Shoreline Style: The Beach Hairstyles We’re Loving This Summer

Beach days call for hairstyles that are equal parts stylish and practical. The right hairstyle can help you look and feel your best while keeping your hair manageable in the heat. In this guide, Chloe Whittle, Senior Digital and In-Salon Educator here at Neäl & Wølf has rounded up ten of our favourite beach hairstyles, along with step-by-step instructions to help you recreate each look. We've also included some of our must-have haircare products to help keep your hair looking healthy, hydrated and beautifully styled throughout your holiday.

1. Beach waves

Beach by name, beach by nature. Beach waves are the ultimate summer hairstyle, creating soft, textured waves that look gorgeously tousled. These waves are inspired by the way that hair dries after you’ve been in the sea, making it ideal for a day at the beach. From bobs to long locks, heatless beach waves look great on any hair length without the need for hot tools, making them ideal for holidays when you want a low maintenance style.

How to get the look:

1. Start with clean, towel-dried hair

2. Mist our MIRACLE Rapid Blow-Dry Mist evenly through the mid-lengths and ends to smooth frizz, enhance shine and help protect hair from UV exposure

3. Divide your hair into two to four sections, depending on your hair thickness

4. Braid each section or twist into loose buns and secure

5. Leave to air dry completely

6. Gently unravel the braids or twists and shake out the waves with your fingers

For more styling tips, read our blog: How to Get Beach Waves - A Step-by-Step to the Summer Look

2. Claw clip twist

This is one of the most popular styles seen on the sand. This incredibly easy updo gathers hair away from your face and neck, making it great for warmer weather whilst still looking put together and polished. This style is very quick to create, allowing you to keep your hair out of the sea in a jiffy - and when you take it out, the accessory can pop straight into your bag.

How to get the look:

1. Apply HYDRATE Leave-In Conditioning Spray through damp or dry hair to help maintain softness and hydration

2. Gather your hair at the nape of your neck

3. Twist the hair upwards towards the crown

4. Fold the ends down and secure with our Claw Hair Clip

5. Gently pull out a few face-framing pieces for a softer finish

6. Smooth any flyaways with your fingertips

3. High ponytail

A high ponytail is a classic beach style that has stood the test of time. Positioned high on the crown of your head, it creates a lifted appearance whilst keeping hair away from your face. This makes it perfect for beach days, where wind, humidity and heat can make looser styles harder to keep in place. The best part? It can be created in a matter of seconds, whether you’re at the beach already or prepping for the day ahead.

How to get the look:

1. Brush your hair upwards towards the crown

2. Secure tightly with a hair tie or silk bobble

3. Take a small section of hair from the ponytail and wrap it around the hair tie

4. Pin underneath to conceal the elastic

5. Smooth the ponytail with a brush, then warm a tiny amount of SILK Smoothing Blow-Dry Balm between your palms and lightly smooth over dry hair to tame flyways and add shine

4. French braids

French braids are one of the most popular types of beach braids. By gradually incorporating sections of hair into your braid, this creates a style that stays close to the head, and keeps in place all day long. French braids are particularly ideal for the beach, as they help to minimise tangles caused by the wind, saltwater and humidity. The style can effortlessly move from day to nighttime, allowing you to transition from sunbathing to beach bar.

How to get the look:

1. Apply a small amount of FORM Sculpting Lotion to towel-dried hair

2. Part your hair down the middle if creating two braids

3. Begin braiding at the crown, gradually incorporating more hair as you work downwards

4. Continue until you reach the ends and secure with an elastic

5. Repeat on the opposite side if desired

6. Gently loosen sections of the braid for a more relaxed finish

Read more about our top braided looks: Types of Braids That Are Defining This Year’s Hair Trends

5. Messy bun

The messy bun is the perfect balance between relaxed and stylish hair. It embraces your natural texture, and doesn’t try too hard to force your hair into being structured. The messy bun celebrates loose strands, volume and movement, creating a soft, lived-in finish that looks effortless yet purposeful. It works particularly well on second-day hair and it takes literally minutes to create.

How to get the look:

1. Refresh your roots with our DAILY Dry Shampoo

2. Massage the product into the scalp to add texture and volume

3. Gather your hair into a loose ponytail

4. Twist the ponytail around itself to form a bun

5. Secure with a hair tie or pins

6. Pull out a few strands around the face to create a relaxed, lived-in look

Video & Stylist Credit: Instagram @amyspencehair

6. Half up half down

Can’t decide whether to wear your hair up or down? Do both. It works by securing the top section of your hair away from your face, whilst leaving your remaining lengths to hang loose.  It’s a great choice for beach days because it keeps hair manageable without sacrificing any movement or texture. From short hair to long, the half up half down style can be tailored to you.

How to get the look:

1. Apply a few drops of VELVET Nourishing Hair Oil through the mid-lengths and ends to add shine and UV protection

2. Create a centre or side parting

3. Section off the top half of your hair from temple to temple

4. Secure with a clip, hair tie or small claw clip

5. Gently loosen the crown for added softness

6. Run your fingers through the remaining lengths for an effortless finish

Video & Stylist Credit: Instagram @amyspencehair

7. Mermaid braid

The mermaid braid is a loose, textured wave inspired by the mythical creatures that roam beyond the beach. The voluminous appearance creates the illusion of longer, thicker hair, helping to enhance movement and build dimension. Whether you're attending a beach wedding, enjoying a summer evening by the sea or simply looking for a more elevated braided style, the mermaid braid gives the feel that you belong by the coast.

