Summer is the perfect season to let your hair down—literally. Whether you’re heading to the beach, planning a vacation, or just want to embrace the carefree essence of summer, these beach-inspired hairstyles will help you look and feel amazing. From relaxed waves to creative braids and whimsical details like ribbons and bows, these hairstyles are designed to keep you cool and chic all summer long. Here are 15 stunning beach summer hairstyles to recreate.
1. Beachy Vibes
Beachy Vibes is the quintessential summer hairstyle that channels the spirit of salty air and ocean breezes. This look is all about natural texture, relaxed movement, and volume. Think of loose, S-shaped waves that look like they were kissed by the sea. You can achieve it with a curling wand, braids left overnight, or even just a salt spray and a scrunching technique. Beachy Vibes complements sun-kissed skin and looks beautiful with balayage or sun-lightened highlights. It’s carefree but polished—ideal for a day at the beach or a sunset dinner near the water. The appeal lies in its effortless charm, making it suitable for both everyday wear and beach vacations. This hairstyle works with long, medium, and even shoulder-length hair and is perfect for creating that undone, lived-in look that’s so desirable in the warmer months.
2. Braided Bow 
The Braided Bow hairstyle brings together creativity, elegance, and a dash of playfulness. By combining the traditional braid with the softness of a bow, this look gives you the best of both worlds. It begins with a simple braid—either from the side or down the back—and ends with sections of hair looped and pinned into the shape of a bow. The result is a charming and intricate style that looks far more complicated than it is. It’s ideal for romantic summer dates, beach photoshoots, or even just when you want to add a touch of femininity to your casual outfit. The Braided Bow stands out in a crowd and works wonderfully with soft waves or straight hair. For an extra summery touch, use a pastel or floral ribbon as an anchor for the bow.
3. Jasmine Hair
Jasmine Hair is a dreamy, enchanting style that evokes the elegance of Middle Eastern royalty and classic Disney fantasy. This hairstyle typically features a low or high ponytail broken into soft, voluminous sections with elastics spaced evenly throughout the length. Each section is gently pulled to create a bubble effect, giving it a regal and romantic flair. Jasmine Hair is especially stunning on longer locks, but it can be adapted for medium hair with a little creativity. To enhance the exotic feel, add gold accessories or wrap delicate ribbons around the bands. This hairstyle is perfect for warm summer evenings, cultural events, or themed beach parties. It’s a bold and confident look that combines structure with softness in the most magical way.
4. Mini Braids
Mini Braids are the go-to for adding texture and dimension without overwhelming the natural flow of your hair. They’re incredibly versatile—you can braid small sections at the front to frame your face or scatter them throughout loose waves for a bohemian beach vibe. The charm of Mini Braids lies in their simplicity. They’re subtle, but once noticed, they add an artistic, carefree element to your look. These tiny braids work well with all hair lengths and are perfect for giving straight or wavy hair a little edge. For extra summer fun, try incorporating tiny beads or wrap them in colorful thread. Whether you’re relaxing on a sandy shore or dancing at a beach bonfire, Mini Braids hold up well in heat and humidity, making them both stylish and practical.
5. Cute Hair
Cute Hair is a broad category, but for beach summer styling, it translates into bubbly, energetic looks like twin pigtails, flipped ends, or loosely tied ponytails adorned with fun clips or scrunchies. It’s all about giving off sweet, vibrant, and slightly nostalgic energy. Think back to the playful hairstyles of your childhood—but with a grown-up twist. This look can be enhanced with trendy butterfly clips, pastel barrettes, or even temporary color chalks. It’s perfect for beachside picnics, casual strolls along the boardwalk, or hanging out at a pool party. Cute Hair celebrates youthfulness and self-expression and can be effortlessly adapted to your mood, outfit, or event.
6. Half-up Hairdo
The Half-up Hairdo is one of the most flattering and universally loved hairstyles for summer. It offers the perfect middle ground: your face is framed and kept cool while the rest of your hair is free to flow. Whether you twist the top half into a bun, tie it into a ponytail, or clip it back with a stylish barrette or claw clip, this style screams relaxed glam. It works beautifully with curls, waves, or even straight hair and is great for showing off natural texture or color highlights. The Half-up Hairdo transitions easily from beach day to summer night outing and can be dressed up with accessories like floral pins or embellished clips for extra flair.
7. Ribbon It Up
Ribbon It Up brings elegance and a vintage flair to your summer hairstyles. A simple ribbon can completely transform a look, adding charm and softness. Whether tied around the base of a ponytail, threaded through a braid, or woven into a bun, ribbons provide a whimsical and romantic vibe that feels very coastal-chic. The best part is that ribbons come in all textures, prints, and colors, allowing you to match them to your outfit or swimwear. Silk, velvet, cotton, and lace ribbons each lend a different personality to the look. Ribbon It Up works well for weddings, garden parties, and relaxed beach days where you want to feel a little extra without too much effort.
