Right now, a good number of us are in a tiny hair struggle: to grow or not to grow? The decision to invest the time and attention it takes to add natural length might seem light and breezy in the beginning, but it can get frustrating. Honestly, it just feels like it takes forever? Sometimes it breaks mid-shaft? Ends split? A desire for fantasy-fun length can be a struggle, y'all.
But, help is here: We reached out to two of the best hair gurus in the business — Ashley Streicher, a top Los Angeles hair stylist whose clients include Mandy Moore, Emily Blunt and Anne Hathaway; and Rachel Bodt, a New York-based senior colorist whose star-studded book includes Georgia May Jagger, Tilda Swinton, and Olivia Wilde — to get the advice they give to their own clients.
So, want longer, stronger hair? Here's how to get it.
Image via Imaxtree
First, question everything
When you tell your stylist you want to grow length, the first thing they'll want to know is how healthy your hair is — which basically means they're essentially moonlighting as your health coach (not to mention an amateur detective).
"You definitely want to consider WHY their hair could possibly be unhealthy," says Streicher. "We talk about their daily hair routine, if they use heat and how often, what products they're using, even diet and everyday health concerns — they all impact hair health."
Image via Imaxtree
Adopt a healthy lifestyle
Hair growth can be an indicator of overall health, so it's important to take stock. "Lifestyle has a huge factor on hair health, including environmental stresses like pollution and too much sun exposure," warns Streicher. In addition to lots of water and a healthy diet with plenty of vitamins and minerals, consider a hair supplement like Nutrafol Women, $88, which not only helps with hair growth and strength but also mitigates hair loss, another key component of a longer, stronger mane.
Change your color game
Hair color fans — particularly bleach enthusiasts — might want to shift their color strategy. "When it comes to growing your hair out, you always want to know how often clients are coloring and what services might be working against them if they're trying to grow length," explains Bodt. "You can have a healthy double process with bleach, but it may take longer to hit those hair goals."
She recommends shifting to a highlight technique for less damage, possibly going longer between coloring services, and using products such as Redken Extreme Bleach Recovery Shampoo, $22.50 and the brand's Redken Extreme Bleach Recovery Lamellar Water, $22.50, a rinse-out treatment, which fills porous hair strands while making hair soft, smooth, and incredibly shiny.
Slow down on the shampoo
Both stylists are in support of less washing, recommending 2-3 times a week at most. Streicher advises focus on scalp (as opposed to your ends), and Bodt suggests using products packed with repairing properties such as Virtue Recovery Shampoo, $38, which is formulated with nourishing (and smoothing) keratin protein.
