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9 Summer Haircuts That Are Heating Up Right Now

 

Piña coladas, pool floats, lots of socially acceptable opportunities to call ghosting someone after three months a "fling" — summer is all but the definition of low key, as are the haircut trends that tend to emerge each season. This year, the assemblage of up-and-coming styles is no exception, and they are the kind of chops that look good even if you do like getting caught in the rain.

"The general vibe with haircuts this summer will be low maintenance and effortless," Tauni Dawson, hairstylist at Nine Zero One salon in Los Angeles, tells POPSUGAR. That means lots of texture and movement — but very little upkeep post-cut. Translation: 'tis the season of easy, breezy summer haircuts.

Looking for specific ideas to bring to your next salon appointment? We've asked the pros to identify the hands-down coolest summer haircuts you'll be seeing everywhere in the warmer months ahead — from the "wolfette" cut to "shattered" layers, and more — because everyone deserves something hot to look forward to . . . that doesn't require cooling down with an umbrella drink. Keep scrolling for more.

Summer Haircut Trend: The "Wolflette"

Summer's next best thing to the trending "wolf" cut: its second cousin, the "wolflette." Coined by Amy Abramite, creative director and stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, this style is essentially "a soft, feminine version of the popular wolf cut with long, thick bangs that flow back and blend into more face-framing [layers]. The style is cut with volumizing layers for a tousled, choppy effect mimicking shaggy animal fur. A thinning or texturizing scissor may be used to remove bulk for weightless lift."

Summer Haircut Trend: The "Wolflette"

While the style could technically work across all hair types, Abramite says, "It's most favorable on wavy and curly hair to enhance texture and movement for a relaxed, natural style."

Summer Haircut Trend: "Botticelli" Hair

This haircut trend is inspired by Italian Renaissance painter Sandro Botticelli, and it's perfect for summer. (Even Gigi Hadid got in on the look.) "Hair in this style is worn extremely long and unstructured, with a natural, fluffy wave," Tom Smith, celebrity hairstylist and international color creative director for Evo Hair, previously told POPSUGAR. If you can't envision it, just picture the people in Renaissance paintings with their long, tousled, flowing hair.

Summer Haircut Trend: "Botticelli" Hair

As for what to request at the salon? "Ask your stylist to keep your hair as long as possible, softening any blunt lines and encouraging your natural wave," Smith says. If you need a little help in the length department, it may be a fun time to experiment with hair extensions.

Summer Haircut Trend: "Botticelli" Hair

To style the look at home, Philipp Haug, salon owner of Haug London Haus and Schwarzkopf Professional partner, recommends styling with a "large tong, wrapping hair from the midlengths down and allowing to cool before gently combing through." Then, finish with a soft-hold hairspray for added hold without the stiffness.

Summer Haircut Trend: French Bangs

It has already been declared: french bangs are the new curtain bangs, with everyone from Jenna Ortega to Olivia Wilde trying the trend. So, what are they? French bangs are categorized by being short in the center of the forehead and longer toward the outer cheekbones. "They're meant to be less of a statement bang and more of an integrated, effortless addition to your look," celebrity hairstylist Mara Roszak previously told POPSUGAR.

Summer Haircut Trend: French Bangs

To get the look, "ask [your stylist] for a blended, soft bang that will highlight your cheekbones," Roszak says. "You want these bangs to be a relatively thin section of hair on each side of the face, so make sure your stylist doesn't start too far back. Starting an inch back from the hairline, your stylist should create a V shape going from the center part out to the arch of your eyebrows. The center area in between the eyebrows would be the shortest area, angled longer as they go outward."

Summer Haircut Trend: "Shattered" Layers

So you love the length of your hair but are looking for a little more oomph and volume? Try "shattered" layers, which is essentially a layering haircut technique that snips away weight in order to add movement. "This cut is especially good for people with thick hair," hairstylist Juli Akaneya previously told POPSUGAR. "It creates a lighter, softer appearance and is also a great way to enhance natural hair texture as it air-dries."

Summer Haircut Trend: "Airspace" Cut

Quite possibly the most versatile trend for summer, the "airspace" haircut is all about creating a light, airy texture — and there are many different ways to wear it. "'Airspace' celebrates this idea of negative space," says Sunnie Brook, celebrity hairstylist and Biolage global ambassador who also coined the term. "This cut is about removing weight to create movement with no steps and giving the hair an airy look and feel. Or it can be a juxtaposition in the hair shape. Think: extreme side parts, seamless layers, and, for the brave ones, cutouts or undercuts on shorter haircuts."

Summer Haircut Trend: "Airspace" Cut

When styling the look at home, Brook says it's all about maintaining a soft finish to the hair. "To style, reach for hydrating and smoothing products to get that satin sheen."

Summer Haircut Trend: The Shag

We've all seen the modern shag haircut making appearances just about everywhere right now, but the look is going back to its retro roots this summer. "The style will be a '70s rendition that doesn't require a lot of maintenance — big hair with beach waves," says Liz Rim, hairstylist at IGK Salon in NYC.

Summer Haircut Trend: The Shag

There's also a fun twist to the trend: "Usually this '70s haircut is paired with a peekaboo bang, which is just small, wispy pieces in the center of the forehead — starting from under the eyebrows and fading into the cheekbone — that can be pushed to the sides."

Summer Haircut Trend: Blunt Bob

The bob has lived many lives — first in the 1920s as a symbol of rebellion for women, then on just about every celebrity since. The new take on the trend, however, is the bob with so-blunt-they-might-cut-you ends.

Summer Haircut Trend: Blunt Bob

"The people that were rocking the lob last year are now over it, chopping their hair up above the shoulders to have a carefree summer without that shoulder-length flip," Dawson says. "Going for more of a blunt look to keep the hair looking full and strong over the summer."

Summer Haircut Trend: Medium-Length Cut

On the opposite end of the spectrum — and for people who don't want to undergo a huge hair change — there's a perfect middle-ground haircut on the horizon. "Anything above the shoulders won't be a good idea for certain or thicker hair types because it's too hard to tie back if it gets hot," Rim says. "The ideal hair for these people is a medium-length cut with layers, which has a nice shape and flatters most faces."

Summer Haircut Trend: Medium-Length Cut

Dawson agrees and added that layers are key in these instances: "The long-hair-lovers are adding layers for lots of movement and volume for that get-up-and-go, effortless texture."

Summer Haircut Trend: Side-Swept Bangs

Bangs are one of the more divisive hair trends, but side-swept or swoop bangs are the definition of noncommittal — and right on par with the Y2K revival happening in beauty right now.

Summer Haircut Trend: Side-Swept Bangs

César DeLeön Ramîrez, celebrity hairstylist and Unite brand ambassador, previously told POPSUGAR he could see "short bangs becoming a 'swoop bang,' bringing the side part back to center stage and replacing the center part."

Like an exaggerated side bang, the swoop also works on any hair length and "looks great with short to long layers."