Heatwave hair essentials: Keep cool with these scrunchies, clips and headbands

A heatwave in the UK often morphs from a glorious day of sunshine into a sticky, muggy mess.

If you’ve been caught out without a fan or live in a small flat with poor ventilation, chances are, like us, you’ve struggled through sleepless nights, sweaty afternoons and more cold showers than you can count.

It also doesn’t help that there are still plans with friends, work calls and catch-ups over coffee in the diary when all you’d rather do is hang out by the fridge.

Feeling put together for your social and work plans amid scorching temperatures can feel nigh on impossible. When it comes to our our wardrobe, we’re wearing almost exclusively linen in a bid to cool down.

When it comes to hair, whether it is short or long, we want it tied up and out the way when it’s hot.

But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice looking good while you’re at it. Thanks to fun and functional hair accessories, we’re dressing up our tresses in high ponytails, plaits and in messy buns with clips and grips galore.

To help you through the rest of the heatwave, we’ve compiled an edit of our favourite hair accessories for keeping cool.

You can trust our independent round-ups. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections. This revenue helps us to fund journalism across The Independent.

When you just can’t be bothered for a fancy do, reach for this Joan clip in violet opal (Tortware, £26) to quickly twist your hair up and clip it to your head. These clips are all over Instagram right now, so you’ll look bang on trend while keeping annoying strands at bay.

Made from an eco resin, it’s adorned with pearlescent violet daisies and opal rhinestone, and looks a lot more glamorous than you might feel.

If you have dinner plans, use it to secure a low bun, add some earrings and bright lipstick and you’re good to go.

An ode to the traditional tortoiseshell style, this hair claw in rainbow tortoise (Etsy, £12.77) is a colourful update on a design that’s been around for decades.

It’s also got some impressive eco credentials too, as it’s made with a plant-based plastic – a mix of cotton pulp and acetic acid – which is biodegradable.

Shorter, thinner hair will suit these shell plastic bulldog clips (Accessorize, £6), which will have you reminiscing about trips to the seaside.

Designed in a pretty pearlescent pink, use them in place of hair ties for an instant pop of colour.

The quickest and simplest way to get your hair out of your face is with a headband, pushing back flyaways and fringes.

You can make it a stylish affair too. We love this satin knot hairband (&Other Stories, £17) as the silky sage green colour adds a luxurious feel. It’s one of this season’s staple shades, too.

Let the earthy toned accessory do all the talking by wearing it with a high bun. We’re all keeping our make-up looks to a minimum right now, but if you need a mascara that will survive the heat, look to our round-up of the best waterproof formulas.

Ditch the minimalism and embrace prints, patterns and colour with this Japanese knot headband, (Anthropologie, £28).

Embroidered with flowers and foliage, it’s a statement piece that will make looking good in a heatwave breeze.

While the hot weather has us all wishing we lived near the sea for a lunchtime dip, this shell beach band (French Fashion House, £12) is the next best thing – apart from a cold shower, of course.

Decorated with upright open shells and their pearls, it’ll certainly turn heads. While it is a statement style, the slim metal band won’t feel irritating when worn in the heat.

If you have a fringe, chances are you’re regretting your hairstyle of choice right now as the heatwave takes its toll.

A simple solution is a hair slide or two to push it out of your face and hold it in place while you get on with your day.

With hinged closures, they’re easy to adjust but stay secure without sliding down strands.

This trio of carmel mixed pink hair clips (Oliver Bonas, £15) has a retro feel and offers a mix of sizes and styles to switch up your look.

If you have long hair, opt for a French braid and use the clips throughout your plaits to tap into that summery aesthetic.

The humble scrunchie has made a triumphant return to fashion, having originally become popular in the Eighties with side ponytails and voluminous up-dos.

Now brands are creating a range of designs from silk styles to those embellished with bows and beads, as the stretchy hair accessory has become a sartorial staple in its own right.

This oversized cappuccino silk scrunchie (Etsy, £11.17) is ideal if you have lots of hair but are struggling to keep it out of the way. A simple up-do with look far more put-together with one of these accessories.

Tie in a low ponytail, or wrap around a high topknot for effortless heatwave locks. There are 10 colours to choose from, ranging from a pearly oyster shade to blush pink.

The attached bow will make any hairstyle feel more polished, with very little effort required.

A hybrid of a hair scarf and scrunchie, this scarf-detail scrunchie (H&M, £3.99) is decorated with a pretty floral pattern that’s perfect for balmy summer days.

If you wanted a bolder look, it’s also available in red.