns are super convenient, but in the case you don’t want to look like you’ve just left the gym, a sleek bun is a great option for a simple summer hairstyle. Brush back damp hair then slick on a non-flaky hair pomade to keep flyaways at bay.
Face-Framing Braids
Photo: Instagram/@anaasaber
Blast your hair with texturizing spray, scrunch it up, then braid the two front pieces of your hair for a summer hairstyle that looks like it took way more effort to complete than it actually did.
Bandanas
Photo: Instagram/@amaka.hamelijnck
Everyone has those days when they just can’t deal with their hair, especially on a 90-degree day. Instead of throwing on a hat, why not try a bandana instead? Wear it an inch or so behind your hairline and secure it with a few bobby pins.
Updo
Photo: Instagram/@salemmitchell
The best thing about braids–other than the fact that they’re low-maintenance–is that they're incredibly easy to style. When your hair is clinging to the back of your neck, throw your braids into a bun on top of your head.
Shaggy Bob
Photo: Instagram/@emmachamberlain
Let’s be honest: Summer is an impractical time to have long hair so you probably won’t regret chopping it all off and rocking a textured bob. The hairstyle manages to look both modern and classic.