Though I pine after summer weather (and the styling possibilities it presents) through the winter months and rain-scattered spring, I often find myself less amped to do, well, much of anything to pretty myself once the temperature kicks up. I’m far less likely to reach for a full-coverage foundation, I throw a portable fan in every single purse for the boiling-hot subway rides, and I’d rather step in a Manhattan puddle than take a hair dryer to my head while my window AC unit putters at the highest setting. (New York City living is glamorous, right?)
While I don’t lack motivation for fun summer makeup, I tend to let my hairstyles fall to the wayside in surrender to the summer heat. Determined to change that this year, I tapped a few celebrity hairstylists that never fail to deliver jaw-dropping looks all year long—and their forecasts for the summer predict the following red-hot styles. From mermaid waves to wolf cuts, these are the styles, cuts, and accessories that the most fashionable people will be dressing up their locks with in summer 2025.
1. French Bob
“I feel like bobs will have a hot girl summer—I’m talking French girl–inspired bobs,” says celebrity hairstylist Lacy Redway. “Cool girls will go shorter in length.” While the French (Italian, whichever country you want to reference) bob has been trending for the past few years, this chopped look was the resounding answer among my cohort of hot celebrity stylists.
“The bob is trending this summer now more than ever,” agrees Justine Marjan, hairstylist to the stars. “We are seeing super-chic, short variations that hit right around the jawline and look chic tucked behind the ears.” From tousled short bobs to sharp half-up, half-down styles (à la Khloé Kardashian), the stars are taking liberties with their European-inspired lengths.
Get the Look
Preserve your healthy, short strands by using a heat protectant before styling. This heat-activated formula from Oribe is the best to prep your locks with, according to celeb stylists and editors.
“Wear super straight or with flipped-out ends,” Marjan advises, recommending this GHD mini flat iron for its slim plates that allow for the easier styling of short strands.
In my opinion, there’s no better way to give your bob an extra-sleek touch than with this ultra-shiny styling oil from Rōz Hair.
2. Mixed-Metal Hair Cuffs
It’s human nature to want to pull our hair up and away from our faces during sweaty summers, but these star stylists want you to be more intentional about your elastics. “I’ve been loving mixed-metal braid cuffs,” muses Marjan. “They easily dress up a hairstyle and make it fun with minimal effort.”
Slicked-back styles and unbound, relaxed updos alike are great hair solutions for the heat, but you can boost your look even more with hair jewelry. Balmain Hair's education director, Kasper Heemskerk, agrees that these sleek cuffs are an easy way to “elevate a simple ponytail and add a touch of polish.” Whether you’re accenting a bubble braid or adding a glint of silver and gold to a sleek ponytail, this simple addition is enough to make every head turn.
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Match any jewelry stack with this two-toned cuff.
Thick cuffs like this Jordan Road style are perfect for covering thick ponytails.
“It's really all about accessories that feel luxe but are easy to wear every day,” says Heemskerk.
3. Wolf Cut
Reemerging as the ultimate alt-cool-girl style, the wolf cut is reigning supreme in the summer heat. “The wolf cut is so fun and fresh for summer,” says Marjan. Somewhere between a shag and a mullet, this style features drastically shorter, face-framing layers and long piecey layers in the back. Case in point: Jenna Ortega’s volumized, fringey cut that won’t leave my Pinterest “hairspo” feed.
“It’s a great way to get rid of damaged ends, lighten up the hair, and give lots of layers that air-dry perfectly with wavy hair,” Marjan adds. “I love the way a soft fringe complements a mid-length haircut.” If the French bob feels a bit too “clean girl” for you, the wolf cut might be your perfect fit.
Get the Look
Marjan recommends using a leave-in conditioner to let your layers dry as they normally would before going in with a styling tool.
After letting your hair air-dry, Marjan suggests using a flat iron like the GHD Chronos Styler to “touch up layers, de-frizz, and enhance the wavy pattern.”
Give those piecey layers new life with this top-rated texturizing spray that WWW editors love. Best part? It’s just $19.
4. Mermaid Waves
“Soft, textured, and effortless, beach-inspired mermaid waves are making a strong comeback this summer,” says Heemskerk. The 2025 coinage of the timeless beachy wave, this hairstyle celebrates the carefree tangle of windswept, breezy hair—and is a great excuse to forgo your hot tools.
“This [style] is ideal for those with fine to normal hair. The key is to create volume without overstyling,” Heemskerk explains. “Keep the texture natural.” Whether zhuzhing your hair with a sea salt spray or shaping your waves with mousse, there are several ways to get surfer-girl strands without stepping foot into the water.
Get the Look
This luxe formula not only imparts touchable texture but also is gentle enough for dry and damaged hair.
Watch your waves spring to life with this texturizing mousse that defines and exaggerates your natural texture as your hair air-dries.
Hair not drying how you want it to? Been there, done that. This hair crimper delivers perfect beachy waves every time, according to my fellow beauty editor.
5. Goddess Braids
Whether you call them “boho” or “goddess” braids, one thing is for certain—celebrity stylists are expecting to see a lot more of this dreamy hairstyle in 2025. “Boho braids with human hair aren’t going anywhere,” says Redway. A protective style, these braids incorporate loose, curly tendrils among box or knotless braids.
