Gabrielle Union's Three-Braid Ponytail Is Painfully Chic

September may be fast approaching, but let Gabrielle Union's latest Instagram photo dump be a reminder that summer's not over until she says it's over. The actress and beauty founder took to the platform earlier this week to share a series of photos from a luxurious boat day with friends and family, and aside from being reminded that I'm also in desperate need of a day in the sun, I couldn't get over her perfect vacation hairstyle.

In the pics, Union is seen wearing her hair pulled back into a slick ponytail, but the ponytail itself is split up into three braids that hang just above her shoulders. By the looks of it, she curled the ends of the braids in order to keep them from coming undone. For years, my idea of a vacation-worthy hairstyle included time-consuming protective styles like box braids and cornrows, but Union's hair is a perfect example of how vacation hair can be protective while still being easy to pull together quickly at home.

To add to the cool girl energy of the look, Union wore a white bikini top with white linen pants and Prada sunglasses.

A post shared by Gabrielle Union-Wade (@gabunion)
A photo posted by on

Between styles like box braids, goddess braids, straight-backs, and fishtails, no hairstyle is more perfect for summer than a braid. Each style is convenient when it comes to keeping everyday manipulation at a low and cutting time off of your morning routine. The great thing about Union's hairstyle is that it looks easy enough to recreate at home.

To get the look, read ahead and shop some beauty essentials.

Briogeo

Style + Treat™ Hair Styling Sleek Stick

You can't achieve the perfect slick back without a holding product that keeps frizz and flyaways at bay. This stick is easy to use and provides 24-hour hold without flaking or hardening.

amika

Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Leave-In Conditioner

Achieve two goals at once with your braided style by protecting and hydrating. This leave-in features moisturizing hyaluronic acid to hydrate the hair for up to three days. Just spritz it on and style to your liking.

The Doux

Mousse Def Texture Foam

For an extra-strength hold, mousse is also an option. This one has a foam-to-water formula that practically melts onto the hair before drying down to give you a sleek, humidity-proof look.

Scünci

Primp Metal Braid Cuffs

Add some flair with a decorative cuff or hair accessory.

Creme of Nature

Perfect Edges Hair Gel

Finish things off with an edge control that'll hold your hair in place without pulling or being too harsh on your baby hairs.

Danielle Jackson is the former senior beauty writer at Marie Claire. She has nearly a decade of experience covering beauty, lifestyle, and entertainment and was previously the senior beauty editor at Women's Health, where she thoughtfully covered topics related to skincare, haircare, aesthetics, and wellness. Before that, she spent three years as an assistant beauty editor at PS, and in the years since, her work has appeared in titles like Vogue, InStyle, Glamour, and more. Danielle graduated from the University of Georgia with a BA in English, and has lived in Brooklyn for almost ten years. When she's not writing, you can find her reading romance novels and talking about sunscreen. You can find her on Instagram @danielleknecole.