33 Sexy Summer Hair Ideas

You don’t need to frolic in the sand to get sexy summer waves. Land-lovers can mist a moisturizing salt spray on damp locks and blow-dry strands with a diffuser to get tousled styles without heading to the beach.

We like Philip B. Maui Wowie Beach Mist, $19.90; amazon.com.

...And try out Blake Lively’s secret for weather-proof hair. Wash your strands before bed, spritz roots with a volumizing spray, twist hair into a loose bun at the top of your head, and secure with open-ended pins. When you wake up, remove the pins. Soft waves should tumble down. If they don’t, use your fingers to gently comb through big knots.

Since the top of your head gets the most direct exposure to UV rays, add a few drops of sunscreen or a swipe of a sunblock stick along your part to prevent burns above your neck. Better yet, toss on a cute floppy hat for full-face protection.

For a DIY calming scalp mask, stylist James Corbett suggests mixing one part mashed cucumber with one part sour cream. The anti-inflammatory properties of the veggie will cool the scalp, while the sour cream works to balance pH levels.

When blow-drying your hair, stay close to an air conditioner or fan to avoid sweating from the heat (hello, extra frizz). The extra air flow will also help dry your strands faster, causing less overall damage.

Celebs are obsessed with the 1970s-inspired feather extensions, but these funky accessories can pack a heavy price tag. For a fun, budget-friendly spin on the look, celebrity stylist James Corbett suggests making your own out of fly fishing feathers and drugstore hair pins.

Add a few drops of peppermint oil to your shampoo for a tingly, spa-like shower experience at home. The minty extract will also increase circulation in your scalp, promoting more hair growth.

Hair is made of keratin, which is a type of protein. So, adding more amino acids to your diet will help your tresses (and nails) grow stronger. Carry a pack of almonds for an energy- (and strand-) boosting treat on the go.

If your hair has recently been colored, try to keep it out of the sun as much as possible. Wear a cute scarf to protect your tresses and add an on-trend boho vibe to your beach look.

As the mercury rises (sweat, grime, salt water!), you’ll be washing your hair more frequently, which can lead to dry ends and faded color. When shampooing strands, only massage cleanser into roots to avoid stripping away naturally nourishing oils.

If your hair falls flat, (the extra moisture in humid air can weigh down strands), simply switch your part to the opposite side to add volume and lift. Trend-seekers can experiment with deeper parts, like those seen at Lacoste and Calvin Klein this season—or on starlet Camilla Belle.

If sticky, steamy temperatures normally leave your roots feeling greasy before lunchtime, carry an aerosol dry shampoo to refresh locks in a jiffy. Just spray over oily patches and brush (or finger tousle) hair as needed to remove residue.

We like TRESemme FreshStart Dry Shampoo for Oily/Straight to Normal Hair, $5.49; amazon.com.

If your hair is hard to comb after washing (salt-water and chlorine create killer knots), add a bit of conditioner to your shampoo. Lather as usual, rinse, and follow with another hit of conditioner. Comb through with a wide tooth comb (brushing wet hair causes more split ends) and repeat if necessary.

Roots are in! Take a cue from models like Lily Aldridge and grow out your highlights. Not only will you be able to space out your salon visits even more, but you’ll better protect your hue from the stresses of sun and surf (both oxidize newly-colored hair).

Should the humidity cause your perfectly flat-ironed hair to curl, or your bangs to flip the wrong way, you can easily pin back strands or transform your tresses into a cool updo with these old school stand-bys.

Summer might be the perfect time to wear your naturally curly hair in freely-formed coils, but straighter styles are harder to execute. Instead, opt for texturized waves and smooth a de-frizzing cream over strands before letting hair air-dry. Or let your curls run free, like songbird Jordin Sparks.

