Are you looking for the best summer hairstyles for medium to long hair? Here are 33 easy, pretty styles you’ll want to save!
Some of the prettiest summer hairstyles are also the easiest ones to pull off, and you definitely do not need to be a hairstylist to recreate them. A few braids, the right hair clip, or even just a pretty scarf can completely transform your look in minutes.
So if you have medium to long hair and you are stuck in a summer hair rut, this one is for you. I have pulled together 33 of my favourite summer hairstyle ideas, from beachy waves and bubble ponytails to boho braids and quick half-up styles. If you get stuck on any of them, a quick YouTube search will pull up a tutorial to help you out.
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Quick Tips for Summer Hairstyles
- Apply a lightweight leave-in conditioner or hair oil before heading outside to protect your strands from sun and salt damage. A little goes a long way, keeping your hair looking healthy all summer.
- Dry shampoo is your best friend in the heat. Spritz it on the roots before styling to add volume and absorb sweat, so your hairstyle stays fresher for longer.
- If you want that effortless beachy texture without actually going to the beach, sea salt spray is your best friend. Spritz it through damp or dry hair, scrunch gently, and let it air dry for waves that look like you have been in the ocean all day.
- When in doubt, throw in a pretty hair accessory. A silk scarf, a claw clip, or a floral pin can instantly elevate the simplest hairstyle and make it look intentional.
33 Pretty Summer Hairstyles
1. Half Up Pony with Four Mini Braids
How cute is this? Pull the top section of your hair into a half-up ponytail, and then divide that pony into four small sections and braid each one individually. Secure the ends with small elastics. Leave the rest of your hair straight and loose underneath.
2. Simple French Braid Down the Back
You really cannot go wrong with a classic French braid. Start at the crown of your head and gradually add sections as you braid your way down to the nape of your neck. Secure the end with a clear elastic and gently pull the braid apart to make it look a little fuller. It is the perfect summer hairstyle for keeping hair off your neck on hot days.
3. Half Up with a Tortoiseshell Barrette
This one honestly takes about two minutes and looks so polished. Gather the top half of your hair and clip it back with a large oval tortoiseshell barrette. Let the rest fall in loose waves. That is genuinely it. A great hair clip makes all the difference, and this style works on practically every hair type.
4. Sleek Ponytail with a Braided Pony
Smooth the top section of your hair back as neatly as you can using a brush and a little hair wax to tame any flyaways. Tie it into a low ponytail and then braid the length of the pony into two plaits, securing the ends with small elastics. It is sleek, secure, and keeps everything off your neck on hot days.
5. Head Scarf with Big Curls
Start by curling your hair into big, loose waves first so you have that gorgeous volume and texture to show off. Then fold a scarf into a wide band and tie it around your head, knotting it at the top or tucking the ends in. The curls frame your face beautifully underneath, and the scarf adds such a fun retro summer vibe. It is a great option for beach days, outdoor markets, or anywhere you want to look a little effortlessly put together.
6. Bubble Ponytail with a Flower Clip
Pull your hair up into a high ponytail, then tie small elastics every couple of inches along the length. Gently pull each section apart between the elastics to create that rounded bubble effect. Finish with a pink flower clip at the base of the pony. It looks so fun and summery.
7. Low Bun with Side Braids
Before you style your hair into a bun, take three small sections along the side of your head and braid each one. Then gather everything, including the braids, and twist it all up into a low bun at the back, securing it with pins. The little braids peek through the bun and give the whole look so much more texture and interest. It looks far more impressive than the effort involved.
8. Curly Half Up Bun
If you have curly hair, this one is for you. Gather the top half of your curls and twist them up into a loose, messy bun, leaving the rest of your curls free underneath. Do not overthink it and do not try to make it too neat. The more relaxed and undone it looks, the better. It works on natural curls and wavy hair alike.
9. Beach Waves with Starfish Hair Clips
Curl your hair into loose, soft waves and then pin two pearl starfish clips near your temple on one side. That is the whole look. It is the perfect summer hairstyle for holidays, cruise dinners, or evenings by the water.
10. Scarf Ponytail
Pull your hair into a ponytail, and instead of tying it with just a hair tie, wrap a printed silk or chiffon scarf around the base, letting the ends trail down with your hair. It adds so much personality to a simple ponytail and takes about thirty extra seconds. Floral or botanical prints work especially well for summer.
11. Curly Updo with a Flower Claw Clip
Gather your curls loosely and pin them up with a flower-shaped claw clip, letting a few tendrils fall out around the front and sides. It should look effortless rather than polished. This is a great beach-day hairstyle for curly and wavy hair because it keeps the bulk of your hair up while still looking really pretty and relaxed.
12. Beach Braid with Flowers Woven In
Create a loose braid and as you go, tuck small tropical flowers or silk flower hairpins into the sections. You can use fresh flowers if you are somewhere tropical, or grab some pretty hair flower pins online for an everyday version. It looks so vibrant and joyful, and is a wonderful hairstyle for beach weddings or summer celebrations.
13. Double Dutch Braid into Buns
Part your hair down the middle and Dutch-braid each side, meaning you braid under rather than over, all the way down to the nape of your neck. Coil each braid into a small bun and secure with pins or an elastic. It is tight and secure enough for swimming, keeping everything completely off your face.
