Easy Summer Hairstyles to Keep You Looking Cool

Who has time to worry about hair all summer long? Easy styles mean you can focus on enjoying the weather.

Whether you're hitting the beach, soaking up the sun on a hike, or headed to an amusement park, the last thing you want to worry about is your hair. Of course, heat and humidity can be your style's worst nightmare, so you might find yourself fussing over it more than usual. The trick to great summer hairstyles is to focus on low-maintenance techniques that keep your locks smooth, frizz-free, and most importantly, out of your way. From pixie-short to long and luscious, here are some of the easiest ways to do you 'do all summer long.

Embrace Texture

Summer is not the time to fight your hair's texture, especially when you want to wear it down. Instead, embrace what nature gave you by working with the texture in a polished way. If you have wavy or curly hair, add product when your hair is wet (Marc Anthony Strictly Curls Styling Foam is fabulous) and allow it to air-dry. Then, enhance those curls with a low-heat styling solution, like a hot air brush. It'll add just enough curl without stripping your hair of its moisture. If you have short hair, wait until your locks are dry and then use a styling balm to create more texture, twisting the ends for hold.

If your hair is straight, don't use summer days as the time to try your hand at long-lasting curls. Humidity will wreak havoc on your style, resulting in locks that are limp and weighted with product. Instead, use a wide-tooth comb to brush a light conditioner through your hair in the shower. Blow-dry your roots with a large round brush and then allow the ends to air-dry.

Up and Away

There's nothing quite as uncomfortable as that feeling of your hair sticking to your neck in hot weather. When temperatures rise, the coolest summer hairstyles keep you hair up off of your neck and out of your face.

If you have pixie-length hair, keep it off of your forehead by creating a cool summer faux-hawk. A faux-hawk is an alternative take on a Mohawk hairstyle—no shaving required! With this no-fuss, edgy 'do, a section of hair is styled to form a crest running from front to back along the center of your head. Using pomade, work the product into your hair while lifting your hair up on top of your head. Using your fingers, push the hair on top of your head together so it forms a pointed crest running from the front of your head to the back of your head. Apply a little more pomade to your fingertips and smooth down the hair around the defined crest on the sides and back of your head for a sleek and polished look.

Longer hair? Try taking the traditional ponytail to new heights. First, pull your hair back into a ponytail and divide your pony in half horizontally. Next, hold the top section against the top of your head and clip it at the base with a small Scunci claw clip. Let the top section fall back, spread the hair over the top of the clip, and voila—instant volume!

Going Halfsies

If you're craving a half-up, half-down 'do, you should know that the trick to making it work is keeping it sleek. Flyaways and frizz can make a half-up hairstyle look messy, so make sure you use a leave-in conditioner and blow dry your locks smooth before you attempt the style. Then, separate out the section of hair above your ears and on top of your head and create a half-up ponytail by securing that section with a damage-free hair elastic while leaving the rest of your hair freely flowing. Then, grab a clean toothbrush and spray it with a little high-hold hairspray, like Aussie Extreme Hold. Use the toothbrush to tame any small flyaways along the top of your head, then finish your look by straightening your hair with a flat iron and adding a little shine serum to the ends.

Summer doesn't have to mean you spend your days hiding frizzy hair under a hat. By having a few no-fail summer hairstyles in your arsenal, you can stay chic while you enjoy every last drop of summer.

By Jae Curtis

These articles are not a substitute for medical advice, and are not intended to treat or cure any disease. Advances in medicine may cause this information to become outdated, invalid, or subject to debate. Professional opinions and interpretations of scientific literature may vary. Consult your healthcare professional before making changes to your diet, exercise, or medication regime.