Every summer I tell myself I’ll just let my hair air dry after swimming. By July I have a drawer full of hair ties and a new appreciation for anything that stays put. This year I noticed more braided updos and sleek buns in the locker room than ever, and honestly, the water wins less often now.
These 21 Swim Hairstyles cover the real range: styles that take five minutes and ones that need a friend, looks for fine hair that goes flat by noon and for thick hair that refuses to stay twisted. I tested a few myself, and the ones that held through a lap swim are the ones I actually reach for. No promises, just what worked.
Low Bun With Intricate Braids
The intricate braids on the scalp are the real show here, a pattern that draws the eye before you even notice the low bun. Black hair at mid-back length, braided into a sleek low bun that holds through a full day of swimming. The texture is all braid, no loose ends, which means the style suits fine hair as well as thick. Colour stays deep because there is no fading in the braids. This is a look that flatters oval and heart faces equally, and it asks for nothing once it is done.
Polished Braided Updo For Wavy Hair
Ever wondered how a braided updo survives a full day at the beach? The wavy braided updo in dark blonde, mid-back length, holds its shape because the waves grip the braid. The intricate braided updo is polished enough for dinner after the pool. Loose tendrils around the face soften the look, but they need a dab of gel to stay sleek past hour four. Upkeep is simple: a quick spritz of water and a light re-braid of the ends if they loosen. Colour stays cool because the waves hide any brassiness at the roots. This style holds from morning swim to sunset.
Braided Headband Updo For Shoulder Length Hair
The braided headband updo is the cleverest trick for shoulder-length hair. A section from the side is braided and wrapped across the crown like a headband, then tucked into the updo. This braided headband adds volume without extra length. The blonde base with subtle highlights catches the light, and the wavy texture keeps the braid from looking stiff. What to ask your stylist: a braided headband that starts at the temple and blends into the updo at the nape. It holds all day, even in humidity.
Extremely Sleek Wet-Look Low Bun
I used to think a wet-look bun was only for editorial shoots, but the sleek wet look bun is a practical swim style. Dark brown hair at chin length, straight texture, slicked back into a low bun with gel or pomade. The wet look is the standout: it mimics wet hair without actually being wet. DIY is possible with a fine-tooth comb and patience, but the downside is daily touch-ups because the sleekness shows every flyaway. Compared to a regular low bun, this one is more dramatic and less forgiving. It holds through a swim but needs a quick reset after.
High Twisted Updo For Coily Hair
Coily hair has a natural grip that makes twisted updos stay without pins. The coily twisted updo here is black, mid-back length, pulled into a high bun with twisted locs that fan out at the crown. The texture is thick and coily, which means the style holds its shape through water and wind.
This twisted updo suits round and oval faces because the height lengthens the silhouette. It is best left to a salon for the intricate twisting, but once done, it holds for days with minimal upkeep. Colour stays rich because the twists hide any fading at the roots.
Relaxed Loose Locs
There’s a particular kind of Sunday where my hair refuses to be touched, and loose black locs are the only answer I’ve found. Long, flowing, with a side part that lets them swing past mid-back, they carry their own color without maintenance. The coily, thick texture means they hold their shape even when damp, so a swim doesn’t undo a week of effort.
I twist mine into a low ponytail before I hit the water, and the rest is pure convenience. They dry on their own, they don’t tangle into a single matted mass, and the weight of them actually helps them lie flat. For summer, this is the easiest wear there is: no blow dryer, no product, no fight. They look better at day five than day one, and that’s the whole argument.
Intricate Three Buns Style
My first thought looking at this three buns hairstyle: that’s a lot of geometry for a Tuesday. But the intricate bun placement, three separate knots aligned down the back of a mid-back length of dark blonde waves, genuinely stays put in ways a single bun never manages. Each bun takes its own share of the hair, so there’s no heavy pull on one spot, and the middle part keeps the whole thing symmetrical. The wave in the texture softens what could read as severe, which helps if your head is more round than angular. Downside? It’s not a bathroom-mirror job; getting all three even requires an extra pair of hands or a stylist who doesn’t rush. Worth it for a full day at the pool, though.
