Summer Hair: Defend, Style, and Shine in the Summer Sun

My favorite season of the year is upon us. Summer! Beach adventures, vacations, glowy tans-what is not to love? Well, hair can take quite a toll during summer. On average, humans lose up to 150 hair strands a day. But, in the summer, humans tend to shed more hair than in any other season. This is a normal process that may not be preventable. It is essential to take simple steps to protect your hair from other stressors to reduce hair loss. These include frizz, UV rays, chlorine damage, dryness, and plain overheating. While some issues are annoying, others can cause increased hair loss. Keep reading to learn how to enjoy your summer without worrying about summer hair problems. 

Best Summer Hairstyles for Long Hair

Long hair holds in heat around your neck and scalp during the hotter months. It can get in the way when you swim or want to keep the windows down. Of course, there is more hair to protect from sun damage and frizz. These styles will protect from those issues and highlight the beauty of long hair. The following techniques apply to long hair that is straight to curly. 

Braids into a Ponytail

This style spices up a typical ponytail and keeps hair off your neck. 

1. Part your hair down the middle.
2. Section two chunks of hair on each side of the part. 
3. Braid each of those chunks using the three-strand braid method.
4. Pull those braids and the rest of your hair into a ponytail in the middle of your head.
5. Undo the braids inside the ponytail. 

Pro Tip: Use the middle part to find where the braids should be.

Heatless Curls

The sun is already drying out your hair; adding extra heat should be avoided as much as possible. The most classic way to do heatless curls is with a roller set, but that can be uncomfortable to sleep in. This style creates bouncy curls and waves and is comfortable to sleep in.

1. Roll up a t-shirt and connect the ends with a hair tie.
2. Place the roll on top of your head.
3. Wrap your hair around the shirt and pin it in place.
4. The best step: sleep.
5. Unpin your hair and take out the T-shirt.

Pro tip: Use a thin T-shirt to create curls and a thick T-shirt to make waves. 

Looped Bun

A bun keeps all the hair off your neck and out of your face. Looped buns are a cute alternative to a normal bun.

1. Use a hair tie to pull your hair into a low ponytail.
2. Make a loop of your hair with your finger.
3. Secure the loop with the hair tie.
4. Repeat steps 2-3 for as many loops as you would like.

Pro Tip: Use a bigger elastic or make bigger loops to accommodate more hair.

Trendy Short Hairstyles for the Summer

Short hair allows you to play around with unique styles without worrying about hair getting on your neck. These are peppy summer styles that keep you cool and are perfect for pool parties. The following styles apply to straight-curly, short-medium-length hair.

French Braid Pigtails

French braids can keep for many days without being redone. This is the perfect style for a pool party or a day at the beach.

1. Part your hair down the middle.
2. French or Dutch braid each side of your hair.
3. Stop braiding your hair at the nape of your neck and tie off the braid with a hair tie.

Half-up, Half-down

This style keeps hair out of your face in a fun way. 

1. Part your hair in a U-shape above the ear.
2. Part your hair down the middle until you hit the U-shaped part. Tie off each section with a hair tie. 
3. Section out a small chunk of hair at the front of your head on each side. 
4. Braid each section using the three-strand braid method.
5. Tie up the braid into the front two sections of hair with a hair tie.

Pro-tip: Leave the braids down for a fresh look.

Ballerina Bun

This style keeps hair off your neck and portrays an elegant silhouette. 

1. Pull hair into a low ponytail and secure it with a hair tie.
2. Split the hair into as many sections as you would like. Twist the section and wrap it around the hair tie.
3. Secure with bobby pins and a hair tie.

Pro tip: Use hairspray to reduce flyaways.

Cute Hairstyles for Coily Hair

Short Puffs 

1. Split your hair into four equal sections and tie off each section with a hair tie. Leave a little bit of hair out in the front. 
2. Split the hair in the front down the middle.
3. Tie off each of those sections with a small elastic band. Three-strand braid the sections.
4. Crisscross the braids and pull them into the front two puffs. 

Pro tip: Make more crisscrosses by repeating steps 2-4.

