Marie Claire | How To Create The Coolest Summer Hairstyles

Pro tips from Kendall and Kylie’s stylist

Author – Sally Hunwick

Centre parted and super clean, the low ponytail is your go-to when the humidity rises. “Ponytails are so cool,” says LA-based celebrity hairstylist Jonathan Colombini, who regularly tends to the locks of Kylie and Kendall Jenner. “It’s one of the sexiest hairstyles.”

Rosie Huntington Whiteley sleek ponytail — Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

THE SLEEK PONYTAIL

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Simon Bright, creative director at Jonny + June hair, talks through this chic up-do.

Step 1: “Comb through a heat-protecting product into clean hair and blow-dry with the air direction down to create a smooth, sleek look,” advises Bright.

Step 2: “Follow with hot irons to maintain sleekness, then spray a nylon or boar bristle brush with hairspray to help tame frizz and reduce static to give you that sleek vibe.”

Try: Mr. Smith Hairspray, Goldwell Kerasilk Humidity Barrier Spray

Step 3: Secure hair at the nape of the neck and then “finish with a lightweight gloss.”

Try: Bumble and bumble Hairdresser’s UV Protective Dry Oil Finishing Spray

Step 4: “Fasten hair with a hair bungee tie,” suggests Bright. “It allows you to tighten without moving the pony, keeping it bump free and smooth.”

Try: Salon Smart Bungee Bands

THE SMOOTH BRAID

“Keep it simple and on-trend by using two-stranded braids,” says Bright. “Sophisticated rope braids or a fishtail plait are easy and they won’t remind you of your school days.”

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Proper prep is the key to achieving a plait that will last the distance. Here’s how:

Step 1: “Towel-dry hair to 30 per cent dry,” suggests Bright.

Step 2: The “use a heat-protect blow-dry cream,” he says. If your hair is frizzy or wavy, Bright advises “adding an anti-humectant from roots to ends and comb through.”

Try: Kerastase L’incroyable Blowdry, John Frieda Frizz Ease Nourishing Oil Elixir

Step 3: “Using a paddle brush, section hair and blow-dry flat to the head,” says Bright.

Try: ghd Paddle Brush

Step 4: “Use an iron to smooth hair flat,” he says. For a chic wet-gloss look, he recommends applying a hair oil or oil-cream “to the root area only”.

Try: L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil Oil-in-Cream

Step 5: Tie hair into a tight low ponytail before plaiting and tying at the end. A glossing pray will stop flyaways.

Try: Percy & Reed A Walk in the Rain Shine & Fragrance Mist

THE CHIC BUN

“The trend is for simple hair that looks like you’ve done it yourself,” says Colombini. To offset any plainness add some hair-bling. “Hair accessories are massive right now,” he observes. “An easy way is to add in bobby pins or a barrette. Simple headbands and ribbons are also sweet.”