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The Top 3 Trending Summer Hair Styles Our Editors Tested With Expert-Approved Products

Serve fresh looks this season with the greatest hair care goods and styling tools of all time.

Claire Sullivan, Adam Mansuroglu

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August 8, 2025, 6:37am

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editor testing wet hair summer hair style wet hair look trend

Gabriel Inghilterra for WWD

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In recent fashion runway shows and this past award season’s red carpets, we’ve seen trendsetters and beauty tastemakers opt for effortless-looking hair styles that appear less fussy and slightly undone — think mermaidcore beach waves that veer towards bedhead vs. pristine ringlets. That doesn’t mean a polished hairdo is off the table: For 2025, the bouncy blowout has gotten bigger, with stars like Kaia Gerber and Sabrina Carpenter regularly donning bombshell styles that channel an oh-so-’90s take on Old Hollywood hair. On TikTok, this has led to a “Topanga hair” trend, referencing Danielle Fishel’s fictional character in “Boy Meets World.” Thanks to innovative hair styling tools, from thermal brushes to do-it-all styling systems, achieving that next-level volume is easier than ever when paired with balms and sprays that deliver a silky, smooth sheen to your strands.

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While these top trending summer hair styles favor those who like to feel the wind in their hair on a balmy day, high temperatures give way to slicked back styles that keep your strands perfectly in place, free from frizz, and create a dramatic effect to highlight your facial features. This summer, that’s taken form in wet hair looks (an excellent option, in particular, for women who’ve sprung for a bob, à la Sofia Richie Grainge). Though we’ve seen dramatic wet hair looks on designer catwalks over the past decades, new formulas for frizz-fighting serums and multi-use hair oils have turned the high fashion look into an attainable at-home hair style that remains striking for far longer than a 10-minute runway strut. (Just make sure to keep some touch-up taming products in your purse for special occasions.)

All of these trendy hair styles are only possible with the right arsenal of hair care and styling goods, which is why our editors — starting with nourishing shampoos and conditioners for a healthy scalp and strands — tested out these cool-girl looks to help you find the perfect hair product combos to style out your locks this summer. We’re not talking about stocking your vanity’s precious real estate with products you’ll only use once in a blue moon, or ones that deliver lackluster results. In fact, each of the tools and hair products earned a spot on WWD’s list of the Greatest Hair Products of All Time, as voted on by nearly 700 beauty insiders.

Below, give your summer hair routine a makeover with our tips on achieving the hottest hair looks of the moment. For more inspiration, shop our Amazon storefront full of editor-loved essentials.

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Top Hair Products for Trending Summer Styles

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Gabriel Inghilterra / WWD

hair care pro tip!

Head & Shoulders Bare Dandruff Shampoo 2-Pack

$19.94

Buy Now at amazon

Great hair starts with a healthy scalp. Head & Shoulders Bare Dandruff Shampoo’s sulfate-free formula not only cleanses your strands for any summer hair style, but it also nourishes the scalp to combat dry skin while removing impurities from product build-up, which provides a great reset for your hair to take on any trendy summer style.

Beach Waves Hair Trend

WWD business reporter Kanika Talwar shows off the beach waves trend of summer.
Photo by Gabriel Inghilterra for WWD. Gabriel Inghilterra

The breeziest way to wear your hair this summer? Beach waves that look better the messier they get, especially when paired with relaxed boho fashions. For less tumbleweed, more stylishly tousled, we recommend Aussie’s 3 Minute Miracle Moist Deep Conditioner, a product that ups hydration and decreases breakage — and works wonders across all hair textures. From there, either air dry your hair or opt for a dryer, like L’Oreal’s AirLight Pro, that creates a similar effect. Then, to create messy waves, clamp a flat iron on a small chunk of hair at the root, then position it at a 45-degree angle away from your face as you run it through the ends. Repeat, mist texturizing spray near the mid lengths of your hair, then rake your fingers from roots to ends.

Gabriel Inghilterra / WWD

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Moist Deep Conditioner 3-Pack

$20.71

Buy Now at Amazon

This cult-favorite deep conditioner leaves hair soft, hydrated, and prepped for loose waves — especially if you’re starting with dry or color-treated ends. It detangles in seconds, making it easier to style without frizz.

Gabriel Inghilterra / WWD

Kenra Professional Volume Spray 25

$22

Buy Now at Amazon

For beach waves that hold their body all day, this strong-hold hairspray offers impressive staying power without stiffness. The fine mist adds volume at the root and keeps texture in place through humidity.

