Summer hair styling: catwalk looks that are perfect for holiday days and nights

Forget windswept hair – here is our guide to the best styles for the seaside with a little help from the experts

Emma Akbareian
Sunday 10 August 2014 20:22 BST
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Braided updo
Braided updo

Holidays are for many the most eagerly anticipated time of the year – but despite the promise of sun, sea and relaxation, holiday prep can be fraught with dilemmas. The wind, waves and hot weather can wreak havoc with even the glossiest of barnets, leaving it messy, knotted and in poor condition.

Take the hassle out of at least one area of your getaway by ensuring your haircare routine is in hand. Make note of these styles and with a little professional help get the best out of your hair on the beach.

Braided updo

This may look a little more complicated than your average day at the beach need entail but is actually fairly straightforward if you know your braids and is without a doubt the prettiest of looks. This style was created for the spring/summer 2014 Rebecca Minkoff show in New York and was inspired by old pictures of Bianca Jagger and Frida Kahlo.

Jeanie Syfu, a Tresemmé stylist, explains how to get the look: “Prep damp hair with Tresemmé 24 Hour Body Foaming Mousse and rough-dry. Create a messy zigzag side parting and clip to separate; from the heavier side of the part take another zigzag section behind the ear and clip, to create three separate ponytail sections.”

For extra volume and texture you can back-brush each section. “Then from the ponytails create a four-strand braid and fasten with elastic. Wrap the braids around the top of the head, tucking the end of the braids under, and fasten with bobby pins.”

Tousled waves look drier and saltier, with plenty of texture

Tousled waves

This is the look that most sums up beach hair. The trick to getting it right is to retain the messy, natural aesthetic but present it in an artful and pretty way. “This is a strong trend this season and it’s been on the radar for a while but this time it feels as if it’s being pushed a little more – the hair looks slightly drier, a little saltier, there’s plenty of texture,” comments Sam McKnight, the global stylist ambassador for Pantene and the creator of this look for Paul Smith.

McKnight simply utilised water to put natural movement and moisture into the hair. Volumising mousse is a useful tool to add texture and hold in the shape.

To keep the shine in the finish, try applying dry oil, such as Pantene’s version: “Delivery is so important. It’s key to really move the product around and work it into your hair bit by bit to get that glossy overall finish that stays super light and fluid,” Pantene ambassador Danilo advises.

Sleek pony is the most classic of all hairstyles and it's ideal for the beach

Sleek pony

Perhaps the most classic of all hairstyles, the enduring, infinitely versatile ponytail is ideal for the beach. For those who left their ponytail days behind at secondary school, think beyond dowdy updos of gym class to a far sleeker version.

At Holly Fulton’s show, models were styled with a low ponytail with a twist. Syd Hayes, L’Oréal Paris’s UK hairstylist, explains how to recreate the look. “Part your hair from a low side parting. Whilst your hair is still wet, squeeze about a £2-size amount of L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Invisi’Hold Gel into the palm of your hand, rub them together and apply the whole way through your head, keeping the parting in place. Take your hair into a very low ponytail in the nape of your neck and tie this off using a hairband or a piece of elastic.”

For added detail on the ponytail, Hayes says: “Wrap your hair around the pony. Pin with one fine pin or bobby pin and you’re all set.”

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