During the summer, a hairstyle that can hold up in the heat and humidity is just what you need. That’s why it’s worth considering getting a haircut as the short length can make it easier to maintain than longer styles. Plus, a shorter cut allows for more room around your neck and shoulder area to stay cool on those blistering hot days. If you need inspiration for summer haircuts for women, we’ve got you covered. These styles not only help you beat the heat, they’re also packed with anti-aging perks! Find the one that’s right for you.
Striking with a sleek shell.
A cut that sits at the nape of the neck in back and can be tucked behind the ears in front allows pulse points in the area to feel the air, which helps cool down the entire body. Adds celebrity hairstylist Deaundra Metzger, “The cut’s graduating layers direct focus up, giving features a youthful, lifted look.”
What to ask for: A chin-length bob with long, blended layers and soft sideswept bangs.
Style tip: Work a nickel-size amount of a smoothing serum like John Frieda Frizz Ease Extra Strength Hair Serum through damp hair before blow-drying strands with a round brush.
Pretty with a polished pixie.
An ear-skimming pixie allows the breeze to blow on the face and the back of the neck and it avoids the possibility of sweaty strands sticking to either. What’s more, says Scott, the texture created from light layers and sideswept bangs adds modern, youthful edge to the style that keeps the short ’do from looking matronly.
What to ask for: An ear-length pixie with blended layers and side fringe.
Style tip: Mist a volumizing spray like Ion Thickening Styler all overdamp hair to “bulk up” finer strands. Then blow-dry hair using a small round brush.Sweep bangs to one side and set with hair spray.
Beautiful with a banged lob.
“The strategic space left between shoulders and a neck-length bob ensures heat can escape the area,” says celebrity hairstylist Tiffany Scott. Plus, the cut is long enough to be styled into a cooling bun or ponytail. And infusing the cut with full fringe creates a mask for forehead wrinkles and thinning along the hairline or near the temples.
What to ask for: A long bob with blended layers, textured ends and blunt, brow-skimming bangs.
Style tip: Blow-dry damp hair with a medium-size round brush. Once hair is dry, spritz bangs with dry shampoo like Batiste Dry Shampoo Original to absorb any sweat or oil so bangs look fresh all day.
Stunning with a sassy swing.
Like a portable air conditioner, shoulder-length hair with wispy layers that swing as you move fan off the neck and shoulders to keep you cool, says Scott. Plus, since the voluminous style encircles the face, it makes the face appear slimmer in comparison.
What to ask for: A cut that rests just above the shoulders with face-framing layers that graduate from the temples down and full, wispy bangs.
Style tip: Apply a dollop of a volumizing mousse like Marc Anthony Volumizing Styling Foam all over damp hair to give hair added grip. Then blow-dry with a medium-size round brush, flipping hair in toward the ends for playful pizzazz.
Fabulous with a flippy bob.
A short, wispy bob that rests right near the jaw creates 360 degrees of cool around the neck and down, says Metzger. And styling the cut with flippy texture through the ends instantly “chisels” cheekbones.
What to ask for: A cut that sits just below the jawline with graduating layers and angled, razor-cut ends.
Style tip: Lightly spritz hair with a heat protectant spray like Sun Bum Heat Protector to thwart heat damage, then pull a flat iron down one inch sections of hair. When near the ends of each section, tilt the iron up to create bends that give tresses that flippy feminine flair. Set the style with hair spray to finish.
A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, Woman’s World.
