Beat-the-Heat Summer Hairstyles

FAST & LOOSE

Curls tend to get wilder as the humidity rises—which is great news for this soft, tousled updo. "The bigger the better," says Melville, who completed the look at right in about three minutes (but he's a pro, so you might want to give yourself...five). Smooth a tablespoon of curl-defining cream through dry hair (try Aveeno Nourish + Style Soft-Hold Gel-Creme, $7) before drawing it up into a high ponytail. Secure with a strong, subtle elastic (Melville swears by Blax, $3.50 for 12). If your hair is shoulder length, like our model's, tuck the ends of the pony underneath the elastic with a few bobby pins. (Ignore loose pieces and flyaways—they add to this style's appeal.) Tie a short, simple ribbon around the base of the ponytail for a sophisticated finishing touch. Cream or beige looks clean and bright against dark hair; black is an elegant choice for blondes. Dress, Isaac Mizrahi New York. Earrings, Emitations.com.