By Helena Madonna

Nothing sours the sweet vibes of summer quite like the feeling of perspiration beading beneath your locks. As temperatures begin to rise, bringing those harsh summer rays along with them, no amount of blow waving, tonging or product layering can fend them off. Daring to wear your hair down in summer is no easy feat, it's a heat-induced, claustrophobic sticky mess we're all too familiar with.

To prevent those free-flowing manes from wilting like flowers, it's best to put them up. We've got 10 ways to convince you why an updo is the solution to all your summer hair woes. In a world full of beachy top knots and slick high ponies, it's hard to feel original. If want to get creative with your strands but don't know where to start, fate (and your algorithm) has led you to the right place.

Whether you're fresh off the sand or slightly tipsy off of a few Spritz' at lunch, we've got an updo for every occasion and situation.

Why have just one beach-swept bun when you can have two? Give your lonesome knot a bestie. Whether you're going for something casual or classy, they'll make for a dynamic duo that'll elevate any look.

The Method:

Freshly washed hair can sometimes provide the hair with too much slip and not enough hold so this style is ideal for hair on day 2 or longer.

1. Begin by prepping your roots with some dry shampoo, to provide them with grit and a little lift, creating the perfect base for texture. If you're naturally blessed with curls or waves, you won't need to add any movement but if your locks fall on the straight side, add a slight bend with an iron or wand.

2. Section your hair from one tip of your ear to the other, and secure the top section away. Using a bristle brush, smooth the bottom section into a pony in your desired position and secure it with a hair tie. Unclip the top section, using the same brush to direct the hair away from your face. Sleek the hair up through the temples but make sure to leave the top of your hair loose and relaxed, secure pony in a hair tie.

3. Using a texture spray, generously coat both ponies. Twist one pony around your finger then loop around the base to create a bun, repeat on other pony.

4. Douse the top of your hair with a texture spray and use your fingers to encourage piecey volume, dust
   some volume powder for added texture. Lightly tug at both buns to free some flyaways and loose ends
   before finishing with more texture spray

Toss your braiding skills aside, you won't need them here. This braid is so effortless, that it's barely there. Loosely entwined, a style like this makes a statement in the form of a whisper. Think of this braid as a phantom in the night (or in the case of summer, in the clear blue sky)

Starting with salty, beach-doused hair is the most ideal base for this braid but if your strands are freshly
washed, you can fake it with an even misting of sea salt spray roots to end, scrunch some movement
into the hair with your hands before the product fully dries.

1. Form a loose, simple braid but stop about three-quarters of the way down your hair, instead of continuing all the way to the ends, secure with a small hair tie. The more stray pieces that fall from the braid to frame your face, the better. Wrap these pieces around a wand for added volume and effortless movement.

2. Using a small section of the loose ends at the bottom of your braid to loop around and conceal the hair tie, create a chic finish. Complete the look with a dry wax for crunch-free hold and added drama.

The origins of this style were birthed by the mother of effortless glam, Pamela Anderson. Gain extra points for authenticity by following in her footsteps and bounding this look together with nothing but a G-string.

1. Prep the hair by adding a soft wave with a medium-sized curling tong, and follow up with a volumizing
   texture spray roots to ends. Then create a side parting and a section on either side that line up with the
   front of your ears, clip out of the way.

2. Section out an inch of your hair at the nape. Working with the remainder of your hair, create a
   high pony and secure it firmly with a hair elastic. With a teasing comb, gently backcomb your pony, working from the ends up to the roots. This is where your intuition and creative juices come into play.

3. Create a bun by either; loosely wrapping the hair around the base and mould to your liking or splitting the pony in half and tying a loose knot (double it if you have long hair) before securing with some pins.

4. Using the section at your nape, gently twist the hair around your finger and pin the ends into your bun,
   making sure to create a loose textured finish. Use a similar technique with your front sections, simply pin
   and incorporate those sections into the bun, add more texture spray where needed. Be sure to leave out
   some thick pieces to frame the face (opt for finer pieces if you want a more 90s look).

Braided elegance comes in the form of these neatly bound ropes that will protect your strands and flaunt their length in the process.

1. Start by prepping the hair with a leave-in conditioner or treatment spray for glossy, hydrated braids.

2. Follow with either a moisturising mousse for added structure and hold or opt for a gel if your strands tend to be unruly and stubborn.

3. Using the end of a tail comb, part your hair down the centre and secure one half out of the way. With your comb, smooth your roots flat to the scalp, adding more gel/mousse to aid in providing extra sleekness if needed. Have your small hair bands ready and divide the section into three (or more) parts.

4. Begin with the section behind your ear, carefully maintain smooth and sleek roots then start to form a tight, neat braid. Secure the ends in a band and repeat the steps until the section has been evenly braided.

5. Repeat on the other section, make sure to begin your first braid behind your other ear to maintain symmetry. Finish the look with a mist of fine hair spray, roots to ends to lock in smoothness and to prevent fuzzy friction on clothing

A sleek classic with the exception of a few loose tendrils that dangle in coiled perfection, putting a revamped twist on a 90's time-honoured prom do.

1. Begin by parting your hair on one side, and line it up with the arch of your brow. Create a small semi-circle section, twist the hair and secure it out of the way with a clip. Using a strong hold gel, coat the roots of the remainder of your hair before smoothing them into a high pony and securing with a hair tie.

