Trips to the river, vacay souvenirs, drinks by the pool - In the summer, there are more important things to spend your money on than your hair products.    There will always be new beauty trends and new serums and spritzers to try out, but sometimes it's best to keep it simple with tried and true (and affordable) classics.

AquaNet hair spray is one of my favorite products.  At around three bucks a can it's a great investment.  It provides great hold, especially for styles such as faux hawks and other ratted hair looks.   It can also be used in a pinch when you don't have time to wash your hair - just spray onto dirty hair, let dry, and brush out - or skip the brushing and put that grimy hair to work in a beehive, pompadour or other updo.  Spray AquaNet directly onto hair, or for texture with less buildup, spray product onto your hands, rub together and then quickly run hands through or over hair.

Back in my platinum-haired high school days, John Frieda Sheer Blonde Spotlight hair glosser was the product of choice.  At around $7 a tube, it was spendy with my 15-year-old allowance, but by adult standards it's a steal.  Although I haven't used it in ages, I can imagine the smell now - ahhhhh.  It comes in versions for other hair colors as well and a little bit goes a long way to add shine and light fragrance.

I discovered Murray's Beeswax when I started rocking a faux hawk two summers ago and have been hooked ever since.  Super sticky for optimum hold, just a dab really goes a long way.  Use this wax for faux hawks, faux dreads, textured waves, or any style that requires hair to be slicked back or straight up.  Murray's Beeswax costs around $2.75 and, unless you look like Sid Vicious, will probably last you for years.

Summer is a time where many women are working to spruce up their appearance and mix up their look.  Along with spring cleaning, I'm known to give my hair a fresh boost of color when the sun comes out.  Practically a professional at home dye jobs, my brand of choice was always Clairol Hydrience (my signature color Sable Cove).  Although Clairol makes the best colors in my opinion, Feria hair color is also great, as is Garnier Nutrisse.  Feria and Garnier both include an oil fragrance to be mixed in with dye, giving an aromatherapy pick-me-up along with color and shine. If you're simply between pro jobs or looking for a subtle change, go for Semi-Permanent color such as Clairol Natural Instincts.  For around $8, a Semi will add a tint or just brighten up locks without damage or commitment.  Natural Instincts advertises lasting through 28 shampoos.

Nothing says 'summer' like Suave Tropical Coconut Conditioner.  Running around a dollar a bottle, this definitely isn't a salon product, but that doesn't mean it won't detangle your strands like a pro.  Perfect after a day of rolling around in the sand, this conditioner will leave hair smooth and smelling every bit like vacation hair should smell.  Whether or not your trip is actually to the tropics, you'll smell the part.  Gentle and beachy, this conditioner is a road trip staple.

There's nothing wrong with spending a pretty penny on pretty products at top prices, but keep in mind that no matter how great shape your hair is in, it's what you do with your summer break that you'll remember.  No one is going to look at your photo album and gasp, "Oh, I see you have some split ends here."  They will be impressed, and a little jealous, flipping through pages of warm weather activities and adventures on the go.  Summer is the time to relax, so I encourage you to hit up the local Dollar Store on those hot summer days and put the cash towards what's really important - girls' nights, sundresses, and Pixi Sticks!