DON'T IGNORE YOUR SCALP
Turns out there's truth behind the old adage of brushing your hair 100 strokes every night. Here's why: When brush bristles come in contact with your scalp, they stimulate blood flow, which can jump-start your hair growth. The key is using natural bristles because they are gentler than damaging metal and synthetic versions and will prevent your hair from splitting and breaking off before you achieve your desired length. "It's all about the bristles," says Townsend, who favors
Mason Pearson boar-bristle hairbrushes. New York-based fashion designers Lisa Marie Fernandez and Rachel Roy are both fans of another hair-growth ritual, scalp massages. "I pay someone to come to my house once a month and give me a 40-minute hot-oil scalp treatment," says Roy. "The massage stimulates growth." For an at-home treatment, try massaging essential oils into your scalp to boost circulation. We like
Phyto Phytopolléine Universal Elixir ($32), with rosemary, eucalyptus, and lemon.
INVEST IN SUPPLEMENTS
There is no better way to strengthen weak strands than a daily supplement. "Biotin is amazing for the hair and nails," says Townsend, who has seen major changes in the tresses of his supplement-taking clients. Nutritionist Kimberly Snyder, who works with stars like Drew Barrymore and Olivia Wilde, agrees. A daily liquid dose of a B-complex vitamin "helps strengthen the hair and nails," she says. Try
Garden of Life Vitamin Code Liquid Multivitamin ($46.95) with vitamin B complex, which is easily absorbed by the stomach and works more efficiently than taking a B
6 or a B
12 vitamin alone, she says. Another favorite hair booster of in-the-know celebrities, hairstylists, and models is a pill called Viviscal ($49.99 for 60 tablets), a natural blend of fish proteins, horsetail extract, and vitamin C that when taken twice daily for six months promises to deliver major growth and smoother, thicker strands. "I'm a firm believer in it," says Townsend, who has recommended it to at least six A-listers with successful results. He adds, "If you take it, you'll have a gorgeous head of hair." Actress Liv Tyler told
Bazaar she started taking it as well after hearing buzz from friends.
HEALTHY DIET = HAIR GROWTH
If you really want to see permanent, positive changes to your hair's health, diet adjustments are crucial but can take one to two months to begin to have an effect. "Your hair comes from what you eat and drink," explains Townsend, who uses his client Jessica Biel as an example. "She has gorgeous hair and is probably the healthiest person I've ever met, so I attribute it to her diet," he says. Snyder recommends filling your plate with green vegetables like kale, Swiss chard, and spinach, which contain sebum-producing vitamins A and C; they act as natural hair conditioners and shine boosters. Chia or pumpkin seeds tossed on top of your salad add omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and iron, all of which help maintain healthy hair. Actress and TV host Padma Lakshmi credits her long locks to a diet of lean proteins like eggs, chicken, fish, and veal.
WASH LESS, CONDITION MORE
Lathering up daily can dry out your hair by stripping away the naturally occurring oils that act as your scalp's built-in conditioner and help fight split ends — and minimal split ends means less you need to chop. Experts agree: Scale back washing sessions to once or twice a week (try
Fekkai Au Naturel Dry Shampoo, $23, as a refresher), and when you do shampoo, use a gentle formula like
Sachajuan Scalp Shampoo ($25) or
L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Moisture Shampoo ($6.99). Focus your attention on hydration. "Conditioning treatments are crucial," says Serge Normant, Julia Roberts's longtime stylist, who says combing through your hair while the conditioner is still in it helps to keep knots from forming and to avoid the breakage that occurs when you try to brush through post-shower tangles.
BOOST SHINE
For instant luminosity, try Liv Tyler's trick: "Before I get out of the shower, I do a cold-water splash, which makes my hair extra shiny," she says. Townsend does the same for his clients. "It shocks the hair and seals the cuticle," he says. "Shiny hair always looks healthier," says Normant, but beware of in-salon glossing treatments as a solution. While they can help smooth down the cuticle, they won't treat your hair and can dry out your scalp. Best bet: Try one before a big event to increase shine, but use
Dove Nourishing Oil Care Leave-In Smoothing Cream ($4.74) for daily glossiness.
TRICKS TO THICKEN HAIR
The biggest mistake people make when trying to add thickness is product overload. "The more product you have in, the flatter your hair will look the next day," warns Dan Sharp, T3's lead hairstylist and Liv Tyler's mane man. Skip heavy conditioners, which weigh hair down, and try lighter options like
Kérastase Paris Nutritive Lait Vital Conditioner ($39) and volumizing styling products like
John Frieda Luxurious Volume Anytime Volume Refresher ($6.50). And remember, your haircut and blow-dryer matter. Multifunctional ionic dryers work for everyone. The
Sedu Revolution 3600i Lightweight Ionic Styling Dryer ($159.99) cuts your drying time in half and features an ionic generator that can be clicked on to battle frizz and create smoothness or turned off for more volume. Ask your stylist to cut layers into your hair without touching the length. "That extra movement makes the hair look and behave like thicker hair," explains Sharp. Since scraggly ends aren't attractive, book trims every eight weeks.
PUT DOWN THE FLATIRON
Stylist's warning: Avoid the urge to blow-dry or flatiron your hair more than a few times each week, since heat damage is a key culprit of fried, lifeless locks. "The use of hot tools on a daily basis is what causes people to have ugly long hair and not healthy, shiny, gorgeous long hair," explains hair pro Oribe, whose celeb client roster includes Jennifer Lopez. When you do use your blow-dryer, "keep the nozzle a distance of five inches from your hair" to prevent overheating, which causes breakage, explains Normant. Try tools proven to speed-dry your locks, like
T3's Featherweight Dryer ($200), a favorite of longhaired model Jacquelyn Jablonski. After flatironing, apply
Pantene Pro-V Split End Repair Crème ($5.99), which binds frayed ends back together. Focus on ironing your roots, not ends, since hair gets thinner toward the bottom.
TRIM, DON'T CHOP
It's true: The more often you snip, the longer your hair grows without broken, tattered pieces —
if your stylist cuts the right amount. "If you want long hair, it's important to find a hairdresser who understands what you want; there is no need to take off two inches when you can remove the split ends in a quarter inch," Oribe advises. Designer Vera Wang, famous for her long locks, maintains her precise length with regular visits to New York hair pro Hiro Haraguchi every six weeks "to avoid split ends," she says.
EASILY FAKE LONGER LOCKS
Expensive, often severely damaging hair extensions are not the only way to increase length. Cheat with styling techniques that instantly add inches. "The straighter your hair, the longer it looks," says Oribe. And since straight, flat surfaces reflect light, you'll maximize shine, adds Sharp. Straightening your curls "can add three to four inches of length," notes Sharp, but if you prefer loose waves, he recommends "getting your roots and ends straight and flat and focusing your curling iron in the middle for sexy movement." For long ponytails, placement is key. "The lower you tie it, the longer it will be," says Townsend. Try
Oribe Signature Royal Blowout spray ($42) for a smooth foundation to start off any style.
Read more:
How to Get Long Hair - Expert Tips for Long Shiny Hair - Harper's BAZAAR
