Long Hair: 101 Tips

Special Long Hair Site Dedication

This article is dedicated to Frank Ploenissen and The Long Hair Site which has been a guiding light to long haired ladies and their fans for many years. 

The Long Hair Site closed in December 2006 but we promise to continue to carry the long hair torch that Frank lit way back in 1996.

Introduction

If you talk to ten different long hair care experts you will receive ten different opinions about the very best long hair growing, care and maintenance tips.

The very best tip for long hair is to develop your own best tips.

The reason for this approach is because every head of hair on every single man, woman and child is unique just as their fingerprints are unlike any other.

My own hair has been long by all standards for a good percentage of my life.  In the late 1980s I became serious about the care and feeding of my hair and have maintained a very healthy length of 5-6" below my waist since 1997.

Although I have my own personal long hair tips that work for me, I have included the most popular tips available which I have discovered after years of research and talking to other long hair professionals and fans.

Try the tips on for size and then select the tips that you find work best for your hair, budget, lifestyle and commitment levels.  Yes, it takes a certain level of commitment to have long lush locks.

Knowledge is ultimately power.  What you may think is good for your hair may be inadvertently damaging it. 

By properly caring for your hair and following proven long hair techniques you too can have long, beautiful and healthy strands.

Continued below ↓

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101 Long Hair Tips

One of the major problems causing distress to long hair is breakage, experienced as a network of shorter strands which may be frizzy, fly-a-way or with lots of split ends.

As you live your daily life your hair can be exposed to constant hair breakage risks which can be neutralized when the risks are acknowledged.

How you protect your hair while sleeping can also impact the overall health and strength of your strands.

One of the most common causes is poor maintenance –  and infrequent trimming. Lifestyle factors, such as poor nutrition, stress and even restless sleeping can also lead to hair damage.

The Long Hair Tool Kit

1.  Make a serious commitment to having healthy lush strands.  Although your commitment can span the range from total to minimal, long hair requires focus, concentration and the willingness to nurture it.

Make sure you keep all the damaged ends completely trimmed off.  You can't grow healthy long locks on top of split, ripped or damaged strands.  Eat right and take vitamins to nuture your long strands.

2.  Invest in the very best hair care products and tools that you can afford.  If you can't afford a Mason Pearson or Kent go with a Conair look-a-like in a decent quality faux boar's bristle.

Improper use of hair tools combined with incorrect detangling, brushing and combing techniques can cause long term damage to delicate long tresses.

3. No matter what some experts say, when it comes to hair care, you do get what you pay for.

I have tested and used over 200 different brands of hair care ranging from $1.00 shampoo to $100+ cleansing products. 

Although it is not necessary to buy the most expensive brands, the cheap drugstore brands are definitely more riskier to use than high quality salon brands.

4.  Buy hair care products keyed to your hair type, texture and condition. 

For example, if your hair is dry, utilize moisture enhancing products.  If it is curly or wavy, address frizz and moisture loss.

5.  Never use a hair brush with hard bulbs at the ends.  These will rip out delicate strands.

6.  Avoid cheap plastic combs that may also rip and tear strands.  Always use only wide tooth combs on long delicate strands.

7.  If you opt to trim your own split ends in between visits to the hairdresser, always use a professional grade scissor to avoid ripping ends.  (Conair makes some good hair trimming scissors).

8.  Keep fingernails trimmed and rough skin moisturized if you use your fingers or hands to "finger pick" or "finger rake" your delicate strands.  Rough nails and skin will snag precious long tresses.

Long Hair Washing Tips

One of the most common causes of long hair damage and breakage is related to excessive or improper washing or lack of proper conditioning.

1.  Always detangle strands with a "long hair friendly" brush, comb or fingers before wetting or washing hair. 

2.  Detangle hair from ends to roots working with small sections at a time.  Take your time and do not yank, pull or force the comb, brush or fingers through tangled strands.

