Urban Retreat Spa & Salon: Sexy Summer Style: Top to Bottom

Summer is in high gear and we are all wanting to have that sexy Summer style that seems effortless yet beautifully chic.
Whether it it throwing on a fabulous maxi dress or having a simple but fashionable up-do here's our advice on how to have style from top to bottom!

SEXY SUMMER HAIR:

Flirty Fishtail Braid

This is the perfect style to rock if you're hanging out by the shore, since the salty air will give your strands great texture for braiding. If you're not near the beach, you can fake that texture by applying hair product through damp strands (a good one: Kevin Murphy's Hair Resort Beach Texturizer sold here in our Salon) and letting hair air-dry. Then do a fishtail braid: Divide your hair in half, and hold the left side in your left hand and right side in your right hand. Pull a half-inch section of hair from the outside of the right side and add it to the inside of the left side. Repeat with a piece from the outside of the left side, adding it to the inside of the right side. Continue adding half-inch pieces down to your ends, and secure with an elastic. Position the braid over your shoulder, then tug out a few pieces around your face for a breezy effect (or just let the wind do its thing).

Fast Figure-Eight Bun

You know how you twist your hair when you're bored on a lazy day? That's the key trick to this style, seen here. Make a low side ponytail, leaving a few pieces loose around your face. Twist the length of your ponytail, and wrap it into a figure-eight shape — smoosh it up against your scalp, and tuck the ends into the loop. Insert a few hairpins or tiny barrettes to lock it all in place. Finish with a mist of lightweight hair spray that'll give you extra hold minus any stickiness. We like Kevin Murphy's Anti Gravity Hair Spray.

Swept-Up Sexy

Embrace your inner slacker and opt for this style when you've just rolled out of bed. If your hair's too clean, it will be slippery and won't have enough grip. If you've just shampooed, rub some mousse into dry roots to get some gritty (in a good way) texture. Try Kevin Murphy's Body Builder Volumising Mousse. Next, use a comb to tease strands around the crown to build volume. Make a side part, and sweep back the top half of your hair. Push the section up slightly to form a small bump before securing with bobby pins. Brush strands to smooth out weird pieces, but don't make it perfect. It should look a little rough.

Mermaid Mane

Curly strands are always a summer hit, but this year, it’s less about kinks and more about undulating waves. To cop the effect:Apply Kevin Murphy's Body Building Volumizing Mousse to towel-dried hair, then blow it out using a paddle brush. Don’t pull it down too hard though—some natural wave (if you have any) is good. Wrap 3-inch-wide sections around a small curling iron. Working on large chunks creates languid spirals and is a quick way to do your whole head. Avoid the roots. Finish by smoothing shine-boosting Kevin Murphy's Easy Rider Anti-Frizz cream over your locks.

Silk-Wrapped Strands

Slipping a colorful scarf around your do is an easy way to glam up a simple look. Fold a bright scarf several times until it’s about 3 inches wide. Twist the ends. Brush your hair back, then place the scarf 2 inches behind your hairline (don’t put it any farther back or it’ll be prone to slipping off). Make sure the ends are an even length. Urban Retreat Spa and Salon's no-slip securing strategy: Tie the scarf twice at your nape underneath your hair. First, knot it horizontally, then do it again, but this time pull each side of the scarf vertically. This will keep the knot tight and also make the ends lay down evenly.

Beachy Bouffant

Want to wear your hair down but just can’t deal with it being plastered to your face on a steamy day? No sweat. Because your face-framing strands are pulled back in this style, you won’t have to fuss over them, but the overall effect is still sexy. To do: Apply Kevin Murphy Volumising Mousse to damp tresses and blow-dry using a round brush to create ends that bend (some inward, some outward). Try Kevin Murphy's Texture Master to hold the shape. Make a center part. Brush the hair on each side of your part back to just past your ears, twist each half a few times, and pin behind your ears.

SEXY SUMMER CLOTHES:

Summer Brights

Summer is a great time to break out those brighter colors! In stock at the Whimsy clothing boutique in the front of our salon are many great clothing options for the height of the Summer heat. Try one of many new bright colored items to add that punch of color. Many items sell out fast but new items are always coming in!

Summer Prints

This hot summer trend is definitely the maxi dress. Especially maxi's with fantastic prints like this one. Add a beautiful maxi to your wardrobe (we have several styles in stock) and you will find it's the easiest way to look great instantly. We love maxi's because come Fall you can throw on a cardigan or denim jacket and it will be perfect for the coming colder weather.

Summer Protection

We all need to protect our skin and still look chic on the same time. Add a flirty summer hat to your outfit to be functional yet adding a sophisticated touch to your wardrobe.

SEXY FOOTWEAR

Think boots are just for colder weather? Think again! Adding cowboy boots to your summer style will be a fashionable surprise to any outfit. We paired it here with one of our flirty summer skirts and basic tank tops. Several new styles in stock now in our Whimsy boutique.

SEXY SUMMER NAILS

This summer the sexy color is blue! This adorable trend is surprisingly sexy and very unexpected. Come in to Urban Retreat Spa and Salon for a manicure or pedicure and try this fun color! See how the celebs are wearing it for inspiration!