Hi — I’m Lena, a salon stylist with 10+ years’ experience creating summer-ready looks that last. In this post I showcase nine versatile summer hairstyles for women, each illustrated with an image and easy step-by-step tips. Whether you have long, short, curly, fine, or thick hair, you’ll find styles that keep you cool, protect against humidity, and look polished from beach days to office meetings. I’ll point out which cuts and textures suit each style, quick product suggestions (lightweight oils, sea-salt sprays, heat protectant), and time-saving tricks I use in the salon: think secure low buns, braided options for active days, breezy ponytail variations, and soft beach waves for relaxed evenings. These looks are designed to be low-maintenance, sun-friendly, and adaptable — perfect for moms, travelers, and anyone who wants salon-tested results without the fuss.
Boho Loose Braided Updo with Face‑Framing Tendrils
This relaxed boho braided updo suits medium to long hair and works best on straight-to-wavy or lightly textured hair; thick hair gives great volume while fine hair benefits from texturizing products or lightweight extensions. Start on damp hair: apply a salt or texturizing spray, rough-dry for body, then create a loose Dutch/French braid along the crown, gently pancake sections for width. Gather remaining hair into a relaxed low braid or twisted chignon at the nape and secure with small elastics and bobby pins, pulling soft face‑framing tendrils free. Tools: blow dryer (diffuser optional), 1
Tousled Textured Updo with Face‑Framing Waves (Messy Low Bun)
This romantic, tousled updo works best on fine to medium-thick hair with natural wave or loose curl; straight hair can easily achieve the look with added texture. Begin by applying heat protectant and a lightweight mousse or root-lifter to damp hair, then rough-dry using fingers or a diffuser to preserve movement. Create loose bends with a 1–1.25 curling iron or wand, alternating directions for a lived-in finish. Lightly backcomb the crown for lift, gather hair into a low, messy bun and secure with pins, allowing several face‑framing pieces to fall free. Tools: blow dryer, curling iron/wand, sectioning clips, tail comb, bobby pins and elastic. Products: heat protectant, texturizing or sea-salt spray, dry shampoo for grip, flexible-hold hairspray and a tiny amount of smoothing serum for ends. Difficulty: moderate — requires basic curling and pinning skills; expect 20–35 minutes. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillowcase or in a loose pineapple to protect shape, refresh with dry shampoo and a spritz of texture spray, and re-curl or tuck loose pieces as needed to restore the effortless, soft look.
Long Layered Blonde Waves with Soft Face‑Framing Curtain
This style suits straight to naturally wavy hair and translates well on medium to thick densities; fine hair can achieve the look with volumizing prep and light layering. Start with a root-lift mousse on damp hair, then blow-dry using a large round brush to create volume and slight bend at the roots. Section hair and use a 1–1.5 curling wand or flat iron to create loose, alternating-direction waves, leaving the face‑framing layers smoother for that curtain effect. Tools: blow dryer with nozzle, large round brush, clips, 1–1.5 curling wand or iron, wide-tooth comb. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root spray, lightweight smoothing cream or argan oil for ends, and a flexible-hold hairspray. Difficulty: moderate — requires sectioning and basic curling technique; allow 20–35 minutes depending on length. Maintenance tips: trim every 8–12 weeks to preserve layers, use purple shampoo if hair is color-treated blonde, deep condition weekly, refresh texture with dry shampoo or light sea-salt spray, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce frizz and maintain shine.
Boho Crown with Loose Double Side Braids for Long Wavy Hair
Ideal for long to mid-length hair with natural waves or straight hair that takes texture, this relaxed boho crown combines a soft crown braid with two loose side braids and beachy waves. Technique: section a top crown piece and create a loose French or Dutch braid along the hairline, secure at the back and pancake (gently widen) the braid for volume. Create two low, slightly messy three‑strand or fishtail braids on each side starting below the ear, then loosen for a lived‑in look. Add soft waves throughout with a 1 curling wand, alternating directions and finishing with fingers to separate. Tools: tail comb, sectioning clips, 1 curling wand or flat iron, small clear elastics, bobby pins. Products: heat protectant, sea‑salt or texturizing spray, light hold hairspray, light oil or serum for ends, dry shampoo for grip. Difficulty: intermediate — basic braiding skill and sectioning needed, 20–35 minutes. Maintenance: sleep with braids or on a silk pillowcase, refresh texture with dry shampoo or mist and pinch waves back into shape, avoid heavy products at the roots, and retighten braid anchors as needed.
Textured Half‑Up Top Knot with Loose Beachy Waves
Ideal for medium-to-long hair, this textured half‑up top knot flatters natural waves, loose curls and straight hair that’s been waved. Technique: create loose, beachy waves through the lengths, leave face‑framing pieces out, backcomb the crown lightly for lift, then gather the top half into a messy knot or loose bun and secure with pins. Tools needed: 1–1.5-inch curling wand or flat iron, blow dryer (diffuser optional), wide-tooth comb/tail comb, sectioning clips, bobby pins and a soft hair tie. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root lift spray, sea salt or texturizing spray, lightweight flexible-hold hairspray and a small amount of smoothing serum for ends. Difficulty level: easy to medium — straightforward steps but takes practice to get a relaxed, undone finish; expect 15–30 minutes depending on length and density. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillowcase or loose braid to preserve waves, refresh with dry shampoo and texturizer between washes, retwist the top knot as needed, and trim ends every 8–12 weeks to keep the style looking fresh.
