9 Habits To Never Skip, If You Want Long Hair

After my senior year of high school, I wanted a cute, short grown-up hairdo to take me into college. While I loved it for, like, a day, I instantly wanted my long locks back. I wish I knew then what I now know, as there are some surprisingly easy ways to quickly grow long and healthy hair without much effort.

Don't get me wrong, I still envy girls who can rock a pretty pixie cut or a lovely lob, but I really like my long tresses. For anyone like me who feels like the growing out process will take a lifetime, or for anyone who is thinking about trying out long hair for the first time, these hacks for getting long hair that's also healthy will not only speed up that neverending growing-out process, but they'll give you your healthiest hair ever. From never forgetting to condition your hair when it's wet to applying an amazingly nourishing and moisturizing argan oil hair mask, there are many things that you'll love incorporating into your beauty routine to be "Ms. Long Hair, Don't Care" in no time.

Plus, I have faith that after learning about these healthy hair tips and tricks you'll never, ever skip them — because why would you?

For Extra Growing Power, Work Strengthening Biotin Into Hair Washing Ritual

Nature's Gate Biotin Strengthening Shampoo , $13, Amazon

Biotin — a necessary vitamin for healthy hair growth — will have you going from a cropped cut to long locks way quicker than if you skipped the formula altogether. This particular formula is formulated with biotin, moisturizing jojoba seed oil, repairing amino acids, and vitamin E and C, all of which strengthen fragile hair that's prone to breakage. Want your hair to grow stronger? Protect your hair from damage with the nutrients it needs every night in the shower.

After Showering, Rinse Hair With Cold Water & Spray On Strengthening Procapil Conditioner

Not Your Mother's Way To Grow Long and Strong Leave-in Conditioner, $10, Amazon

Celebrity hair stylist Mark Townsend told Cosmo, "Cold water lays down the outer layer of hair more smoothly, which helps prevent moisture loss, snags and heat damage." Not into cold showers? Same. Just try rinsing your hair under the cold water for 30-45 seconds at the end of your shower to see results, then lightly pat hair dry and spray on this leave-in conditioner with procapil (an awesome ingredient that makes hair stronger and naturally prevents hair loss). Users rave about this spray for giving them silky smooth hair that smells delicious.

And Comb The Conditioner Through With A Best-Selling Detangling Brush

Detangling Brush - Glide Thru Detangler Brush , $11, Amazon

This best-selling detangling brush glides through hair to evenly distribute your leave-in conditioner without snagging or breaking strands that are still growing. The bristles are super flexible, and their conical shape allows them to separate knots sideways instead of tugging down (which pulls out hair, thus keeping your locks from staying thick). This brush is able to gently loosen knots and give hair nothing but intense shine. No more ouch moments when you work through your peskiest tangles.

Always Use An Herbal Strengthening Conditioner After You Shampoo

Mane 'n Tail Herbal Gro Conditioner , $8, Amazon

Conditioner is an absolute essential for long and healthy hair, as it helps seal your cuticle to keep your hair growing long and strong without breakage. This particular conditioner is a beauty cult favorite, and its natural herb and olive oil complex will nourish and strengthen your strands. After rinsing out this conditioner containing micro-enriched proteins and letting your hair air dry, you'll notice less frizz and split ends popping up, resulting in soft, shiny, and healthy hair on the right track for speedier growth.

But Take It Easy On Shampoo — Try Using An Absorbent Dry Shampoo Powder For Fresh Hair Between Washes

Acure Organics Dry Shampoo, 1.7 oz, Powder , $10, Amazon

Shampooing every day can seem necessary, but it can also strip your hair of the essential natural oils and moisture it needs to stay strong, manageable, and growing at a steady rate. If you use a lot of hair products throughout the week or you're worried about sweat or odor sneaking into your hair, dust this vegan dry shampoo powder onto your roots to keep things fresh on your no-shampoo days. Users also praise this absorbent powder for giving them great body. Pro Tip: For the best results, a user recommends sprinkling this powder onto your roots and using a great wide-tooth comb to spread the product through your hair.

When You Do Shampoo — Cleanse With Best-Selling Argan Oil Hair Growth Formula

Art Naturals Organic Argan Oil Shampoo , $27, Amazon

This shampoo takes weak or damaged hair and strengthens it with vitamin E and fatty acids to prevent hair from breaking. If you're desperately waiting for hair to grow out but continue to notice your hair shedding like crazy, this best-selling argan oil formula will come to the rescue. It deeply moisturizes hair and creates volume and shine with natural almond and aloe vera. One user raves about this shampoo for lessening the amount of hair she finds in her shower drain and making her hair super soft.

Treat Hair To A Best-Selling Argan Oil Mask Weekly To Deeply Condition Growing Strands

Arvazallia Hydrating Argan Oil Hair Mask (Dry and Damaged Hair) , $12, Amazon

This best-selling argan oil mask deeply conditions your weakest strands and strengthens your hair from the inside out, making it incredibly shiny after your rinse it out. Just keep this mask on for five minutes, and your hair will receive the hydration and nourishment it needs with its formula full of essential vitamins and nutrients. If you're a daily heat styler, you'll definitely benefit from this mask's ability to take brittle, damaged strands and make them smooth and soft.

Use A Soothing Tea Tree Oil Scalp Spray To Improve Hair's Overall Health

CHI Tea Tree Oil Soothing Scalp Spray , $12, Amazon

WEN founder Chaz Dean told Good Housekeeping, "...hair growth starts with a healthy scalp...when you cleanse and treat your scalp with healthy ingredients, you produce strong, beautiful hair." By using this skin-soothing scalp spray regularly, you'll not only take away any irritation or itchiness, but you'll be replenishing your hair with tea tree oil, known for giving hair a ton of moisture that helps it to grow longer and way stronger. Users give this spray top ratings across the board for having great soothing results on the scalp.

Shield Growing Hair From Heat Damage With Thermal Protectant Spray

Beyond The Zone Turn Up The Heat Protection Spray , $12, Amazon

Whether you and your curling iron are basically BFFs or you can't go anywhere without your flat iron, make sure you always protect your hair against the harsh effects of heat styling with a nourishing thermal protectant spray. This mist will seal your cuticles and create a better surface for your heat tools to glide across (without having to repeatedly go over the same spots, which causes more damage). With just a few spritzes of this mist, you'll have soft and manageable hair with fewer split ends, even after your next straightening sesh. One user said they never blow dry their hair without this spray on hand because it protects while creating shine, while another said, "I have frizzy wavy hair, and it always makes it silky. "

Bustle may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was created independently from Bustle's editorial and sales departments.

Images: Pixabay (1); Amazon (9)