Summer is here and it’s time to break out the fun, breezy hairstyles!
Long hair has so many gorgeous styling options for the warm weather months.
The right hairstyle will keep you cool while still looking chic.
Avoid hassle and embrace the easy-going vibe of summer with effortless styling.
Beachy Waves
A tousled, textured mane with beachy waves is a quintessential summer hairstyle for long hair. This look epitomizes carefree, relaxed summertime beauty.
Create the illusion of natural-looking beach hair by using a texturizing salt spray.
Spritz it evenly throughout damp hair after washing and scrunch hair upward with your hands as it air dries.
This will add volume and texture.
To amp up the beachy effect, use a large barrel curling iron to add soft waves and curls throughout your long locks.
Focus on curling mid-length strands and ends, leaving the roots smoother for a natural finish. Finish with a misting of light hold hairspray.
Finger comb to break up the curls into beachy undone waves. The key is to keep the texture looking imperfect and breezy.
With some salt spray and loose curls, you’ll have summery, windswept hair ready for the beach – even if you don’t plan on getting in the water!
Classic Ponytail
The ponytail is a warm weather staple, keeping long hair up and off the neck so you can stay cool.
There are so many ways to wear a ponytail for summer depending on your mood and plans.
The most classic version is stick-straight hair smoothed back into a sleek high pony.
Use some gel or cream first to slick back the front sections of hair before gathering it all into a pony high on the crown of your head.
Pull it tight and smooth any bumps or flyaways for a super polished look.
This works for day or night during the summer.
For an off-duty vibe, let the ponytail be a bit more undone and natural looking. Instead of slicking it, softly brush back pieces to create a looser pony.
Allow some face-framing strands to fall out in front instead of pulling it all tightly back. This unfussy pony is chic yet casual for summer Fridays or weekends.
Top Knot Bun
Buns are a lifesaver during the warmer months when you want to get long hair off your neck. A top knot bun is one of the trendiest bun styles.
Simply tie hair back into a high ponytail first, then twist the ponytail and wrap it into a messy knotted bun right on top of your head.
This looks equally cool styled messy and loose or wrapped tighter and more polished. The height of the top knot gives you an instant facelift!
Add some fun accessories like a colorful scrunchie, hair clip or jeweled hair pins to jazz up this functional summertime bun.
The top knot can be casual for day or dressed up for evenings out.
It’s one of the easiest ways to get long hair up and out of the way during steamy summer weather.
Let a few tendrils fall around your face to soften the look.
The options are endless when you need a quick stylish updo!
Braided Crown Updo
Want your long locks out of the way but still looking gorgeous for a summer wedding or event? A braided updo is just the ticket.
For this look, create two Dutch braids on either side of the head going from the crown back to the nape of the neck. Pin the braids together in a crown shape right at the back of your head, and secure with bobby pins.
Let the remaining length of hair fall freely in an elegant low ponytail or bun.
Some shorter face-framing strands can be left out of the braids as well to soften the look.
Loose flowers or other hair accessories can be incorporated into the braided crown for a romantic touch.
The braided crown helps keep the face cool while still allowing you to wear your hair down for summer weddings, date nights or events.
It’s a feminine twist on an updo for summer.
Fishtail Braid
Embrace effortless French girl chic with a voluminous fishtail braid in your long hair.
This braid is achieved by taking two pieces of hair and alternating crossing them over each other down the length of the hair. This crossing over technique creates the cool fishtail effect.
There are tips for perfecting tidy fishtail braids, but for summer try keeping it casual and imperfect.
Messily fishtail your locks, allowing some shorter face-framing pieces to fall out for a relaxed undone vibe.
Finish by tugging on the braid a bit to loosen and add volume. Softly pin any flyaways back from the face and finish with a light hold hairspray.
The fishtail braid works for casual everyday wear or can be dressed up for a beach vacation or summer party when you want to keep your long hair out of the way.
Double Dutch Braided Pigtails
Pigtails might remind you of childhood, but they got a grown-up makeover this season!
The hottest way to wear braided pigtails this summer is in a doubled Dutch braid style.
Part clean, dry hair down the middle and create a Dutch braid on each side of the head going back into low pigtails.
Make sure to braid tightly for extra long-lasting hold.
A Dutch braid involves weaving additional hair strands underneath as you braid back, compared to a basic French braid that incorporates hair over the top.
This gives the braid more dimension and definition.
Doubled Dutch braids keep your mass of long hair secured, but still let you show off your gorgeous length in those braided pigtails.
It’s a fun look for music festivals or casual summer days playing with the kids. Add hair gems or elastics on the ends to accessorize!
Half-Up Hair with Scrunchie
Half-up hair is the perfect casual summer look for long locks.
Pulling back just the top section keeps hair from falling into your eyes and opens up your face to beat the heat.
For a 2022 update on this style, tie the half-up hair back with a trendy vintage-inspired scrunchie.
Choose a colorful or patterned scrunchie that coordinates with your outfit.
To create the look, part clean dry hair down the center and spritz with texture spray.
Brush the top front portions of hair back into the cutest little half ponytail atop your head.
Incorporate bangs if you have them. Wrap the scrunchie around the small ponytail.
