These 5-minute easy updos are saving us from the hot, hot heat of summer

The term “summer hair” evokes imagery of free-spirited gals frolicking along a beach with perfectly-textured and tousled locks flowing behind them. The reality, however, tends to be a little less idyllic and a lot more sweaty, especially when it’s hot as Hades plus humidity outside (as it likely is wherever you live at this very moment, and possibly forever in the future #climatecrisis).

No matter how much maintenance you’ve engaged in to keep those summer strands from frizzing out, losing their luster, and suffering sun damage, it can be tough to make a look happen rather than have it happen to you, especially when you’re just desperate to get heat-trapping hair off your sticky skin.  To aid you in doing just that, I’ve culled some quick-and-dirty—but in a pretty way!—Insta inspo to serve as a guide. From top knots to low ponys, milkmaid braids to space buns, these easy updos take five minutes or less to help summer hair live up to its reputation while preventing you from hospitalization-by-heat-stroke. (Stay hydrated, though.)

It’s gettin’ hot out here, so take up all your hair… I am, gettin’ so hot, I want to put my hair up…

1. TWIN CHIGNONS

Few I’m-desperate-to-ventilate-my-neck hairstyles can masquerade as intentional glam quite like this beauty. The flair helps.

2. SPACE BUNS

A more playful take on the same idea which allows for additional airflow around the nape and again, *all the accessories* so it looks like a thing you planned rather than something sweat demanded.

3. CURLY PUFFS

Space buns, take two.

4. BUBBLE PONY

A high pony, contained, so strands can’t stick to your face or frizz out in the humidity.

5. HALF BUBBLE

Same but different, this half bubble plus baby braids offers a stylish solution for short-haired gals.

5. BASIC TOP KNOT

This may be the most heat wave-friendly ‘do in the game. Pile it messy or tight and style it up with a scrunchie or scarf for some added style.

7. TOP KNOT WITH BRAIDS

Add braids to your knot to make it a lewk (or, for extra absorbency?).

8. TOP KNOT WITH TEXTURE

Sop up a sweaty forehead by pulling strands through the base of your top knot and forward into a fan shape. Baby braids and mermaid flair are extra credit.

9. TOP KNOT, WRAPPED

Wick away moisture by throwing a wrap around your too-hot-to-handle high bun.

10. HALF TOP KNOT

You know it’s hot when this goddess actually pulls her famed hair up, even if just halfway.

11. MILKMAID BRAIDS

If you’re looking for something that seems styled and will stay in place, keeping hair away from your dewy skin all day, these three-step milkmaid braids are your jam.

12. PINEAPPLE UPDO

When a topknot feels rote, try this faux hawk-esque easy updo which lets hair loose but still contains it away from the skin. The sweat band—er, headband—helps stop salty drips from smearing your eye makeup, too.

13. SLICK LOW PONY

Low ponytails can work in the heat, too, so long as the strands are slicked away from the neck and face. The thick wrap on this ‘tail helps accomplish this task in style.

14. BIG ASS BUN

A basic bun, but make it fashion.

Here are 12 more easy-chic summer hairstyles that can handle the heat. Plus, Meghan Markle’s got a hot-day ‘do to copycat, too.