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! Grow thicker, longer hair just like 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 Secrets to Grow Thicker, Longer Hair
Stop Overwashing
We have been brainwashed that we need to wash our hair every day. Washing your hair 2-3 times a week is optimal. I wash my hair every other 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. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a great free resource to see how safe your hair care products are. Check out the EWG’s skin deep database.
People often report their hair gets greasy when switching to the every other day washing. Why? Our scalp produced 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 to hold you over until your next wash.
You can make your own dry shampoo with only 2 simple ingredients you already have in your cabinets. Without all the questionable ingredients in the store-bought stuff (lighter fluid is one of those scary ingredients)
Avoid Heat
I’m sure you’ve heard this one before – but it’s so important to grow thicker, longer hair. And keep it healthy.
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 jobaba 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. Even partially air drying will help keep your hair healthy.
Switching to the every other day wash method already cuts styling down by 50%. Less styling and heat means you can grow thicker, longer hair the healthy way.
Choose Your Conditioner Wisely
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 need to grow thicker, longer hair.
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! Here is a guest post over at Simple Pure Beauty that I wrote about our DIY hair conditioner.
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.
Hair Masks to the Rescue
Hair masks do a great job of conditioning and repairing damaged hair.
Pick a specific day of the week to do your hair mask so you remember when you did it last. Or you could jot it down on your calendar.
Do not use if you are allergic to any of the ingredients. You can easily substitute a different ingredient or omit one.
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.
Here are some fun hair masks to try.
Drink Water
Healthy hair comes from the inside out. Hydration is essential for beautiful hair. Dehydration can dry out your hair follicles and makes your skin look ashy.
Think about a plant when it needs water. It gets wilted and tired looking. Your body reacts the same way. Water is essential to grow thicker, longer hair.
To keep your hair strong and less prone to breaking, drink your 8-10 glasses of water each day. Proper hydration will help grow healthy hair. An added bonus is you’ll get the glowing skin you want.
Eat a Healthy Diet
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 is important for hair health so eat plenty of spinach, potatoes, and citrus fruits.
Protein is essential to proper hair growth – make sure you are eating enough.
Share Your Beauty Secrets
Share your hair secrets with your friends. Make sure to pin this article or share on Facebook. Your friends will thank you! Just hover over the image below to pin it!
Resources
http://www.beautyglimpse.com/best-overnight-homemade-hair-masks/
Great suggestions!!!! Eating healthy stuff and drinking enough water is the key for getting thicker and longer hair!!!!
It sure is!