8. Princess Vibes
Princess Vibes is the look for when you want to feel extra graceful, elegant, and regal—even at the beach. This style typically incorporates soft waves, crown braids, or twisted sections that wrap gently around the head. It gives the illusion of wearing a delicate tiara or flower crown without any heavy accessories. The appeal lies in its ethereal quality—it’s like something out of a fairy tale. Princess Vibes looks especially gorgeous on longer hair and pairs perfectly with flowy dresses, floral prints, or soft, dreamy makeup. This hairstyle brings romance and refinement to any summer event and makes you feel like royalty no matter where the day takes you.
9. Ribbon Braids
Ribbon Braids take the beauty of traditional braiding and give it an instant upgrade. By incorporating a ribbon into your braid, you add a pop of color and texture that feels uniquely summery and fresh. You can do this with a single braid down your back, side braids, or even multiple smaller braids. The ribbon becomes part of the braid itself, woven in as an additional strand, creating a pattern that is visually striking. It’s a great way to elevate a simple look and add a touch of fun. Whether you’re heading to a beach festival or just want to add a bit of flair to your daily style, Ribbon Braids are an easy way to make your hairstyle more dynamic and creative.
10. Clawing
Clawing refers to using the trendy claw clip in a variety of relaxed and stylish ways. This easy technique involves twisting your hair up and securing it with a large claw clip, often leaving a few strands loose for that casual, undone effect. The claw clip not only adds a retro ‘90s touch but also keeps you cool during hot summer days. It’s a no-fuss style that takes less than a minute to do and works well on both dry and slightly damp hair. Clawing is perfect after a beach swim or when transitioning from sunbathing to a lunch date. The style is practical yet super trendy, making it a staple for any summer hair routine.
11. Starfish Pony
The Starfish Pony adds a dose of seaside fantasy to a basic ponytail. This look incorporates decorative elements—like starfish clips or ocean-themed accessories—into a high or mid ponytail, transforming a simple style into something magical. Often paired with beachy waves or fishtail braids, this look feels mermaid-inspired and playful. The ponytail can be sleek or textured, depending on your preference, and can also include mini twists or braids leading into it. Starfish Pony is ideal for theme parties, tropical getaways, or anytime you want your hair to reflect your love for the ocean.
12. Flower Styled Bun
The Flower Styled Bun takes the practicality of a classic bun and enhances it with a claw clip for extra comfort and style. Instead of tightly wrapping your hair, you gently twist it and secure it with a clip, leaving some strands loose for that messy-chic look. This hairstyle is excellent for humid days when you want your hair off your neck but still looking stylish. It works with both straight and wavy textures and can be worn high or low on the head. The Clawed Bun is casual enough for the beach but also sleek enough for beachside dinners or rooftop evenings.
13. Simple Braids
Simple Braids never go out of style, especially in the summer. Whether you go for a single braid, two classic braids, or small accent braids throughout your hair, this look is neat, reliable, and timeless. Braids help prevent tangles caused by wind or salt water, making them an ideal option for beach outings. They’re also low-maintenance, staying in place all day with minimal touch-ups. Simple Braids can be worn tight for a polished look or loosened slightly for a more relaxed, boho feel. Add ribbons, clips, or beads if you want to give it a more customized twist.
14. Messy Top Bun
The Messy Top Bun is the ultimate go-to hairstyle for summer heat. It’s carefree, functional, and effortlessly chic. The idea is to gather your hair into a loose bun at the crown of your head, allowing natural volume and flyaways to enhance the texture. It’s perfect after a swim or on days when you want to keep your look casual but still pulled together. For a soft, face-framing effect, leave a few strands loose around your temples and curl them slightly. The Messy Top Bun is the answer to frizz, humidity, and bad hair days—and it looks great with sunglasses or a floppy sun hat.
Conclusion
Beach summer hairstyles should reflect the season’s spirit—light, joyful, and effortlessly beautiful. Whether you’re drawn to the charm of Ribbon Braids, the practicality of a Clawed Bun, or the timeless appeal of Simple Braids, there’s a look on this list for every kind of beach day. Each of these styles not only keeps your hair in check through sun, wind, and surf but also enhances your overall summer vibe. Add your personal flair through accessories, textures, or color, and you’ll be ready to turn every beach walk into a runway moment. So go ahead—recreate these stunning hairstyles and let your summer shine from the inside out.