3.  Pre-treat dry, damaged or other challenged hair before applying water and/or shampoo products.

Note:  Use a great pre-treatment oil such as jojoba or HairTopia Beautiful Hair Oil (BHO - my own private formula) which is chock full of long hair healthy essential oils and secret flower essence ingredients in a pure jojoba base. 

Massage Beautiful Hair Oil or similar oil based products into the ends and dry sections.  Apply a few drops to fingertips and massage into the scalp to stimulate natural oils.

4.  When possible it is best to cleanse long hair in the shower rather than in the bathtub (where hair can absorb soap & other water scum) or a sink where hair can become more easily tangled in the drain.

5.  Always cleanse with lukewarm NOT hot water.

One option is to use clean plastic bottles (empty Evian or similar bottles) pre-filled with lukewarm water.  Douse dry hair completely with lukewarm water before applying shampoo formula. 

Long hair experts have discovered that it is best to start with lots of water and some shower heads may not get strands wet enough before applying shampoo formulas which can dry out delicate long tresses.

Note:  If you adore hot showers or baths, wrap dry strands in a thick terry cloth style turban to keep steam and heat out while you enjoy your hot soak.

6.  Consider extending cleansing/shampoo periods so that hair is only washed only once or twice a week.

7.  Experiment with alternate cleansing formulas such as:

• Conditioner/Shampoo/Conditioner Formula (CSC)

• Diluted Shampoo/Conditioner Formulas (DS/C)

• Conditioner Only Wash (COW)

• Water Only Cleanse/Leave-in Conditioner (WO/C)

8.  Never apply shampoo, diluted shampoo or conditioners directly to the hair or the scalp. 

Either apply shampoo to the palms of the hands and mix with water before drizzling onto wet scalp and strands or pour diluted formulations over the top of the head and as the suds flow down the ends, pat carefully into the tresses.

9.  Massage scalp with the pads of your fingertips.  Avoid scratching scalp which can cause long range problems.

10.  Always work any lather or suds down the length of the strands as gently as possible.

11.  Never pile wet hair on top of  head as this will cause breakage.

12.  Deep condition tresses on an "as-needed basis".  Deep conditioning treatments should be focused on the middle and ends of the hair with the roots being excluded from direct product application.

13.  Concentrate conditioner on hair from ear lobes down to the ends.

14.  Rotate shampoo and conditioning products utilized for cleansing depending on seasons and overall behavior of your hair.

As an example, during hot summer months hair may need more moisture while in the Fall hair may need less moisture.  Let your hair and how it behaves be your ultimate guide.

15.  When possible, buy trial sizes of hair care products to experiment with on your own tresses.  Always remember that what works on some hair types, textures and conditions will not necessarily work on others.

16.  Rinse hair completely.

Consider the plastic bottle trick to make sure hair is dowsed well.  Hair experts report that dry tresses and scalps are often the result of hair that has not been properly rinsed.

17.  Always finish with a cool/cold water rinse to close the cuticle and help add natural shine.

To avoid blasting your body with a freezing spray, fill the handy clean plastic container with cool/cold water and then lean over at a 45 degree angle and pour hair from roots to ends.  This prevents water from making contact with your body.

I have read sarcastic comments regarding this suggestion.  I personally have done it for years with great results.  However, it may not work for all.  Remember, choose the tips that work best for you.

Long Hair Out Of The Shower

1.  Before stepping out of the shower, use fingers to gently squeeze excess water from the ends.

2. Gently blot wet hair in an absorbent towel or special wrap for removing excess water.

3.  Hair is most fragile when wet.  Never ever brush wet hair to prevent breakage.

4.  Detangle hair properly by starting at the very ends and slowly and carefully working up the hair shaft to remove tangles.  When possible use either your fingers (finger picking/raking) or a wide tooth comb or pick.

5.  Never ever rush detangling or power push through snags.

6.  Air dry hair whenever possible.

7.  If you absolutely must blow dry, apply a leave-in conditioner to protect strands.

8.  Consider a hard or soft hood dryer which distributes heat more evenly and is less damaging as an option for faster drying than air-drying.

