Dreadlocks aren’t just for hippies, says salon director

What should you do with your hair this summer? According to Staci Linklater, salon director for downtown's award-winning Globe Salon, summer is a great time to try something new and lighten up your hair.

A new style that Linklater herself is wearing is the dreadlock. "The salon dread is very different than what you imagine," Linklater said. "The new dread is not just for hippies, it's now seen on fashion runways and about town on sophisticated women who previously might not consider it."

Although very time-intensive to create (Linklater's took eight hours), dreads stay put forever with little maintenance.

"You can also do a temporary dread, if you are not quite sure you want to stick with it, and shampooing and color are still easy to do with a dread. I can't tell you how many people stop me and ask how I do my hair," she said

If the salon dread is not for you this summer, Linklater suggests a textured beach look. It is very easy to do with the right products. She likes Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray or Texture lotion. Just spray on wet hair and blow dry for a great tousled look.

Linklater added that short hair is really making a comeback.

"By short I don't mean the bob made famous by Victoria Beckham," she said. "I mean cropped, short pixie hair with an edge. It's very, very hot right now."

Along the same edgy lines, many girls from late teens to late 20s are trending toward pastel hair color.

"For hot summer color trends, think pastels like lavender, cotton candy, mint and tangerine. It sounds crazy, but young girls can pull off this fun summer addition," Linklater said.

More subtle color trends, especially strawberry blond, are ideal for those not ready for pastel.

"I am doing lots of beautiful all-over strawberry blonds and also adding the color to darker hair for a beautiful contrast. It's a really gorgeous and sophisticated look," Linklater said. "I am also doing lots of what I call creamy, dreamy blond, a natural beautiful blond that actually looks creamy."

For styling, braids are in .

"Braids are an ideal summer hairdo because they get the hair off the neck and great for outdoor summertime activities on the go," Linklater said.

She added that the easiest braid to do it is the twisted braid. "Place your hair in a low ponytail. Split in two and twist together like a rope. Secure with rubberbands and bobby pins and you have a very nice braid for the summer."

Finally, the blow dry sets are coming back in a big way. This is a similar style to those worn by your mother and grandmother. Hair is pinned into curlers and the blow dryer sets it for a curl that can last for days.