Rewind 4 years before I went to hair school and learned how to take care of my hair… I had not a CLUE what I was doing. I used Garnier Fructis shampoo and conditioner, dyed my hair brown, then bleached the daylights out of it back blonde, then brown, then blonde- you get it.
I literally had FRIED hair that was well above my boobs. Now it is a few inches passed my boobs (I don’t know another scale to use other than boobs), it is still thin (but unfortunately only extensions can fix that), but it is longer and MUCH healthier! You can ask my friends from high school, my hair has changed entirely. It probably grew about 6 inches which is good for absolutely trashed hair, and I give it all to these secrets I am about to tell you.
1.) BRUSH YOUR HAIR/SCALP: STIMULATES YOUR CELLS AND PROMOTES HAIR GROWTH. We all remember Marcia Brady (above) and her saying “100 brushes a day” right? Well, 100 is maybe too much and you don’t necessarily want to focus on brushing your hair shaft but more-so your SCALP! In hair school they would tell us this helps to stimulate the cells on your scalp which helps promote hair growth. Whether this is a ‘myth’ or not, I did it and STILL do it and it seriously helps, a lot. I take a WIRE BRISTLE BRUSH and brush my scalp in U shaped motions. A wire bristle brush at Sally’s: here is $1.50 so I would go pick one of these up and do this each night with that exact brush. (It will also help if you have dandruff, it gets all the dead skin off your scalp and helps keep your scalp healthy and clean!)
2.) VITAMIN E OR BIOTIN: I have tried both and I actually like Vitamin E a lot better just because it helps with keeping my hair AND skin healthy and it also helps with your immune system, so its more bang for your buck in my opinion. BUT Biotin works just as well at growing your hair. Depending on which brand you get, the dosage you take will be different.. The kind I use can be found: here and I take it each morning!
3.) NO HEAT: I know this one is so hard, but this one helps the most. It is too hard for me to do no heat during the winter, I prefer doing it in the summer because I am swimming or at the ocean and air dried hair just seems to go with summer and not so much winter. A couple summer’s ago I did absolutely no heat the ENTIRE summer. No blow drying, no straightening, curling, anything. And in those 3 months I saw my hair change ten fold. Everyone asked me what was different about my hair and it was honestly just longer and a million times healthier! I would either braid my hair at night so in the morning it was wavy or put it in two ballerina buns (princess leia style) and sleep with it like that which also made it wavy by morning.
4.) DEEP CONDITION: I deep condition my hair once or twice a week. You CAN over condition your hair and put too much protein into it which will then damage your hair so you don’t want to over do it, but once or twice a week will be okay! I use Moroccan Oil Deep Conditioner: here, and Biolage Strengthening Masque: here. I put it on and if I am in the shower I leave it on for 10 minutes or so while I shave or sometimes I wash my hair with shampoo in the sink, then towel dry it and put the hair mask on and leave it on for about 20 minutes then rinse with warm/cold water. **it is better to rinse with warm/cold water because it helps close your hair cuticles locking in the conditioner. The cuticle opens with hot water so rinsing with hot water will wash some of the nutrients out as well.
5.) HEAT PROTECTANT WHEN CURLING: If it is too hard to do no heat at all, make sure when you do use heat to use a heat protectant. You will spray it over all your hair before curling!
good ones I recommend are: here and here. Heat protectants are also good because they give your hair some shine also!
6.) DON’T TRIM SO OFTEN!!!: I am probably thee only hair dresser that doesn’t believe in hair trims. Or at least FREQUENT hair trims. I used to trim it an inch, and then it would grow and inch, and then voila it was time for ‘another trim’ and my hair would stay at that same length. For me, I would rather have length than mega healthy blunt ends that always leaves my hair at relatively the same length. So I rarely trim mine. Every month I will go through and trim ONLY my breakage but not my length. If you don’t know what that means, I will have a tutorial up soon of how I do that, anyone can it to themselves or tell your hairdresser to do it. And in my experience, few trims have given my hair a chance to grow. (obviously there are exceptions, if your hair is getting TOO wispy then trim it. Or if it is super fried, give it a SMALL trim, you’ll have to be the judge of that)
So maybe you will jump on the boycott trims bandwagon with me… or maybe a hair dresser is reading this and cringing because they are religious trimmers.. whatever works for you! No trimming works for me 
7.) USE GOOD PRODUCT: I use Biolage Shampoo (here) and Moroccan Oil Shampoo (here).. I have to switch off because my hair gets used to products really easily. For my conditioner I also use Biolage and Moroccan Oil. I use It’s a 10 Leave-in Conditioner (here) and Moroccan Oil Treatment (here). I have tried a ton of products, but these are the ones I notice the most differences with and work best with my hair. Not everyone’s hair works with every product.. for instance, Pureology Hydrate shampoo and conditioner is really good for blondes, but I bought it and it dries my hair out like crazy!! But for some it helps and they absolutely swear by it! You have to find what works best for you! Ask your hair dresser for recommendations, they will know your hair type and your problem areas and can help recommend something better than I can not having seen your hair! But those above are the ones that I find work best for me!!
