Even if you have turned yourself into something of a Chris Appleton [1] protégé while social distancing (and in which case, please do share your tutorial), the truth is: this summer will see a whole theme of summer hair [2] has always been 'up with no fuss' because it's a carefree season and, as a general rule, people don't want their hair resting on their necks or faces during the hot and humid months," said Devin Toth [3], NYC-based hairstylist at Salon SCK. "This year is clearly going to be different because it's hard to have a no-fuss mindset when you're wearing a face mask [4]. The majority of hairstyles [5] will still be worn up, but they'll be a lot tighter, cleaner, and longer-lasting than in previous years. They will be up with a lot more intention than last summer."
That doesn't mean your go-to style has to be complicated, because, really, who has the time? (That was a bad dad joke, OK, we know you're all freer than ever.) Logistically speaking, thought, when you're wearing a face mask outside, your hair will be the one thing people see. Plus, "when you're on the go and on a mission, the last thing you'll want to worry about is your hair" — so make it a good one with one of these easy hairstyle trends to try this summer [6], ahead.
Summer Hair Trend: High Ponytails — In Every Form
"Tight, clean ponytails [7] that don't compete with your mask straps will be the chicest look of the season," said Toth. "Usually ponytails are a lot softer looking in the summertime, but this year you won't want soft little tendrils flying in your face."
There's also a practical reason behind the slicked-back, out-of-your-face style: "Once you leave home you'll want your hairstyle to last all day, and there's nothing cute about needing to adjust or fix a loose hairstyle while you're out and about in basic PPE (mask and gloves). It will actually be really important to ignore your impulses and limit what you touch when you're in public, which especially includes your face, glasses, and hair."
The placement of the ponytail is key. Wondering how high you should go? Toth has a suggestion: "If you could draw a continuing imaginary line extending from the angle of the straps on your face mask, then that will guide where the ponytail should be. I like pairing a higher ponytail with face masks that have one loop around each ear. Those straps go upward from your mouth and chin region to your ear. So when you brush your hair away from your face you should brush it all upward in a direction that mimics the upward line or angle created by your ear loops."
If you're falling asleep just reading the word "ponytail," adding a simple braid or twist can transform the style in a pinch. "Remember you can turn any ponytail into a braid — that's an easy twist on the go-to look for summer," he said.
No idea how to braid? Consider your other options: "When hair is in a secure ponytail, it's easy to spice up the style by adding a couple of well-placed, bedazzled snap clips, bobby pins, or barrettes. You can even add a statement scrunchy at the base of the tail."
Or, an even slighter twist to your traditional pony? "While this gravity defying style looks great as a plain ponytail or as a bun, it looks even better with a flip on the ends of tail created by a flat iron or large barrel curling iron," said Toth.
Summer Hair Trend: Messy Topknot
If you're not into the wet look, and are looking for something a little less slick in the summer months, you can keep your topknot messy. "It's really fun for the highest ponytail on top of you head to do a big, messy topknot bun," he said. "So the base is still tight into a ponytail, but then it's a larger-than-life topknot o bun directly on top of your head. It's a fun carefree look that will stay all day and has a nice softness to it. The placement of the pony will still be balanced with any mask straps."
Summer Hairstyle Trend: the Symmetrical Ear Tuck
The subtlest trend of them all requires but one flick of your wrist: the ear tuck. "This tuck keeps the hair away but is still super chill," saaid Toth. "It's different from last year's asymmetrical ear tuck trend because now you're tucking both sides behind your ears in order to keep your hair completely off your face. It results in a relaxed half-up, half-down style and is often secured away from the face with bobby pins, accessories, or even with a low, tiny hidden ponytail resting beneath your hair in the back."
"The texture can be natural, mermaid wave or very straight. It's not meant to be a wide hairstyle but rather a slendering or narrowing one. So don't let the sides get to bushy. It can definitely be done with wet hair as well."
Summer Hair Trend: Wet Hair Buns
A slight variation to the forecasted "wet hair" trend, this updo style is still slick but considerably more low-key. "If your flyaways are harder to control than you expected, just brush gel along your hairline to control the style with a comb or boar bristle brush," he said. "Don't be afraid to use a generous amount of gel because it is after all supposed to look wet. I would finish this look with Serge Normant's Meta Sheer Dry Oil Finishing Spray [8] ($35) to keep the sheen lasting all day."