Over the years I have worked with some of the best hair dressers in the world. I mean world-class professionals. You know, those people who make the women on the covers of Vogue and Bazaar look so effortlessly glamorous. I am endlessly impressed with their talent. I am often left speechless as I watch them morph the models' hair from style to style. Of course, you would expect these hair mavens to have magic in their hands.

What really surprises me, however, is the seemly God-given ability for almost any woman with long hair to painlessly mimic the most complicated hairstyle. Braids, up-dos and variations of the partial up-do are extremely popular hairstyles, especially in the summer. I have often stared in awe as I watched long-haired women carry on conversations with other salon clients, never even peeking in the mirror as they twist, turn and tuck their hair in place. I am humbled by their talent as they finish their hair in minutes and run out the door looking great. If I say anything about their ability to whip their hair into shape, they simply laugh and thank me for the compliment.

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After seeing woman after woman put her hair up in just moments, I realized it must be easier to do than it looks. I talked to Lena, one of the salon's top stylists, and asked her for the lowdown of simple and effortless long hairstyles that I can't help but notice every day in the salon and on the street. She agreed that they are easy for almost anyone to do and gave me a quick demo on three models.

THE HIDDEN BRAID

1. Lift a section of your hair from the crown and clip it out of the way.


2. Place a braid on each side of your head to lift hair up and off your face. Join braids in the back and secure with a hair elastic.


3. Release hair that has been secured with clip and let cascade over braids.

THE BRAIDED BUN

1. Part your hair with a side part.


2. Make two mini braids starting at the part and continuing in a slight upward direction. This gives hair a shape that is flattering for most faces.


3. Join braids together into one and continue braid into a ponytail. If hair strands should pop out, don't worry. It will give your hair a more carefree and less serious look.


4. Twist the ponytail braid into a low bun. Accessorize with a flower, a real one if possible. After all, it's summer!

TWIST AND TUCK

1. Start with a low side part.


2. Make a section from the part to just behind your ear.


3. Start to twist and tuck, continuing to add hair as you go around the head.


4. Gather hair together behind your other ear, fasten with pins and fan out ends to create a feathered look.


5. Add a fresh flower or a hair accessory to finish the look.

You don't have to be a hair genius to keep long hair looking great all summer long. All it takes is a twist, a tuck, a few pins and a little imagination. With a little practice, your hair can always look beautiful and like it was done by the pros.

One of the questions people ask me most frequently is, "Is my hair too long?" Hair length paranoia can be caused by your height, weight, body shape and, most often, age. I think one of the biggest fears of any woman is that she'll look young from the back and old from the front. The thought of a construction man giving a woman passing by a once-over only to quickly jerk his head forward when he sees her face is a legitimate cause for a nervous breakdown. No one should be put through this trauma. After all, who wants to look silly? With a little common sense and a full-length mirror, this gross error easily can be avoided.

One of the first things I would like to say is that I like long hair. I think it is suitable for woman over 25, 35 or even 40 years old. I think it can be flattering, very appealing and often erase a few years. There are a few guidelines that you should be aware of if you chose to wear your hair long. They will help to keep you looking your best.

Long hair should always be exceptionally beautiful hair. The best long hair is healthy, vibrant and has great texture. Hair that is dull, dry, brittle or thinning is definitely not suitable to be worn long.

Even long hair must always have a shape. On anyone older than 16, hair that is all one length is no longer flattering. It will drag your face down and give you a tired, droopy look. Some shaping or layering is always more flattering and will give your face an instant lift.

Long hair is not a blanket to cover body flaws. I know many women who think that wearing their hair longer can cover up the few pounds that somehow they have put on over the years. The only person you are fooling here is yourself. Long hair will actually accentuate your weight gain. It can also make you look lower to the ground. This is a fatal combination that should always be avoided.

Do you find yourself wearing your long hair up every day? This is a sure-fire sign that it's time for a new, shorter style. I know that many women with long hair think it is easier to care for than a shorter style that requires a blow dry. This may be true, but don't you want to look your best? There are no shortcuts. Looking good does take some time and effort, especially as the years goes by.