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40 Easy Summer Hairstyles to Help You Keep Cool on the Hottest Days

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Summer is almost here! You already have your favorite sunscreen on lock, your vibrant eyeshadow ready to go and a handy lip balm with SPF to keep your pout protected. All that’s left is a weather-appropriate hairstyle (or 40) to whip out when the next inevitable heatwave hits. Whether you have short locks, long curls or poofy hair, we found a look that works for any occasion (and some so simple that you can recreate them in five minutes or less). Ahead, 40 summer hairstyles that will withstand the heat and humidity, while still looking downright cool.

20 Hairstyles for Poofy Hair That Will Keep Frizz in Check This Summer


summer hairstyles low crown braid
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1. Low Crown Braid

Take a cue from Busy and wear a crown braid that circles the nape of your neck. Use bobby pins to secure it in place and spend the rest of the day enjoying the sun.

easy summer hairstyles braided half bun
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2. Braided Half Bun

For days when you don’t always want to wear your hair fully up, try a half-bun style with a few sectioned braids down the middle and sides.

easy summer hairstyles wispy bun
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3. Wispy Bun

When you have zero time in the morning, quickly throw your hair into a bun and pull out some pieces to create that wispy effect. Even take it a step further (if you have five more minutes to spare) and brush out your edges like Meg.

summer hairstyles headband braid
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4. Headband Braid

If you have short hair, consider this headband style. Start by french braiding two sections of your hair from ear to ear and tuck any flyaways using pins.

easy summer hairstyles rope ponytail
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5. Rope Ponytail

Elevate your look in less than five minutes with this sleek twisted pony. Apply a styling gel to keep the base smooth and frizz free before creating the ponytail. Then split your tail in two and begin twisting each section around the other before securing with a hair tie.

How to Beef Up a Thin Ponytail in 3 Steps


summer hairstyles loose ponytail braid
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6. Loose Ponytail Braid

Slick your hair back into a high pony at the crown of your head, then weave it together into a single braid. Finish the look by pulling apart a few sections of the braid for a tousled look.

summer hairstyles braided top knot
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7. Braided Top Knot

Say goodbye to the traditional bun. Whether you have box, micro or goddess braids, sweep them up and wrap them into a braided top knot like Lupita here.

easy summer hairstyles rolled and tucked
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8. Rolled And Tucked

For a retro Hollywood vibe, roll the ends of your hair underneath and place a few strategic pins at the nape of your neck to secure them in.

summer hairstyles knotted ponytail
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9. Knotted Ponytail

Another way to switch up a basic ponytail? Add a single knot in the center.

summer hairstyles space buns
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10. Space Buns

ICYMI: Y2K hairstyles are still in. So, it only makes sense to bring back the double buns (a la Baby Spice) while we’re at it, right?

summer hairstyles dutch braid
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11. Dutch Braid

This underhand braid (aka the reverse French braid) uses the same three-strand technique that you can weave into pigtails like Yara.


easy summer hairstyles pinned dutch braids
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12. Pinned Dutch Braids

Another option is to take your Dutch Braids and pin them back to keep your hair completely off your neck.

summer hairstyles loose top knot
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13. Loose Top Knot

Gather your hair up into a top knot and let your curtain bangs steal the show like Selena's. (And if you need help keeping frizz at bay, try a spritz of hairspray before heading out the door.)

easy summer hairstyles loose low bun
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14. Loose Low Bun

A low, loose bun is the go-to move when your hair looks a bit, shall we say, rumpled after a day spent outdoors.

summer hairstyles fishtail braid
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15. Fishtail Braid

Unleash your inner mermaid. The impressive plait may look difficult, but is actually easier than it appears. Here’s beginner's guide to get you started.

summer hairstyles fountain pony
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16. Fountain Pony

More like the fountain of youth, amirite? But seriously, a high pony has an instant lifting effect (and takes all of two seconds to do). Tip: Run a dryer sheet lightly over the top of your head to nix any fuzz.

summer hairstyles zig zag updo
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17. Zig Zag Updo

No need to worry about where to put what with this style. Place a strand here and a pin there and then pull out a few face-framing pieces in the front to finish.

easy summer hairstyles bubble pigtails
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18. Bubble Pigtails

This trendy style is still going strong for the summer ahead. The bubble pigtails are chic but super quick to recreate. All you’ll need are a few extra hair ties before going to town on the amount of "bubbles" you want on each tail.

summer hairstyles bedazzled bun
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19. Bedazzled Bun

Yvonne shows us that a single, well-placed accessory can elevate any style.

summer hairstyles bubble pony
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20. Bubble Braid

Similar to Storm’s look above, this style favors a high ponytail instead. Simply put: This is a fun style to try if you have very long hair (or extensions) and want to keep your lengthy mane intact.

