It's widely known that botanicals— substances of or relating to plants or plant life—are important in maintaining the body's health. Now, botanicals are turning up more often in haircare products. From strengthening, moisturizing and nourishing benefits to softening, hydrating and adding shine to tresses, botanicals have proven to be good for hair's health. "People do a lot to keep their skin young, but they don't do a lot for their hair," says Guita Dovas, owner and founder of Oloff Beauty, makers of Aetó Botanica. "Botanicals that are chemical-, sulfate-, and paraben-free in hair products are crucial to promoting strength and vitality in hair." Consumers are a driving force behind the popularity of botanical ingredients, and companies are responding to this trend.

Amala, a new paraben-free skincare line from Germany, features certified-organic whole plant ingredients. The Hydrating Toner, shown here, contains antioxidant-rich jasmine to nourish and smooth the skin.

Before you choose a line of extensions, it's important to know as much as you can about what's on the market and how to work with them. We asked Shiela Stotts, a pioneer in the hair extension industry and one of the most sought-after stylists in Hollywood, for some advice. Having a real mastery of your craft is the only way to achieve success, says Stotts, who has teamed up with Paul Mitchell Schools, where students will learn how to properly work with extensions and benefit from working with a range of tools developed by Stotts after years of perfecting her skills. "Any person wanting to get into hair extensions can use my tools," Stotts says.

Wigs sure have come a long way since grandma donned one to camouflage her thinning hair or to cover up her gray. These days, such celebrities as Angelina Jolie, Britney Spears and the infamous chameleon Cher have all worn them. Wigs are also the perfect solution for clients who want to undergo a personality change for a special occasion, try a new style for a week or two, or maintain a fuss-free hairstyle while on vacation.

Peep-toes, flip-flops and strappy stilettos—almost every fun summertime shoe calls for pretty painted toes. And while pumice stones and polish can help prepare the feet for sole-bearing sandals, nothing beats a thorough spa pedicure for getting your clients' toes and feet into tip-top shape.

As with every change of season, the onset of summer is a time when we hair pros are faced with a salon full of clients who are all clamoring for the same thing—hair that's new, different and fresh. They're focused on the proverbial fun in the sun, and they want a hairstyle that will withstand the rigors of UV rays, pools, dips in the ocean, bike rides, hikes and sweat; be easy to maintain; and look fabulous no matter what's on the agenda. Good thing we're just the folks who can provide it all.

The delightful Claire candles from Fringe Studio come in a variety of scents and designs with a hanging crystal bead. Shown here: the lavender-and-amber scented Claire Brocade candle. 310/915-6430

A range of body scrubs to get winter-weary skin ready for summer

A hairstylist without a pair of shears is about as useful as a carpenter without a hammer or a doctor without a stethoscope. Your shears are arguably the most important tool in your kit, so it's important to choose a pair that's right for you. Fortunately, many new models are available to choose from and the options continue to grow as a few notable hairstylists get into the game.