We're not saying you're having Rapunzel-inspired fantasies about 20 feet of hair that resembles a thick rope. But if you're anything like us, thick, glorious, long locks are a thing of envy. Sure, we love our cute pixie cuts and long bobs, but every so often, we set out to grow our hair out long and strong. The problem is this isn't an easy accomplishment for many of us. If this sounds familiar to you, follow these six tricks to long-hair land and you'll be channeling your inner Rapunzel in no time.


Regular Trims.
As much as we despise the dreaded trim - that can unfortunately lead to a major accidental chop - it's absolutely necessary to trim away your dead ends! Find a stylist you trust and schedule a visit every 3 months for a barely there, "invisible" cut. Once you notice split ends, there's no repairing them, which is why a regular trip to your go-to hair expert is essential to maintaining healthy hair that can grow longer, faster!

Oil Treatments.
Repair dry or color-treated hair with the healing powers of oil! Use a weekly treatment like L'Oréal Paris Hair Expertise OleoTherapy Self-Heating Hot Oil to seal cuticles, tame frizz and restore moisture to those lackluster locks. Regular oil treatments will not only add shine and body to your mane, but it will also promote healthy hair growth!

Conditioning Masks. There's nothing a hair mask can't fix - be it brittle bangs, limp locks or stringy strands! The key to growing out your hair is using a mask that's tailored to your specific hair concern. We love Kérastase Nutritive Masquintense Thick for dry hair or Garnier Fructis Damage Eraser Strength Reconstructing Butter for strengthening damaged hair.

Keeping hair under control means that you'll cause less damage when brushing and styling - which in turn means you're en route to longer, fuller hair!

Heat Breaks.
We know, we know - this one is nearly impossible! But daily heat can really make any head of hair scream. Heat is the main reason your ends split and go limp so quickly ... and you know what that means!? BREAKAGE. Give your tresses a break and join MDC in a week of heat-free hairstyling. Can't last a whole week? At least be sure to use a heat-protection spray like L'Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle BOOST IT Blow Out HeatSpray before styling with any hot tools.

Balanced Diet.
It's cliché to say you are what you eat, but in this case, it couldn't be more true. If you put healthy food full of nutrients into your body, your hair will be healthier in return. A protein-rich diet full of omega-3 fatty acids is exactly what your hair needs to stay shiny and hydrated. Include more fish, nuts, greens and lentils in your daily meals to keep your scalp and strands happy!

Be Gentle!
There are several day-to-day hair crimes we commit that are hazardous to boosting length. Brushing through wet hair, using rubber hair ties, and the too-tight pony are just a few examples on the rap sheet to stunting growth. Hot tools, hot showers and the hot sun are others. Be mindful when lathering up, styling and soaking up the sun; all of these things can cause irreversible damage that will cause breakage and damaging, which will send you straight to the hair salon (snip, snip)!

It's best to rinse hair in cooler water and limit your hot tool usage. On beach days, be sure to use a product that will protect against the sun, salt or chlorine like Kérastase Soleil Aqua-Seal. And please, use a wide-toothed comb when detangling wet hair in combo with Matrix Biolage HydraSource Detangling Solution or you'll wreak havoc on your strands!

Are there any tricks or treatments you use for achieving long, luscious locks? Let us know in the comments below!

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