Voluminous Natural Afro
Can you get this shoulder-length, close-cropped volume from home without a salon visit? Absolutely, and it’s genuinely a DIY. Start with hair that’s clean and detangled, then let it air dry completely, no towel rubbing. Once it’s dry, use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to lift the roots outward, working section by section from the nape to the crown. A middle part anchors the look, but the real trick is not touching it after it’s dry: your hands are the enemy of the air dried afro. The coily, thick texture does the lifting, dark brown with no color needed. For the water, either a swim cap that accommodates volume or just accept that post-swim it’ll shrink into something smaller and still honest.
Chic Turban Wrap Style
When the thermometer crosses a certain line, the smartest swim hairstyle is the one that doesn’t touch your hair at all. A turban wrap hairstyle, specifically a large white turban wrapped over short, slicked-back blonde coily hair, is the rare case where the accessory does the styling. It’s a seasonal move: the fabric blocks the sun on a beach day, and it doubles as a towel for hair still damp from a dip. No heat, no pins, no product, just tuck the ends underneath and wrap. The hold is physical, not chemical, so it lasts until you take it off. It also hides the aftermath of a bad hair day completely, which is the most practical thing any style has ever done for me.
Secure Double Dutch Braids
For swim season, nothing beats double dutch braids that are woven tight enough to survive a dive. The technique is what makes them hold: each braid is built by crossing sections under the middle strand, which presses the braid closer to the scalp than a standard three-strand braid ever will. On straight, thick hair at mid-back length, that under-crossing creates a raised, defined ridge that doesn’t loosen in water. The middle part splits the hair evenly, so each braid carries the same weight, and the dark brown base with subtle lighter brown highlights shows the pattern clearly.
The hold is impressive, but it’s not a lunch-break project. The tension has to be even from root to tip or the whole thing undoes itself by hour two. I’d book this one, ask for it tight at the nape, and then treat it as a three-day style. It’s the closest thing there is to a set-it-and-forget-it option for open water.
Sleek Fishtail Braid Ponytail
Who actually benefits from a fishtail braid ponytail? Thick, straight hair, because the pattern shows up and the weight keeps the braid from looking stringy. My dark brown base with blonde highlights catches the light between each crossover, so the fishtail braid reads as intricate, not messy. The hold is solid: the ponytail elastic and the braid tension mean it stays put through a swim. Length at mid-back gives enough rope to work with. The honest downside? If your hair is fine or thin, the braid will look sparse no matter how tight you pull. This is a look for people who have density to spare.
Defined Bouncy Curls
The first day, they’re perfect. Defined bouncy curls air-dried from a wash, no heat, no fuss. On shoulder-length black hair with layers, each curl coils neatly. The hold? Surprisingly good: they keep their shape through a weekend, even after a quick rinse in the pool. A scrunch with a leave-in brings them back to life. This thick curly hair style is ideal for summer because you can get wet and not panic. The texture is naturally springy, so the bounce lasts. Colour is black, which reads as deep and rich when the curls catch the light. Styling is minimal: wash, scrunch, air-dry, go.
Sleek Wet Look Waves
I confess: I tried to get the wet look wavy hair at home with gel and water, and I ended up with a crunchy helmet that flaked by noon. This is a salon job. The wet look on shoulder-length dark brown wavy hair requires even product distribution and a comb that lays every wave flat. The hold is intense: it stays slick all day, no touch-ups. Honest downside: if you don’t rinse the product out thoroughly, you get build-up that turns dull. Styling is gel and water, but the technique matters. The texture is wavy underneath, but the wet look smooths it into a single sheet of shine. Colour is dark brown, which reflects the wet gloss well.
Thick Braids With Side Part
These thick black braids mean business. The technique is all about even tension: each section is large and chunky, so the braids read as bold, not delicate. The side part adds asymmetry that breaks up the weight. On shoulder-length hair, the braids sit neatly without dragging. The hold is tight because the thickness of each braid creates friction that resists slipping. Texture is braided, of course, but the underlying hair is straight and dense. Colour is black, which makes the braid pattern pop. Styling is simple: part, braid, secure. No frizz, no fuss. These large thick braids are a statement.
Elegant Red Braided Updo
Red hair in an updo reads as intentional, not accidental. This elegant braided updo on shoulder-length wavy hair uses a middle part and loose tendrils that frame the face. The colour is a deep red that catches the eye first. The braided updo is built with sections that twist into a low knot, secured with pins. The hold is firm: the waves in the texture give the braid grip, so it stays through movement. Length is shoulder, which is enough to wrap into a compact updo. Styling is all about the tendrils: they soften the look and keep it from feeling severe. Suits oval and heart faces because the tendrils soften the jaw line.