Happy hair growing!
xx
These are very good tips. I’ve just started taking Biotin, my hair dresser deep conditions my hair once a week, and I TRY, TRY, TRY to alleviate the heat factor as often as possible. I have naturally kinky/curly hair, and my hair lady, er, hair stylist, flat irons it for me. I brush my hair every night, wrap it/braid it, and sleep on a silk pillow case. I’m going to check out the products you’ve mentioned here.
Thanks, Amber!
Chandra
More Modern Modesty
I love this post!!!!
What shampoos and conditioners do you recommend? I have long (past my boobs) thick hair. I almost never blow dry because it’s too much work (I just straighten or curl in the morning).. my hair however, always looks frizzy after it air drys neccessitating that I at least straighten it. Thank you!
I am definitely on the “boycott trim bandwagon” with you! I rarely trim my hair! My hair has grown SO much over the last 9 months of minimal heat. I love your tips…I need to get a deep conditioner!
I am a united no trim hair stylist with you!!
Glad you guys like the tips!!! Thanks for all your comments pretty girls!! Love reading them!
Apaul- I just added a #7 with products I use!! See if that helps at all
xx
Love ya!
What shampoo and conditioners do you like?
On #7 it says what shampoos and conditioners I like!
What shampoo and conditioners do you like?
Thank you Amber! You said in high school you used Garnier shampoo and conditioner which ruins your hair, but what are some kinds that you recommend??
//Lindsay
http://www.justmenintythree.blogspot.com
Thanks so much for the post! Love it! When you do your princess Leia buns do you use pins or a hairtie to keep them up? Also, what kind of braid do you do when you sleep? Love your blog xoxo
seriously answer to my prayers haha I am trying to grow my hair out and doing lots of these but learned some new stuff. I literally had to just recently cut my long hair short because it was so dead. Moroccan oil is the BEST
Lovely Little Rants
I am a hairdresser as well! I do agree with getting trims too often can keep your hair from growing! I give my clients a “dusting” to literally just clean their ends when trying to grow it out, if the insist on a haircut! Freshly cut hair does feel great!!! Have you tried Oribe signature shampoo and conditioner? It’s great for blondes without weighing it down! That is what I use! And it smells amazing!!!! Think Tom ford! Yum!!! Great post, Amber!
LOVE this post! I too over-dyed my hair and am now slowly but surely getting it back to normal…couple questions for you – i’ve heard that moroccan oil can darken blonde hair – do you find any truth to that? also, what do you think of the brazillian blowout? thanks!!!!
This is bizarre because I was just about to text you and ask what shampoo/conditioner you recommend because I’m running out! Oh and I guess I’m bad because I’ve totally been using Garnier Fructis, I didn’t know it was bad! Dangit haha, I’m going shampoo/conditioner shopping though so this’ll definitely help
)
“I don’t know another scale to use other than boobs” hahaha I just died. I love you.
Okay I’m going to try to answer all your questions! I haven’t figured out how to apply a reply button for comments yet!
Hillary- For the princes Leia buns I just use a rubberband!!
Jorourke- I think Brazilian blowouts are fab! Definitely all for them! And I haven’t heard anything about it darkening blondes.. I use it religiously and haven’t noticed anything!!
Jackie- Garnier isn’t bad but it’s just not good ya know? Like it doesn’t harm but it doesn’t benefit!! You will love your hair so much more if you use a nicer kind! Yay tell me what kind you get!
Hav- hahaha honestly what else is there?!
Thanks for everyone’s comments!!! Love ya girls
I rarely find hair growing tips useful but really loved this blog hun
Love your hair post! Thanks for the tips!
