19 Summer-Only Beauty Trends

Amanda Seyfried may have rocked this messy side plait on the red carpet, but there's no doubt that it would look just as sexy on the beach, thanks to its mermaidy vibe. For a similar style, weave your locks into a low, loose side braid. Then, use your fingers to pull it apart until it looks appropriately deconstructed. (Belting out "Part of Your World" is totally optional.)

Shimmery turquoise, emerald, and aqua eye shadow can look garish during the dead of winter, but when paired with (faux) tanned skin the results are dazzling — just check out Jessica Alba. Sweep your chosen hue over your upper lids and smudge some shadow along your lower lash lines. Add a few coats of black mascara for contrast and keep the rest of your makeup neutral.

Sexy Summer-Only Shades: CoverGirl Smoky ShadowBlast in Tempest blue ($6.79, drugstore.com), Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream in Turquoise ($22, sephora.com), and Urban Decay Stardust in Atmosphere ($20, macys.com).

Whitney Port may have grown up in SoCal, but now she's an NYC girl, which means that her surfer girl highlights look most natural when it's actually sunny outside. So if you have light brown/dark blonde hair, feel free to let your roots grow out as much as possible for the remainder of the summer and brighten up the pieces around your face and your ends with some blonde highlights. Come fall, you can go for a deeper, more uniform shade.

Unless you live in a warm climate year round, now is the only time you can get away with wearing a plunging dress like model Carmen Kass's daring sequined number. Make sure your skin looks flawless and glowy by exfoliating like crazy in the shower. Then, slather on a shimmer body balm for a pretty allover gleam.

Hot Body Duo: Philosophy The Big Skinny Exfoliating Scrub ($20, nordstrom.com) and Benefit Bathina "Take a Picture It Lasts Longer..." ($28, sephora.com)

Technically Carrie Underwood's hairstyle would look cute during any season, but the popular "side braid and waves" combo is a summer 'do at heart. To get it, make a side part, then section off the front of your hair a few inches from your hairline. Start at the part and work your way across your head. When you reach your ear finish the braid and secure the ends with a clear elastic. Use a medium curling iron to create soft waves.

If you can get past Katy Perry's blinding blue wig, you'll notice that she's sporting the season's hottest nail trend: neon polish. And like super-short rompers and gladiator sandals, glow-in-the-dark lacquer shades should only be worn during the summer months when it's cool to try something daring. Alternate your favorite fluorescents on each finger for a wild "Rainbow Bright" effect or paint a light color in a half-moon shape at the base of your nail and do the rest in a blindingly bright one. Check out our favorite sizzling-hot summer nail polishes!

The first thing we do when the weather heats up is head to the colorist for a few golden highlights. But natural blondes like Julianne Hough can push it even further during the summer by brightening up to an almost-platinum hue. One caveat: This cool, white-blonde shade is best left to a pro. To prevent brassiness, use a violet-tinted shampoo or conditioner such as Clairol Shimmer Lights Shampoo ($8.99, sallybeauty.com) and Redken Blonde Glam Perfect Color Enhancer Conditioning Treatment ($6.99, amazon.com).

We're all for using bronzer year-round, but now is the only time it's acceptable to look as tan as Snooki. And even the Jersey Shore star has (allegedly) reformed her former tanning bed habit so make sure that the only glow you're sporting is from a bottle.

Check out our roundup of the best self-tanners.

Stick a flower in your hair during the middle of winter and people will definitely notice, just not in a good way. However, summer is the perfect season to accessorize with a pretty bloom, especially if you're getting married or in a wedding. For Malin Ackerman's Hawaiian-inspired look, choose a tropical bloom like an orchid. FYI: We recommend a good fake over the real thing to prevent wilting.

If you're not willing to chop off your strands to beat the heat, fake it to keep cool during the sweltering months. Take a cue from Olivia Munn and put hair into a low ponytail, pulling hair out from the front. Pin hair under by the nape of your neck using bobby pins to secure.

Reese Witherspoon's got the right idea. In the summer, the more time you spend in the bathroom fussing over your 'do the less time you'll enjoy the what's going on outside. When in doubt (or just having a frustratingly bad hair day) pull it back and let it be!

An easy way to balance out oily skin from summertime sweat is to keep your eyes matte. Pick a powder formula in a bright color that doesn't add any shimmer for a look that will pop.

For reasons unbeknownst to us, sunglasses that cover half of your face still remain trendy. Keep a pair just for summer use so at least you can justify the enormous lenses to protecting your eyes from the sun.

Why paint a heart on your face? Why not? Once summer rolls around, little beauty quirks like this go from odd to oddly cute.

Just like fall is the time to darken your color, summer is the perfect time to lighten up or experiment. Go for a bold shade you've been wanting to try. Just remember to spritz strands with a sun protecting spray to stop fading.

Sport a ponytail in the winter every day and people will think you're lazy. Wear one in the summer and people will think you are smart. Pump up yours by teasing the back for extra volume, twisting it to the side, or letting pieces fall out in front.

Make no mistake about it — this is not OK. But a subtle gleam on lids, nails, or ever lips—more than OK.