San Diego-based hair guru, Jet Rhys, suggests trying an herbal tea rinse to infuse hair with shade-enhancing tones. She recommends lemon or chamomile teas for blondes; black teas for brunettes; and hibiscus teas for red heads. Boil a large pot of water and add four tea bags for three to five minutes. When done, remove the tea bags and let the tea cool to room temp. Then, wash hair as usual before soaking your hair with the tea (be sure to comb it through the length of your locks). Cover strands with a shower cap and wait ten minutes before rinsing out.

After washing your hair, wring out any extra moisture with a towel (no rubbing!) and allow strands to dry up to 80% before blow-drying straight. Cutting back on hot tool uses reduces damage significantly. For extra-smooth locks, add shine serum and dry one three-inch section of hair at a time, while focusing the nozzle of the dryer over the brush.

It’s not enough to just eat a healthy diet. Taking a regular multi-vitamin will strengthen strands and allow your hair to grow longer, meaning fewer salon visits in the long run.

For those who believe in "no pain, no gain," run your hair under the coldest water you can stand for a few seconds before getting out of the shower. The icy blast will seal cuticles shut, leaving your strands super shiny.

Whether at the pool or ocean, don’t jump in with freshly washed hair (unless you're donning a swim cap). Chlorine, chemicals, and salt water are rough on cuticles, and freshly-washed tresses are more vulnerable to damage.

Aside from keeping your neck cool, a slicked-back ponytail accents your features and gives your mug an instant lift (take your cues from Raven-Symoné). Secure strands with an elastic band that matches your hair color, and be sure to place the ponytail about two inches above the top of your ears for a face-flattering profile.

Aside from keeping bangs and unruly strands in check, headbands add instant polish to plain ponytails and messy buns.

We like the L.L. Bean Cotton-Knit Unshrinkable Headband, $6.95; llbean.com.

The bare minimum you need to get perfect hair in flash? A giant comb and a leave in conditioner. Detangling in between swims (or every few hours) will be the difference between straw-like locks and silky strands after a day at the beach or pool.

Before you cut, smooth almond oil onto the ends of your hair to bring them back to life, suggests stylist James Corbett. It rejuvenates damaged hair just like olive oil, but smells like cookies instead of a salad.

Brooklyn Decker had the right idea when she chopped off her long locks before the hotter months arrived. And when it comes to summer hair, Allison Mazza of the Valery Joseph Salon says that low maintenance is the way to go. A layered bob can be worn wavy, smooth, or straight and takes a fraction of the time to style.

Plaited strands don’t just have to hang flat. Update this signature ‘do by parting hair on one side (a middle part will look too grade school) and French-braiding each section, from the top, down. After you've braided all of the hair around your face, twist any excess length into a messy bun. The end result is an effortlessly chic look that will stay put for hours, like Nicole Richie's coiff seen here.

Chemicals and free radicals from the pool, sun, salt water, and air conditioning can damage cuticles and dull the hair. At your next salon appointment, ask your stylist about shine treatments that can infuse locks with protein-building complexes to repair the damage done by summer strand-stressers.

Summer is the perfect time to really have fun with your hair. Try a different look each day from beachy waves, to braids, to a messy chignon, to a sleek ponytail. Toss on a hat or clip in some flowers for extra pizzazz.

Depending on your hair type, try experimenting with different bun-building accessories to keep your top knot looking fresh for hours. Women with finer hair can use filler pieces or extensions to add oomph to wimpy buns while women with thicker hair can use corkscrew pins to hold their coiffs in place.

We like Goody Simple Styles Spin Pins, $7.21; amazon.com.

If you have straight hair and need a lift (like fine-haired beauty, Amy Adams), part your damp hair into five or six sections, twist into little buns, and secure with pins. When you wake up, shake out strands for big, wavy bombshell hair. If your hair is thicker, allow it to air dry for thirty minutes before setting into buns.

Create Rihanna's romantic side-style by weaving four sections of hair (two large and two small) into a sexy fish tail braid and allowing loose pieces to fall around the face. For a sexy evening look, shake out hair and let it fall into perfectly-rumpled, voluminous waves.

More: Some of this year’s hottest styles, cuts, and colors.