Expert Q&A: Your Summer Hairstyle Questions -- Answered

As spring turns to summer and the mercury and humidity start to rise, it gets hard to keep both cool and coiffed. For tips on how best to navigate the summer hair waters, we tapped expert Charles Baker Strahan's vast knowledge to find out some great ways to beat the heat -- and look fabulous doing it.

Question: I'm heading to an outdoor wedding in Tennessee and it's going to be HOT. I'd love to wear my hair up without looking matronly. Is there a pretty updo that will look modern, young, and fresh? Cindy T.

Charles: "Anything placed high on the head does great things for cheekbones and keeps a neck nice and cool. Undone Ballerina buns are great. You can also add in the braided trend to this for extra security. Start with a high ponytail, and lightly backcomb the hair. Separate three sections and braid hair loosely, leaving imperfect pieces, wrap around the base of the ponytail, and secure in with pins. Spray with a light but slightly strong finishing spray like Body Envy from Herbal Essences, $6.48."

Question: I love the messy "undone bun" that's so popular these days. What's the best way to wear this style? -- Susie F.

Charles: "See the above instructions, but also remember that less is more and don't try too hard. A ponytail makes a great base, you can also wrap the ponytail around itself once you've backcombed it. Secure with pins loosely. Remember to start bigger than you want, you can always make it smaller and hair will usually settle."

Question: I never know what to do with my bangs when I wear my hair up. What's a good look to try? -- Sophia T.

Charles: "I love the look of bangs with a simple sleek updo to frame the face -- polish them with a boar bristle round brush. If you want them off the face try a sweet braid or twist back and pin."

Question: What's your go-to hairstyle for beating the summer heat? -- Blair F.

Charles: "I love the natural progression of hair on hot summer days. I love the look of undone, air-dried waves, I also love what happens when it comes down from being wrapped up. What happens in this process is that the hair is straighter around the face and the body and wave is left in the ends of the hair -- this draws attention to bone structure and the imperfections make the hair look approachable and sexy. Using a cream like Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship, $4, to smooth flyaway hairs is great and starting with a well hydrated base from the shower like Herbal's newly reformulated Hello Hydration makes sure hair stays soft and shiny."

There you have 'em -- hairstyles that'll leave you feeling cool and looking pretty. And, if you want to know how we recommend you beat frizz for good, click thru!