Swim unprotected. What could possibly dampen a day at the beach or pool? Salt water or chlorine. Both can wreak havoc on hair, drying it out, causing split ends, and stripping color. Phillips recommends applying a strong leave-in conditioning treatment to damp hair before hitting the water

Protect your hair during the summer. And you thought sunburn was bad for your skin? Those rays are just as harmful to your hair, even though it won't turn red or start to peel. Rather, repeated sun exposure will leave your hair damaged and dry, while fading your dye-job. Cover up whenever possible, throwing on a wide-brimmed hat or wrapping a scarf around your mane. Opt for moisturizing shampoos and conditioners that protect against the two types of ultraviolet rays capable of causing sunburn, UVA and UVB, along with an SPF-fortified hair spray. Apply it to your hair whenever you'd wear sunscreen. At the end of summer, an intensive conditioning treatment at the salon could help rejuvenate frizzed-out locks.

Tie your pony tail too tightly. They're convenient and cute, yes, but they could lead to traction alopecia, or hair loss caused by styles that pull on your scalp. Instead of tying tightly, aim for loose braids, buns, and ponytails, and let your hair down before going to sleep at night. "It's important to get the right tie," Hammadi says. "Some are better than others. The thicker ones work well, and the ones that don't have a seam breaking up the middle. They're a little gentler on your hair." Even better: Try holding it back with a headband, instead. And if you must go the ponytail route, alternate the way you put it up—tie it low one day, high another, to the side the next—so you're not always stressing the same strands.

Tend to your scalp. "It's the bedrock for your hair follicles," Phillips says. "They're a millimeter and a quarter under the scalp. But most of us don't attend to it or even think about it." She recommends applying a weekly scalp mask, which exfoliates and moisturizers. These typically contain ingredients like aloe vera, and help minimize flaking while soothing the scalp. "It gives you a head of hair that you want to touch, that's luxurious and full of life," Phillips says.

Overdo the appliances. Even if they're pricier, invest in good tools. Make sure they offer different heat settings and, in the case of flat irons, display the temperature. Hair dryers should have a diffuser to help distribute heat more evenly. Still, it's best to let your hair dry naturally whenever possible. Blow-drying it can cause roughness, dryness, and loss of color, according to a 2011 study published in the Annals of Dermatology. Reserve dryers for special occasions, and keep the air cool. Beware flat irons, too: While they may make your hair look smooth and sleek, they can also turn it dry and brittle, leading to frizz and heavy-duty breakage. If you must use a flat iron, keep it on the coolest heat setting possible. And don't even consider turning it on until your hair is completely dry; otherwise, you'll end up with a lot of steam and damaged locks.

Overwash it. Shampooing and conditioning every other day will suffice, unless your tresses are extra oily. Washing too frequently causes dryness, Hammadi says. "If you constantly overwash, it's going to become too clean," he says. "Just like when you wash your clothes too much—they fade. It pulls out too many of your natural oils, so you won't have as much shine." This is particularly a concern if you've colored your hair; red and blonde tones are especially likely to fade if you shampoo too often. Note, however, that you don't need to wash with cold water: That's just a myth. Warm water works just fine.

Maintain it with regular trims. Parting ways with even half an inch can be excruciating if you're in pursuit of long, luscious locks. But it's necessary. Ideally, head to the salon every six to eight weeks, though you may be able to push it to 10 if you're trying to maintain length. Regular trims keep split ends from splitting more and more (and looking worse). Those with an intense styling routine—straightening or curling every day—typically need more frequent trims than those who sport a more natural look. One way to tell if it's time to call the salon: Inspect the bottom of your hair. If it doesn't come to a blunt end, you may be overdue.

According to Forbes and their analysis on least stressful jobs using over 100 criteria, which includes “income and growth potential to the degree of competitiveness to the amount of public contact to physical demands and work conditions like toxic fumes and noise.”

They get their data from the Department of Labor, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Census Bureau, trade associations, and private survey firms.

But are hair stylists really coasting through a life full of sweet smelling suds and cozy warm hair dryers? Turns out not all of them think their lives are so stress free.