14. Half Up with a Hibiscus Flower Clip
Pull back the top half of your hair and secure it with a large hibiscus flower clip. Leave the rest of your waves or curls loose underneath. This requires zero skill, and the flower clip does all the heavy lifting. It is such an easy way to add a tropical summer feeling to your hair without trying at all.
15. Braided Plait with a Silk Scarf
Tie your hair into a slicked low pony. Slide the silk scarf through the hair tie so it’s perfectly halved. Braid the ponytail, weaving the silk scarf through the sections so it peeks out between the plaits, then tie the end with a hairtie. This is a great summer hairstyle for festivals or outdoor events.
16. Braided Half Up with Waterfall Effect
Take a section of hair from each side of your head and braid it back toward the centre. Tie both braids together with an elastic at the back of your head to create a ponytail. Then add more elastics every couple of inches along the ponytail, and gently pull each section apart to create rounded bubble sections. It is such a pretty combination of two classic styles.
17. Double Plaits with Ribbon Ties Under a Cap
Divide your hair into two sections and plait each one, tying the ends with elastics, then short lengths of white ribbon tied into bows. Pull on a baseball cap over the top. It is cute, practical, and keeps everything neat for outdoor activities.
18. Half Up Plait with Side Braids
Take a small section of hair from each side of your head and braid them. Then gather the top half of your hair, including both braids, and plait it together so the smaller braids are folded into the larger one. Secure the end with a clear elastic. It sounds more complicated than it is, and the result is so pretty.
19. Half Up Double Bubble Ponytails
Gather the top half of your hair and split it into two sections instead of one. Tie each section into a small ponytail, then add elastics every couple of inches along each one, gently pulling the sections apart to create those rounded bubbles. It is a really fun and playful twist on a classic half-up style.
20. Boho Bandana with Bangs Out
Fold a bandana into a triangle and tie it around your head, keeping your bangs loose (if you have them) at the front. Leave the rest of your hair down. That is genuinely all there is to it. The bandana does all the work, and it looks so effortlessly cool.
21. Boho Bandana Bun
Twist your hair into a low, messy bun, then wrap a floral or printed bandana over the top, tying it under or to the side. It is the perfect hairstyle for days when your hair needs a break or you just want something that looks cute without any real effort. It pairs beautifully with a sundress or a simple white tee.
22. Half Up Double Plaits
Split the top section of your hair into two and plait each one. Leave the rest of your hair loose underneath. It is a really simple and pretty alternative to a standard half-up style and takes just a couple of minutes to do.
23. Relaxed Half Up Braid
Pull back the top half of your hair into a loose braid and secure it with an elastic somewhere in the middle of your back. Leave the rest falling however it wants.
24. Braided Low Bun
Braid each side of your hair and then coil the braid into a low bun, pinning it into place at the nape of your neck. It looks elegant and a little fancy, but is genuinely not that hard once you have practised a couple of times. A great summer hairstyle for weddings, outdoor dinners, or a city break.
25. Mini Claw Clip Half Up
Section off the top half of your hair and use two small decorative claw clips side by side to pin it back. Leave the rest in soft waves. It is one of those summer hairstyle ideas that takes absolutely no time but looks like you actually thought about it.
26. Braided Crown Ponytail
Take a small section of hair along your hairline and braid it, following the hairline around like a crown before pulling it into your ponytail at the back. Gather the rest of your hair into a loose, wavy pony and tie it all together.
27. Double French Braid Ponytails
French braid each side of your hair from the temple down, then tie each braid off into its own separate low ponytail at the nape of your neck.
28. Side Braids into a Claw Clip Half Up
Take a small section of hair from each side and braid them. Then gather both sides of your hair, including the braids, into a small claw clip at the back. Leave the rest loose underneath. The braids add a sweet detail that makes a simple half-up look feel a little more special.
29. Double Dutch Braids into Ponytails
Part your hair down the middle and Dutch braid each side tightly all the way from the hairline down to the nape of your neck. Tie each braid into a low ponytail and secure with an elastic. It is sleek, secure, and stays put all day, even in the heat. Great for swimming, hiking, or any active summer day.
30. Double Side Plaits Half Up
Split the top section of your hair down the middle and plait each side, starting from the hairline and continuing the braid all the way down the length of each section. Leave the rest of your hair loose and wavy underneath. The two plaits frame the top of your head beautifully and flow into the loose hair beneath, which gives it that really pretty half-up effect.
31. Front Mini Braids with Hair Down
Take two small sections from the very front top of your head and braid each one back about 3cm. Slick those front sections back neatly behind your ears and leave the rest of your hair hanging loose and wavy. The little braids sit on top and fall forward so beautifully.
32. Half Up Bun with a Bottom Braid
Gather the top half of your hair into a ponytail, then twist it into a bun and secure it with bobby pins. Then take a small section from the bottom half of your hair that is left down and plait it. Leave the rest of the bottom half loose around it.
33. Boho Braids with Hair Charms
Braid a few small sections of hair at the side of your head and clip in a few gold ocean-themed hair charms wherever you feel like it. Shells, starfish, pearls, and tiny tassels all look gorgeous. You do not need a specific hairstyle for this one, just a braid somewhere and some pretty charms.
THIS POST SHOWED YOU THE BEST SUMMER HAIRSTYLES
