I’m not sure about you, but my calendar is already filling up with all of the summer activities. We’re talking bachelorette parties, weddings, baby showers, long weekend beach trips—you name it, and I’ve got it going on. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a creature of habit when it comes to getting dolled up for special events, never straying too far from my usual balayage and curling wand combo. This year, I can’t help but feel like a change is in order. But any old style won’t do, which is why I’m taking inspiration from 2022’s hottest summer hair trends.
If you, like me, are hoping to adopt a new style this summer, chances are good that you’re going to want to take your new look on the road—and bring your favorite products along for the ride. Luckily, even if your favorite hair product isn’t bite-sized, Hair.com is giving away five mini products for you to try with every $50 purchase made from May 16 through May 26 with the code “STYLE.” Three cheers for discovering amazing new products you can stash in your carry-on and take on the road!
Whether you want to upgrade your summer look with hair accessories, learn a protective hairstyle for natural hair, or lean into a new cut, read on for 20 of the best summer hair trends you can try wherever the season takes you.
The Summer Hair Trends To Try In 2022
Good hair day by @alis_cristache.
Healthy Hair
Cuts, colors, and styles may be the first thing that comes to mind for summer 2022 hair trends, but one of the biggest movements this year is using skincare ingredients to achieve your healthiest mane ever. Also known as hair “skinification,” innovations in the hair product space have made it easy to treat the hair and scalp the same way you would the skin on your face and body.
The Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Intensive Treatment is a pre-shampoo treatment formulated with citric acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid used in skincare products to smooth and exfoliate the skin, plus the brand’s Bonding Care complex. It’s the first step in the Acidic Bonding Concentrate collection to correct hair damage inside and out for your most smooth, healthy, and shiny hair ever. Best of all, even if you can’t fit the whole line in your suitcase, the pre-treatment comes in a travel size so you can bring it from one beach vacation to the next.
Good hair day by @hairartisthalle.
Pink Hair
Not that pink hair has ever—or ever will—go out of style, but we’ve noticed a significant uptick in people dyeing their hair every shade of pink there is—and we predict the trend will continue well into the summer. If you want to test the waters before heading to a colorist, use temporary hair color to play with a brand new hue in the meantime.
Good hair day by @hairbykayti.
Boho Braids
Music festivals are officially back, and bohemian-inspired braids are here to stay all summer long! Whether you opt for a simple boho accent braid or something a bit more intricate, you can’t go wrong with whatever bohemian look you choose.
Good hair day by @svglamour.
Textured Updos
Summer is all about carefree, effortless hair that still looks like you put in a ton of effort—which is why textured updos are always on-trend. Whether the occasion calls for a touch of elegance or fun, a textured updo is an ideal choice. Use a texturizing spray like Matrix Style Link Texture Builder Messy Finishing Spray to complete your look with a sexy, windswept texture that doesn’t even require stepping foot outside.
Good hair day by @lauramaystevenshair.
Shaggy Haircuts
Shaggy haircuts make achieving beachy, textured hair effortless and take some serious weight off your mane. What more could you ask for in a summer cut?
Wherever summer plans take you, keep a 2 oz. Redken Guts 10 Root-Volumizing Foam Hairspray handy to ensure a voluminous shag all day and night. All hair types can stand to benefit from this volumizing foam, which will provide root lift all over, minus any stiffness.
Good hair day by @t_wildflower.
Statement Hair Clips
Fact: All summer hairstyles look better with a hair accessory or two. Use a statement hair clip or three to take your go-to summer ‘do to the next level.
Good hair day by @lamajbackwards.
Knotted Headbands
Speaking of hair accessories we love—we still can’t get enough of the knotted headband trend. Whether you’re going to the beach, looking for a way to upgrade a work-from-home hairstyle, or heading to a happy hour post sweaty pool session, this accessory is guaranteed to elevate your look.
Good hair day by @lamajbackwards.
Twists
If you’re searching for a protective hairstyle to get you through the summer months, these twists are the perfect way to refresh your look for a brand new season.
Good hair day by @cajsawessberg.
Buzzcut
Not only is shaving your head a freeing experience (and a major beauty trend right now), but it’s also another great way to stay cool while the temperatures rise. Click here for everything you need to know about shaving your head.
Good hair day by @lizzd0eshair.
Dyed Buzzcuts
It used to be that a shaved head left you with few styling options, but not anymore! The internet is pulsing with dyed buzz cuts, a trend that lends itself to graffiti-like color patterns that can be anything from abstract shapes to fluttery butterflies, as shown here. Your imagination is the limit for this bold look.
