23 Ideas For Summer Hairstyles For Medium Hair That Turn Heads Fast

Sun’s out, cute hair’s out. Medium hair gives you the most options without the fuss, so let’s make the most of it. These looks keep you cool, hold up through humidity, and photograph like a dream. Ready to find your new warm-weather signature?

1. Beachy Bend Waves, No Heat Required

Want effortless vacation hair without frying your strands? Do simple “bends” instead of full curls for that undone surfer vibe. It looks chic with minimal effort and works on layered or blunt cuts.

Tips

• Twist damp hair into four loose buns and air-dry.
• Break up the bends with a lightweight sea salt spray.
• Scrunch ends with a few drops of hair oil for shine.

Perfect for pool days when you still want your hair to look expensive.

2. The Half-Up Bubble Pony (Summer Party Hero)

Give your half-up style a playful twist with bubble sections. It’s flirty, stays put, and adds height without teasing. Bonus: it keeps hair off your face while you dance or snack.

Key Points

• Use tiny elastics every 2 inches and gently tug for volume.
• Hide elastics with small ribbon or hair wrap for polish.
• Mist with flexible hairspray to fight humidity.

Wear it to festivals, backyard hangs, or anywhere your inner extrovert appears.

3. Sleek Low Knot With Face-Framing Pieces

When sweat meets style, a glossy low knot saves the day. It looks intentional, chic, and takes two minutes. Leave out soft tendrils for movement.

How-To

• Apply a smoothing serum and brush hair low at the nape.
• Tie a pony, twist, and wrap into a knot; secure with pins.
• Finish with a shine spray for glassy vibes.

Ideal for humid afternoons or any time you need instant polish.

4. The Soft Claw Clip Twist

Claw clips scream summer cool-girl. Twist your hair up, clip, and let the ends fan out for a breezy finish. It protects hair from friction while still looking cute.

Pro Tip

• Pick a claw clip close to your hair color for sleekness.
• For thicker hair, use two smaller clips instead of one giant one.
• Leave a few face layers loose to soften the look.

Great for beach days and coffee runs when you want low effort and high payoff.

5. Boho Braided Crown (Faux Halo)

Turn medium hair into a festival-ready crown with two simple braids. Pin them over your head for a halo effect. It survives heat, humidity, and even outdoor dancing.

Materials

• Texturizing spray
• Bobby pins
• Tiny clear elastics

Rock it when you want romance without the maintenance.

6. Airy Curtain Bangs + High Pony

If you have curtain bangs, let them do the flirting while the rest goes up. A high pony lifts your face and your mood. It’s sporty, glam, and wildly practical.

Tips

• Tease the crown lightly for extra height.
• Wrap a strand around the hair tie for a polished finish.
• Use a dry shampoo at roots for grip.

This combo works for workouts, brunch, and last-minute dates.

7. Messy Textured Lob (Air-Dry MVP)

Medium hair thrives with an air-dry routine that loves texture. Add definition, not frizz, and embrace a little chaos. The result feels French-girl effortless.

Key Products

• Lightweight curl cream or wave foam
• Sea salt + sugar spray blend
• Anti-frizz finishing cream

Wear it when you want maximum cool with minimal heat tools.

8. Double Dutch Braids Into Low Bun

Start with Dutch braids, then twist the ends into a bun at the nape. You get scalp ventilation and zero flyaways. It’s secure enough for biking, hiking, or chasing popsicles.

Steps

• Part down the middle and Dutch braid both sides.
• Join ends at the nape, twist into a bun, and pin.
• Finish with a mist of hairspray.

Choose this on activity-heavy days when you still want cute photos.

9. The Wet Look (Slicked But Soft)

Give off fresh-from-the-ocean energy without the sand. A controlled wet look screams confidence and keeps frizz in check. Think glossy, not crunchy.

How-To

• Comb through a mix of gel and leave-in conditioner.
• Part cleanly (deep side part looks dramatic).
• Clip the sides while it sets, then remove.

Best for rooftop nights or anytime you want drama with minimal effort.

10. Half-Up Scarf Tie

Add a silk scarf to your half-up and suddenly you’re the main character. It’s playful, comfortable, and protects your hair from sun and wind. Pick prints that pop against your hair color.

Ideas

• Polka dots for retro vibes.
• Florals for garden-party energy.
• Bold stripes for a graphic statement.

Use this when your outfit needs a little extra sparkle, FYI.

11. Braided Ponytail With Ribbon Detail

Upgrade your pony with a braid and a delicate ribbon. It adds texture, movement, and personality without trying too hard. You’ll look pulled together even in 90-degree heat.

Tips

• Secure low or mid-height to avoid tension.
• Weave a thin ribbon through the braid for color.
• Pull out a few strands near the ears for softness.

Ideal for picnics, dinner al fresco, and cute selfies.