Romantic Boho Double Dutch Braids with Voluminous Crown
This look suits medium to long hair and works best on medium to thick or naturally wavy hair; fine hair can achieve the same silhouette with texturizing products and light backcombing. Start with dry or second-day hair: section a deep center or slightly off-center part, gently tease the crown for lift, then create two Dutch braids from the temple area down to the ends, incorporating hair from the crown for fullness. Pancake each braid by gently pulling the braid edges outward to create that soft, romantic volume and anchor with clear elastics; hide elastics with a small wrapped strand or discreet pins. Tools: rat-tail comb, teasing brush, sectioning clips, small elastics, bobby pins, and an optional curling iron for face-framing pieces. Products: dry shampoo or texture spray, lightweight mousse (if needed), smoothing serum for flyaways, and a flexible-hold hairspray. Difficulty: intermediate — expect 25–45 minutes. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase or loosely re-braid, refresh texture with dry shampoo, re-pancake and re-pin loose areas each morning, and avoid heavy oils at the roots to preserve lift.
Textured Beach Wave Bob with Tiny Side Braid
This textured beach-wave bob with a tiny side braid is a versatile, salon-friendly look that flatters most face shapes. Hair type: best on fine-to-medium straight or wavy hair; can be adapted for thicker hair with added layers, less suited for very tight curls without extensive smoothing. Styling technique: towel-dry then rough-dry with a diffuser or nozzle to 80% dry; apply heat protectant and a lightweight mousse, then create 1–1¼ loose waves with a curling wand, alternating direction and leaving ends undone. Add a small three-strand braid at the temple and pin behind the ear to secure. Tools needed: hairdryer with diffuser/nozzle, 25–32mm curling wand, clips, tail comb, bobby pins. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or sea-salt spray, light texturizing spray, flexible-hold hairspray, purple shampoo if bleached. Difficulty level: easy–medium; 15–25 minutes. Maintenance: refresh waves with dry shampoo and a mist of sea-salt or texturizing spray, re-braid as needed, sleep on silk to reduce frizz, and trim every 6–8 weeks to maintain shape. For bleached hair, use bond-repair treatments and weekly deep conditioning.
Textured Low Messy Braid with Face‑Framing Tendrils
This relaxed low braid with face‑framing tendrils is ideal for medium to thick hair and for wavy or straight textures; fine hair can wear it with added texture and curly hair looks beautiful when slightly stretched out. Start on dry hair: apply a texturizing spray or lightweight dry shampoo for grip, rough‑dry or air‑dry, then gather hair at the nape into a loose low pony. Divide into three sections and loosely braid or do a pull‑through style, securing with a small elastic. Gently pancake the braid and pull out soft front tendrils; use a 1 curling iron to define pieces around the face if needed. Tools: blow dryer, 1 curling iron, elastic bands, bobby pins, tail comb. Products: salt spray, heat protectant, light-hold hairspray, smoothing serum for ends. Difficulty: easy–moderate — achievable in 10–20 minutes with practice. Maintenance: refresh roots with dry shampoo, re‑pancake and pin loose pieces each morning, avoid heavy oils at the crown, and trim ends every 8–12 weeks to keep the style airy and healthy.
Long Tousled Beach Waves with Face‑Framing Layers
This look suits straight-to-wavy hair and medium to thick textures — lightweight layers and long length create the soft, lived-in wave seen here. Start on damp hair: apply a heat protectant and a small amount of lightweight styling cream or mousse through mid-lengths to ends. Rough-dry with a blow-dryer and a wide-tooth comb or diffuser to enhance natural wave. For added definition, use a 1–1.25” curling wand or a flat iron to create loose S-shaped bends, alternating directions and leaving the ends slightly undone. Finish with a texturizing sea-salt spray and scrunch to break up uniform curls; add a drop of hair oil only to the ends for shine. Tools needed: blow-dryer (diffuser optional), wide-tooth comb, 1–1.25” curling wand or flat iron, sectioning clips. Products required: heat protectant, lightweight cream or mousse, sea-salt/texturizing spray, light finishing spray, occasional smoothing serum. Difficulty: easy–medium — approachable for home styling but benefits from practice on wave placement. Maintenance: trims every 8–12 weeks, weekly deep-conditioning treatment for long hair, refresh waves by misting and re-scrunching or braiding damp hair overnight, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce frizz.
As a stylist, my final advice is to choose summer hairstyles that balance style with protection. Use SPF hair mists, leave-in conditioners, and a heat protectant before styling. For humidity, opt for textured buns or polished braids; for sun and swim days choose a low pony or braided updo that tucks hair away and reduces tangles. Trim split ends before your vacation to keep styles smooth, and invest in a wide-tooth comb and silk scarf to minimize friction. Adapt each look to your hair density — add padding or small elastics for volume on fine hair, and use smoothing creams or anti-frizz serums on thicker textures. Try one new style a week and tweak it to your routine; if you want personalized tweaks, book an in-salon consult so we can match cut, color, and products to your lifestyle. Enjoy summer — and wear your hair confidently.