Good hair day by @dontemitchellhair.
Air-Dried Texture
Raise your hand if you love taking a break from heat styling during the warmer months? Air-dried hair for summer just makes sense—and with so many plans eating up your hours, there’s no better time to give your mane a break and let your natural texture shine. Use an air-dry product like Biolage Professional Styling Airdry Glotion Multi-Benefit Styling Spray to boost shine, enhance shape, and detangle for frizz-controlled hair.
Good hair day by @chelseahaircutters.
Wet Look
Even if you’re not spending the summer soaking in saltwater at the beach, the classic wet look is still completely achievable. Beginning with damp hair, apply a hair gel like Biolage Professional Styling Gelee All Purpose Styling Gel throughout your hair, starting at the roots. Then, use a comb to smooth your hair towards the back of your head. Allow your hair to dry before completing your look with a few spritzes of hairspray like Pureology Style + Protect Lock It Down Hairspray.
Good hair day by @suetyrrellstylist.
Glossy Waves
Beach waves are the obvious choice for summer, but what about glossy waves? You can still achieve those high-shine, polished locks—even without salon help! Use a smoothing hair serum like Mizani Thermasmooth Smoothguard Serum to keep your strands glossy and frizz-free.
Good hair day by @hairdotcom.
Braided Pigtails
Timeless braided pigtails keep your strands away from your face when you're out and about. Try a fishtail braid variation to channel your inner beach babe if you want to switch it up from the classic French braid pigtails.
Good hair day by @thefaithfulblonde.
Fluffy Blowouts
Fluffy hair takes its cue from the 90's aesthetic of airy, bouncy blowouts, embracing sleekness without trying to over-perfect the outcome. All you need to achieve the vintage blowout of your dreams is a great round brush, a blow-dryer, and a frizz-fighting heat protectant like Mizani 25 Miracle Milk Leave-In Conditioner.
Good hair day by @vitahealthyandfit.
Bubble Braids
If you’re searching for a way to keep cool and stylish, bubble braids are your answer. Not only are they easy to do (all it takes is spacing out every few inches of your ponytail with an elastic), but they also add instant luxe to your ‘do that’ll make it seem like you just stepped out of a pro’s chair.
The secret to making these bubbles last is to first prep hair with a mousse, like Biolage Professional Hydra Foaming Styler. This conditioning mousse provides medium hold while adding body to this elevated style and has built-in UV filters to shield strands against the harsh summer sun. Watch the video above for a quick how-to!
Good hair day by @edengolden.
Octopus Cut
The appropriately-coined octopus haircut is perfect for beach season, and not just because of its name. Inspired by the shape of an octopus, the cut features a ton of body at the crown of the head (the head of the octopus) and then longer, shaggier layers from the mid-shaft to ends of hair (the tentacles). Whether hair is straight, wavy, curly, or coily, all hair lengths and textures can dip into this trend this summer.
You can double the life of this marine-inspired style with a multi-tasking dry shampoo like Matrix Total Results High Amplify Dry Shampoo. More than just an oil absorber, this spray refreshes your style and prolongs enviable volume at the root without weighing hair down.
Good hair day by @max_rokitskiy_stylist.
Bottleneck Bob
Nothing hits the spot like a crisp soda or beer on a hot day, and if you look closely at that long-neck bottle, you may just see your future haircut inspiration!
Reminiscent of how a bottle goes from narrow to full, bottleneck bobs feature tapered, face-flattering fringe while remaining voluminous and bouncy from the mid-section to ends of hair.
Good hair day by @tashatripphair.
Hair Tinsel
For a more literal take on shiny hair, prepare to be obsessed with hair tinsel, or “fairy hair.” A seasoned professional will install glitter strands throughout locks to create the look of ultra-shimmery hair that is perfect for festivals, bachelorette parties, or vacation.
Good hair day by @angelaamoshair.
Ginger Hair
Softer than the red-orange of the setting summer sun, ginger is a universally flattering hue that can help you lighten up your look this summer.
Since red dye molecules are known for fading faster than other shades, pick up Pureology Color Fanatic Multi-Tasking Leave-In Spray For Color-Treated Hair and bring it with you to streamline your entire hair care routine on the go. This sulfate-free formula contains nourishing hair oils and the exclusive Antifade Complex® to provide 21 essential benefits for color-treated hair, including detangling, preserving color vibrancy, moisturizing, and more.
No matter which trend you’re going for, Hair.com is stocked with products that real professionals use to keep their clients’ summer hair looking fabulous. Find the ones that work for you!