Long Hairstyles

Think having long, flowing hair is enough? Think again! This spring and summer long hairstyles need more than just their length to pass the glam test. See what the new trends in long hairstyles are hot for 2008.

Hairstyles of any length should be sporting shape enhancing layers but this goes double for long hairstyles. The days of the "hippie" one length hairstyles are so over. Heck, even Gwyneth Paltrow clued in and cut her sixties inspired long hairstyle into a shoulder length and layered ‘do.

Layers in long hair add shape, body, texture and movement-everything that hair should have this season. Even if you're scissor shy, having long layers cut into the last few inches of your hair can make a big difference. Put some subtle layering in the ends, and shorter face-framing layers in the front and be amazed at the new shape your long hairstyle takes on.

Go big or stay home is this spring's trend. Along with shedding the one length hippie-look, those flat as a board styles have been banned. Long hairstyles now have some curves and body, baby. Use volume enhancing mousses and sprays to get lift at the roots. Hot rollers or Velcro rollers make big, sexy curls a snap.

No matter how you wear your long hairstyle one thing is a must-there must be shine and good health. Long gone are the days of over-bleach blondes and ratty ends. If you plan on looking hip with your hair it needs to gleam.

The best way to ensure this is to take good hair of that long hair. Use moisturizing conditioners and shampoos and get your ends trimmed when they start to feel dry (and before they split!). If your hair is looking dull color wise you can have it colored with a semi-permanent color or a clear gloss to enhance shine and promote smooth hair.

One of the biggest hair mistakes I see in long hairstyles is in thinking the same old updos of the 80s and 90s are still in style today. Just as daytime long hairstyles change so do evening hairstyles. The hottest updos for long hair right now are the chignon and the half-updo.

A chignon is a low lying bun that sits at the base of your nape (bottom of the neck). This bun can be quite simply and elegant or funky with some spiky bits. The key is in getting the hair smoothed back and keeping the bun as low as possible. The rest is up to your personal style.

Half-updos are big right now because they incorporate two big trends right now in long hairstyles-touchable style and volume. With trendy updos the hair on the sides is swept up loosely and pinned at the crown of the head. Face framing tendrils are left around the face for softness and the back is plumped up with rollers for volume.

There you have it-all you need to know to keep your long hairstyles in style this season. Make it healthy, make it layered and make it count with some volume and your long hair will be a hit this spring and summer.