With a median annual salary of $22,770 and a 13 percent projected salary growth by 2022, hairstylists are the least stressed because they “typically work either with walk-in customers or build their own regular clientele. The most successful doing the latter can open their own businesses and thrive.”

Stylist said that description glosses over a lot of hard work.

“It took 20 years to get where I am now,” Stylist say “If anyone thinks it’s not stressful they can work in the business.”

Right after Cosmetology school plan to work under some bosses where you will ordered around most of the day and sweep a lot of floors.

“You are trying to learn it and people treat you like crap, “ It takes a long time to build up a clientele. There’s a lot of sitting around. No one just hands you a clientele, you have to earn it and that can be stressful.”

Not to mention clients can be a source of stress themselves.

There can be pressure, because you are on schedule and you are dealing with people’s lives and they want to look their best and everyone has a place to be these days.”

If you are running 15 to 20 minutes behind because someone was late, other clients are not so happy.

It can take a physical toll, as standing behind the chair all day has can cause you to have back issues. Some hair stylists get carpal tunnel, as “repetitive motions are stressful on the body.”.

“This is our stress,say stylist  but our stress level is  fun,” They say. “Ambience and things like that we are trying to take the stress out for the clientele and make it fun.”

“It’s a happy feeling to come to work,“And what’s not to be happy about taking care of beautiful people every day. It’s the best time to see a smile on their face.”

Here's what to look for in spring and summer hairstyles this year, one style maven says:

• Matte finishes
• Metallic colors
• Volume around the sides of the head
• The return of the ponytail

Matte finishes.  More matte trends on the runway, as opposed to brilliant, shiny hairdos, " Lash said. "A roughed-up texture . . . lived-in looks with second-day sexiness." Not for women only, either: "With men, it's chunky separation, oversized pieces and a matte finish."

Metallic colors. Mirroring the appearance of trendy fashion accessories, Edgy Metallic Glam color line adds silvery highlights. Not shiny, though: "Like a metallic fabric, there's a sheen or a shimmery reflection,

Volume. "Volume is definitely huge this spring and summer,"  "Instead of adding height up front, hair is lifted at the nape and crown and teased at the sides."

Ponytails. They're back,  Some are sleek, while others are less structured – "as if you had pulled your hair back very simply, messy and loose like a young girl who has played outside all day."

“I’m getting married! In seven days!” she almost shouted as her hairdresser, Laura Battista, tended a sparkly forest of foil wrappers that stuck out in every direction from Ms. Wheaton’s platinum-streaked head.

Ms. Wheaton, 33, is furiously cutting back to pay for her wedding, but not on her regular $145 salon visits. “I can’t give up Laura,” said Ms. Wheaton, who lives in Patchogue. “I would never go anywhere else.”

Loyalty may help explain why on a Saturday morning in October, the darkest month on any hairdressers’ calendar (post-summer, pre-holiday), amid a deepening economic crisis, the salon was humming, all seats taken. Dozens of women bantered and laughed and fussed over one another. It was like a good party, with great hats.

The owner, Carl Morello, circulated, flirting and joshing. He has been collecting a following here for 33 years, the last 13 at Soto Salon, a free-standing storefront on Deer Park Avenue. He and his wife, Christine, built their payroll of 28 part-time workers from an initial staff of 5 employees.

He said he had not yet seen a drop in hairdressing, although sales of hair-care products — about 9 percent of his business — were off 20 percent.

That tracks with the nationwide industry, said Brad Masterson, spokesman for the Professional Beauty Association, based in Scottsdale, Ariz. He said the salon business is “relatively recession proof, although people may be waiting a little longer to get their hair done.”

Sue Osani, 61, has been going to Mr. Morello for 29 years. She returns every two weeks for a hairline color touch-up, $24. “You grab a cup of coffee, catch up with people — it’s like socializing,” she said. “If I had to prioritize on spending, I would never give up my hair.”

Mr. Morello combed wet hair back from Myrna Kahane’s face. There for her weekly blow-out, Ms. Kahane, 70, has followed Mr. Morello for 20 years. Before giving him up, she said, she would give up eating.

Mr. Morello has a theory about all this: “When the economy is going to hell, you don’t want to walk by a mirror and notice that you are, too.”