Cornrows into a High Bun

This style is great for all curly hair types.

1. Cornrow your hair towards the center of your head.
2. Leave the center of your hair unbraided and tie it into a bun with a hair tie.

Pro Tip: Use a fake bun or hair extensions to make your hair look longer. 

Feed in Cornrows

These are the go-to vacation braids. This style will survive any flight time, the pool, the beach, and late-night partying.

1. Part your hair into four vertical sections.
2. Do four feed-in cornrows.
3. Do not braid the hair all the way to the bottom.
4. Wrap the unbraided hair around flexirods (or other curling apparatus).
5. Dip hair in hot water. 
6. Take out rods.

Pro Tip: Put mousse on the curls to keep them separated and shiny.

Wedding Season

Summer is the season of love. Weddings are fun occasions with choices of what to wear, what jewelry to put on, and what hairstyle would be best. There are plenty of options for classy wedding hairstyles, even when you are outside in heat and humidity. 

If you are going for an elegant look, I recommend a braided bun. Add some texture with braids or twists leading into the bun. For a laid-back look, wear a side braid or slick back ponytail into a braid. Bonus: no need to deal with frizz with a tight braid. Have some fun with a faux hawk on afro hair. This style can flaunt natural curls or be exaggerated with extensions. Add a touch of romance with half-up half-down styles. Curls are also a beautiful romantic style. Keep reading to find out how to prevent frizz with curls.

Protecting Hair from Summer Damage

To protect our skin from UV rays, we wear sunscreen. Did you know you can do the same for your hair? Rake hair sunscreen through the hair just like applying any other product. Head wraps and sun hats also protect hair from harmful UV rays.

Some natural hairstyles are perfect for sun protection. Braids, twists, and Bantu knots can protect hair from the sun.

Prevent dryness caused by heat by using a conditioner. After shampooing and a leave-in conditioner when styling will do wonders for keeping hair moisturized. Excessive heat from blow dryers and heat styling tools may damage the hair shaft. Avoid heat styling when possible. Use a heat protectant when using any heat-styling tools.

With pool parties and beach days, water is unavoidable during the summer. When swimming, always protect your hair from chlorine to avoid scalp irritation and fading. The best protection is a swim cap. Put in a leave-in conditioner without a swim cap before getting into the water. Wash hair with shampoo and conditioner after being in the water.

Preventing Frizz in Humid Summer Months

As much as I love summer, humidity rears its head the most during these months. Use the following routine to reduce frizz:

1. Gently wash hair with shampoo and conditioner.
2. Use a smoothing serum and brush the hair in a downward direction.
3. Sleep on a silk pillowcase or with some form of hair protection, like a bonnet.

If that method does not work, consider using a frizz spray. These sprays make the hair waterproof so as not to be affected by water in the air.

The Best Summer Hairstyle

Braids are the best style for the summer. They do not get messed up in the wind or water. Braids fit comfortably under swim caps, sun hats, and hair wraps. Those with straight hair should remove their braids and wash them with shampoo after being in the water.

Dutch, French, fishtail, three-strand, cornrows, and box braids are effective hairstyles for keeping hair low-maintenance and healthy during summer.

Reminders to Keep Your Hair Healthy This Summer

In summary, hair has many stresses during the summer, but these simple tips will keep your hair happy and healthy.

• Summer hairstyles: Wear styles that encourage airflow and will keep you cool. Make sure to match the style to the occasion.
• Sun Damage: Protect your hair from UV rays with sunscreen, head wraps, and sun hats.
• Heat Damage: Avoid excessive heat and use less heat-styling tools.
• Chlorine damage: Wear a swim cap for maximum protection! Wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner after getting out of the pool.
• Frizz: Reduce frizz with a simple routine or frizz spray.
• The Best Summer Hairstyle: Braids are great for summer because they hold up through wind and water.

Hair is all about self-expression. The colors, styles, and accessories you embrace in your hair help you stay true to yourself. Protect your hair from sun damage to continue using your hair to show your personality for many years. 

Check out Shop LC for summer hair accessories.