Some of you might know my latest obsession has been hair. Specifically, my hair and how to grow it out. My hair has never grown fast. I have been dying it for as long as I can remember, literally probably like... 12. I rarely cut it, I never used a heat protector and my hair was FRIED. Like an egg. I was forced to cut it off due to split ends, and when it started growing again, the split ends came back, preventing any real growth. It is now almost where it was before I had to cut it, and stronger and healthier than ever.
So, that being said, I thought I'd share with you the tips and tricks that I have learned to quickly grow long, strong, beautiful, healthy, shiny hair.
#1. Ever heard of co-washing? This little known hair secret has become a favorite of mine. It's basically skipping past the shampoo and washing your hair with only conditioner. I know, it sounds crazy! But if you use a good handful of conditioner and a little water, you can actually scrub your hair and the conditioner will become all soapy, just like shampoo. Doing this even once a week with help protect those natural oils that are good for hair, which shampoos usually strip right out.
#2. Another little hair secret is using coconut milk 1-2 times a week. Coat your hair in this delicious-smelling goodness and wrap with a hot towel or plastic wrap for an hour. Then, shampoo and condition as normal. (I'd recommend doing this one in the shower, as it tends to get a little bit messy.) Coconut milk is known for stimulating hair growth and adding moisture and shine to those precious locks.
When I'm not co-washing, I use the only shampoo and conditioner I think I will ever use again. A good friend of mine actually bought this for me after I couldn't stop complimenting her daughter on her long, gorgeous hair. (Thanks Gabby!)
The secret? Organic. The price? Cheap. This stuff is seriously like my holy grail for hair care. I'm sure you've seen it, and not at some fancy high end salon. What is it?
#3. Organix, and I get mine from good 'ol trusty Walmart. Each bottle comes in at less than $6 and lasts quite a while. I have medium length hair, but it is very thick and I'm amazed at how long this stuff lasts. I'm currently using the Keratin Oil Shampoo, and I've been switching between the Keratin Oil Conditioner and the Brazilian Keratin Conditioner. Then, once or twice a week, I use the Moroccan Argan Oil Intensive Therapy, which might as well be called "miracle in a jar". Leave it on for 5 minutes, rinse with cold water and hello gorgeous!
#4. Lastly, I've really been limiting the amount of heat I use, which is normally daily straightening or curling. But, now that my hair is growing and thanks to our recent warm weather in MN, (finally!) I've been rockin' a top knot most days. In addition to not using heat, and I'm talking not even the hair dryer....
#5. I do not brush my hair. Seriously. When I'm conditioning, whether its the regular conditioner or the intensive one, I carefully brush a very wide tooth comb through my hair. That's it, and until its completely dry, I don't touch it. When your in the shower, it's good to give your scalp a little message to help stimulate the hair follicles, but after that, leave it alone girls! Your hair is so fragile when it's wet, and very prone to breakage. Trust me here, my split ends got so bad that literally no treatment in the world could save them. I had to cut it from the middle of my back to a very short a-line bob. It's not worth it. It might sound like a lot of work, but it's really not. If I busy mom of two girls under 3 can do it, so can you! Thanks to the above, my hair has never been softer and healthier. It is growing very quickly, is always tangle free, and.... Well, like I said in the beginning, I'm pretty much obsessed. My hair has grown a good 3 inches in the past 2-2 1/2 months, and my hair has always been so hard to grow.
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| Miranda Kerr <3 |
Do you have any tips for growing long luxurious hair? Comment below and let me know!
Xoxo,
Laura