Beautiful woman with braids, in summer field

There was a time when ponytails were the female equivalent of sweatpants on men. The only fashion statement ponytails made was, “I give up.” But ponytails were meant to be functional not than fashionable. They had kept hair off women’s necks and faces for summers immemorial. Would we have to abandon our ponytails to keep our pride?

Luckily, we didn’t have to make a choice. It soon became clear that the ponytail was here to stay and our pride wasn’t going anywhere any time soon. All it would take was a little added glamour and a few YouTube tutorials. Suddenly, there were ponytails and updos that would do that would free our necks and free us of all those ponytail stereotypes. If you’re looking for some artful updos and ponies this summer, we’ve got you uncovered.

The Knotted Ponytail

http://www.instagram.com/p/BcAo9qPF0Gj/

If you can knot your shoes, you can knot afford not to try this do. This low pony can rock boho look and makes a great pairing with ruffles and bare shoulders.  It’s also so easy that you can do it with your eyes closed during your lunch break using rubber bands that you stole from the HR department.  Here’s the low down on this updo.

Directions:

  1. Spray a light texturing spray over your hair for a bit of hold.
  2. Section hair into two horizontal sections, one above the ear and one below.
  3. Split the top section in half and tie the two halves together with a knot.
  4. Divide the bottom section in half and weave each side into one of the ends of the knots you’ve created. You should now have two distinct sections.
  5. Tie your last knot to combine the two and wrap an elastic band around it to hold it in place.

Double Buns

https://www.instagram.com/p/BpFu-bLB6EE/

The Star Wars franchise came out in 1977, but it took until the ’90s before anyone who wasn’t a Princess Leia geek started sporting double buns in an everyday setting. Otherworldly as the look may be, it’s gotten very popular among earthlings in the last few years, Gwen Stefani and Adriana Grande, specifically. In fact, we think it’s the greatest thing since pigtails. Double buns can work with any look, they sort of make their own statement. Here’s how to do the do that put Carrie Fisher on the map of the galaxy. (R.I.P, Princess).

Directions:

  1. Brush out tangles.
  2. Make a part using a comb. You can do any type of part you want in the front, as long as you part it down the middle in the back.
  3. Create pigtails using one ponytail holder on each side. Keep pigtails high toward the front of your head so that the buns are front and on either side (rather than front and center- LOL).
  4. Tease hair with a hairbrush to make sure your buns are nice and fat.
  5. Twist each pigtail and roll it up in a bun. The messier the twist, the messier the bun – a tight twist will give your buns a neater look.
  6. Add your second set of ponytail holders and bobby pins for extra security.
  7. Spray with hairspray for extra hold. Add anything from glitter to sparklers (not recommended, especially if you’re using hairspray) to chopsticks to give Miley Cyrus a run for the money.

Half-Up Top Knot

http://www.instagram.com/p/q72GgKN1U8/

Think of the half-up top knot as a ponytail-and- the-rest down gone futuristic. All fun on top (hence the knot) and all business on the bottom (hence the rest down), this “do” brings the naughty to the traditional schoolgirl. All you need now are some preppy clothes and some trashy makeup.  Here’s how to create this funky fashion that will be sure to raise some Spock like eyebrows.

Directions:

  1. Begin by spritzing dry shampoo on your roots focusing on the top section of the hair where the knot will be to absorb oil and increase texture and volume.
  2. Massage it into your hair, using your fingertips, and then gather a section of hair stretching from one temple to another. Tie it into a ponytail. Make sure the ponytail is held tightly to your head to create a sturdy base for the knot. Use clear elastics for best results
  3. Take your ponytail and begin coiling it around the base until only the very bottom of the hair remains uncoiled. Use a large hair tie to secure the bun. Wrap the remaining hair around the coiledhttp://www.instagram.com/p/BHYosZdjCeX/

    section until the bun feels tight.

  4. Adjust it to your liking. Pulling pieces out of it will give it a messier feel. Use bobby pins as needed and style the bottom section as you wish.

Braid Hawk

http://www.instagram.com/p/BHYosZdjCeX/

Faux hawks aren’t for men only. Now there’s a way for ladies to get the hawk without mowing the sides of their heads that doesn’t involve an excess of hair gel. The braid hawk is a take on the Dutch braid that’s instantly Instragrammable. Wear it as bun substitute with dressy attire for some edgy elegance or with a tank and cutoffs for some just plain edge.

Directions:

  1. Brush hair. Add in some dry shampoo for easier styling with more hold.
  2. Flip your head upside down and begin a braid starting at the hairline. Flip head up once you’ve hit the crown.
  3. Continue until all of your hair is braided. Tie the end with an elastic band and flip the braid over itself. Use pins to keep it secure.

