Summer Hairstyles

When the hot summer sun starts beating down, women look for a myriad of ways to stay cool through the sizzling temperatures. Light tank tops, strappy sandals, flowing sundresses, and flimsy skirts do the trick in the apparel department, but finding the right hairstyle can be an entirely different story. Keeping hair off the neck and shoulders is the key to staying cool, and doing so stylishly ensures you feel great and look great at the same time.

 

1. The Pixie Cut

Spread some fairy dust and cool off with a classic pixie haircut or one of its many variations. Wear a longer pixie slicked back, or ask for a layered cut with short waves you can hold back with a hair clip. Many celebrities have sported this cool style, including Shailene Woodley, Jennifer Lawrence, Anne Hathaway, and Halle Berry. If year-round short hair is not your thing, grow the cut out when cooler weather arrives, and get it chopped off again in time for next summer.

2. The Reverse Bob

Keep your neck cool with a reverse bob (also known as an inverted bob) cut that leaves longer layers around the sides to frame the face but keeps the neck bare during steaming summer months. Add highlights that catch the sun’s rays to enhance the look, and sweep hair back from the face with decorative pins on the hottest days. Give the back a bit more dimension with styling products to create a tousled look. The stacked style gives the back of the hair more body but keeps you cool when you need it most.

3. The Messy Topknot

Perfect for women who love long hair, the messy topknot is simple to produce at a moment’s notice and does not require a special cut to keep you cool in the summer. Create this look by flipping your hair over and blow drying it to add extra body. Then, pull the hair into a high ponytail using an elastic hair band. Twist the ponytail into a knot, and hold it in place with bobby pins. For a variation on the look, divide the ponytail into three sections, and wrap each section around the ponytail’s base for added volume and dimension.

4. The Classic Ponytail

Wear an elastic ponytail holder around your wrist as a bracelet, and pull your hair back into a simple ponytail anytime it gets too hot. Wear the ponytail low or high, or even keep two hair bands on your wrist and create pigtails for an old-fashioned look that is sure to keep you cool and turn heads. For a variation on the pigtail or ponytail look, braid a section of hair and wrap it around the base of the tail.

5. The Wavy Bob

The length of this cut keeps you cool, and the waves offer a stylish look. Even if you have straight hair, waves are easy to create with a bit of overnight preparation. Spread a small amount of styling gel through wet hair, and then place the damp tresses in pin curls overnight. Go to bed without worrying about the next day’s style, and just remove the pins in the morning. Once the curls are loose, run your fingers through your hair for a wonderfully wavy look that lasts all day.