9.  Combine air drying with blow drying for least damaging.

10.  Never use electric fans, air-conditioner blowers or hand blowers to dry hair. 

The air that is emitted has moisture robbing properties that can make strands more prone to breakage.

11.  If you must blow dry, select a high quality dryer that offers different speeds and heats to control the potential damage to your strands.  At the very least, buy one with a cold shot button to seal your style and close cuticles.

12.  Experiment with ionic blow dryers that require less drying time for less damage.  Conair and Remington offer great "long hair friendly dryer options.

13.  Make sure that your blow dryer offers a cold shot or cool  temperature setting.  Remember that hot air makes hair expanding and cool/cold air will set the style.  Use cool air setting as much as possible.

14.  Blow dry hair upside down (bend over at the waist) to protect delicate top hair.

15.  Keep hair away from the nozzle and the ends of the dryer or else long strands can get inadvertently sucked in and tangled. 

If hair does get tangled in the dryer, turn it immediately off and use a long tailed comb to slowly unwind from the inside of the blow dryer.

16.  Avoid directing air flow from blow dryer on any one section of your hair for more than 2-3 minutes at a time.  Keep blow drying constantly moving to avoid direct heat blast.

17.  Hold nozzle of hair dryer at least 8-10 inches from your strands to avoid burning hair.

18.  Direct air flow "down" the air shaft for natural shine. 

19.  Opt for a long finger diffuser to protect hair from excessive blow dryer heat damage.

Long Hair Styling Secrets

1.  Any long hair texture from straight to naturally wavy will develop lush waves if strands are braided into a three strand braids while hair is still damp and allowed to completely air-dry.

2. Optional styles including "wet buns" which consists of wrapping long hair into a variety of top knots or twisted buns and allowing hair to aid-dry.

3.  Depending on the buns or twists that are created, newly dry hair will take on different waves, textures and bend.  Experiment with all types of wet bun formations. 

A well wrapped top knot will add instant volume and lush fullness.

4.  Old fashioned, home made rag rollers offer the option to create lush waves and curls with no damage to delicate strands. 

5.  If making rag rollers is too much of a hassle, use ready made "long hair friendly rollers".  Sponge rollers may also work depending on the length and thickness of your strands.

6.  Never use rubber bands on your hair.  The bands will rip and tear delicate hair.

7.  Always used coated elastic bands, Bungees with special snag free hooks on the ends of Blax elastic bands.

8.  If elastic band or Blax gets caught in your hair, simply cut them free with a scissors.  This protects your hair without long term damage.

9.  Only use bobby pins with coated or covered ends to avoid scratching delicate scalps or ripping out long strands.

10.  Use "hair friendly" hair accessories.  Great "long hair friendly hair accessories include:

• Hand made French style chignon combs with smooth teeth and edges.

• Hair sticks made from smoother materials such as hand made cellulose (faux Tortoise Shell) or carefully prepared woods, metals and plastic materials.  Some of the finest hair sticks in the world are Mei Fa hair sticks which are 100% hand made in the USA.

• Migali style "mini" barrettes and hair clips with smooth metal findings.

• If you prefer automatic style barrettes but worry about delicate hairs getting caught, paint over the top of the metal hinge enclosure with clear nail polish which protect from hair snagging.  Use several coats of polish allowing each coat to completely dry before adding more.

• Hair clips known as banana clips, Concorde clips, dolphin or other clips made of either smooth metals, cellulose or plastic.

• Always inspect new hair toys or accessories for rough edges before applying to your hair.  Use a finger file to gently file off any rough edges or spots.

• Visit HairBoutique.com Marketplace for the largest collection of "long hair friendly" hair accessories on the Web.

11.  Braids of all kinds are ideal for longer tresses.  Buy a loose string mop to practice braiding strands.  Or invest in one of the hot new clip-in ponytails or add-on HairDo hair pieces and practice braiding on friends and family members.

12.  Learn the basic braid patterns including the 3 strands Dutch and English braids as well as the traditional French Braid.

13.  Use styling products to enhance natural waves and curls.  Apply Ken Paves Mousse to damp hair before bed time.  Wrap hair into top knot or other hair twist.  Let hair air-dry overnight.  Undo twist the next morning for lush waves and curls.

