I know firsthand how challenging it can be to grow your hair out, especially when it feels like genetics are working against you. But I will tell you - genetics isn’t everything. With the right routine & my principles of hair longevity, you can make your scalp health near perfect and transform your hair into its healthiest version you've ever had.
I’ve spent years refining my hair care routine to achieve the best growth and length retention rate. I’m here to share the basics that helped me grow my hair longer, healthier, and stronger, drastically improving my hair quality. (I am at thigh length im 2026)
So here is my long hair routine. And these habits have worked wonders for my clients too.
- I keep my scalp clean. A healthy scalp is the foundation of thick, long hair.
- I make sure to keep my hair tangle-free. This reduces loss of healthy strands.
- Consistent oiling is a game-changer for me. It heals even the driest scalp.
- I use the Longéviti hair oil for growth and length retention. It is the one hair oil formula that worked for me to achieve stronger, healthier hair. (Hair quality is extremely important for length & shine retention)
- I focus on the scalp and go easy on the lengths while shampooing.
- I oil deeply at least twice a week to keep my scalp and hair nourished.
- Social media tempts you to cut your hair often, but I avoid it.
- I never let months go by without trimming, though. Split ends will only slow down your growth by splitting even more up and killing length retention.
- Micro trims every 1-2 months help thicken up my hemline.
- After trimming, I lightly oil my ends to lock in moisture. I love how Longeviti is light and adds gloss to the ends of my freshly cut hair.
- Feathered or layered cuts can make your ends more prone to damage. But you can always experiment with them if you believe you can care for your ends better.
- I never experiment harshly with my hair. I respect its texture. I love it when my curly-hair client chooses to love their natural hair texture and care for it.
- I stay away from essential oils that can burn the scalp. No DIY can grow hair overnight. The right herbs & oils can let your achieve the length goals way faster, but not overnight or in a month.
- Oils don’t cause dandruff. The right oils heal the scalp and keep length intact.
- Pre-pooing is part of my routine. I love leaving the oil on for 1-2 hours, sometimes overnight.
- Don’t be afraid to leave oil overnight; it works wonders in softening hair and improving hair resilience.
- I always oil my hair before shampooing. I never shampoo dry, unprotected hair.
- After conditioning, I don’t pile my wet hair on top of my scalp.
- Conditioner residue, if it touches the scalp, can cause dandruff or scalp irritation.
- I never wring my hair with a rough towel. I use soft fabric or nothing at all.
- I gently finger comb to remove tangles while the conditioner is still in.
- I air dry my hair soon after washing it. The hydrogen bonds set in faster that way and help my hair stay smooth for the rest of the week.
- I invest in silk or satin scrunchies and pillowcases to protect my hair.
- I clean my pillowcases often. Good for hair, better for skin.
- I keep my hair in loose, protective styles or braids.
- I limit ponytails because they can weigh my hair down.
- My comb is wide-toothed, clean, and hygienic. ALWAYS.
- I detangle at least once every day, sometimes twice.
- I switch to soft water for washing my hair whenever possible.
- If I can’t, I always do the last rinse with 'drinking water.'
- I protect my hair from sunlight. A scarf is always with me when I’m out.
- I never sleep with wet hair. Wet hair is weak hair.
- Herbs work miracles when used in the right combinations.
- If my scalp is dehydrated, I seal it in with 6 drops of oil after washing.
- I only tolerate dirty or tangled hair when I’m too sick. It’s not a habit I keep.
- My curly-haired clients love using my oil infusion for scrunching out the crunch (SOTC).
- If your hair is curly, learn curly hair care basics. Curly hair is BEAUTIFUL!
- If you’re still set on rebonding your hair, learn proper hair care first.
- I capture photographs of my hair every 2-3 months to track my progress.
- Sometimes, I use DIY hair masks and my own formulations to deeply hydrate my hair. I always add a few drops of my oil to it to give it an extra slip.
- I keep coppery discoloration, split ends and thin strands away by sticking to my oiling routine religiously. If not, I wouldn't have gained the length or volume I have now.
I wrote this to break the myth that GENETICS is the sole factor when it comes to long, lustrous, or dense hair. Consistent hair care matters more than your genetics. You can have genetically thin hair (like mine) and still achieve huge volume with the right products and care in just a few months. Longeviti has worked wonders for me over the years. If it is not available/accessible in your part of the world, start with pure coconut oil or any plant oil you can source, without fillers or preservatives. You can read my detailed hair oiling guide here.
I’ll be adding more long hair basics and tips to this page, along with photos of my own progress. Right now, I’m setting up my new office space to serve you better, so my focus is there.
For queries or to say hi to me, please do write to me here: letters@lancemade.com.
Thank you for being with me! 😊
Love,
Lance.