Here’s How Emma Stone Gets Perfect Summer Hair, According to Her Hair Stylist

Humidity hits, and suddenly everyone’s summer hair is either frizzing up or giving stringy, weighed-down mop. The good news is that the fix isn’t 47 products and a prayer. It’s knowing a few smart moves from someone who styles celebrity hair through heat waves and red carpets.

On Breaking Beauty, hosts Jill Dunn and Carlene Higgins sat down with Mara Roszak—the pro behind Emma Stone’s most screenshotted looks and founder of the beloved hair care brand Rōz—to talk summer hair strategy. Despite her Hollywood pedigree, Roszak speaks fluent “real life,” and her tips work whether your hair puffs out at the word “July” or collapses by lunchtime.

Why Emma Stone’s stylist swears by effortless summer hair

Roszak reads the room for summer 2025 and keeps it breezy. “I do think beach waves really are back,” she says, pointing to a more natural, slightly wild finish over anything too perfect.

Her whole POV lands in that “don’t fight it—finesse it” lane. Lean into your natural texture rather than fighting against it. This approach works for all hair types—even those who swear their hair acts like two different people, depending on the weather and where you touch it.

Start in the shower for your best summer hair

If your summer hair refuses to behave, address the foundation before reaching for a flat iron. Roszak’s first move focuses on cleansing. “You really want to make sure that you’re removing buildup thoroughly and using a hydrating cleanser,” she explains. In other words, before you do anything else, wash your hair.

Once you’re out of the shower, how you handle your hair matters as much as what products you put in it. “When you get out of the shower, prepping with some kind of detangler and then brushing your hair when it’s very wet, and that’s it,” she says, pointing out a tried-and-true way to get beach waves without much effort. 

Towels can make or break the finish, too. If your hair falls flat or frizzes immediately after wrapping, the culprit might be the weight of your towel. Roszak recommends wrapping it with a lightweight turban-like towel to remove moisture without adding bulk.

Shape without heat: braids and clip tricks for summer hair

Want the bend without the barrel? Roszak reaches for the most low-tech tool there is: braiding your hair while wet. “Remove the braids when they’re probably about 80 percent to 90 percent dry,” she says, so the pattern sets softly without a crunchy cast.

And yes, those tiny, strategic clips you see backstage are helpful at home—especially around the hairline, where summer humidity tends to behave erratically. Roszak even puts them to work on Emma Stone: The lightweight silver clips help create the “finger wave look that we did at the Oscars.” If it’s polished enough for the Dolby Theatre, it’ll handle rooftop drinks just fine.

If you reach for heat, keep it modern

There’s a time and place for a curling iron, but don’t scorch your way into limp waves. Roszak favors pro tools with adjustable heat and keeps the dial in the middle-high range, not maxed out, to avoid that “curl that falls out before you’ve left the bathroom” problem. Consider a lighter tension, with relaxed ends, and skip the clamp lines by using an open barrel technique if you’re comfortable with it.

Summer hair behaves when you stop trying to strong-arm it. Start with clean, hydrated hair. Touch it less, use lighter fabrics, and loosen the tension when styling. Set your shape with no-heat tricks whenever possible, and remember that a slightly imperfect finish often looks better than polished for the season. When in doubt, steal the stylist’s moves: gentle towel, loose braids, a couple of smart clips, and a mindset that prioritizes airiness over perfection.

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