14.  Avoid using products with heavy alcohol content which can dry out hair.

15.  Experiment with old fashioned pin curl sets.

Your Hair Is What You Eat & Drink

1.  Just as the coat on an animal acts as an overall health barometer, hair determines the body's general state of wellness.  What you ultimately eat and drink will help or hurt your hair.

2.  A balanced diet that incorporates all the major food groups is best for producing balanced hair.

Long Hair & The Elements

1.  Although the wind through your long locks may look and feel sensuous, the wind can be whipping your hair into a frenzy of split ends and tangles.  Always pull hair up and secure when riding in an open air car or hanging out in a windy area.

2. The sun can burn your scalp as well as dry out precious long strands.  Always protect with proper sun screen applied to scalp.

3.  When possible wear a hat while out in the sun.  At the very least apply sun screen to your scalp and apply a leave-in oil such as Beautiful Hair Oil from your ends down to the ends to nourish and block out damaging sun rays.

Long Hair Trimming & Detangling Secrets

If you don't have a long hair friendly hairdresser or one that you totally trust consider taking the following actions:

1.  Trim your own hair if you can't find a hairdresser.

2.  If you trim your own tresses, invest in a good professional set of cutting scissors.  Never use paper scissors which can cause hair to split further.

3.  Remember that more frequent trims are better for the hair than less frequent ones.

4.  If you can't trim your own tresses, ask for help from family members, friends or other long hair buddies.

5.  Never trust the trimming of your ends to someone who has encouraged your to cut your hair.

6.  Schedule your end trimming when you are most relaxed.  Never rush.  Some long hair experts refer to end trimming as enjoyable.

7.  If you prefer, only trim the ends that are actually split.

8.  Experiment with applying a tiny bit of leave-in conditioner or gel on the ends before trimming to help keep hair in place.

Never agree to let your hair be trimmed unless you are sure the hairdresser will honor how much you wish to have trimmed.

Long Hair Detangling Secrets

How you detangle your long hair is extremely important.

1.  Detangle hair properly by starting at the very ends and slowly and carefully working up the hair shaft to remove tangles.  When possible use either your fingers (finger picking/raking) or a wide tooth comb or pick.

2.  Never rush detangling or power push through snags.

3.  Air dry hair whenever possible.

Long Hair Styling Secrets

Consider the following long hair preservation styling secrets:

1.  Braid scarves or ribbons into your tresses to create new looks.

2.  Only use clean combs, brushes and related styling tools on your hair to prevent transferring dust, debris or dirt to your strands.

3.  Use "hair friendly" clips, bobby and chignon pins.  Hair friendly items will have tips that are covered or rounded to prevent ripping delicate strands.

4.  Learn to use "hair friendly" hair sticks to anchor chignons and buns firmly in place.

5.  Always use coated or snag free elastics.  Never use rubber bangs.

6.  When you curl your hair consider setting in traditional rag rollers or sponge rollers that won't pull or snag hair.

Long Hair Books, Videos & CDs

1.  Research all the fabulous long hair focused books, videos, DVDs and CDs on the market. 

Patrick Cameron was a pioneer in the long hair care and styling market. 

He is highly respected by hair care professionals and consumers.

2.  Look for the following classic long hair related braiding books which may or may not still be in print:

• All New Beautiful Braids by Mary Beth Janssen-Fleischman.

