I remember the girl from high school with most gorgeous thick black hair. I vividly remember her hair, but I can’t for the life of me, recall her name. Funny how that works. Her hair was like a waterfall, perfect from root to tip. Silky smooth and so glossy, you would swear you could see your reflection in it. I had a serious case of hair envy. To be honest, I still do!
Do people like her ever have a bad hair day? Does she even know what a split end looks like?
Now you can be the envy of your friends! Get the thicker, longer hair you’ve always wanted! Dry hair, split ends, and dull hair read will be a distant memory. It’s not all genetics ladies – stay tuned for some serious tips to glam your locks!
6 Tips to Grow Fabulous Hair – Thicker and Longer
1. Stop Overwashing
Wash your hair every other day. We have been brainwashed that we need to wash our hair every day. Our skin has natural oils that keep our skin soft and healthy. Our hair has the same delicate balance. Washing your hair every day dries out your hair and scalp. Aim to wash your hair every other day with a gentle shampoo. Look for a shampoo without sulfates, phthalates, parabens, or petrolatum.
People often report their hair gets greasy when switching to the every other day washing. Why? Our scalp produces extra oil to keep up with the oils that were stripped from everyday washing. It takes a little while for your hair to adjust. In this case, I would suggest a dry shampoo.
I didn’t like all the ingredients in store-bought dry shampoo. Butane, isobutene, and propane are a few. They are flammable gasses! There is even a warning on the side of the bottle that the contents are flammable. Not something I was looking to put on my head and rub into my scalp!
I made my own easy dry shampoo with two simple ingredients:
- Cornstarch – to absorb the oil
- Cocoa Powder – to conceal the cornstarch so you can’t see it in your hair
I mix a ratio of 50/50 cornstarch to cocoa powder for my medium brown hair. Adjust your ratios according to your hair color. More cornstarch for lighter hair, more cocoa powder for darker hair.
I mix it in a recycled spice jar and shake some onto my roots. Gently rub it into your scalp and it should disappear in 10–15 minutes. It gives extra volume and freshens your hair.
My hair actually looks better when it’s got dry shampoo in it. I have pretty flat hair.
2. Avoid Heat
Switching to the every-other-day wash method already cuts styling down by 50% – Score!
Curling irons, flat irons, and hairdryers all dry out your hair and give you split ends. It is one of the most damaging things you can do to your hair. If you must use heat, find a shampoo or conditioner with jojoba oil in it – it will provide protection from the heat.
It’s best to let your hair air dry. I air dry most until it is just damp, then use a hair dryer to blow it out. The 2 minutes I blow-dry keeps my hair straight and gives it body. Most damage from heat is when your hair is really wet, so even partially air drying will help keep your hair healthy.
3. Be Careful When Selecting Conditioner
Conditioner weighs your hair down, making your hair limp and lifeless instead of full of volume. Silicone conditioners are especially bad for your hair. They strip your strands of vital nutrients.
Apple cider vinegar conditions your hair without weighing it down. It will make your hair shine! I was skeptical that apple cider vinegar worked as a conditioner. For more years than I care to admit. I finally tried it and was astonished. The brush easily passed through my hair!
Just add a few teaspoons to a cup of water and pour it on your hair. Leave it on for a minute or two and then rinse. Your final hair rinse should be with cold water. Both the cold water and apple cider vinegar will give your hair lots of shine! Apple cider vinegar combats dandruff too! The vinegar smell dissipates after a few minutes. I promise you won’t smell like vinegar all day!
For those who can’t stomach the apple cider vinegar, make sure you’re getting a silicone free conditioner. Silicone conditioners are bad news for your hair.
4. Apply Hair Masks To The Rescue
Hair masks do a great job of conditioning and repairing damaged hair. I like to pick a specific day to do my hair mask, so I remember when I did it last. Or you could jot it down on your calendar.
Hair masks work best if you apply them to dry hair. Hair can be dirty but should not have hairspray or product build up. You will need to wash your hair to remove the hair mask, so coordinate according to your hair wash cycle.
Note: There are a few hair mask recipes to try at the end of this article. Do not use if you are allergic to any of the ingredients. You can easily substitute a different ingredient or omit one.
5. Drink Water
Healthy hair comes from the inside out. Hydration is essential for beautiful hair. Dehydration can dry out your hair follicles and make your skin look ashy. Think about a plant when it needs water. It gets wilted and tired looking. Your body reacts the same way.
To keep your hair strong and less prone to breaking, drink 8–10 glasses of water each day. Proper hydration will help grow healthy hair. An added advantage is you’ll get the glowing skin you want.
6. Eat Healthy Food
We are what we eat. If you eat a bunch of junk food, your skin and body will show it. For healthy, strong hair eat healthy, whole foods. Eat the rainbow of fruits and veggies to get all the essential vitamins and minerals your body needs. Silky smooth hair is made in the kitchen.
Essential Fatty Acids is vital to get the shiny hair you want, so make sure to eat avocados, fish, and nuts. B6 and B12 are important for hair health, so eat plenty of spinach, potatoes, and citrus fruits. Protein is essential for proper hair growth – make sure you are eating enough.
Hair Masks For Thicker And Longer Hair
1. Overnight Hair Growth Mask
Ingredients:
- 3 eggs
- 1/3 cup coconut oil
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/2 tsp castor oil (optional)
- 1 tsp argan oil (optional)
- 1 tsp jojoba oil (optional)
Directions:
- Combine all ingredients in the bowl and mix thoroughly.
- Massage the mask into your scalp first. Then work the mask all the way down to your roots.
- Put on a shower cap and then wrap your hair in a towel.
- Leave it overnight and wash in the morning as normal. If you’re short on time, leave this mask on for an hour and then wash.
- Make sure to rinse your hair with cool water first, so you don’t cook the egg mixture in your hair!
Tip: For best results use 2 times per week.
2. Deep Conditioning Hair Mask
Ingredients:
- 1 cup coconut oil
- 1 tbsp argan oil
- 1 tbsp almond oil
- 1 tbsp jojoba oil
- 1 tsp castor oil
Directions:
- Combine ingredients and mix in a small bowl with a lid (so you can save the rest for next week). Melt your coconut oil if it is solid. You want the coconut oil to be liquid so it can easily be combined with the other ingredients.
- Massage the conditioning hair mask into your scalp, then work it through the tips.
- Leave the mask on your hair a minimum of 10 minutes, optimally 30 minutes or longer. This hair mask can be used overnight.
- Wash your hair as normal.
Tip: Repeat weekly for best results.
3. Milk & Honey Hair Mask
Ingredients:
- ½ cup of whole milk or cream
- 3 tbsp honey
Directions:
- Combine in a small bowl. Heating the milk slightly will help the honey to dissolve into the milk.
- Apply the mask from root to tip – I advise over a sink or while in the shower.
- Leave it on for 15-20 minutes then wash it out in the shower.