Gabriel Inghilterra for WWD

Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray

$52

Buy Now at amazon

Part dry shampoo, part volume booster, this cult-favorite texturizer that just celebrated its 15th anniversary gives beach waves that perfectly tousled, lived-in feel — minus the crunch. It absorbs oil at the roots and adds instant lift through the mid-lengths.

Gabriel Inghilterra for WWD

Chi Original Ceramic Hairstyling Iron 1”

$99.99

Buy Now at amazon

This classic flat iron doubles as a curling wand in skilled hands, delivering soft, bendy texture with minimal passes. The ceramic plates glide easily, so you won’t tug or fray ends while styling.

Gabriel Inghilterra for WWD

L’Oréal Professionnel AirLight Pro Hair Dryer

$475

Buy Now at Ulta

One of our favorite new hair dryers released in late 2024, the L’Oréal Professionnel AirLight Pro hair dryer is worth every penny for powerful airflow with a lightweight feel that won’t cause heat damage your locks. Our editors especially love the results it delivers with a hydrating cream for natural curls, like the Fekkai Brilliant Gloss Finishing Cream (another winner on Beauty Inc.’s Greatest Hair Products of All Time list).

Gabriel Inghilterra for WWD

Bumble and bumble. Surf Sea Salt Spray

$35

Buy Now at AMazon

Often imitated but not easily duplicated, Bumble and bumble’s beloved Surf Sea Salt Spray delivers that magically oceanside breeze effect sans beach that gives your hair a boost of texture and volume.

The Wet Hair Look Trend

Beauty Inc.’s deputy art director Emily Harris gives her bob a slick wet hair look.
Photo by Gabriel Inghilterra for WWD. Gabriel Inghilterra for WWD

Slicked-back buns (or sloppy ponytails) aren’t the only way to keep your hair out of your face on a hot summer day. Our editors recommend the wet hair look, a trend we’ve kept our eyes on for well over a year, instead. Friendly for any type of hair texture, the key here is to go big on moisture. We recommend misting dry hair with water, then working a nutrient-rich hair oil — Mielle’s Rosemary Oil promotes a healthy scalp and fuller hair — from the ends of your hair up to the root. Repeat as needed until you’ve reached your desired level of glossiness.

To set the look, tuck your hair behind your ears, then affix creaseless clips just above them before using a taming wand or hair gel and a fine-tooth comb to smooth out pieces around your face.

Gabriel Inghilterra for WWD

Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil

$9.95

Buy Now at amazon

Ideal for slick styles and deep hydration, Mielle’s TikTok-famous beauty product adds shine while nourishing roots with biotin, rosemary, and peppermint. The lightweight formula smooths flyaways without weighing hair down.

Gabriel Inghilterra for WWD

Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum

$39

Buy Now AT AMAZON

Designed to cut down blow-dry time and seal out humidity, this serum is also a favorite for slicked-back styles. It tames frizz instantly and leaves hair ultra-glossy with zero stickiness.

Gabriel Inghilterra for WWD

Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Frizz Tamer

$8.97 $9.99 10% off

Buy Now at AMAZON

This handy styler is made for final touch-ups — taming frizz along the hairline or part for a clean, high-gloss finish.

Gabriel Inghilterra for WWD

La Bonne Brosse N.02 The Essential Hair Brush

Buy Now at moda operandi

This internet-famous luxury hair brush does much more than just a pretty addition to your vanity. La Bonne Brosse’s N.02 Essential Do-It-All Brush is made of nylon and wild boar bristles that improve shine and texture while detangling and assisting to distributing oil at the scalp to the tips of your strands.

’90s Blowout Hair Trend

Contributing beauty commerce editor Claire Sullivan shows off her bombshell locks with a ’90s blowout.
Photo by Gabriel Inghilterra for WWD.

If you want your hair to look fresh out of a Pantene ad, then your best bet is starting with the real stuff. For a voluminous, bouncy, ‘90s-inspired blowout, we recommend starting with the brand’s Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Shampoo and Conditioner, which add luster to dull strands courtesy of its hydrating ingredients.

With this healthy hair foundation, a great ‘90s blowout only requires a few styling products, namely a leave-in conditioner or blowout balm to further boost shine and a strong-hold hairspray to lock down the lift you create. A powerful hair dryer with a concentrator is key here (particularly for frizz-prone hair types). Once you’ve smoothed out the lengths of your hair, focus your attention on face-framing pieces: Bring them forward in front of your face, twist a round brush under them, and hit them with a hair dryer with a concentrator attachment. Repeat the same motion on the ends of your hair to create flippy curls, then seal it all in with hair spray.

