Obviously, if you’re at the beach this summer, getting into the water, lounging on the sand, and otherwise getting some sun, your hair will pick up the natural look of beach hair. Beach hair is that seemingly perfect combination of dirty, messy, highlighted locks that just looks sexy and fun!

The only problem is that not everyone wants to get into the water and spend the whole day at the beach just to get that look. After all, many people don’t even lay out anymore. The process takes so much longer than just getting oneself to the tanning beds!

So if you’re striving for that perfect beach hair look, what can you do at home? I’ve got some ideas to share with you so keep reading!

For starters, don’t wash your hair every day. Wash every other day or even every third day, if you can get away with it (I cannot, by the way!). This just adds a little more texture to your hair.

Add some highlights. Remember Sun-In? The stuff you spray on top of your head and then either sit in the sun or use a blow dryer? The heat is what is supposed to lighten the hair. I used to use that stuff every year when I was a pre-teen and a teen and I’m thinking about it again. I am so glad it’s still on the market!

Use a texturizing spray on dry hair. My favorite is John Frieda’s Beach Blonde Ocean Waves Sea Spray. I like the way the bottle looks, I love the way the light blue liquid looks in the bottle, I love the way it smells, and what it does to my hair. It’s especially fun to spray it on wet hair, then braid, and unbraid when dry and fluff with your fingers.

Enjoy your sun-kissed locks even when you don’t have time for the beach!

Every season sees its incarnation of the classic pony tail. Some times the pony is sleek, straight, and professional. Other times, there’s a sophisticated but controlled curl or wave that shines glamorously. So what’s the take on ponies for summer 2008? Read on!

This summer, tightly controlled, sleek tails are so passé. Think of a combination of beach, gym, picnics, and play—very casual, loose, and fun. Nicole Richie recently sported a great combination of milk braids (think Heidi or of milking maids with their side braids), tied together in a low, messy pony/bun combo. So summer perfect.

If you really can’t deal with total hair freedom for your pony, you can also take a combination approach that leaves the front sleek but the actual pony messy. You can even take a comb and “rat” that tail up a little bit. Just keep it restrained. We don’t need an 80s come back just yet. At least, I don’t!

If you have long bangs or can otherwise pull it off, leave some hair out of the pony so it frames your face. Not too much. We’re not going for a version of emo hair. We just want to soften the pony effect a bit.

Have fun trying some different ponies out this summer. Just don’t follow any rules to a “T” and you should be fine.