There are a few universal things to keep in mind. One, whenever you can, get your hair up. “As the temperatures rise, I love to create fashionable summer hairstyles that keep your neck free. This keeps you cooler longer, but it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on style,” says celebrity hairstylist Laurie Heaps. Two: Have fun! Now’s the time to play around with accessories, like brightly colored pins or scarves, and easy ways to add visual interest to otherwise simple styles. And when all else fails, don’t forget that a simple topknot or loose bun is always a good backup option, notes hairstylist John Mouzakis, co-owner of 3rd Coast Salon in Chicago. (And to that point, he advises always keeping a few extra bobby pins or hair ties on hand, just in case). To get bottleneck bangs, Smith says to “ask your hairstylist for longer bangs that skim your cheekbones at an angle that flatters your face, curving around to create a layer that sits somewhere between your cheekbones and jaw.” Then, ask for the central part to be cut shorter, keeping the cutting line soft and choppy, with the shortest part in the middle and getting longer on the edges. When adding micro braids into a hairstyle, go into the process with an end result in mind as this will change both the size and the placement of the braid. “For face-framing braids, part the hair neatly down the center, secure about a half inch to an inch of hair closest to the front of the face, and braid tightly starting as close to the root as possible,” suggests Hershberger. “Before securing with a clear elastic, I like to use my fingers to push down on the braid, starting at the top and working down, so that it flattens the braid out and makes it blend into the hair a little more seamlessly. With top knots and ponytails, braids can be a little larger in size, but should still be flattened out so they don’t look bulky in an updo.” You can achieve this look with hot tools, but the aforementioned braid technique is another great way to achieve heatless curls. “To obtain natural waves after braiding hair, it is important to use proper products,” says Millie Morales, a celebrity hairstylist and colorist for Garnier. “After washing hair, apply Garnier Whole Blends 10-in-1 Miracle Nectar Leave-In Treatment ($8; walgreens.com) and comb it all over damp hair to distribute the product. Then divide the hair in half and begin to weave a braid on each side. The final wavy look when the braids are removed should last for a couple of days!” Start by applying a shaping cream through damp hair to keep it moist and give it some grip, then layer that with a mousse to provide hold and create that slicked-back structure. Try: Authentic Beauty Concept Amplify Mousse ($25; ulta.com). Comb all your hair back and let it air dry, finishing with a light mist of hairspray to set everything in place. Take the top section of your hair, stretching from temple to temple, and pull it up, twisting it into a loose topknot and securing with either a hair tie or bobby pins. You can either brush it back or keep it parted in the center, then wear the rest of your hair straight or with a little texture, Mouzakis says—both look just as good. Either way, start by sweeping hair up and securing into a high pony. Add even more texture at this point by sprinkling the ponytail with a texturizing powder, like BioSilk Volumizing Therapy Texturizing Powder ($10; walmart.com). This both creates volume and gives the hair just the right amount of grip so that it won’t slip. Use a clear elastic and loop hair into a bun—the messier the better. But don’t stop there. The key to this summer hairstyle for medium hair is to then repeat this process, looping the bun into another bun to add more structure, Heaps says.
