We often imagine we will spend the summer with naturally highlighted, glossy hair that has had time to recover from the harsh effects of winter central heating. However, in reality humid air and hot sunny weather can leave us with hair that is frizzy and difficult to manage. This is especially frustrating when we are in a rush but need to look well groomed.
If you have been having your share of bad hair days recently and don’t have time for long styling sessions, here are some quick tips that can turn a wild mane into a workable daytime look.
Fix it in a
top knot
If you have medium length or long hair, then the top knot is a great go-to style when you just can’t do anything else with your hair. It can be styled to look chic or casual, depending on what the day ahead holds for you, and how much time you have available.
The best thing is, a top knot is actually better if your hair is not freshly washed, otherwise it will be too soft and slippy. If necessary, take out any oiliness around the roots with a dry shampoo. This will also help to create some extra volume and texture if your hair is very fine. If your hair is frizzy, smooth it out with a few drops of serum or gel.
First, pull your hair up into a high ponytail and fix it with a band. For a more casual look, pull out a few locks to frame your face, or leave it all scraped back for a chic and sleek look. If your hair is fine, you could backcomb the ponytail a little to give it a fuller appearance.
If you have very long hair, divide the ponytail in two and twist the sections together in a loose pleat. Then simply twist the whole ponytail and wrap it around the base to create a knot, and fix it with bobby pins. Finish off with a blast of hairspray to help everything stay in place.
Braids
Another quick fix for medium to longer hair is braids. This disguises frizz, oiliness, or flat and dull hair. There are multiple ways to braid your hair, from a simple side swept plait to a Dutch braid, a French plait, or a fishtail plait. These are techniques that are perhaps best learnt from watching rather than reading, so look up a few YouTube demos for some inspiration.
Accessories
Attractive accessories can help to divert the attention away from your hair, such as wide headbands or colourful patterned scarves. If all else fails, you could always wear a hat! If it is warm and sunny outside, a wide brimmed hat will also help to keep your cool and prevent your hair from suffering UV damage which can make it dry and brittle.
Heated styling tools
The use of heat should be kept to a minimum to avoid drying out your hair, but hair straighteners really do work well to iron out frizz. Make sure you use a heat protecting product first.