14+ Cutest Vacation Hairstyles You NEED to Try This Year

Vacation hairstyles are one of those little things that make the whole trip feel more fun. I always want my hair to look cute, but I do not want to spend forever doing it when I am on vacation. I want styles that feel easy, hold up in the heat, and still make me feel put-together in photos, at dinner, or just walking around all day.

Lately, I have been way more into hairstyles that look good without feeling too done, especially on trips when I want everything to feel low-stress and easy. Think loose waves, simple buns, braids, claw clip styles, and those go-to looks you can do quickly and still feel really good in. So if you are planning a trip and want hair ideas that are actually cute and easy to wear, I pulled together 14+ vacation hairstyles I would genuinely try this year.

Beachy tousled waves

Okay please look at this first one. It has that amazing, fresh, summery aesthetic. I think it is so crazy how a simple messy wave can instantly look so incredibly chic if you just pair it with a glowing tan and some sunglasses. You literally just spray some sea salt texturizing spray in your damp hair, scrunch it up with your hands, and let it air dry while you walk around the resort. It is such a mandatory look for when the weather finally gets nice. I am totally going to try this on our first day.

Effortless messy bun

The messy bun is basically a high art form at this point. You either look like a chic off-duty model running errands in Paris, or you look like a stressed out college student during finals week. There is literally no in between haha. The key here is to pull out some little face-framing pieces in the front so it looks intentional. I feel like you could wear this anywhere this spring, whether you are running to get a coffee or just laying by the pool reading a book.

Braided crown updo

Back home on the reservation, my aunties are literal wizards at braiding hair. They can whip up the most intricate styles in like five minutes while we are all just sitting around the kitchen table drinking tea. I tried to do a fancy braided crown on myself for a music festival once. I spent a full hour twisting my arms behind my head until they were completely numb, and it just looked like a lopsided bird’s nest. I ended up having my cousin fix it for me in two seconds flat. But seeing it here makes me want to practice again because it keeps your neck so incredibly cool when the sun is beating down on you.

Sleek low ponytail

This is my definitive go-to evening formula. When you have been swimming all day and your hair is a little bit tangled and rough, you just brush it straight back with some leave-in conditioner and tie it low at the nape of your neck. Taking a totally boring, basic ponytail and making it look classy is my ultimate goal. You just add some big gold hoop earrings and a nice dress, and suddenly you look so incredibly expensive for dinner.

Loose fishtail braid

I swear I have watched at least fifty different YouTube tutorials on how to do a proper fishtail braid. It always looks so romantic and bohemian on other people. You have to sort of pull it apart gently with your fingers after you tie it off so it gets that thick, messy, lived-in texture. I think you would look absolutely amazing with this style if you wore it with that flowy white maxi dress you bought last month.

Casual half-up beach style

Sometimes you just want your hair out of your face but you still want the length in the back. This is just foolproof. You pull the top half back, secure it, and you are done. It is giving major comfort but it is still totally cute. I think you need this styling trick in your life for those days when we are riding bikes around the island.

Sun-kissed textured layers

When you are searching for the ultimate beach hairstyles, this is the absolute holy grail. It is all about embracing your natural layers and letting the wind do the work. The trick is to not brush it once it dries. Just let it be wild and free. I am constantly trying to find that middle ground of looking like I tried without actually having to put in too much effort, and this look completely nails that balance.

High ponytail with scarf

I have such a soft spot for hair accessories. A silk scarf just elevates a plain ponytail into something so chic and European. I actually bought this beautiful, expensive vintage silk scarf from a thrift market a few years ago. I tied it around my ponytail for a boat ride, thinking I looked like a glamorous movie star from the sixties. Well, one big gust of wind hit us, and the silk scarf just slid right off my hair and flew straight into the ocean. I was so mad! So yeah, if you do this, make sure you pin it down tightly with like twenty bobby pins so it doesn’t blow away.

Relaxed boho braids

This is exactly why I spend so much time on Pinterest. It just gives you the perfect high-fashion inspiration. Two simple loose braids falling over your shoulders is such a sweet, youthful aesthetic. It protects your hair from getting totally wind-whipped if we go on a hike, but it still looks great in photos. True to my style, I alternate between wanting to look edgy and wanting to look like a cute forest fairy, haha.

Chic low bun with tendrils

This pose and aesthetic is everything. I love outfits and hairstyles that just make you feel cute when you are literally just walking down a sidewalk to get an iced coffee. It is so effortless and casual.

Wind-swept natural curls

We really need to talk about embracing natural hair texture on trips. Fighting your natural hair type when you are in a humid climate is just a losing battle anyway. You might as well just use a good curl cream, scrunch it up, and let it shine. It gives off very mature, confident girl energy and I am so here for it.

Twisted side braid

If you cannot do a French braid to save your life – which I definitely cannot – twisting the front sections of your hair back into a side braid is the easiest cheat code ever. It looks complicated but it literally takes two minutes. I am absolutely saving this one for whenever we finally book that beach trip we keep talking about in our group chat.

Easy claw clip updo

Claw clips are the best invention of the modern age. It is basically a survival tool when the temperature goes over eighty degrees. Plus, when you take it out later, you get these nice bouncy waves from having it twisted up all afternoon. It is a total win-win situation.

Flowy brushed-out waves

This is giving me major romantic evening inspiration. For the last night of our trip, when we go somewhere really nice for dinner, brushing out the waves makes them look so soft and glamorous.