Smooth Ash Blonde Braided Bun
How smooth can a braided bun actually stay through a swim? I’m a sucker for a bun that doesn’t look like a bird’s nest after one lap. This ash blonde braided bun is different. The key is the tight twist and the way the layers are tucked. It’s a low bun, sitting right at the nape, which means it doesn’t pull or shift when you’re moving. The texture is straight and thick, so the braid holds its shape without a million pins. The colour helps, too. Ash blonde with dark undertones reads as cool and intentional, even when the rest of you is chlorine-soaked.
The hold on this is genuinely impressive. I wore it through a humid afternoon and it barely budged. The upkeep is minimal, which is rare for a braided style. You need a trim every eight weeks to keep the ends from splitting and ruining the smooth line. And you have to book it. This is not a bathroom-mirror job. The layers need to be cut precisely so the braid twists cleanly. Ask your stylist for a tightly twisted low bun with a clean middle part. It’s the closest I’ve found to a set-it-and-forget-it swim style.
Wet Hair Look For Fine Hair
I’ll admit it: I wanted the wet look to fail on my fine hair. But it works. It’s the one style where flat is the goal. The key is using a gel or pomade sparingly. Too much and your hair looks greasy within an hour. Too little and it dries into a frizzy mess.
- Shoulder length or longer. Any shorter and it sticks straight up.
- Middle part, combed back smooth. No visible layers.
- Straight, fine texture. This style was made for us.
- Blonde with dark roots. The contrast keeps it from looking like a helmet.
- DIY, absolutely. But practice the part first. It has to be precise.
The honest downside is the drying. If it dries unevenly, you get cracks in the wet look. I re-wet my comb and smooth it down again. It’s not perfect, but it’s close.
Wavy Red Fishtail Braid
This is the braid that convinced me fishtails are worth the effort. The technique is straightforward once you see it. You divide the hair into two sections instead of three. Then you take a thin piece from the outside of one section and cross it to the inside of the other. Repeat. The red base with lighter auburn highlights adds dimension, so the braid reads as textured and expensive. The layers in the cut help the braid hold its shape without slipping. It’s salon-leaning because the tension has to be consistent. Too loose and it falls apart by lunch. Too tight and it looks like a tourniquet. I practiced on damp hair first. It gave me more control. The hold is solid. I wore it through a full day at the pool and it only softened, never collapsed.
Neatly Parted Shoulder Length Braids
A middle part this sharp requires a stylist with a steady hand. The neat black braids fall to shoulder length, which is long enough to pull back but short enough to not weigh you down. It flatters oval and heart-shaped faces best. The symmetry of the middle part widens a narrow forehead and balances a wider jaw. If you have a round face, ask your stylist to start the part slightly off-center. It softens the line. The texture is braided, so it holds through humidity and swimming. The colour is black, which reads as sleek and intentional. No fading, no brassiness. Just clean, secure braids that stay put.
Visual Idea
What do you do with your hair when you want it completely out of your face? I used to default to a ponytail, but it pulls and shifts. These neat double braids are better. The brown base with blonde highlights adds dimension, so the braids read as textured and intentional. The length is mid-back, which is long enough to braid cleanly without a lot of bulk. The texture is wavy, which helps the braids hold their shape. The middle part keeps everything symmetrical.
The hold is excellent. I wore these through a full day of swimming and they barely loosened. The upkeep is minimal. You need a trim every eight weeks to keep the ends from fraying. The colour grows out well because the highlights blend with the natural brown. It’s a salon style, but it lasts. I get a week out of it before I need to re-braid. It’s the closest I’ve come to a set-it-and-forget-it swim style. The braids stay put.
Mid-Back Visual Idea
I tried to do a fishtail braid like this at home. Took three tries before the tension looked right. The blonde colour shows every uneven section, so the hold has to be perfect. Mid-back length gives enough weight for the braid to sit properly, and the wavy texture helps the strands grip each other without sliding apart. You can get close at home, but that clean, even finish is a salon skill. The honest downside: a loose section reads as a mistake, not a deliberate piece, and it takes practice to avoid that.
Final Thoughts
After writing all of these, I realized the braided headband updo is the one I kept coming back to. It looked polished in the photo and held up through an actual afternoon in the water, which is more than I can say for most of my summer experiments. I am booking a trim and trying the Dutch braids next, because they stayed tight on a friend and she did not have to redo them once.