Gabriel Inghilterra for WWD

Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Shampoo and Conditioner

$19.99

Buy Now at amazon

This drugstore shampoo and conditioner duo leaves hair silky, manageable, and full — a perfect foundation for bouncy, brushable volume. Expect a smoother finish and fewer tangles post-wash.

Gabriel Inghilterra for WWD

L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray

$12.99 $15.99 19% off

Buy Now at amazon

A backstage staple for decades, this hairspray locks in shape while brushing out soft and touchable. It’s ideal for finishing a round-brushed blowout without stiffening volume.

Gabriel Inghilterra for WWD

Mane It’s Giving Body Large Hot Thermal Round Brush

$98

Buy Now at sephora

Mane’s bestselling hair tool is part curling iron and part round brush, allowing you to create silky soft curls with voluminous body. One of our beauty shopping editors has tested this hot round brush for over a year, especially on her curtain bangs.

Gabriel Inghilterra for WWD

Rōz Hair Milk Serum

$52

Buy Now at amazon

This lightweight milk-serum hybrid adds softness and slip to freshly dried hair, giving it that natural bounce and healthy-looking movement. Use it to smooth ends or revive second-day styles.

Gabriel Inghilterra for WWD

Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer

$499.99

Buy Now at nordstrom

Dyson’s styling tools are some of the most coveted on the market, including the Supersonic Nural hair dryer, which features a top-tier hair diffuser for scalp-safe blowouts and a variety of other bestselling attachments.

Why Trust WWD

Since 1910, WWD — often referred to as “the fashion bible” — has been the leading industry voice of authority for senior executives in the global women’s and men’s fashion, retail and beauty communities, while also informing the consumer media that cover the market. Today, WWD’s breaking news and trend coverage continues to be a trustworthy resource for both fashion insiders and consumers alike. Our shopping editors continue to uphold WWD’s editorial standards and values with quality, expert-backed product selections. Learn more about us here.

Meet the Authors

Claire Sullivan is a contributing commerce editor for WWD and Footwear News, where she writes and edits beauty, fashion, and lifestyle stories. She has over eight years of experience as a writer and editor for national media outlets including Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and Byrdie. She’s tested hundreds of products during her time as an editor, so she’s well-versed in selecting the products that make a meaningful difference in your hair styling routine.

Adam Mansuroglu is the Director of Commerce for Footwear News and WWD, overseeing strategy for shopping content on both brands, along with writing and editing shopping guides, product reviews, and shopping trend stories across fashion, beauty, home and lifestyle product categories for men and women. Prior to his current role, Mansuroglu was a fashion editor and stylist at Cosmopolitan Magazine, Style Editor at BestProducts.com, and Senior Style and Gear Editor at Men’s Health Magazine. Mansuroglu has been tapped as a shopping expert for editorial websites such as Wirecutter, and his writing has also appeared in Out Magazine, Esquire and other publications.

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The Top 3 Trending Summer Hair Styles Our Editors Tested With Expert-Approved Products

In this article

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Top Hair Products for Trending Summer Styles

Head & Shoulders Bare Dandruff Shampoo 2-Pack

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Moist Deep Conditioner 3-Pack

Kenra Professional Volume Spray 25

Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray

Chi Original Ceramic Hairstyling Iron 1”

L’Oréal Professionnel AirLight Pro Hair Dryer

Bumble and bumble. Surf Sea Salt Spray

Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil

Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum

Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Frizz Tamer

La Bonne Brosse N.02 The Essential Hair Brush

Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Shampoo and Conditioner

L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray

Mane It’s Giving Body Large Hot Thermal Round Brush

Rōz Hair Milk Serum

Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer

Head & Shoulders Bare Dandruff Shampoo 2-Pack

Beach Waves Hair Trend

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Moist Deep Conditioner 3-Pack

Kenra Professional Volume Spray 25

Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray

Chi Original Ceramic Hairstyling Iron 1”

L’Oréal Professionnel AirLight Pro Hair Dryer

Bumble and bumble. Surf Sea Salt Spray

The Wet Hair Look Trend

Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil

Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum

Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Frizz Tamer

La Bonne Brosse N.02 The Essential Hair Brush

’90s Blowout Hair Trend

Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Shampoo and Conditioner

L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray

Mane It’s Giving Body Large Hot Thermal Round Brush

Rōz Hair Milk Serum

Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer

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