When the soon-to-be-very-hot sun starts beating down, having sleek, styled hair often can take a back seat to getting the sticky strands off the back of your neck.
And while you may be tempted to throw your hair up in a ponytail every day between now and Oct. 1, there are easy ways to take the basic ‘do from comfortable to chic.
STYLE 1
Works great for: Women with medium-length, layered hair. Cameron Diaz likes to rock this style. How to do it:
1. Gather hair in a low, loose ponytail at the nape of the neck and secure with a hair band. Pull hair gently at the crown. Keeping the hair loose is key to making this style work.
2. Separate out a section of hair about 1/4-inch thick. Spray lightly with hair spray.
3. Wrap hair around ponytail to hide the band.
4. Secure hair section with bobby pin.
5. To add texture, work pomade through the ends. For a long hair or blunt-cut variation, begin by parting hair on the side and then pulling it into a ponytail. This look also works with a ponytail on the side or the crown of the head.
STYLE 2
Works great for: All hair types with a little length to braid. How to do it:
1. Gather hair into a sleek, high ponytail. Braid 3 inches of the ponytail.
2. Form braid into an arch and secure with bobby pins.
3. For a casual look, leave the tail hanging down. For a sleeker style, flat iron the ends and add shine serum.
4. If you want to make this dressier, take the ends of the ponytail and tuck them under, securing with bobby pins underneath the braid.
STYLE 3
Works great for: Those who are a little more “advanced.” This style is more difficult than the other two, but it’s doable without help. How to do it:
1. Start by working a styling product (such as a volumizer, pomade or gel) through hair. Tease hair at the crown. Comb lightly to smooth out the hair, but don’t comb out the tease.
2. Section off one side of hair above the ear, pull it back to the middle of the head, twist and secure it with bobby pins. Repeat on the other side.
3. Split remaining hair (which should be in the back on the bottom half of the head) into two pieces.
4. Braid one section of the hair.
5. Flip the braid up to meet the twist made earlier and secure. Repeat.