“Goddess braids are such a beautiful summer look,” Marjan agrees. “Leaving out some curly pieces looks soft, ethereal, and mermaid-like for summer hair.” The celebrity stylist lauds this style for a beachy setting, like “a tropical trip or vacation,” and she also recommends dressing them up for summer events. “You can pair with braid cuffs or charms, which are fun for festival season,” she muses.
Get the Look
“Moisture is key with this style,” says Redway. “The Dove Intensive Repair 10-in-1 Serum can be used as a finishing product for your braids or before you install them, providing your hair with lasting protection to stay strong, smooth, and beautiful.”
WWW editors deemed this SheaMoisture hair mousse the best option for those with coily to curly hair, adding a boost of volume, shine, and hydration to natural spirals.
This scalp and hair oil works hard to condition each strand while also smoothing split ends.
6. Statement Headbands
Another trend Marjan sees on the horizon? Statement headbands—at least, the summery version of these old money accessories. “Emi Jay has the cutest headbands right now that will make any summer hairstyle look fun and chic,” she says. Not only the perfect conduit for keeping hair out of your face, but a no-fail outfit finisher, we found a few styles that will turn heads this season.
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Marjan handpicked this cherry-red headband, which she calls “perfect for summer.”
This powder-blue shade screams summer.
We can just see ourselves finishing off vacation 'fits with this summery raffia headband from Prada.
7. '80s Hair
Whether we’re swapping minimalist shimmer swathes for bold, heavy eye shadow or teasing up big, glamorous hair, the experts agree on one thing: The '80s are making their Saturn return. “Eighties-inspired styles will be present,” confirms Redway. “I’m talking big, fluffy hair and big curls.”
Ask your parents—the tickets to '80s hair were rollers, perms, and lots of hair spray. (But thankfully, today’s products are typically much safer to use than Aqua Net.) Today’s iterations are on the more relaxed side, but next-level volume is going to be, well, big this summer.
Get the Look
While celebrity hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos once relied on the now-discontinued L'Oréal Elvive Dream Leave-In Spray for bouncy curls, the Elvive Dream Leave-In Conditioner offers a similar look. “It defines curls without making them crunchy,” says Giannetos. “I tell clients to scrunch it into damp hair and let it air-dry for the most natural look.”
“When achieving volume and curling your hair, you want a hair spray that helps you maintain shape but still feel very touchable,” Redway explains. She points this hair spray out as one of her favorites because it “strengthens hairstyles while also providing flexible hold.”
There’s no better way to achieve big, bouncy curls than with a good set of rollers.
8. Imperfect Plaits
Giannetos predicts an uptick in “effortless, tousled braids” in summer 2025. “Everyone's leaning into texture and movement without over-styling,” he explains. Whether you’re twisting your hair into a classic beachy braid or weaving windswept pigtails, the trick is to make sure that it doesn’t look too perfect.
Get the Look
“For tousled braids, I prep the hair with the L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray Extra Strong Hold before braiding,” says Giannetos. “It gives grip without stiffness, so the braid looks loose and full but stays put.”
Tie off your plaits with cute mini scrunchies to make them feel that much more summery.
9. Supermodel Blowout
“The '90s blowout remains a trend for the summer,” assures Heemskerk. “It’s big, voluminous, and full of movement.” While the easiest way to get this look would be to take yourself to the salon, you can also re-create this look at home—you just need the right tools.
“While it works for all hair types, the technique varies by texture,” Heemskerk explains. “It's perfect for those looking to add drama and fullness to their style.”
Get the Look
Editors laud this thermal round brush for its ergonomic design and comfortable bristles that shape and hold the hair without damaging it.
Heemskerk recommends giving your strands a spritz of this shine-boosting finishing spray for that extra touch of supermodel style. It detangles, nourishes, and conditions the hair.
This high-shine spray from one of celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton’s go-to brands is basically a gloss treatment in a spray bottle.
10. Floating Decals
Though ponytail cuffs are one of the biggest hair jewelry trends of 2025, Marjan encourages you to play with artfully placed hair decorations. “I love how easy this is to incorporate into any hairstyle or hair length and texture,” she says. Whether crystal-bedecked clips or molten metal barrettes, there are seemingly endless ways to spruce up a hairstyle with the stylish hair fixtures on the market today.
Get the Look
“Jennifer Behr just launched magnetic hair crystals that look like they are floating in the hair,” says Marjan.
This twisted golden barrette makes any updo look instantly chic.
What better way to adorn your hair than with gilded stars?
Who's Who
- Lacy Redway is a celebrity hairstylist and Dove partner. Her work can be spotted on Pamela Anderson, Ayo Edebiri, and more.
- Justine Marjan is a celebrity hairstylist, boasting clients such as Khloé and Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, and Ashley Graham. Marjan is also a GHD brand ambassador and the co-founder of Highlight Artists.
- Kasper Heemskerk is the education director at Balmain Hair.
- Dimitris Giannetos is a celebrity hairstylist with a roster that includes Gigi Hadid, Lindsay Lohan, Kim Kardashian, and more.
This post was previously published and has since been updated.
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