Followed your blog, would you follow my blog?
xo
Caroline
http://lovecarolineblog.blogspot.com/
Thanks for all the tips and recommendations! I to have over processed my hair and am getting it healthy once again! Love this post.
its a ten. im obsessed with it. when my hair dresser put in my extensions she suggested this line and i fell in love.
sorry apologize for the random html fluff idk where that came from
also the bumble and bumble thickening serum (blue bottle) does wonders to help grow/thicken your hair
Love your tips!
I was going to try Biotin but my best friend recently graduated from cosmetology school and told me that your hair only has a certain number of ‘lives’ and that Biotin makes it grow so fast and thick that you’ll eventually be bald because it’ll run out of lives. What are your thought on this??
<3
Totally great! Thanks for the tips
I totally agree by not having many trims!!!! I was so frustrated every time that I went. My hair would grow, they would cut off ALL of the growth, and so on. My hair would never get past that length. I always pleaded please don’t cut off that much, but the majority of time, I was unhappy. I would so much rather have length… just as long as it doesn’t look scraggly.
Loved your tips! And looking forward to Trimming toutorial here in Estonia is basicly half of a year winter so ends of my hair is always a problem for me.
Thanks for the post!!!
Thanks amber! I have really long, thick hair, and it seems to fall out like crazy! I’ve always thought its because its long and gets tangled, but I don’t know. Do you have any tips for that? :/
I have recently discovered a tip that is saving my fine, frizzy blonde hair: I use conditioner as shampoo. It’s the same concept as Wen but you don’t need to pay $30 for it, in fact the cheaper conditioner the better because you use a LOT of it. I rub a huge amount of conditioner into my scalp and massage it in for awhile then add some more and massage all the way to the ends. I leave it in until I’m done showering then rinse with cool water. It’s been a life saver. I only shampoo on Sundays now and my hair is so much healthier even in this dry Utah winter. Hope this helps someone! Love your blog so much!
Thank you so much for these helpful tips!!! xx
Have you ever used kerastase hair products before? I have heard so many rave reviews but it is expensive!
I am a hair dresser and I agree with you on the no trimming thing as well. I love your blog and all your tutorials!
Hi! I am a hair stylist and first of all I want to tell you what hair growth tips I’m using for me and for my clients.
As I learned before the hair consist of eighty percent protein. B vitamin allows it to grow faster with blending in protein.
The new cells are born more quickly and these B complex vitamins help them to grow and produce new cells in higher amount than its normal rate.
The most important tip: just massage you scalp… shampoo every other day and don’t blow dry or straighten(or apply any heat) for a while trust me you will see a difference … i noticed 4 inches IN JUST 2 AND A HALF MONTHS. My clients are also very happy with their hair growth rate.
I followed a lot of other advices from a website and I can vouch that are working 100%.
This is the site: http://howtomakeyourhairgrowfasterr.com
I LOVE your site! I had someone commented on my blog (www.skinnyfatgirldiary.com) that I look like you – BEST compliment ever! I’m excited to be getting updates from you now
Amber,
I just discovered your blog yesterday and I love it. Thank you for all the tips. Could you post a video of how you trim your ends? I would love to be able to trim my own hair!
Lindsay =)
This comment has been removed by the author.
Your hair color is beautiful!! I am wondering what you do to get the color? Is it just highlighted? And how often do you highlight it?
This post is exactly what I needed! When you use biotin, what is your favorite brand?
This comment has been removed by the author.
You and me both girl!:)
), and wearing my hair in a bun or braid during the week (my hair doesn’t air dry very pretty), shower cap/blow dryer on deep conditioners, etc.
These are literally the SAME exact things I have been doing for years. I remember for years, only curling my hair for church on sunday (with a heat protectant of course
Every time me and my friends have a get together, they are always going on about how long my hair is and asking if I have extensions in. For a girl that chopped off her waist long hair into a chin-length stacked A-line…and went back and forth between white blonde and dark brown over and over again …was hair trim happy at the beginning..AND had damaging extensions… I am proud to say that my hair is waist length again!
Thanks to changing my habits and having complete dedication with these same tips! It works ladies!
I think it is great that you posted this. I have been telling my girlfriends these tips for years, but I think it will be easier for them to remember if they can read it and go back to it. I will just send them to your blog now.
You and me both girl!:)
), and wearing my hair in a bun or braid during the week (my hair doesn’t air dry very pretty), shower cap/blow dryer on deep conditioners, etc.
These are literally the SAME exact things I have been doing for years. I remember for years, only curling my hair for church on sunday (with a heat protectant of course
Every time me and my friends have a get together, they are always going on about how long my hair is and asking if I have extensions in. For a girl that chopped off her waist long hair into a chin-length stacked A-line…and went back and forth between white blonde and dark brown over and over again …was hair trim happy at the beginning..AND had damaging extensions… I am proud to say that my hair is waist length again!
