How to Grow Long Healthy Hair

One of the most common comments/questions I get on my Instagram has to do with my hair! My hair has been through a lot – from crazy colors to uneven hair cuts, but I am finally on the way to truly loving my hair. I cut off 7 inches in October but my hair grown a lot since then, so I thought I would share with y’all my best tips and tips for growing your hair out long and healthy!

Before we begin, I’ll give you a little back story on my hair journey. When I was little, I had my hair down past my waist. It was super long to the point where it looked stringy and unkept at times. My mom told me I had to at least get a trim, but I ended up donating 10 inches on a whim! From then on I started playing around with my hair and changing it up every chance I got. I have had very dark hair, highlights, lowlights – you name it! (Even red and blue highlights in middle school.)

Fast forward to this school year, my hair was at that stage where it was super long again. It was getting to the point where it wasn’t looking healthy and I wanted a bit of a fresh start. I cut off 7 inches in October to where the length was right past my shoulders! Here we are 9 months later and I would say it has grown quite a bit!

Now, lets get into sharing my favorite tips + tricks, as well as my favorite products that got me to where my hair is today. Keep in mind, these are just my personal tips and what has worked for me and my hair, and I am in no way claiming to be a professional! *This post is not sponsored, and all products mentioned were bought with my own money.* 

 

Tips + Tricks

1. Don’t wash your hair every night.  Washing your hair every day can strip your hair of its natural oils and dry out your hair. Everyone’s hair is different, but I personally like to wash my hair every 2-3 days. This also helps your hair in the long run because the less you are washing, the less you will need to use heat product such as blow drying or a straightener! If you haven’t hopped on the Dry Shampoo train by now – you are missing out big time. A few of the brands I swear by are Batiste, Not Your Mother’s, Amika, and Living Proof. (All Linked below)

2. Use Sulfate Free Shampoo. Sulfate is the product in your shampoo that helps lather and clean your hair. You may be wondering how this can be a bad thing. This product is tricky because it is both good and bad. It is responsible for helping remove the dirts and oils in your hair, but it can be be harsh on your hair if your have color treated or damaged locks. If you are prone to dry, frizzy hair and split ends – you may want to opt for sulfate free shampoo. I am always switching my shampoo and conditioner up, so I try to at least use a sulfate free shampoo every other wash. I find it is the perfect compromise to keeping my hair clean without stripping away all the natural oils that are good for your scalp.

3. Use hair Masks once a week. Now this is something I sometimes forget to do, but I try to do a hair mask once a week if I can. When using a hair mask I use plastic disposable shower caps (only a couple of dollars on Amazon.) I like to put my hair mask on, watch an episode on Netflix – and then rinse it off! You can checkout my DIY hair mask here. It’s super easy, only uses a few ingredients, and very affordable!  However, if you would rather just purchase a mask – I have linked some of my favorites I have tried out below! Jojoba Oil, Argan Oil, and Coconut Oil are all great ingredients to use on your hair and can help stimulate hair growth and/or help prevent breakage.

4. Use as little heat as possible. Growing up, I never blow dried my hair. Like I maybe blow dried my hair 2-3 times a year. Since I have started college and am often on a time crunch to make it to events or meetings, that has now changed. Still, I try to minimize the heat I use on my hair as much as possible. I wait for my hair to air dry 15-20 minutes before using a blow dryer and will let my hair air dry over night if I have the time. Additionally, if I curl my hair I try to make it last 2-3 days with dry shampoo.

I am always getting questions on what curling iron I use, and it is the Infiniti Pro by Conair Wand. I have had this curling iron for at least 5 years (not exaggerating) and it still works perfectly fine! You can buy it on amazon here for $25 and free shipping! The straightener I use is a bit of a steeper price but it is worth it! I used a Chi all throughout High School but I recently switched to the Babyliss Pro and I like it way better. It leaves my hair feeling so silky and smooth!

5. Brush your hair often. This may seem a little self explanatory – but it really is so important! I brush my hair right before I get in the shower and after I have washed my hair. If you don’t have a Wet Brush, I promise these are life changing. Now that I have discovered the Wet Brush I could never go back to using a normal brush! If you have thick, curly, or damaged hair – this brush will become your best friend. It is extremely gentle on your hair and prevents breakage. I will still run through my DRY hair with a normal brush before styling, but the wet brush is my go-to after I shower!

 

I hope these suggestions were helpful for you! Don’t forget to check out my DIY hair mask here. Let me know in the comments below what type of Hair post you want next!