Protect Your Hair This Summer With These 4 Updo Styles

Summer is about sunning and splashing, but you may not be happy what that can do to your locks. Not to worry, these cute updos for pool and beach days will keep your hair protected from salt, sun, chlorine, and more.

Best for Curly Hair: Double Buns + Headband

Before swimming, dampen strands and apply a leave-in conditioner, like this one from Verb. The weightless formula moisturizes, detangles, and increases the manageability of your curls. Plus, the velvety cream is infused with sunflower seed extract, which has natural UV protecting properties, so you’re shielded from dryness and color fading.

Part your hair down the middle and section off a handful of hair on either side of your part, leaving out face-framing tendrils. Wrap each handful of hair into small low buns to lock in the hydrating power of your leave-in. Add a cute headband to match your summer get up.

Best for Wavy Hair: High Bun + Silk Scrunchie

Waves will benefit from a lightweight spritz of protective texturizing spray. This one from Sisley-Paris envelopes strands in a protective film that blocks out the damaging effects of the sun, sea, and pool water. The featherlight formula contains two filters for protection against UVA and UVB rays and a combination of hair-loving oils (macadamia, shea, camellia, and more), so color is preserved and strands stay strong.

Spray throughout your waves, and gather your hair into a high ponytail. Then, wrap your ends to form a messy bun. Secure with a large silk scrunchie for less friction and creasing.

Best for Coily Hair: Loose bun + Silk Headband

Protect your coils with a concoction of antioxidant-rich Brazilian oils that add mirror-like shine. Infused with fatty acids and essential vitamins from Brazilian patauá, buriti, and pequi oils, this nourishing oil deeply moisturizes, smooths, and adds natural-looking luster with 72-hour frizz control while you splash around.

Warm the oil between your palms and apply to strands from your mid lengths to ends. Twist the formula into your ends to lock in moisture and shield against damage. Gather your hair into a high bun, then spritz on the Protective Hair Fluid from Sisley-Paris for a 360-degree layer of added sun protection. Slip on a silk headband to complete the look.

Best for Straight Hair: Space buns with face-framing strands

This lightweight leave-in serum from SACHAJUAN has a full coverage UVQ protectant, which guards hair from ultraviolet rays while offering a weightless hold. Even if you do decide to take a dip in the pool or ocean, the formula stays put until you shampoo.

Evenly distribute the serum throughout your hair and part down the middle, leaving out a few face-framing strands. Section off a handful of hair on either side of your part, and gather into two high ponytails. Wrap strands to create buns, but leave out your ends for an early 2000’s-inspired look.

Illustrations by Megan Badilla