Love Your Locks

There you are lounging next to the pool like only a true sun goddess can. You've got a cold piña colada in your hand and a hot monokini on your bod. Your hair's soaking wet from the dip you just took, and the only thing you'd like to know is how much better the good life can get. Fast forward to late August and you've got a new question: How much worse can your hair get?

Summertime -- aka scorching sun and chemical-heavy chlorine -- can wreak havoc on your locks. So can uneducated colorists. Celebrity hair stylist Brannon of Brannon Hair Salon at the Hard Rock Hotel, gives us the breakdown on how to maintain healthy hair through the summer. Follow these tips and your locks will be fried-free and looking gorgeous until September.

IT'S A DRY HEAT

It might stop your naturally curly hair from going into Chia Pet mode, but Las Vegas' dry heat also robs your hair of essential hydration. "Hands down the best way to solve this one is with a sexy hat or sexy scarf," says Brannon. It will trap the perspiration, which acts as hair moisturizer. An added bonus: Your hair will grow faster, too.

SUN STROKE

After a long day in the sun, you often feel tired and thirsty. Your hair is no different. The best way to protect it from those dangerous rays? The same source you use to protect your skin. Brannon recommends spraying your SPF directly onto your hair to prevent the dry, brittle effects overexposure notoriously provokes.

LIGHTEN UP

If you color your hair, you've undoubtedly pondered going lighter for summer. Be cautious, however, of how light you initially take it. "Look at your baby pictures," says Brannon, who has worked on Britney Spears, David Bowie and Christie Brinkley. "Go one shade lower than that." Reason being, the sun will naturally lift you up to three shades. Unless sporting a platinum head by August sounds like a good thing, pull back the color reins.

GO THE DISTANCE

By your second highlight, the wallet could feel significantly lighter. Rather than do the whole enchilada with each visit, give your bank account -- and your locks -- a rest. Only ask for a retouch, which addresses the hair people see. At Brannon Salon, it's the difference of $90 versus $150.

SWIMMER'S HAIR

The unforgiving heat in Vegas all but begs us to dive into a cool swimming pool. Sounds great, but if you've got color in your hair, you could soon rock a fabulous shade of green. It all comes down to the pH levels in the chlorine. "The best trick before swimming," says Brannon, "is tomato juice." Pour it all over your hair, let it sit five minutes, shampoo and condition and then swim all you want. The alkaline in the tomato juice counteracts any chemical reaction.

HIGH AND DRY

If you've already gone a few weeks without taking any hair precautions, you could already be in trouble. The first signs come in the form of dry ends. The best solution Brannon's come across is the latest "It" product, Moroccanoil Treatment. Just towel dry and work the oil through your hair. Replenishing results are instant.