Let the rest of your long hair hang loose and free below the half updo.
Scrunch and tousle the lengths for extra volume and texture. The half-up scrunchie look is so nostalgic yet on-trend for summer!
High Messy Bun
A messy bun is the ultimate cool girl summer hairstyle for long hair. Unkempt undone buns are perfect for workouts, beach days, backyard barbecues, you name it!
Embrace the effortless vibe of this look with lots of texture.
Start by spritzing dry hair with sea salt spray and massaging it in to boost volume and create “beach hair” texture.
Next roughly gather hair into a very high ponytail atop your crown, leaving lots of shorter pieces out around the face. Lightly tease the ponytail for even more volume.
Twist the long ponytail and wind it into a large messy bun sitting high on your head, and pack any loose ends under the bun.
Pull out some pieces around the edges of the face and nape of neck to perfectly frame your face and keep you cool. Finish with a light mist of hairspray to set the texture.
The combination of the height plus the nonchalant nature of this messy bun makes it a super flattering summer style.
Long Braided Pigtails
Pigtails always come back in style for summer because they’re functional and adorable.
For a grown-up take on this playful hairstyle, opt for long, boho braided pigtails.
Part clean dry hair down the middle and create a loose braid on each side.
Start braiding farther down, right at the nape of the neck, to get those extra long pigtails.
Use small elastics at the ends to secure.
For second-day hair, you may need to lightly mist the braids with water and scrunch for added volume and texture.
Add some tiny barrettes or hair rings to dress up the braids.
This lower braided pigtail look elongates your neck and adds hippie chic style to any summer outfit.
The braid keeps long hair out of the way whether you’re attending an outdoor concert or just running errands!
Low Messy Bun
Building off the success of the high messy bun, you can also embrace the bedhead look in a low undone bun for summer.
This relaxed down-do is great for second or third day hair when you want to disguise grease and grime.
Start by spritzing dry hair with dry shampoo or texture spray for a boost of volume and grit.
Finger comb hair back and gather it into the loosest ponytail down near the nape of your neck.
Twist the ponytail and coil it into a messy low bun, leaving lots of pieces falling out.
Messy is the key word here!
Wrap an elastic or hair tie loosely over the bun to secure.
Gently pull wispy strands out from around the hairline and sides to frame your face.
Finish with a light mist of hairspray to set the fluffy texture. The low messy bun is comfortable for summer heat and requires virtually no styling skills – just embrace the imperfection of it!
Face-Framing Boho Braids
Channel your inner bohemian goddess this summer with free-spirited face-framing braids.
This look involves leaving most of your long hair down and loose while pinning back micro braids on one or both sides of your face.
Start by parting clean, dry hair off center and divide a small front section for braiding. Create a dutch fishtail braid close to the hairline.
Pancake the braid to widen it and carefully pin back behind the ear, allowing the end to hang freely. Repeat on the other side if desired.
You can also add smaller braids throughout the back hair as well.
Finish by massaging texture spray or dry shampoo through the lengths of your hair for lots of messy volume and waves.
The braided accents compliment the effortless boho vibe. Face-framing braids keep hair off your cheeks so you can beat the heat in style.
Goddess Braids with Flowers
Harness the flower power with these dreamy goddess braids adorned with pretty blooms.
Goddess braids involve creating three jumbo Dutch braids down the back of the head.
These stunning braids are dramatic yet still romantic for summer weddings or events.
Have clean dry hair first and separate into three even sections.
Starting at the crown of the head, tightly Dutch braid each section all the way down right to the ends.
For added flair, interweave small flower pins, silk flowers or fresh blossoms into the braids as you create them.
Finish off by gently curling the ends of each braid for extra boho mermaid style.
The goddess braids keep long hair contained yet visually interesting.
You’ll look and feel ethereal with these flower-embellished braided works of art gracing your head!
Slicked-Back High Ponytail
The ultimate polished summer hairstyle for long hair is the slicked-back high ponytail.
This severe look has a retro yet fashionable vibe.
Start by applying gel or smoothing cream through damp hair and use a hard bristle brush or denman brush to pull the hair straight back away from your face.
Brush the hair straight upward and collect it into a very high, tight ponytail on your crown.
Wrap a hair tie snugly around the base 2-3 times and smooth any frizzy flyaways.
Apply hairspray to the sleek ponytail to lock in the hold. Pouf the ponytail by backcombing with a teasing comb and lightly mist with hairspray.
The slick taut ponytail helps open up your features so you stay cool while looking sharp.
This works for day or evening summer functions when you want a powerful pulled-together style.
With so many chic options, you can enjoy wearing your long hair down or up this summer.
Breezy beachy waves, classic ponytails, messy buns, fun braids and sleek ponytails are all perfect long hairstyles for enjoying the warm weather in style.
Use dry shampoo and texture products like sea salt spray to amp up volume and texture so your long locks stay fresh between washes.
Don’t be afraid to pile hair up into a cute messy knot to keep cool during outdoor activities.
The top priority is comfort and ease when the temperature rises.
Finally, take advantage of fun accessories like scrunchies, braid rings, hair gems and floral pins to enhance your summer hairstyling.