• Beautiful Braids by Patricia Coen & Joe Maxwell

• Beautiful Braids by Mary Beth Janssen-Fleischman

• Beautiful Braids by James Takos with Karin Strom

• Braids and More by Andrea Jeffery

• Braids and Styles For Long Hair by Andrea Jeffery and Vickie Terner

• More Beautiful Braids by Patricia Coen & Joe Maxwell

• Twists and Braids Made Easy by Mary Beth Jannssen-Fleishman

• Great Braids by Thomas Hardy

• Hair - A Book Of Braiding & Styles by Anne Akers Johnson

• Salonovations' Braids & Updos Made Easy by Jamie Rines Jone

• The Topsytail Book by Tomima Edwark

• All Patrick Cameron CDs

Long Hair Day To Day Tips

1.  Pin your hair up when you are going to be anywhere near fire.
2.  Braid your hair if you are around a baby or small child who loves to pull hair.
3.  Tuck your hair down the back of your clothes if you temporarily need to keep it out of the way.
4.  Prevent unnecessary tangles if you're wearing a shirt or dress that buttons up the back or can easily cause snags.
5.  Wear your hair inside a cute hair when it's windy outside.

Long Hair & Chemicals

1.  Abstain from all chemical hair treatments including chemical hair dyes, relaxers and perms.

2.  If you can't live without hair color, use the most "hair friendly" products and avoid bleaching.

3.  If you must color, consider a carefully constructed webbing of lighter hues around your face to create the illusion of lighter colors without the potential long term damage.

Long Hair & The Environment

1.  Quit smoking if you already do.  If you don't, don't start.  Keep in mind smoke will cause hair to get dull and discolored over time.

2.  Avoid hanging out in smoky bars or with smokers since this will also impact your beautiful tresses.

3.  Bypass crash dieting which can cause sudden hair loss.

4.  Enjoy having long lovely hair. 

5.  Admire long hair on others.  Compliment them appropriately and with respect.

6.  If someone compliments you on your gorgeous long hair, savor the compliment.  Share it with your friends and family.

7.  Think about how much money you are saving by wearing your hair long and lush. 

8.  Recommend long hair to all your friends.

9.  Write to fashion, beauty and hair magazines and encourage them to feature more long hair articles.  Ask them to stop sharing information on makeovers where long hair is cut to shorter lengths.

10.  Buy Dr. Quinn CDs and watch Sully brush Michaela's hair.

11. Appreciate the fact that few women really like their hair but you loves yours.

Long Hair Is Ageless

Contrary to what some hair experts teach, long hair is always beautiful and timeless.  Regardless of your age, if you love wearing your hair long, enjoy it.

If you are unsure whether you should wear your hair long consider the following long hair celebrities:

1.  Crystal Gayle born in 1951.

2.  Jane Seymour born in 1951.

3.  Peggy Fleming born in 1948.  Although her hair isn't extraordinarily long, she loves to show off her hair which is usually below her shoulder.

4.  Jane Fonda born in 1937 wears her hair in a variety of lengths.  She has been known to wear her hair long at times.

5.  Louise Brooks, the high priestess of the Bob hairstyle actually have very long flowing silver hair towards the end of her life.  Louise knew how wonderful long hair can be.

Long Hair Etiquette

No matter how much you, your friends and your family love and appreciate your long hair, not everyone will agree with your tastes in hair length or style. 

Even more surprising some people who dislike long hair will tell you so either directly or indirectly. 

If this actually happens consider the following tips:

1.  Ignore any criticisms.
2.  If someone comments on your hair but you are unsure if it is a criticism, simply respond with a smile and a thank you.

If people ask if you will ever cut your hair, either ignore them or simply say you love your long hair.  Then walk away.  There's little chance you will change anyone's mind about your opinion. 

You may prefer to think about questions in advance with answers you feel comfortable providing.

Bottom line, the best policy is to smile and ignore people that wish to be rude or obnoxious about your own personal desires regarding how you wear your hair.

Summary

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HairBoutique.com never displays long hair images or any kind that are photo shop enhanced.  We only provide images in their true forms as provided by the photographers which are shot with real models wearing 100% real hair.

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• Hair Boutique Tips & Articles section.  Check out the over 10,000+ different hair care and styling tips at HairBoutique.com

• Ponytail Hairstyles - Check out this classic HairBoutique.com Ponytail Page.

• Prom Hair - Top Knot - Great Updo That Is Always Hot

• Rinko Kikuchi Hair Gallery

• Phyto Selection Guide - Check out our Phyto selection guide to figure out which of these award winning products would work best for your hair type, texture and condition.