summer hairstyles curly updo
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21. Curly Updo

Loosely twist your curls up into a bun and place a few U-shaped pins to secure it to the top of your head, allowing a tendril or two to escape at the bottom like Nathalie here.

easy summer hairstyles side swept single braid
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22. Side-swept Single Braid

Ideal for people with long hair, this classic hairstyle is fit for any occasion. Might we suggest threading a ribbon (or scarf) through or adding some bedazzled accessories to elevate the look.

summer hairstyles curly pineapple pony
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23. Curly Pineapple

Get those curls up and off the back of your neck to avoid a sweaty situation. It only takes one step: pulling your locks into a super-high pony that sits right at the top of your head so your ringlets spill over the top and front of your head.

easy summer hairstyles classic pony
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24. Classic Pony

Hey, it’s a classic for a reason. When it comes to a high pony, every hair type and length can rock it for the season. To recreate Rihanna's wavy tail, reach for your handy curling iron and brush through the curls for some loose swirls.

summer hairstyles single bubble pony
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25. Single Bubble Pony

Ah, the bubble ponytail truly is the gift that keeps on giving. Here it is again, showing us that even adding a single bubble to the mix can take things to the next level.

easy summer hairstyles slicked back bun
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26. Slicked Back Bun

Why fight the heat when you can have it work in your favor? Make like Rosamund and use a bit of smoothing cream to slick everything back into a neat bun.

summer hairstyles half up knot
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27. Half Up Knot

A half knot is a great way to disguise greasy roots, while also bringing the hair up and away from your face.


easy summer hairstyles stacked clips
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28. Stacked Clips

There’s no need to overcomplicate things this summer. Stack a few bobby pins (or hair clips) to both sides that can improve an everyday style. Plus, its functional because don't have to worry about pesky flyaways getting in the way.

summer hairstyles super slick top knot
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29. Super Slick Top Knot

If you’re going for a bolder statement, try slicking everything back into a small knot and wrapping the base in some gold trim to finish.

summer hairstyles layered pony
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30. The Pouf

Also known as the "bumpit," this beloved millennial trend is back. Once you divide your hair into three sections, focus adding more volume to the center piece. The side sections are then slicked back and added into a low ponytail. It's totally optional to add a colorful string like Cara to further emphasize a clean part.

summer hairstyles low key space buns
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31. Low Key Space Buns

Depending on their placement, space buns can be subtle and downright elegant, as Mandy shows us.

easy summer hairstyles power braid
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32. A Power Braid

We love a good pony moment, but this Rihanna style adds a little something-something. Just braid a small section on one side and pull it back into the high tail.

summer hairstyles slicked back
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33. Slicked Back

This wet-look hairstyle is a staple in the summer. Whether your hair is already wet from the pool or you just want to fight frizz, squeeze a dollop of gel into palms and run fingers through your roots to ensure the sleekest finish.

summer hairstyles cornrows
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34. Cornrows

Cornrows have been protecting natural hair for centuries and it's also been a go-to look for any summer shindig.


summer hairstyles bantu knots
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35. Bantu Knots

This multi-knot style beats frizz, sweat and flyaways. Regardless of hair length, play with the number of knots you want to rock at the event. Plus, it's a great protective style to catch some zzzs after a long day at the BBQ.

easy summer hairstyles claw clip
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36. Claw Clip Style

When in doubt, grab a claw clip to lift your long locks off of your neck. This snazzy accessory is functional yet stylish for day of running errands or grabbing brunch with friends.

easy summer hairstyles medusa ponytail
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37. Medusa Ponytails

This might be *the* summer hair trend of the year and we're completely on board. Whether you rock one pony or two—or add a couple mini French braids to complete the look, a multi-braid style will keep your hair in place as the temps rise.

easy summer hairstyles high puff
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38. High Puff

If you have coils and/or short hair, it's time to embrace your texture with a high puff this summer. The style offers more definition than a traditional bun and can easily be fluffed out to create more volume using a hair pick.

wedding hairstyles for long hair french twist
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39. French Twist

The French know a thing or two about beauty and this elegant twist is proof. If you're heading to a summer wedding, consider this look to keep your hair away from your face (especially if you're planning to hit the dance floor at the reception).

easy summer hairstyles box braids
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40. Box Braids

A protective style is a game-changer during the warmer months. You can stop worrying about frizz and enjoy wearing your hair down or dabble in different variations like Tessa here. (Better yet, here are 25 options for you to try.)



about face matte fluid eye paint review chelsea candelario

Beauty and Cultures Editor

  • Writes trend stories, product reviews and how-tos across beauty, cultures, fashion and entertainment
  • Over 5 years of experience as a Beauty Editor
  • Studied journalism with a minor in creative writing at SUNY New Paltz