Long hair, take care
Local stylists recommend best summer looks to beat the heat
As temperatures rise and Arizonans return to going out in public, those of us with long hair might be lost when it comes to hairstyles that look presentable but don’t exacerbate the effects of the summer heat.
Diamond Jones — whose clients know as DMarie — the owner of London Amore Hair Salon in Tempe, emphasizes the importance of protecting your hair from the sun’s damaging rays.
“Leave the flat irons alone, and leave the blow dryers alone,” Jones said. “Keep (your hair) protected and moisturized.”
Jones said box braids and mullet haircuts are popular hairstyles this summer.
“I think mullets are really cool for people with thinner hair texture. It has a lot of versatility; it keeps the wind blowing through your hair,” Jones said.
We looked to Jones and Maggie Hancock, the cofounder of Phan Haus hair salon and founder of Moxie salon in Scottsdale, for advice on how to style longer hair when it’s 115 degrees outside.
Here are braids, twists, and other summer hairstyles they recommend trying in 2021.
A ’90s French twist
Hancock said the ‘90s are back.
“For people with longer than shoulder-length hair, the ‘90s French twist with a clip has definitely been the summer style this year,” Hancock said. “It’s a very effortless, comfortable and simple style as well, so that makes it even better.”
Jennifer Aniston often sported the look as Rachel in “Friends.”
The bubble ponytail is a fun way to upgrade a standard ponytail.
“The bubble ponytail is a really, really great style, no matter the type of texture,” Jones said. “It’s something that’s really good for the heat and keeps hair off your neck.”
To achieve the look, Jones says freshly cleaned hair is key. In fact, washed hair that is free of oils is best when doing any braided style. Jones styles the edges of the client’s hairline according to their preference and recommends using a little gel or leave-in deep conditioner to finish off the look. She also said to make sure the part in your hair is “as clean as possible.”
Here’s how Jones creates bubble ponytails for her clients:
Make four to five braids that go straight back, with the option to feed in extensions.
● Secure the braids with a rubber band.
● Using braiding hair, attach to the ponytail and secure with a rubber band.
● Take a small piece of braiding hair and set aside.
● Backcomb the top section of the ponytail to create a “bubble,” then secure with a hair tie.
● Repeat backcombing and securing down the braid.
● When you get to the end, curl the hair, leave it straight or add jewelry, depending on your preference.
● Wrap the braiding hair you’d set aside around the top of your ponytail to conceal the rubber band.
Knotless box braids
Many clients seek her out for box braids, Jones said.
“Box braids is a highly sought-after hairstyle,” Jones said. “Knotless box braids right now are like the number one (trend).”
Box braids, whose popularity is often attributed to Janet Jackson in the ‘90s, are so named due to the hair being divided into square-shaped boxes for braiding. Knotless braids are supposed to cause less tension on the scalp by seamlessly incorporating natural hair rather than placing extensions at the root of the hair.
It’s also a hairstyle that is covered under the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair — or CROWN — Act that is law in some states and cities, including Tucson. The bill “prohibits discrimination based on a person’s hair texture or hairstyle if that style or texture is commonly associated with a particular race or national origin.” These hairstyles include styles intended to protect, not damage, one’s natural hair — such as braids, locs, twists and knots.
“You can add some really cool funky colors, and you can keep it corporate too,” Jones said. “You can do some box braids and style them … half up, half down, or curl them.”
Reach the reporter at kimi.robinson@gannett.com or at 602444-4968. Follow her on Twitter @kimirobin and Instagram @ReporterKiMi.