Thanks to changing my habits and having complete dedication with these same tips! It works ladies!
I think it is great that you posted this. I have been telling my girlfriends these tips for years, but I think it will be easier for them to remember if they can read it and go back to it. I will just send them to your blog now.
Growing my hair out has always been a challenge. By the time it is the length I want, I’ll have to cut off several inches due to split ends. I use a coconut oil to get around this. It does wonders and helps my hair to retain its health even as it grows.
i read your post, it seems like it will help.
ive dyed my hair lots&& bleached it ,,, god only knows how many times.,
my hair doesnt grow… and i dont know what to do.
Help Anyone. !!
thanks
Thanks for the article! I will have to try this! I am a brunette and am proud to say I have never dyed my hair. However, I almost always blow-dry it, because whenever I don’t, it dries wavy(even though I have straight hair) and THICK. Whenever I brush it afterwards, it brushes out straight but that doesn’t stop it from looking thick. Sometimes it looking thick makes me want to straighten it. Whenever I blow dry it all the way, it looks so good and doesn’t look thick-it looks healthy. Maybe I should try not blowdrying it and brushing it a whole lot afterwards? I wash my hair every other day or less. Any suggestions?
Hi amber ! i love this post and your blog. Now that its summertime I’ve been thinking about trying to do no heat, it would be awesome if you could do a post on summer hair care / no heat for summer. I have pretty long hair and extensions and would love some ideas on summer hair with no heat.
thanks !
Catie!! That is a good idea for a post!! I will try to do that but in the mean time try using bumble and bumble surf spray and kinda scrunching your hair! Thats what I do and it makes perfect beach waves!
Biotin is an important component of enzymes in the body that break down certain substances like fats, carbohydrates, and others.There isn’t a good laboratory test for detecting biotin deficiency, so this condition is usually identified by its symptoms, which include thinning of the hair (frequently with loss of hair color) and red scaly rash around the eyes, nose, and mouth. Nervous system symptoms include depression, exhaustion, hallucinations, and tingling of the arms and legs. There is some evidence that diabetes could result in biotin deficiency.”:;
Have a look at the newest post on our own blog
<http://www.calaguas.org/index.php/
I agree, biotin has helped me out alot. Thanks for the awesome tips
Good I am glad! Thanks for reading!
Older stylist here (46). Love your tips. I agree with the no trim policy for growing, unless absolutely bad ends. My hair has recently been drier than ever…probably age related so I started using Biotin and I use the Paul Mitchell Wild Ginger line. Great products but a little pricey so I’ve been doing some research (how I found this) and am going to give some natural hair fixes a try. Amla and coconut oil and going to stop coloring for a bit! That will be the hardest part but stylists (even older ones) can get caught up in color trends! Love your post…happy hair growing!
Thanks for your tips that is super helpful!! xx
Hey Amber!!
Thanks so much for posting this
I am 100% with you on the “boycott trims bandwagon” and love love love that there are other ladies out there who agree!! I have been doing this for a little less than a year now, and my hair has grown like 4 inches! For me, who has come from my hair sitting above my collar bone, being bleached platinum blonde, and totally damaged this is HUGE. My hairdresser is male, so of course he doesn’t understand, but I am firm with him that he does my highlights ONLY, although he makes fun of me it is so worth the hair growth!
Like you my hair is also fine, but I have SOO much of it, which may seem lucky but trust me it is extremely difficult to handle!
I also like to use Moroccan oil shampoo and their deep conditioner for hair treatments. The Moroccan Oil shampoo is like the only shampoo ever that does not dry my hair out, it’s like a miracle in a bottle! I generally pick up whichever conditioner is on sale as I use copious amounts of it (fine, thick, wavy hair likes to get extremely tangled).
I seem to have an issue where entire strands of my hair just fall out when I brush it. I use a wide tooth comb ! Any ideas what could be causing it?
For summer this year I have decided I am going to try really hard to do the “no heat” thing. When my hair air dries it is super wavy and because it is thick it just looks like a massive bush on my head haha! I have been putting coconut oil through it to tame it a little and that helps, plus I also like the beachy-look it gives, but do you have any other suggestions for taming thick wavy hair?
I would like literally die if I could get my hair to look sleek-wavy if that makes sense, without using any heat!!
Thanks again Amber for always posting such helpful articles!