5 Women’s Surfer Hairstyles That Hold “Set” to “Pocket”

Looking for a new do that keeps your hair off your face while you’re paddling out, easy to style when it’s your turn in the lineup, and holds in place during a duck dive?  We’ve got you covered!  

Here’s five styles that hold strong while you hang ten. Some of them are good for styling in the water, and some you can do at home that hold from sunrise to bonfire. And each one has been carefully vetted to make sure they’ll work for surfing.  This all starts with the products you use, and styling technique.

Spiral hair ties are better than elastic for styling when you’re in the water because they are easier to expand and maneuver.  This lets you release and restyle your hair quickly so you don’t miss a wave, and you can wear the tie as a bracelet when you’re relaxing or paddling out.  

If you use a hair clip, make sure the metal springs are saltwater safe like the ones in TELETIES hair clips.  Not all metals work with saltwater and that could affect how long your clip will last.  

Tight braids and salt water don’t mix.  The salt water and sun can dry out your hair which can lead to breakage.  Because tight braids take a long time to do, you’re not going to be able to rinse the salt out because you won’t want to re-braid each time you finish surfing.  If you’re surfing regularly, use weave and extensions to add tight braids into your look as they can be removed so you can moisturize and restore a proper balance as needed.

Now let’s “hang ten” and discover 5 hairstyles perfect for surfers.

Crowned Bubble Braid Note

The fishes in the water aren’t the only bubble makers riding the waves. A classic bubble braid on its own makes waves because it is fun, fashionable, and you can add pops of color with the spiral hair ties.  But to be the queen of the waves you’ll want to make this look pop, and that’s why adding a crown and a high ponytail to the style makes it our go-to for surfers. It’s similar to a braided crossover ponytail, but modernized with the bubbles.

1. Remove any knots or tangles from your hair so your bubbles look smooth.
2. Pull most of your hair back into a mid-high ponytail leaving the sides open so you can create the crown bubble braid.  
3. Take a small section of hair from the front of your head, around the temple area on one side, and secure it with a tiny hair tie.
4. Section off another piece of hair about an inch or two below it, combine the first section in, and then add another hair tie.  This becomes the bubble, and the hair ties add a pop of color.
5. Continue doing this until you reach the back of your head, secure the braid temporarily with a hair tie.
6. Repeat steps 2 and 3 on the other side of your head, so you now have two bubble braids meeting at the back and you have formed the crown on your head.
7. Gather all your hair into a high ponytail at the back of your head, including the ends of your crown braids, and secure it with a strong hair tie.
8. Now, start creating the bubble effect on your ponytail: Take a spiral hair tie and tie it around your ponytail a few inches down from the base.
9. Gently tug at the section of hair between the base of the ponytail and the first spiral hair tie to create your first 'bubble'.
10. Continue this process down the length of your ponytail, adding spiral hair ties every few inches and tugging at the hair to create more 'bubbles'.
11. Once you've reached the end of your ponytail and created all your 'bubbles', check your hairstyle in the mirror.
12. Adjust the 'bubbles' as needed by gently tugging at the hair to make them bigger or smaller and ensure they're evenly spaced.
13. You can also add dimension and depth to the ponytail by having it loop underneath and over the crown like when you do a barbie ponytail.

Double Dutch Braids

Unlike the French braid which is made to look soft and subtle, the Dutch braid is bold and ready for action. By weaving underneath instead of over you create definition in your look. And because the double style can start at your forehead and hold tight along your back, your hair stays out of your face so you can focus on the waves.  

Unlike micro braid hairstyles which take a long time to do, dutch braids can be done before you head out in the morning, or hold for a few days comfortably.  This way you can wash the saltwater out of your hair and properly moisturize before redoing the style.  As a bonus, you’re left with wavy hair if you take them out for a beach bonfire after a day of fun.

1. Remove any knots or tangles from your hair, then split it down the middle into two equal sections and secure them with a hair tie or hair clip. 
2. Starting on one side, pick up a small section of hair at the front of your head for the beginning of the braid.
3. Divide this small section into three equal strands, holding two in one hand and the third in your other hand.
4. Cross the right strand under the middle one, then cross the left strand under the new middle strand.
5. Gradually add more hair from the section you’re working on to your braid as you move towards the nape of your neck and keep weaving underneath. 
6. Once you've included all of the hair in the braid, continue braiding the remainder of the hair normally (without adding more hair), until you reach the end and secure it with a hair tie. 
7. Now do the other side.

High Bun

This style is classic, easy to do, and perfect for surfing. It keeps your hair off your face and shoulders so you can focus on your form and riding the wave. Best of all, you can do it in less than a minute making sure you don’t miss an opportunity while someone else snakes your wave.  

1. Gather all your hair high on your head like you're making a high ponytail.
2. Secure your high ponytail with your spiral hair tie, ensuring it's tight enough to hold but not so tight that it's uncomfortable.
3. Twist your ponytail around itself, winding it around the base where the hair tie is.
4. Keep twisting and wrapping your hair until all of it is wrapped around the base of your ponytail in a bun shape.
5. Secure the bun in place using another hair tie making sure all loose ends are tucked in.

Hair Clip French Twist

Speed is everything when you’re on the water.  And with a saltwater safe claw hair clip you can keep it secured on the line while you paddle out, and get your hair ready when you see your swell coming. This look can be styled in under 20 seconds making it fast, fashionable, and most important, functional.

1. Gather all your hair at the nape of your neck as if you're going to do a low ponytail.
2. Twist your gathered hair around two to three times in a clockwise direction around your fingers to create a rope-like structure.
3. Lift this twisted hair upwards towards the crown of your head, keeping it pressed against your scalp.
4. Fold the end of the twisted hair down to meet the base and form a loop, creating the shape of the French twist.
5. Hold the twist in place with one hand while you get your claw clip ready in the other.
6. Use the claw clip to secure your French twist from the bottom, making sure it catches both the top and bottom of the twist.

Loom Braids

If you pay attention to the ocean, you’ll know that criss-crossed patterns can mean dangerous currents and weather.  And that’s why a loom braid is our fifth choice.

The patterns resembles the criss-cross and although it may not ward off dangerous tides, it will work great for surfing.  The style holds your hair in place comfortably, and it looks really cool.  Most important, it holds strong and won’t budge as you dive, thrash, and splash around.  

1. Brush out your hair to remove knots and tangles.
2. Divide your hair into three even sections at the nape of your neck.
3. Take the right section, divide it into two smaller sections, and cross the right smaller section over the left smaller section.
4. Now, take the left larger section, divide it into two smaller sections, and cross the right smaller section over the left smaller section.
5. Continue this process by alternating between the right and left larger sections, always dividing the larger section into two smaller sections and crossing the right smaller section over the left smaller section.
6. As you work your way down, you'll start to see the loom pattern emerging.
7. Once you've braided all the way to the ends, secure your braid with a hair tie.
8. Look at your braid in the mirror and adjust as needed.

Now you’re ready to hit the waves.  For more style ideas and hair nutrition tips like these, subscribe to the TELETIMES blog below.