A great hairstyle can mean the difference between feeling ordinary & extraordinary. But should you go long, shoulder-length or short-short? Is auburn really your color? And how do those curly girls go straight?

Practically all women, at some time in their lives, want to grow their hair really long. Disregarding fashion and casting aside ideas about perms and layer cuts, many women through time have liked to wear their hair straight down the back, keeping it as long as possible. Is there a secret to growing your hair long? Or does it just depend on the kind of hair you have.

Taking care of long hair styles and maintaining long hair can be easy since it isn't really that hard to handle! It's all in how you take care of it.

Long Hair Problems
Your hair is too heavy. So heavy in fact, it simply hangs there. The weight allow for no movement at all. Go to a salon and have it thinned. Yes, they still do that and you will be amazed at how much of a difference it can make.

Product Overload
It's really easy to overload straight hair with products, but it contributes to heavy, dull hair. What you need to look for is lightweight shampoos and conditioners. It is also a good idea to look for products that offer a detangling agent.

To Trim or not to Trim
While it does hurt - long hair needs to be trimmed every few months to remove split ends so they wont travel up the shafts of the hair.

Add Layers to your Hair
lf you have long hair, you might want to consider having layers added to your length. Layers add volume and that means no lank looking tresses.

Let Long Hair Curl - Naturally
The moist summer air can actually be a blessing if you have curl in your hair. If it is long, you might want to consider having your hair layered so that the curls have even more bounce. You won't have to do a thing but let summer do its thing... and the result, lots and lots of layered curls.

Hair Locks
With limitless styling options hair locks can be braided, twisted, roller set or pinned up.

Textured Locks are shoulder-length locks that can go to elegant lengths. Dampen hair and coil up to five locks around a strip of aluminum foil; continue until all locks are "set." Let hair dry, remove foil strips and finger-comb locks into place.

Baby Locks are a spunky pre-lock style by dampening hair and applying a light oil. Starting from the hairline, make tiny, loose-ended coils to create a textured Afro with your fingers. Don't use petroleum based products or bees wax since they will attract dirt, clog your pores and hold the hair down with their weight.

Medium Locks are created when hair begins to lock and hang a bit. With this style of hair locks you have more options. For this stylish look, twist back and side locks up and secure high on the back of your head with hairpins. Leave locks at the crown and front loose, and sweep those areas to the side with your fingers. Adorn with hair beads. Don't twist too much or too tight -- you'll damage your hair.

But for those gala evenings, hair gets right into the act and returns to glamour, styled to perfection. Long live the 80s"

Ponytails, which have slowly begun to move from the casual world to the glamour world, now too have an air of sophistication to them. This sophistication is often derived by the frame around the ponytail, specifically bangs.

Hair Extensions
Are hair extensions right for you? It depends on your hair type and your level of commitment to upkeep them. Some extensions attach to the hair with tiny clip-on combs. The plusses: They look the most natural and are healthiest for the hair. The minuses: They won't last more than a night and can be pricey at first. Clip-on hair extensions have to be custom made. Your stylist orders human hair close to your type and dyes it to match your color. He or she then sews in the combs. Depending on the number of pieces you use, it could cost $500 -$1,000 or more. But after that initial expense extensions can be used over and over again. You can learn to apply them yourself or you can simply schedule an appointment with your stylist to blow out your hair, allowing for time to apply the extensions.

Extensions that are glued to strands of hair require more maintenance. It takes about three to four hours to apply them the first time, but when you come back for new extensions, it takes at least six or seven hours to take off the old extensions and apply new ones. Another downside is that they tend to hang in clusters, with separation or space between the extensions -- plus the glue can ravage the hair.

Long Hair Care Tips

You can make an appointment with Ixchel at Alex Emilio hair salon in Royal Oak, MI by calling 248-414-7600, or contact Ixchel online. Remember, long hair is beautiful!