Five Easy Summer Updos for Long Hair
Foolproof and stylish.
Each summer, there comes a time when the sweltering heat of the season demands we pull our hair up and off of our necks.
Instead of settling for sweaty, sticky hair that clings to whatever it touches, updos are the easiest (and the chicest!) way to keep cool without compromising on having cute hair. From claw-clipped styles to tousled top knots, there are countless ways to pull off this summer-proof hairdo. Below, we break down five easy summer updos for long hair of all types and textures, plus the products and tools you’ll need along the way.
The flower power updo
Though we love the look of real flowers tucked behind the ear for a quick summer photo op, this miniature claw clip style allows you to preserve your freshly arranged bouquets. Begin by sweeping your hair back into a ponytail at the middle of your head, then tie your hair into a loose bun, leaving a few strands out to frame your face and at the base of your bun for an effortless vibe.
Depending on the thickness of your hair, use as many mini flower clips as needed to decorate your bun to your liking. After all, nothing says summer like a girl with flowers in her hair.
Emi Jay’s Baby Super Bloom Clips were made for summery styles like this one. Shop the brand’s four-piece set in the Jelly Peach and Jelly Lemon colourway, or the Jelly Cloud and Jelly Lemon styles to recreate this look.
The voluminous pony
What’s better than a slicked-back ponytail? A slicked-back ponytail full of va-va-voom volume. For this style, part your hair down the centre of your scalp and use a boar-bristle brush along with your favourite styling stick or gel to achieve a super smooth pony.
Then, going layer by layer, gently tease the hair at the base of your pony with a fine-tooth comb to amp up the fullness. Lock in your look with a spritz of texture spray for a little lift and you’re all set.
A good brush is an absolute must for sleek styles of all kinds. Crafted entirely from vegan materials, including boar-like bristles, Dae’s Vegan Detangle + Style Brush works wonders for hairdos like this one. Plus, it works gently through stubborn knots as you style.
If it’s extra volume you’re after, SexyHair’s Big Fun Raiser Volumizing Dry Texture Spray is the key. In addition to zhuzh-ing your locks, it’ll also provide up to 24 hours of humidity resistance and up to 48 hours of hold.
The braided claw clip pony
While braids and other protective styles are summertime hair staples, sometimes it’s just too hot to wear them down. In those humid moments, a claw-clip pony looks chic and instantly cools you off. As you would without braids, start off by gathering your hair at the nape of your neck. Twist your hair around a few times and bring it upwards, securing it against your head with a claw clip.
But not just any claw clip will work! If you’ve got thicker braids, you’ll need an XL one to hold all of your hair. For that cascaded ponytail look, let the remainder of your hair fall down over the clip.
Made from durable, recycled plastic, Kitsch’s Jumbo Bow Hair Clips were made to hold thicker hair. This two-piece set conveniently comes with both a classic black clip and a chic tortoiseshell clip so you can switch up your style with ease.
The tousled top knot
Perfect for summer strolls and slow mornings by the sea, you can never go wrong with a top knot at this time of year. And the beauty of this style is that it’s totally OK to mess it up — in fact, the messier, the better. To get this look, you’ll want to begin with a loose ponytail at the top of your head. For that “knot” illusion, twist your hair around until you reach the end of your ponytail and wrap it around the base of your pony until no more hair is left.
Then, secure the bun with a hair tie and bobby pins, and gently begin tugging pieces of hair out around your head to create a messier look. Pull out two tendrils from the front to frame your face and instantly elevate the style.
Styling hack: Find bobby pins that match your hair colour for an effortlessly styled look. Whether you’re a brunette or a blonde, count on Goody’s Bobby Pins to discreetly hold your hair in place all day long.
The classic curly updo
During the summer months, a tried-and-true ponytail updo will never fail the curly girls. Begin by slicking your hair up into a sleek, tight ponytail at the top of your head. Next, mist your hair with a curl refresher if needed, and fluff out your hair to find your desired shape. If your curls are too long, you can also miscellaneously pin pieces of hair up to create a classic updo style.
If you’d like, you can also pull hairs out around the perimeter of your face for a messier finish, similar to the top knot style above. Finish the look by touching up your edges, and there you have it.
Swoop your baby hairs and edges to perfection with Shea Moisture’s Coconut & Hibiscus + Flaxseed Edge Gel. Formulated with silk protein and neem oil, this styler keeps flyaways in check while providing a healthy-looking shine.
Are your second-day curls looking lacklustre? Give your hair new life with a couple of spritzes of Kerastase’s Curl Manifesto Curl Refreshing & Restyling spray. The starring manuka honey ingredient within this curl mister instantly hydrates the hair and encourages a smoother, more manageable result.
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