My Hair's the Thickest and Healthiest It's Ever Been - Here's What I'm Using

Sit back, make yourself a cuppa (or if you live in Victoria, pour a wine) and settle in for a story about how I completely transformed my damaged broken hair. 

Once upon a time, there was a young girl named Hannah. She watched Beauty and The Beast at least 300 times (and was totally down for snogging a beast) and dreamed of long, luscious locks just like Rapunzel. Hair so strong, it could hold the weight of a man. 

Fast forward to the present day, and while Hannah may have kissed her fair share of beasts, that glorious head of strong, healthy hair has sadly eluded her. Think: less Disney Princess, more Wicked Witch.

OK, I'll stop talking abut myself in the first person now...

Prior to starting at Adore Beauty, I had no bloody clue how to look after my hair, let alone how to grow healthy hair. I have dry, course, curly hair, which I'd try to tame with hundreds of passes with my straightener on the highest heat setting. Ouch.

And hair care? There wasn't any. I just used whatever supermarket shampoo was on sale and hoped for the best.

Then, my Beauty IQ Uncensored podcast co-host Joanna convinced me to chop all my hair off on my 30th birthday. I consigned myself to the fact that I was going to have to rock a lob for the rest of my life. Case closed.

Long, luscious locks just weren’t in my future. Neither was Prince Charming, but that’s a story for another day... 

I’ve learnt a lot since I turned 30 - that I am capable of achieving anything I set my mind to. I can go on a walking date wearing a face mask. I can bake bread from scratch. I can watch every single TV series ever created. 

And I can also grow long, luscious hair, just like Rapunzel. I just needed the right products. Here's a before and after shot showing my progress over the last six months from April to October.

Now, onto what you came here for. My haircare routine for growing longer, thicker, healthier hair.

Before I get into the products, let’s be clear: You cannot make your hair grow faster.

What you can do, though, is use the right products to encourage your hair to grow healthier. Here's how.

Step 1. My Healthy Haircare Routine.

I used to try to straighten my hair into submission with heat. But I’ve changed tactics. Like a good romantic partner, I listen to her needs. I communicate. I compromise. 

And the biggest compromise is investing in high-quality hair products (and they aren't cheap).

These are the three products I swear by for healthier, stronger, more hydrated hair.

1. Philip Kingsley Elasticizer.

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer is a pre-shampoo treatment, and I SWEAR, my hair has never been the same.

It’s a cult favourite for a reason. It’ll help to prevent breakage, and you’ll get the most incredible bounce of your life. 

2. Kérastase Résistance Extentioniste Hair Serum.

I’m a big fan of Kerastase in general - I've been using their products for the last year and have noticed major improvements in my hair health and manageability. Specifically, the Extentioniste range is designed to strengthen your hair by rebuilding weakened strands.

Kérastase Résistance Extentioniste Serum 50ml is a concentrated treatment that helps to protect hair lengths and repair hair damaged by heat, chemicals and the environment. I treat my hair like my skin these days - you need a kickarse routine to see kickarse results - so it’s no wonder my hair growth routine includes a serum. 

3. Kérastase Résistance Extentioniste Masque.

Kérastase Résistance Extentioniste Masque is an ultra nourishing hair mask that rebuilds damaged hair fibres with Creatine R™ technology.

It also contains ceramides to soften and provide surface recovery. 

Step 2: Use the Best Hair Growth Supplements.

For the past few months, I’ve been using two different hair supplements after seeing how they transformed our Hair Care Buyer Meike's platinum blonde breakage (you can read about it here). Now, I’m totally on the hair supplements bandwagon now. 

I use Apotecari Mane Event capsules, which have been formulated by a team of naturopaths, nutritionists and trichologists. They contain amino acids, activated B vitamins and silica, which provide hair with the essential building blocks to maintain its health.  

I also add Apotecari Hair Food 1 Month Supply into my daily smoothie bowl. This one is a plant-based protein powder containing a powerful superfood blend and Vitamin C.

My hair feels much stronger since taking hair supplements regularly. Could I finally carry the weight of a man with my hair? Not yet, but I feel like I’m getting close. 

Step 3: Reduce Heat Styling.

Heat styling (and any chemical styling, including colouring) will definitely get in the way of your long hair goals. 

I haven't given up heat tools completely, but I have reduced the number of times I wash and blow dry my hair down to a maximum of twice a week. And my hair has thanked me by getting stronger and longer.  

When I do straighten it, I use the Dyson Corrale Hair Straightener - yes, it's pricey, but it's an investment because the flexible plate technology reduces the number of times you need to go over each section of hair for it to be straight.

You can watch our Dyson Corrale review in the YouTube video below!

Using all of these hair growth products, I finally feel like I'm on my way to a happy (hair) ending.

My hair’s still growing, but I'm confident that one day soon, I’ll be hanging it over my balcony for my beast to climb up so we can live happily ever after. 

Or not… Doesn’t matter, as long as my hair looks good.

Want more great haircare products and recommendations? Check out these stories from our Adore Beauty team below!

• The 9 Best Products for Fast Hair Growth in 2020

• Literally Every Single Question You've Ever Had About Your Scalp, Answered

• This Blonde Haircare Routine Legit Saved My Brassy Platinum Blonde Hair

• The 10 Best Shampoo for Hair Growth and Thickness

• 5 Adore Beauties With Different Hair Types Tried Our New (Affordable) Salon Haircare Brand