The Hottest Updos, Braids & Ponytails for Summer!

Prediction: This shot of the elegant, side-parted chignon, with just the right amount of volume at the crown and pretty twists in the back, will be pinned to bridal inspiration boards for years to come.

To pull off this undone braid, which recently wore to a cocktail party, sweep hair to one side, begin a loose French braid at the scalp, then haphazardly plait the tail. For the finished (or rather, unfinished) look, do as Lea does and wrap then pin stray pieces around the braid.

Three cheers for this bouncy look. rocks her trademark voluminous ponytail with even more Bumpit-worthy volume at the top. After curling the pony, she fans out the ends and pulls out a few face-framing pieces.

No need to sit around waiting for your hair to dry. steps out with a flirty done-while-damp hairdo that rivals any we’ve seen on the red carpet. Add some anti-frizz serum to wet locks, then weave parted hair into a Dutch braid until you reach the nape of your neck. Pull the rest of your hair into a bun and you’re good to go.

soft, romantic ponytail only looks like it took a lot of effort. It’s actually surprisingly easy to recreate: twist the sides of hair back and pin them into place, then make a ponytail and cover the elastic with a section from underneath. Have a few minutes to spare? Curl the ends.

What? Did you really expect us to do a feature on hot ponytails and not show this picture of Chris Hemsworth? To be fair, the hotness factor has less to do with the ponytail and more to do with the guy it’s attached to.

Watch a YouTube video to nail the technique behind killer braid. Then pull hair into a tight pony and get braiding, finishing with a clear elastic. We recommend doing it on unwashed hair spritzed with dry shampoo – it’ll make your locks seem more voluminous.

undone updo feels fresh and pretty, and the Cartier brooch in her hair is the perfect finishing touch. Want a similar style? Make a deep part, then twist the larger section of hair back into a bun. Pull out pieces in front, then secure a pin into the untwisted portion of the bun.

Love those trendy tightly coiled updos but not feeling how superslick it looks? Elizabeth Banks has the solution. After combing back most of the hair and twisting it into a doughnut-shaped bun, she smooths down the center-parted front strands and sweeps them away from her face – something you can achieve with a flat-iron and hair spray.

No need to break out your scrunchies and Full House VHS tapes. This is not DJ Tanner’s side ponytail. With a totally voluminous crown, perfectly flat-ironed tail and loosely curled front sections, gives the ’90s staple a modern shake-up.

do may look simple from the front, but it’s anything but when you see a rear view. The intricate style features braided pieces looped around her head then crossed and woven together. This is a job for a talented stylist (or a patient friend)!

It’s amazing how an updo that requires so little effort – just twist hair into a tight, high bun and you’re done – can look so chic. Use a drop of shine serum to get a smooth, flyaway-free look like rocks.

Calling look a ponytail just doesn’t seem right, considering it bears little resemblance to the gym version. A smooth crown, plenty of bounce and tons of shine create a style that’s way too polished for a treadmill.

Another take on the classic ponytail, only here goes super-sleek and glossy from roots to ends. If you don’t have naturally straight hair, run a flatiron through your strands before pulling them back.

There’s no easy way to describe updo and that’s what makes it so interesting. She’s got a few braids that have been twisted and gently wrapped into buns, plus plenty of loose texture and random pieces around her face to prevent it from looking too “done.”

We can’t wait to bust out look at an outdoor wedding this summer. Here’s the breakdown: It’s two equal sections on other sides of the part divided in half then wrapped around each other and pinned up. The floral-adorned headband is optional, but we’re digging it!

A tousled side plait is a breezy alternative to a ponytail. We love how left a few curls around her face. To loosen up a too-tight braid, just gently pull it apart with your fingers.