In the summer, high temps and a spike in humidity could make your enviable long hair feel more like a burden. Good news: There are tons of gorgeous hairstyles that work for your length, keeping you cool (while looking effortlessly chic).
From braids to half-up styles to easy-to-wear accessories, scroll through the looks that will get you #UPNOut in a flash this weekend. Summer will be over before you know it—why waste a beautiful day messing with complicated hairstyles?
Make your favorite French braid hot-weather-ready by loosening things up—both as you create the braid and after you've finished. The key is to not care: The more haphazard the layers and free-floating pieces there are, the more spot-on the look. Plus: it works just as well on super-curly strands as it does on pin straight ones. If you've got freshly washed hair, apply a hefty dose of dry shampoo, like Elizabeth and James Nirvana White Dry Shampoo ($28) to create grip for styling (and get a hint of the E&J perfume, too!).
Original pin by Isabella Enriquez from barefootblonde.com
Freshen up a classic ponytail with this elegant spin that requires only a few bobby pins and a clear elastic. Gather up hair at the nape of the neck into an easy pony, but leave four one-inch sections loose at the front of your head. Using a criss-cross motion, pin one section on each side in place. Try Goody Colour Collection Bobby Pins ($3), which come in four shades to seamlessly blend into strands. Then, pin the tail of each of the former sections, plus the additional two loose ones onto opposite sides to achieve the cross-over look that works just as well for the office as it does for rooftop drinks.
Original pin by Maura Fritz from abeautifulmess.com
Forget Pippi Longstocking—these are not your pigtails from the past. Instead, these doubled-up Dutch braids add a retro vibe to a beach day. After drying hair straight, apply a shine-enhancing serum to strands— Frederic Fekkai Pre-Soleil Spray ($20) also has UV filters—before creating a center part. Then, create two inside-out French braids (aka Dutch braids) tightly against each side of your head. Finish with two clear elastics. Skipping down the street is optional.
Original pin by Leigha Kunkel from bmodish.com
If time is of the essence, this hairstyle is your ace in the hole. (You feel us, Michelle Wie?) Start by making a sock bun, preferably up by the crown of your head if it's extra-hot outside. (Here's a quick sock-bun tutorial , or you can make things even easier with the Conair Hair Bun Maker , $4.) Tie a scarf that's at least three feet long around your head—pretend it's an Hermes for the glam effect —and you're ready to go in minutes flat.
Original pin by Rebekah Putala-Sena from stylecaster.com
This style gets an assist from a scarf, while also keeping wild strands and exposed roots totally covered. To get the look, tie the scarf around the crown of your head (similar in placement to previous style) and roll two-inch sections out and under, tucking into the headband. Secure any loose pieces with bobby pins if you want to dress it up, otherwise keep it messy for a laid-back vibe.
Original pin by Refinery29 from refinery29.com
Part braid, part pony, nothing but chic: This messy combination of the two styles is style perfection. If you've got straight strands, start by using a curling wand, such as the One 'n Only Argan Heat Ceramic Taper Curling Wand ($40) to create a beachy base; if you've got waves or curls, enhance them with a few spritzes of OGX Moroccan Sea Salt Spray ($6). Then, create a center part, make two half-inch sections of hair from the front of the head, and bobby pin in place. Take those same section's tails and wrap around the rest of the hair and clip underneath. Continue with additional sections of hair, then use a clear elastic to tie all strands together about two inches from ends. Using a texturizing powder, such as Davines This Is a Texturizing Dust ($21) will add density to limp strands as well as grip to keep the style in place.
Original pin by Emily Mosley from thebeautydepartment.com
This style is one of those rare looks where the curlier and frizzier things are, the better the end result. And with the summer as hot as it is, we're not complaining about our own curls anymore. All you need to do is create two tails, one on top of the other, using clear elastics like Blax Clear Hair Elastics ($4). This romantic, voluminous hairstyle makes your "ponytail" look instantly fuller and longer—not to mention secure enough to last through a workout, too.
Original pin by Taylor -Rain from elle.fr
Fight frizz and eliminate sweaty, sticky bangs with this fresh way to get your hair out of your face. Rather than keeping things formal with a French braid, a waterfall style makes the look feel pretty and modern. Create a deep side part over one ear, then section off the front two to three inches. Divide into two, then French braid away from your face, creating the relaxed waterfall effect. Keep any extra fuzz at bay by using a dry conditioner, such as Oribe Soft Dry Conditioner Spray ($36) which has a slew of nourishing oils in its fine mist.
Original pin by Brit Morin from brit.co
Get an office-ready style in a couple minutes by employing the assistance of a few bobby pins and a top-notch smoothing product like Living Proof Straight Spray ($29). If you've got straight hair, let it air dry before spritzing on; otherwise, apply to damp strands and blow-dry straight using a paddle brush to maximize length. After drying, take a section from the front of your head (divide off with a teasing comb) and twist at the crown, securing with pins. Now, take a one-inch section from the left side over your ear, pull towards top of head and pin in place. Then, take a similar section from the right side, pinning below the left part.
Original pin by Jessie Kennedy from lifehack.org
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