Love Island's Samira might wear a weave, but here are the natural hair options we'd recommend for summer

We’re only a week into the fourth season of Love Island and the nation is already gripped, with viewers tuning in in their millions for their daily dose. The reality dating show takes place in Mallorca where temperatures are currently soaring at 29 degrees, and contestants that make it to the final next month will have endured eight weeks of sun, fun and scandal. 

Getting ready for a holiday (let alone a two month stint where your every beauty blunder and style fail are aired to millions) is a challenge, and a bad or questionable regime may be your undoing.   

Ask any woman and they’ll likely tell you a story about their summer hair care regime that falls at either end of the spectrum. The first set are those who can do considerably less than usual to their hair when it’s warm and it will look better than ever, while the second set change up everything from the products they use to their go-to hairstyles.   

The majority of Afro hair wearers, particularly those of us who wear our hair in its natural state, fall into the latter camp, and have to adjust our regime during summer and winter when the weather is at its harshest. 

22 year-old stunner Samira Mighty is one such woman and a contestant on the current series, gracing our screens each night with her hilarious personality, witty one-liners and starry presence. 

She's also chosen to wear her hair in a weave; a decision that has split social media, as typically, wearing a weave (which is tracks of extensions that are sewn into braids of the wearer's natural hair) isn't the wisest of choices in hot weather, particularly if you're planning to get it wet = recipe for disaster. 

The consensus on social media has been that she should have opted for a protective style that will require less maintenance than her current 'do. Her weave features her own hair left out around her hairline, thus requiring heat so that it blends in nicely with her extensions. 

So far, the performer, who has starred in the West End musical, Dreamgirls, has kept her hair in immaculate condition, but there's no doubting she could have given herself an easier time with a simpler style. 

Firstly, there's there's the concern over what damage she's inflicting on her own locks by having to straighten them, which, if the heat, humidity and chances of hitting the pool are anything to go by, then she'll need to do this often. This isn't ideal for Afro hair as it's already naturally drier than other hair types.

Then there's the question of the longevity of her extensions; hair extensions rarely look good for long - unless you're parting with up to four figures for them - and we're backing Samira for the final. This means seven more weeks with her current style (unless of course she has a new style planned for future weeks). 

"Hopefully she's bought a hair moisturiser with her as her best option is to braid her own hair and the extensions together to create a natural heat-free wave that will last longer than a straight style," says natural hair specialist and celebrity hairstylist, Dionne Smith. "When her weave inevitably wears out, I'd recommend a ponytail or braided bun to keep her ends tucked away."

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While we acknowledge that there's nothing particularly natural about Love Island, faffing around with hair straighteners and dryers in the heat is far from ideal, (particularly if you should be 'grafting' someone you have your eye on in a bid to win the show) so opting for a protective style would leave her plenty of time to enjoy the villa.  

These are some of the best simple summer styles for Afro hair… 

1. Braids

Braids are typically the most low maintenance hairstyle for natural hair as once they're in, aside from ensuring your scalp is clean, there is little to be done to them until they're taken out. As such, they're ideal for holidays and swimming as they'll stay intact when they're wet. 

It's best to get them done professionally, as badly done braids can tug at your hairline causing irreversible damage. A good stylist will advise on the ideal size each braid should be to suit your hair thickness and elasticity.  

2. Go natural

The most simple summer hairstyle of all would be to just let your hair do its own thing and wear it loose. This may require some extra work after washing as you'll likely need to apply a leave-in conditioner to tame it and keep it detangled. 

The LOC method (leave-in, oil, cream) is popular among natural hair wearers; apply a leave-in conditioner to damp, clean hair, then use a natural oil such as coconut, almond or olive oil to seal the moisture in, then finish with a styling cream. Be sure to pineapple your hair when you sleep so that it stays intact for the next day (see point 4). 

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3. Wear a wig

Zendaya's hair

Not that we needed another reason to add actress Zendaya to our inspiration board, but her commitment to changing up her hairstyle at every opportunity is award-worthy and worth taking note of.  While it may conjure images of courthouses or fancy dress, a wig is actually one of the easiest ways to transform your look and shouldn’t be dismissed.

The new age of wigs are undetectable, though expect to pay big money for them. For longevity and maximum manipulation, choose human hair which can be dyed and styled with heat. All the while, your own hair is left braided and protected underneath. 

4. Rock a pineapple

'Pineappling' is a go-to method for many natural hair wearers. While a tight ponytail will pull and stretch your hair from the roots, leaving a kink in your curls when undone, a pineapple is a loose style that preserves your curls for the next day.

Simply tip your head upside down and bunch your curls altogether at the top. Be sure to use either a silk tie, metal-free hairband or an Invisibobble (￡4.99, Look Fantastic) which won't pull or damage hair.