School is finally out for the summer! When you’re not working at your summer job or internship, you can trade in that professional wardrobe for your cutest bikini and hit the beach (and maybe find a summer love while you’re there!). But wait—with the salty winds and sweltering heat, what are you supposed to do with your hair for a long day by the seashore? Don’t worry; Her Campus has compiled a list of super-easy, incredibly gorgeous options for hair even mermaids will envy.
1. Beachy Waves
For this easy hairstyle, all you have to do is get yourself an empty spray bottle, a cup of warm water, a tablespoon of sea salt, a teaspoon of coconut oil, and a teaspoon of gel. Then, pour all of those ingredients in the spray bottle, shake it up, and spray it on damp, almost-dried hair. Flip your head over and scrunch your hair, then allow it to air-dry. Or, if you’d rather not concoct your own magic hair potion, you can buy one; Bumble and bumble Surf Spray ($25), Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray ($5.99), and SACHAJUAN Ocean Mist ($28) are all great options!
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2. Try a Topknot
If you’d rather have your hair out of your face for a day in the sun, this is the style for you. Just pull your hair into a high ponytail, twisting the hair from the base of the ponytail all the way to your ends. Bringing the twisted hair toward the front, begin wrapping it around the ponytail’s base until you’ve formed a bun. Then, push a few bobby pins in through the back of the bun and pin the bun in place. Near your temples, pull a few strands loose so your ‘do doesn’t look too formal, and voilà: a topknot that will keep you looking and feeling cool all day long.
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3. Braid It Back
This one’s for the collegiettes who want to rock the beach waves, but don’t want hair stuck to their forehead all afternoon. All you have to do is make a deep side part, grab a two-inch section of your hair, and start a tight French braid down your hairline. Keep braiding until you get behind your ear, then secure your braid with a few bobby pins. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can use a 1-inch barrel curling iron to create a few loose curls; otherwise, let the ocean curl it for you!
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4. Get Fishy With It
If you’re a collegiette who plans on spending her shore time playing beach volleyball, here’s something less boring than a plain-old ponytail that will still keep your hair out of your eyes while you’re setting and spiking. Just pull your hair into a high ponytail, then fishtail braid it the rest of the way down. To make a fishtail braid, separate your hair into two halves, then bring a tiny section from the outside of one half to the inside of the other half, repeat the process on the other side, and so on.
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5. Tuck and Cover
When you’re rushing to get to the beach so you can find a prime sunbathing spot, this style will help you get out the door quickly. Just slide a stretchy headband on to keep your hair back. Then place a second headband (the cute one you actually want to wear!) over the top of your head and slightly onto your forehead, boho-style; that’s what’s going to hold your hair as you tuck it. Starting at the right side of your head, grab a one-inch piece of hair, roll it up to the back of the second headband, then tuck the hair into the band and pull it tight so that the ends stick out. Grab another one-inch piece of hair to the left of that and combine it with the tail of the strands you just tucked, still pulling it tight and letting the tail stick out. Continue this method until you’ve tucked all of your hair—and don’t worry, it’s normal for pieces to fall out! Just roll them back up and re-tuck them into the band. Once you’re done tucking and rolling, slide the second headband back gently until it falls over top of the first headband, hiding it. There you go!
Do you have a favorite hairstyle to rock at the beach? Leave a tutorial for us in the comments!