Having long hair is like wielding a double-edged sword as a fictional fantasy character: There's so much potential, but on the other hand, it can be hard work. Long hair tips you haven't heard before will likely provide a welcome respite for all the maidens of the world rocking Rapunzel length tresses, because there are many you've probably heard time and time again.
It's safe to say that ladies with long manes will already know that they should brush their locks from the bottom up, so as not to cause unnecessary damage. Or, if you're coloring your strands, it's best to let a pro tackle them, due to the sheer mass of hair you'd have to battle on your own, without being able to see the back of your head. I've flown solo many times down the coloring route and my dye job has turned out patchy, to say the least. As someone who's been sporting long hair on and off basically all my life, these are just a couple of the tips I've picked up in my quest for a beautiful barnet, but I'm sure I'm not the only long-haired lady who'd love to hear some more unusual haircare advice.
So I spoke to the experts to collate their tips for keeping long hair lush — babes with majestic manes, you might want to take some notes!
1. Air Dry Your Hair Before Using Heated Tools
Judy McGuinness, Senior Stylist at Mizu New York tells me over email, “A lot of people with long hair tend to heat style frequently. If you're using an iron, try to either air dry or rough dry using your hands first then go in with a curling iron or flat iron. This way you maintain some natural body, and you're not using too much heat from two sources!”
McGuinness adds, “Also, it's super important to use thermal protectors! I love Balm d'Or by Oribe, since it protects up to 450 degrees! I use it in wet or dry hair. I also love GRID Setting Spray by R+Co, since it has some hold.”
Oribe Balm d'Or Heat Styling Shield, $43, Amazon; R+Co GRID Setting Spray, $29, Amazon
2. Get A Trim Every 3-4 Months
“Don't wait too long between haircuts.” Max Gierl, Senior Stylist at Mizu New York informs me over email, “Get the hair trimmed consistently (every 3-4 months) to avoid ratty ends.” I’m certainly guilty of leaving it much longer than 3-4 months. Oops.
Caron Brown, hair stylist at Haven Spa, also tells me, “Regular trims DO lead to healthier hair.” Personally, I’ll be sure to keep this in mind next time I have a trim, so I know when I’m due for another.
3. Coconut & Dry Fruits Are Great For Your Hair
Honey Artist Hairstylist, Corey Tuttle, tells me over email, “Coconut and dry fruits are very good to enhance hair growth.” He elaborates, “They also make your hair bouncy, and lustrous.” Swap out your junk food and snack on coconut and dry fruits for heavenly hair instead.
4. Mayonnaise Makes A Great Conditioner
Surprisingly, Brown explains over email, “Mayonnaise is great for deep hair conditioning.” So you might want to save some for a DIY hair mask at home, when you feel your hair needs some TLC.
5. Shikakai Works Wonders
Hesh Pharma Shikakai Powder, $6, Amazon
“Shikakai — also know as hair fruit, grown mostly in central India — has been used for centuries for maintaining the health of both scalp and hair.” Says Tuttle. He explains, “Containing vitamins A, C, K, and D, along with antioxidants and micronutrients that boost hair growth. It is used as a powder and can be found at your nearest cosmetic and beauty store.”
6. Sleep In Satin Scarves
If you want gorgeous hair, worthy of a real life Rapunzel, Brown tells me, “Sleep in satin (not cotton) scarves to retain moisture.” Because nobody wants straw-like hair.
7. You Can Make Your Blowout Look Spectacular At Home
Dan Islava, Senior Stylist at Antonio Prieto Salon, gives me step-by step instructions on how to attain fabulous strands at home. Islava says, “If you want to make your long hair look extra spectacular after you blow dry it at home, follow these simple steps.”
Firstly, Islava instructs, “Take your freshly blow-dried hair and clip the front top away for a minute. Now spread Shu Uemura's Essence Absolue Oil (or a similar finishing oil or serum) on the palms of your hands and rub them together, making sure you get in between your fingers. With your oiled hands, take all the hair on the left side of your head that's not clipped away, and gather it as if you're going to make a pony tail.”
Shu Uemura Essence Absolue Oil, $69, Birchbox
“Elevate the pony tail and start twisting and winding your hair outwards, away from your face (clockwise) until you get to the ends, creating a twisty rope that comes straight out from your head.” Islava explains, “This will ensure that you've distributed the oil evenly and thoroughly, and by keeping it elevated and coming out away from the head, you are creating body and movement.”
After this, he tells me, “Now gently let go of the hair rope and watch it unfold into soft, sensual waves. Repeat [the] same process on the right side but twist it in a counter-clockwise direction instead.”
“For the front top section that you clipped away earlier, just release it, grab it with your hands, smooth it all together in a straight upward motion, and focus the little bit of oil left on your hands onto the ends of the hair.” Islava concludes, “Now release it by pulling it back and letting it fall naturally over the rest of the hair. This will make your blowout look like it was professionally done.”
8. Don’t Rub Strands Together When Washing Hair
IMO, I thought that you could wash your hair however you wanted, as long as you shampooed first and conditioned afterwards. However, Brown enlightened me on what not to do when washing long hair. Brown says, “Don't rub the hair together when you're shampooing or conditioning,” she explains, “you will damage the cuticle.”
So there you have it, a handful of helpful tips you may not have heard before, so you can keep your long hair looking lovely!
Images: Unsplash (3), Jo_Johnston (1), RyanMcGuire (1), veiled_jana (1) /Pixabay; Courtesy Brand (1)