12. The Voluminous Flip (’90s Energy)

Blow out your medium hair with a big bend at the ends and a dramatic flip. Think easy glamour with minimal styling. The flip stays bouncy all day with the right products.

Key Products

• Volumizing mousse
• Round brush
• Light-hold spray

Wear when you want to channel “I woke up like this” supermodel vibes.

13. Low Bubble Braid

Bubble braids look complicated but take minutes. They hold up in humidity and look fantastic in photos. You only need elastics and a little patience.

How-To

• Create a low pony and place elastics every 2 inches.
• Pancake each section by tugging gently.
• Smooth flyaways with a serum.

Perfect for beach walks and sunset drinks when you want playful and polished.

14. Tousled Half-Bun (The “Hun”)

The half-bun gives you the best of both worlds: hair up and down. It’s casual, cute, and a lifesaver on second-day hair. Add texture for that undone finish.

Tips

• Use a texturizing powder at the crown for grip.
• Pin the bun loosely to keep volume.
• Leave a few face-framing pieces out.

Go for the hun when you’re late but still want compliments.

15. Slick Side Part With Barrette Stack

Accessories = instant summer glam. Stack a few barrettes on the heavy side of a deep part. It keeps hair back and adds sparkle or color.

Style Notes

• Mix metals and pearls for contrast.
• Use a shine gel for sleekness.
• Keep the rest of the hair soft and straight.

Wear at weddings, showers, or any event where you need “effortless but extra.”

16. Rope Braid Pigtails (Grown-Up Edition)

Rope braids twist fast and look sleek. Do two low pigtails for a sporty, chic vibe that fights frizz. Great for sweaty days when you still want control.

How-To

• Divide each side in two, twist both strands same direction, wrap opposite.
• Secure with elastics and smooth with styling cream.
• Tug slightly for volume.

Choose for beach volleyball, hikes, or casual days out.

17. Wavy Lob With Mini Claw Clips

Scatter a few mini claws along one side to pin back waves. It’s playful and very “summer in the city.” You get asymmetry and movement without bulk.

Try This

• Create loose waves with a large barrel or braids overnight.
• Clip back the lighter side of your part with 3–4 mini claws.
• Mist with sea salt for grit.

Great for brunch, street fairs, and everything in between.

18. The Convertible Scarf Wrap

Use a long scarf as a headband that ties at the nape under a low pony. It protects your scalp and controls frizz. Plus, it screams vacation even if you’re just doing errands.

Materials

• Light cotton or silk scarf
• Flexible hold hairspray
• Bobby pins (to anchor)

Wear when the sun’s blazing but you still want style points.

19. Curly Diffused Bob Energy

Got natural curls or waves? Diffuse to 80% dry, then let the sun finish. You’ll get volume, definition, and zero frizz with the right routine.

Key Steps

• Rake in leave-in and curl cream on wet hair.
• Scrunch with a microfiber towel.
• Diffuse on low heat, low speed; hands off while it sets.

Perfect for humidity-prone locations where curls thrive, IMO.

20. French Twist’s Chill Cousin

Do a relaxed French twist with loose ends peeking out. It’s elegant without the stiff, bridal energy. Medium hair holds it perfectly with a few pins.

Tips

• Prep with dry shampoo for grip.
• Twist upward and tuck ends, leaving some out for softness.
• Secure with U-pins and finish with flexible spray.

Wear to dinners, galleries, and anything mildly fancy.

21. The Scrunchie Palm Tree

A mid-to-high pony with a big scrunchie = summer nostalgia. It lifts the face and looks cute with swimsuits and sundresses. The scrunchie protects hair from denting, too.

Details

• Use a satin scrunchie for less frizz.
• Flip your head for extra volume before securing.
• Tease the pony base for bounce.

Best for beach days, park hangs, and whenever you need easy charm.

22. Micro Braids as Accents

Add one or two tiny braids around the face or within your waves. They add texture without dominating your look. It’s subtle, stylish, and very summer-cool.

How-To

• Create thin braids, secure with tiny elastics.
• Wrap a small gold thread for sparkle if you’re feeling extra.
• Lightly mist with hairspray to set.

Perfect for concerts, road trips, and spontaneous photoshoots.

23. The Glossy Middle Part With Ends Tucked

Go simple and shiny with a center part and tucked ends behind your ears. Add a lightweight oil for glassy finish. It’s quiet luxury for your hair.

Pro Moves

• Blow dry smooth with a paddle brush.
• Use a dime-size serum; keep it off the roots.
• Tuck and secure behind ears with invisible grips if needed.

Reach for this on minimalist days when you still want to look expensive, seriously.

Summer hair doesn’t need to be complicated to look amazing. Pick a few favorites, rotate them, and let your medium hair live its best life. Now go soak up some sun—and snag those compliments while you’re at it.