2. Free the hair from your semi-circle section and begin smoothing down to one side, make sure to leave a few strands free around the face and just off the hairline. These help to frame the face and add an effortless element to the look. Use the same gel and brush to sleek the hair flat to the scalp, direct it toward and incorporate it into a pony with another hair tie. Gather the pony into a neat bun and secure it with pins (set in a hair net if needed). Tug on the bun to free a few strands.

3. If your strands naturally curl and coily perfectly, simply coat free strands in your favourite curl product but if those strands need a little help in the curl department, wrap them around a tiny curl tong.

4. To lock everything in, mist the look in a trusty hair spray. Now for the fun final touch, use a shimmer mist and douse everything.

The perfect fizzy garnish for your favourite summer cocktail. Party favours in the form of a pair of sparkling knots, so you never have to show up empty-handed during another silly season again.

1. For this look you'll need pin straight ends and some heavy metal (in the form of large bobby pins). Prepwith a light hold styling balm for smoothness and frizz control, follow with a smooth blow dry then finish with a straightening iron, make sure to get those ends poker straight.

2. Using a tail comb, part your hair to one side, continue that parting through the back of your hair but direct it on a diagonal until it meets the bottom of your opposite ear, secure the section out the way.

3. With the loose section, create a pony that's neat but not slick. With a strong grip hair elastic, pull the pony through but stop halfway down. The top half of the pony should be in a small looped bun with the bottom half, free (the more, the better). Repeat on the other section, make sure this bun sits higher than the other to create an asymmetrical finish.

4. Using a dry wax, spray the loose ends on both buns for hold and a piecey, separated finish. Complete by wrapping the ends around the base of each bun, the more spikes that stick out during this process, the better. Grab your pins and secure, be sure to leave a lot of length free and douse in more dry wax

Looking at this style from one angle might suggest something similar to your typical everyday 'do but looking at it from another, will tell you this is not your average sleek bun. Its unexpected detail down one side combines sophisticated flare with a polished professional.

1. To prep, apply a heat protectant and volume mousse from roots to ends on damp hair and blow dry until hair is 100% dry. Using a side part, create a section at the front of your hair that lines up with the front of your ear, clip out of the way.

2. With the remainder of your hair, create a small messy bun at the nape. Use some small pins to flatten and secure it, personalise by misting a texturizing spray over the bun and pull small pieces free.

3. Next, unclip your front section and using a wide straightening iron, feed the hair through your irons in an 'S' formation. Achieve this technique by tapping and lightly pressing the irons into the hair as you feed the hair through them in an 'S' shape. Using a comb, mould your S bend to the side of your head until you are happy with the pattern and secure in place with your prettiest pins.

4. Finish with a mist of a trusty hair spray to set everything in place.

Calling all maximalists! We've got the hairstyle equivalent to a charm bracelet. These braided knots are decked out in enough bells and whistles to satisfy the cravings of even the busiest of aesthetics

1. Start by prepping the hair with a leave-in treatment to keep your strands protected from this sleek style. Next, divide your hair into two sections using a middle part. Working with one section, create a slicked pony using a gel wax for hold and shine, this pony should line up with the top of your ear. Repeat on the other side.

2. Next, add some gel wax to both ponies to provide extra hold. Using your finger, wrap one pony tightly around the base to create a small bun, the key is to leave out the mid-lengths and ends. Use a hair elastic string to wrap around and secure the bun, make sure the string is extra long so the ends are exposed. Once secure, braid the loose ends into three or more, and tie the ends with a small elastic. Repeat on the other side.

This look is all about maximalism, so more is more when it comes to accessorising. Go crazy with any pins or clips you have. Add more elastic string around the buns for more exposed ends. Lock in the look with a strong hold hair spray

Every corporate 'office siren' baddie deserves a beachy vaycay. This relaxed take on the French Twist will make your trip from desk to sand feel like a cool summer breeze.

1. Using a fine tooth comb, create a section at the front of your hair from your crown to fringe and clip it out of the way. Working on the remainder of your hair, use your comb to backcomb near the crown. Spray with a workable, strong-hold hair spray.

2. Using a spray wax and your fingers, gently comb all hair away from your face, be sure to maintain a loose and textured feel (the use of more spray wax will help with that). With your pins ready, gather your hair as if creating a pony and pin a vertical line down one side. The pinned side should be smooth but not sleek or flat to the scalp.

3. Gather the ends of your hair and using your fingers (or a hair stick), roll the hair toward the pinned base. Once happy with the position of your twist, gently pull your fingers out and secure the twist with more pins.

4. Complete the look by personalising with extra spray wax for a beachy, textured finish. Tug at any loose pieces to frame the face and set with a final mist of hair spray.

Love a sleek pony but hate eating the tail ends of it in a beachy gust of wind? Well, we've got a braided solution...

1. Begin prepping your roots with a super sturdy, strong hold gel, one that's guaranteed to deliver an ultra-sleek, glossy finish. A tool that's essential to a slick pony starter pack, is a high-quality boar bristle brush. The bristles catch every strand and help produce that super smooth, face-lift-inducing pony.

2. Gather your hair and secure it in a middle pony. Lather your pony with a leave-in treatment to prep for braiding and to control frizz.

3. Divide the pony into sections for your braids (as many as you'd like, the more the better for this look). Gather a few mini elastics and get braiding!

4. Finish and elevate the look by misting a shimmer spray over the whole lot for a full-on octo-gloss.