The Faux Bob

https://www.instagram.com/p/lZACVkSave/

Sometimes we want the do without the commitment. Thanks to the faux, you can go from hawk to bob without extensions. Loving the bob, but hating the idea of parting with your long sexy hair? No problem. All it takes are a few hairpins and a dream to get the long hair off your shoulders.

Directions:

(Using pins – works best on fine shoulder length hair)

  1. Apply a sea salt spray to your hair for added volume and texture.
  2. Divide hair into two sections, by parting hair horizontally from ear to ear. Use a clip to secure the hair above the part.
  3. Divide the bottom layer into two 2” sections. Fold or roll each section up toward your scalp. Secure sections in place with bobby pins.
  4. Unclip the top layer of hair.
  5. If your hair is layered, leave the shorter layers out to cover the bottom layer. If your hair is all one length or has longer layers, roll the ends of the bottom section up and pin them to your head.
  6. Mist hair with holding spray.

Bonus Tips:

  • Bring some bobby pins with you and check hair on a regular basis to secure loose ends.
  • For a curlier bob, curl each section with a curling iron and run a serum through to separate the curls. See Rachel Bilson for inspo.

Twisted Bun

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu3C-OcFoqg/

Want a twisted bun that has nothing to do with cinnamon?  Take our advice and leave the cinnamon for breakfast. The only ingredients this twisted low bun needs are some good bobby pins and a little hairspray. Here are the directions for an easy bun romantic enough to wear to weddings.

Directions:

  1. Take a one-inch section of hair above your ear and twist it away from your face toward the back of your head.
  2. Secure twist in with a pin in the back and repeat on the other side.
  3. Gather both twists and the remaining hair in a low ponytail and secure with elastic.
  4. Coil the tail (much like a cinnamon roll and secure by pushing pins through the bun into the base of the ponytail.

Braided Headband

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkN7nKOHyYJ/

If your hair is your crowning glory, why not wear it like royalty? When it comes to summer styles, the braided hairband is the cheapest tiara your likely to find this side of the Ninety-nine cent store. Whether your hair is straight or kinky or somewhere in between, this flattering option is sure to make every woman look like a queen. Here’s the how-to:

Directions:

  1. Gather a piece of hair two inches wide just above your ear. If your hair is thin, mist with volumizing spray.
  2. Loosely braid the hair all the way down – with emphasis on the word loosely. If you braid too tightly, your braid will be shorter and may not make it all the way around your head.
  3. Tie off the end with elastic and lift it across the top of your head to your opposite ear and pin in place.
  4. Leave the rest loose or pull it back into a ponytail or bun.

Classic French Braids

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw-NDroh66z/

Want to add some joie de vivre to your summer? How about some Francophile style? Who says braids have to start above your ears when they look so tres Magnifique plaited tight against your head? Here are some French braid styles that will keep your hair together whether or not it has a part.

Directions:

  1. Brush hair to get the tangles out. For a single braid, brush hair backward. If you want more than one braid, part hair and brush it into sections.
  2. Gather a big chunk from the top center of your head ¾ of an inch wide. All of these hair should come from the same row of your hair. Try not to grab strands that are higher or lower.
  3. Separate the chunks into 3 pieces just as you would do with a regular braid. Make sure all sections contain equal amounts of hair. Begin braiding in traditional style.
  4. As you move down, begin incorporating new pieces of hair. With each section of hair you cross over, add a little more from that side of your head.
  5. As you work your way down, you will have incorporated all of your hair.
  6. Secure with a ponytail holder when you reach the end.

Summer Hairstyling Tips

Plaited into braids or tied into knots, fishtailed or ponytailed, summer hair just isn’t summer hair without that healthy natural glow. Before you think about what you’re going to do with your hair, think about what your hair does for you. Exposing hair to the hot sun, chlorinated pools and sweat can wreak havoc on even the most perfectly coiffed head. Here are some summer hair tips that will keep your hair beautiful this summer no matter how undone your “do”  is. 

  1. Don’t stop conditioning: Hair needs conditioner like the body needs water. To moisturize without wetting,  spritz a dry conditioner on every other day.
  2. Braids before blowouts: Use the summer break to take a break from blowouts and hot styling tools. Even messy styles will look chic if the hair is healthy. Try using a conditioner instead of styling cream for better hydration.
  3. Hair masks: Forget your snazzy new yoga pants, the best accessories to bring to the gym this summer are a hair mask and a plastic cap.  Before your workout, apply a mask to your hair and pull it back into a ponytail. After your workout, don a shower cap to condition your muscles and hair at the same time.
  4. Dust off your hair: Do you sometimes feel that your hair looks so lifeless, it’s starting to collect dust? Sometimes the only way to get rid of dry and dull hair is by using scissors. Dusting hair refers to a technique that involves trimming such a small amount of hair that it floats through the air like dust. Every three weeks may seem like a lot, but it will save you an inch in the long run.