Tips for Long, Healthy Hair
Today I’m sharing my best tips for growing healthy, long hair. While I do credit my genetics to a certain extent, I’m also pretty rough on my hair (shampooing daily, hot tools 3-5x a week), so I do have to work to ensure my long hair stays healthy.
You probably know the basics - use sulfate-free shampoo, don’t heat style daily - but these are some of the more secret tips that I swear by, and my friends have noticed a difference since incorporating them into their haircare routines, too. I hope they help you!
tips for healthy, long hair
switch up your shampoo and conditioner
While it’s not uncommon to have different shampoos and conditioners in your line-up (toning, deep-conditioning, clarifying, etc.), I recommend switching it up fairly often - think every week or so. I started doing this purely because I get bored of scents and like to try new products, but I’ve found that this has really helped my hair stay healthy and shiny, while also minimizing split-ends and damage. My hair never gets weighed down or frizzy, I don’t deal with residue build-up, and my scalp overall feels so much healthier. There’s no particular schedule or regimen I follow; I kind of base it on my mood but mixing and matching has really helped my hair. A few combos I like:
Davines Heart of Glass Silkening Shampoo + Davines Minu Conditioner (for brightening/ shine)
Ouai Detox shampoo + Amika soulfood Nourishing Hair Mask for a deep clean that’s still hydrating)
Unite BLONDA Toning Shampoo + Davines Heart of Glass Rich Conditioner (for toning and shine)
Also, while I stick to my tried-and-true favorites before special events, I will adjust my routine slightly if I’m traveling - hotel water and weather changes are no joke! I go for lightweight shampoos (Davines NouNou or Minu) and hydrating conditioners (Ouai Medium, Davines NouNou), then always use a clarifying shampoo and deep-conditioning mask when I get home.
make sure you are eating enough
Try to set aside the macros, diets, food noise for a minute. The biggest culprit I’ve found when it comes to dull, brittle hair that just won’t grow is not eating enough food. Vitamins, collagen powders, and supplements are great, but if you’re under-eating, they won’t have as much of an impact. I’ve definitely struggled with food in different ways and still don’t have the healthiest diet, but when I am overall eating enough calories, I can really notice a difference in my hair (and skin, too, if I’m being honest).
Remember that your body burns calories 24/7 (way more than you think!) and it takes an extended amount of time of eating at a surplus to gain weight. I’m not a nutritionist, and recommend reaching out to one if you struggle with this, but overall, make sure you are eating enough food.
minimize ultra-processed food
As I mentioned, I don’t have the picture-perfect diet 24/7, but I do recommend limiting ultra-processed food. I have no studies to back this up; it’s purely based on my own experience as well as what I’ve noticed in others, but if you are eating lots of frozen dinners and drive thru takeout, your health will suffer (including your hair).
Frozen fruits and veggies obviously don’t count with this (they’re flash frozen at peak freshness, so they’re packed with nutrients and vitamins), but even getting a box of mac and cheese and adding fresh milk/ butter is better for you than frozen, sodium-packed Alfredo.
don’t over-brush your hair
Another secret I credit for my long, healthy hair is not over-brushing my hair. I use my fingers 99% of the time - my routine is to use a Tangle Teezer before I shower, then use my fingers to work conditioner in during my shower, and then if I need to, finger-brush again before styling. Your hair is most sensitive/ vulnerable when it’s wet, so I recommend limiting your brushing (or at a minimum, being extra- gentle).
If you notice your hair is prone to tangling, I recommend using a leave-in conditioner (this one is lightweight yet doubles as a heat protectant, too). That has really made a difference with my fine, tangle-prone hair.
get your hair colored more often
Hot take, and I’m sure most people won’t agree with me, but this is what I have found really works for me and makes a big difference. I get my hair colored every 8-10 weeks (partial highlight/ babylight - see more about exactly what I ask for here). My stylist gives me a lived-in look, so I could theoretically go 12-16 weeks between visits, but I’ve found that 8-10 weeks is better for the health of my scalp.
My stylist is an expert and prioritizes hair health, so going more often has nothing to do with her practices (she is super gentle, I swear), but I have sensitive skin, which includes my scalp. I have found getting subtle, tiny babylights more often works better for my hair than a half-head of foils 4x a year.
This also helps me sneak in regular trims, which keeps my hair healthy. Even it’s just a micro-trim, I highly recommend staying consistent with your hair appointments, especially if you struggle with split ends!
wash your hair better
I wash my hair daily, so I totally get how mundane washing your hair can be, but try to stay intentional about it. Change your perspective to see shampooing as a scalp treatment, not just cleaning your hair. Get in there and scrub your scalp, whether you use a scalp scrubber or your fingers, and really work the shampoo in. You probably already know to use a sulfate-free shampoo, but if you’re not getting the suds you want, use more water, not shampoo - that’s the trick there.
Long, healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp, and your wash routine is really the start of it. You can use the nicest, priciest shampoo, but if you aren’t working the product in, you won’t maximize your results.
make hair oils work for you
There’s an overwhelming amount of hair products on the market, and I truthfully find most of them to be gimmicks, but the right hair oil will transform your hair, and using it correctly will 10x your results.
Make sure you’re using a nourishing oil, rather than one that adds superficial shine/ glow. I really like this one; it’s priced fairly and a little goes a long way. It’ll hydrate your hair deeply, but doesn’t weigh down fine, weak hair.
It’s also important to time the use of your hair oil. Make it work for you for the best results. I used to leave my hair oil in all day as a pre-wash ritual, which did hydrate my hair, but I found that I had to really wash my fine hair to get all of the residue out, so it almost canceled out the hydrating. Instead, I prefer to add the hair oil before a walk/ workout or time in the sun. I use natural heat (either from the sun or my workout) to help the oil work itself into my hair, and then wash a few hours later.
I recommend against using a hair oil overnight; in my experience, it’s made my hair more prone to tangles or breakage, especially if I’m using a non-silk pillowcase.
change your pillowcase more often
Silk pillowcases are the creme de la creme of haircare, but they’re not in everyone’s budget. Regardless of what type of pillowcase you use, make sure you are changing it at least 2x a week. It’s better for your skin (especially if you are acne-prone), and also better for your hair. Transfer from your skincare can get onto the pillowcase, and some of those ingredients are too intense for your hair - especially those delicate, face-framing layers.
My golden rule is to change your pillowcase at least 2x a week, but my routine is Sunday (as part of my Sunday reset), Tuesday, and Thursday.
use claw clips instead of hair ties
I love a messy bun, but even if you’re using a silk scrunchie, it can be tough on your hair. Using a claw clip for a half-up style (so the hair is out of my face but not under complete tension), has really helped my hair grow healthier and stronger. Using high-quality claw clips does make a difference; the cheaper ones on Amazon work great, but some can add tangles or breakage. I really like this set for half-up styles; they’re cute, sturdy, and make your hair look polished, which is an added bonus. If you want a big enough clip to get all of your hair up, I like this set of three - my hair has never tangled when I use them, they’re lightweight and don’t give me headaches, and they’ve lasted me a really long time.