How to get the look:

1. Work a small amount of SHAPE Pliable Paste through the lengths of your hair to give hold and definition

2. Gather your hair over one shoulder

3. Create a loose braid, incorporating small sections as you go

4. Secure with a clear elastic

5. Carefully pull apart sections of the braid to create fullness and texture

6. Allow a few wispy pieces to fall naturally around the face

8. Top knot

The top knot is one of the most practical hairstyles, keeping hair completely secured whilst creating a polished finish. Positioned high on the top of your head, it provides maximum comfort in the hotter weather. It’s become a favourite for beach holidays due to its ability to stay in place during long days in the sun, whether worn smooth or slightly textured for a more casual appearance.

How to get the look:

1. Apply ENHANCE Volumising Mousse to damp roots to give long-lasting hold, UV and protection against humidity

2. Blow dry or allow hair to air dry

3. Gather your hair into a high ponytail

4. Twist the ponytail around itself to create a knot

5. Secure with pins or a hair tie

6. Smooth any flyaways and adjust the shape as desired

9. Slick back

The slick back style gives a glossy finish that looks equally at home on the beach as it does at an evening event. By smoothing the hair away from the face, this style creates a polished appearance that is practical as well as fashionable. It suits a variety of hair lengths and textures, as well as drawing attention to your natural facial features - or your designer sunglasses.

How to get the look:

1. Start with slightly damp hair.

2. Work GLOW Super Shine Micro Mist through the lengths to add shine and smoothness

3. Comb the hair straight back from the face

4. Secure into a bun, ponytail or leave loose depending on your preferred finish

5. Use a fine-tooth comb to perfect the shape

6. Smooth any flyaways for a polished look

For more tips and advice, read our blog: Slick Back Hairstyles - Styles, Tips and Product Must-Haves

Stylist Credit: @amyspencehair

10. Scarves and accessories

Scarves and accessories are an easy way to elevate even the simplest of beach styles. From silk scarves to decorative headbands, accessories can transform any style into something more structured and intentional. On a practical note, they keep locks away from your face and provide a physical barrier between sun, wind and moisture. Silk scarves in particular can allow you to apply products that nourish your locks underneath.

How to protect your hair in style:

1. Before styling, treat your hair with our HYDRATE Moisture Mask to replenish moisture and leave hair feeling silky and nourished

2. Tie a silk scarf around your hair

3. Allow the mask to work its magic, then rinse thoroughly

Best products for the beach

A bit of prep for your holiday can go a long way when it comes to keeping hair looking and feeling healthy. Whilst sunshine, sea water and sand are all part of the fun, they can also leave hair feeling dry, tangled and more prone to breakage. Packing the right products ensures your hair stays nourished, manageable and looking its best throughout your trip. From travel-friendly essentials to targeted treatments, these are the beach bag must-haves we recommend taking on your next getaway.

Travel Size Minis

Packing light doesn’t mean compromising on your haircare. Our Travel Size Minis allow you to take your favourite products wherever your summer adventures take you. Perfect for hand luggage, weekend breaks and long-haul holidays, these convenient sizes help you maintain healthy-looking hair without taking up valuable suitcase space. Whether you're washing away saltwater after a beach day or refreshing your style before dinner, travel-size products make on-the-go haircare effortless. Learn more: Travel Size Minis

Leave In Conditioner

One of the most important products to pack for a beach holiday is a leave-in conditioner. Exposure to UV rays, saltwater, chlorine and heat can leave hair feeling dehydrated and difficult to manage, particularly if you're spending long days outdoors. Applying a leave-in conditioner like our HYDRATE Leave-In Conditioning Spray helps replenish moisture, improve detangling and reduce the appearance of frizz, leaving hair feeling softer and more manageable. It can also be reapplied throughout the day to help keep hair looking smooth and healthy between washes. Find out more: HYDRATE Leave-In Conditioning Spray

Purple Shampoo

If you're blonde, highlighted or balayaged, a purple shampoo is an essential addition to your holiday haircare routine. Sun exposure, sea water and chlorine can sometimes leave lighter hair looking brassy or yellow-toned, particularly during extended periods in the sun. A purple shampoo like our BLONDE Purple Brightening Shampoo helps neutralise unwanted warm tones and maintain a brighter, cooler blonde between salon appointments. Using it once or twice a week during your holiday can help keep your colour looking fresh, vibrant and beautifully toned, allowing you to enjoy your time in the sun without worrying about brassiness. Browse our product: BLONDE Purple Brightening Shampoo 

The best beach hairstyles are those that work with your hair rather than against it, allowing you to embrace natural texture while staying comfortable in the sun. Whether you prefer relaxed heatless beach waves, practical braids, elegant updos or sleek styling, there's a beach-ready look to suit every hair type, length and occasion. View our full range of products: Styling & Finishing Products