By Shannon Farrell
We spend so much time safeguarding the skin on our bodies from the sun (and with the rise of melanoma, it’s warranted), but we often forget to protect the skin (and strands!) on our heads. Your scalp can get sunburned, and in fact, it’s one of the areas on the body that many women overlook when applying sunscreen, which can ultimately lead to skin cancer. Yikes. What’s more, all that exposure to UV rays can fry your hair and fade your color, too. Luckily, there are some super cute hairstyles you can wear that will protect both your scalp and your hair from summertime damage. The best part is, they’re all so easy! Here are our faves:
Two-Tiered Ponytail
Inspired by Ariana Grande’s signature pony, this style is an upgrade on the basic ponytail—and a way to shield your scalp from harsh UV rays, too, says Jet Rhys, hairstylist and co-owner of the Jet Rhys Salon in San Diego. Here’s how to do it: Brush your hair back so that your part is covered. Divide the top of your hair from the bottom of your hair, from ear to ear, so you have two sections. Secure the top section with a ponytail holder, then secure the bottom section with a ponytail holder. The top ponytail covers the bottom one so you won’t be able to tell that they are separate. “They look connected, [and] your hair looks really long—like you have a hair piece,” says Rhys.