HOW TO GROW OUT YOUR HAIR

1. How often should you get a haircut? Get regular trims

That’s right, you’ve got to cut it to grow it. But just a teeny bit, and only the split ends that could cause rips and breaks in your strands. Every 6 weeks should do the trick. (BTW, never let anyone tell you, “the more you cut your hair, the faster it will grow.” FAKE NEWS!)

Give your hair’s natural oils a chance to work their magic by taking a break from your wash and blow dry cycle. A soft, messy bun or baseball hat can get you through an extra day or two without shampoo.

Surprisingly, most shampoos today have ingredients like silicones, thickening agents and conditioners that don’t rinse out and stick to your hair and scalp – these are all ingredients to avoid in shampoo. These residues build up and can block your hair follicles, which will impede hair growth! Our advice (whether you’re planning to grow your hair or not) is to avoid all shampoos with stay-behind ingredients! If you want your hair to flourish, use a 100% clean, sulfate-free formula (like Color Wow Color Security Shampoo) that leaves your hair and scalp clean and residue-free.

The moisture-rich natural oils produced by your scalp don’t travel too far down your strands, so of course, longer hair tends to be drier. While your scalp doesn’t need conditioning, the lengths of your hair, and especially the ends, sure do. Always use conditioner after shampooing and apply starting about 1-1/2 inches from your scalp. (Think you can combine shampoo and conditioner in one step? NOT a good idea. Learn why here.)

A moisturizing conditioner (like Color Wow Color Security Conditioner) has built-in detangling properties. Use a wide tooth comb to gently comb, starting at the bottom and working your way up. Never stretch or yank your hair when it’s wet and super vulnerable to breakage.

As your hair grows longer, it will take more time…and more heat…to blow dry. (Especially if it’s thick). So always use a treatment with built-in heat protectants, like Color Wow Dream Cocktails, to save your hair from damage. Kale Cocktail, with sulfur-rich sea kale, is the perfect choice. This leave-in treatment is activated by your blow dryer. With just one use, it reduces breakage by 50%. And “stronger” is definitely the key to “longer”!

Keeping your hair moisturized, supple, and elastic is critical when you’re growing it longer. (Especially the lower lengths and ends that get extra dehydrated.) So, in the same way you keep your skin moisturized, it’s important to nourish your hair with key nutrients and emollients. Color Wow One-Minute Transformation (with Avocado Oil and Omega 3’s) is a major on-the-spot moisture infusion that calms frizz and ends dry spells. Apply it to your dry hair. It absorbs on contact and voilá! Your hair is instantly silky, glossy, supple.

Hair color chemicals make your hair texture more fragile, which makes it challenging to grow out. (Especially if you’re blonde and frequent bleaching is part of your routine.) When you’re trying to let your hair grow, try to stretch out time between color appointments. Can’t deal with root regrowth? Count on Color Wow Root Cover Up – it’s the perfect disguiser and no one will be the wiser.

We know: As you’re growing your hair out, those awkward, in between lengths are begging for a pony. But don’t go snatching it super high and tight! You could cause breakage. Plus, all that tension goes right to the roots, and physically stressing out your hair can mess with growth cycles.

Those OTT, massive mermaid-y styles you see on celebs are clearly NOT all their natural hair. Hair pieces and extensions have come a long way….and are a good short cut to instant long hair.