THE ULTIMATE HOLIDAY HAIR GUIDE
Put your hair at the bottom of your to-do list this holiday with our pick of easy-to-pull-off styles that are made for hot, lazy days
THE ELEVATED TOP KNOT
Whether the temperature is too hot to bear or you’re having a lazy hair day, the top knot is the quintessential off-duty hairdo. Give your top knot a tune up and make it slightly sophisticated by placing it really high on the head, close to the forehead — and twist into a sleek bun or loop into a messy knot finished off with the boldest head scarf you can find.
THE LOW BUN
Always a sign of elegance and effortless cool, sporting a super-low, nape-grazing bun is the perfect hairstyle to take you from beach-side chilling to evening cocktail party. The messier this bun looks, the better. But make sure to keep the top of the head fairly neat. Start by tying a low ponytail then randomly pin sections of hair into a bun until all the hair is up.
I’M WITH THE HEAD BAND
An easy hairstyle to rock, especially when you couldn’t be bothered with your locks — pulling all hair away from your face with a vividly printed head band or turban is the best way to take a simple ponytail or bun to the next level.
NONCHALANTLY BRAIDED
If you have short hair that is too short for a ponytail but too long to leave to its own devices in sweltering climates, weaving randomly placed braids into the sides is the best way to achieve vacation-appropriate hair and work with your length. Choose between French braids on the sides or loose braids – the main aim is to sweep as much hair as possible off the face (below).
SLICKED HALF DO
This is a great holiday hairstyle for curly or Afro textured hair types that gives a polished yet youthful look to voluminous hair (above). Use a curl-defining styling cream to amp up your curls. Section off about a third of hair from the front and apply a smoothing cream or hair serum while slicking the hair back as flat as possible. Secure with pins.
SCARF & PONY
The ponytail has always been a timeless hairstyle but the runways of shows such as Lanvin and Chanel saw the pony receive a cool update and a throwing away of the good ol’ hair elastic. Super-sleek low ponytails were held together by brightly coloured silky scarves or plastic tubes to give ponytails a structural finish.
WAVY AND WET
Give the impression that all you do every day is take leisurely laps in the pool or ocean with the textured wet look. Texture your tresses using a crimper or roughly running a curling wand through the hair to create loose waves and comb out. Apply ample amounts of styling gel and distribute it through the hair with a wide-toothed comb.