“I’m a beauty editor and I’m growing out my hair – these are the 8 swaps I’ve made to my hair care routine”

“I’m a beauty editor and I’m growing out my hair – these are the 8 swaps I’ve made to my hair care routine”

Credit: Courtesy of brands

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“I’m a beauty editor and I’m growing out my hair – these are the 8 swaps I’ve made to my hair care routine”

By Chloe Burcham

6 months ago

All products on this page have been selected by the editorial team, however Stylist may make commission on some products purchased through affiliate links in this article

5 min read

Whether you’re growing out a bob or looking after damaged hair, here’s how one beauty editor has revamped her haircare routine in the quest for longer locks…


While it might seem like everyone in the UK is cutting their hair into a bob right now, I’m doing the complete opposite. After chopping my hair into a French bob a couple of years ago, I’ve decided I no longer want neck-skimming lengths. Instead, I’m now after long, luscious locks. In the past, I’ve relied on hair extensions for thickness and length, but this time I’m committed to growing out my hair naturally.

But growing out my hair isn’t as easy as it sounds. For context, I have naturally curly hair that I blow-dry and straighten most days. I also get bleach highlights every six weeks. While I know neither of these habits are great for my hair’s health, I’m not ready to give them up. So instead, I’ve made small adjustments to my haircare routine to nourish, strengthen, and encourage growth, all without sacrificing my preferred style.

hair-growth-before-after

Credit: @chloeburcham

If you’re looking for simple switches to help your hair grow longer and faster, you’ve come to the right place. Below, I share the best hair care tweaks I’ve made to support my hair growth journey that have really worked so far. From supplements to sleep hacks, here are the products I really rate.

Aveda Scalp Solutions Stimulating Scalp Massager

Scalp massaging

While we all know that a healthy scalp = healthy hair, I’ve never really considered mine all that much in the past. But stimulating blood flow to your scalp can, in turn, help to boost your hair growth and health – which is where this little tool comes in. Before hopping in the shower, I spend a couple of minutes massaging my scalp. Not only does it work to boost blood flow, but it also helps to dislodge any product, dry shampoo and/or dirt and grime on your scalp – which you then wash away with shampoo. Sounds gross, but it’s a really great way to make sure your scalp is clean which is a surefire winner to make your hair grow at its optimum. 

Shop Aveda Scalp Solutions Stimulating Scalp Massager, £27

buy now

beauty-editor-hair-growth-tips

Look for strengthening formulas

Remember a couple of years ago when everyone was talking about rice water for hair growth? Well, there’s something to it. Thanks to its high protein content, rice water can help to strengthen your hair – resulting in longer, stronger locks over time. I’ve been using this Shu Uemura tonic for a couple of months now and it really does leave your hair feeling stronger and shinier. 

Shop Shu Uemura Izumi Tonic Strengthening Energising Hair Water at Lookfantastic, £43.95

buy now

beauty-editor-hair-growth-tips

Try a hair supplement

While supplements aren’t miracle workers (or a substitute for a healthy, varied diet) they can be beneficial when you’re wanting a little extra nourishment. These hair supplements contain a blend of proteins, peptides, essential minerals, micronutrients and vitamins – so that you can be sure you’re ticking off all the nutritional boxes on the quest for healthy hair growth. 

Shop The Nue Co. Growth Phase Hair Supplements at Cult Beauty, £65

buy now

Act+Acre Cold Processed Stem Cell Serum

Invest in a scalp serum

While I’ve used scalp serums on occasion in the past, I’ve never really incorporated one long-term within my hair care routine. But this one really is brilliant and I swear my hair has grown thicker and faster since I’ve been using it regularly. The cocktail of botanical-based actives works to soothe and nourish your scalp while sending hydrating signals to your scalp during the growth phase to support better length retention. Simply apply one or two pipettes directly to clean, damp or dry hair along the hairline and parting before massaging in. There’s no need to rinse and it won’t leave your hair greasy-looking either. Win-win. 

Shop Act+Acre Cold Processed Stem Cell Serum at Cult Beauty, £76

buy now

Arkive Headcare The Good Habit Hybrid Oil

Prioritise hair oil

I’ve previously written about my love of the Virtue Healing Oil – and while I’m still absolutely obsessed with it, it’s not the most affordable. Recently I’ve been using the Arkive Headcare The Good Habit Hybrid Oil and my hair is feeling softer than ever. Enriched with baobab and jojoba extracts, it helps to moisturise strands for a high-shine finish.

Shop Arkive Headcare The Good Habit Hybrid Oil at Lookfantastic, £14

buy now

beauty-editor-hair-growth-tips

Use a weekly deep conditioning mask

It’s no secret that hair masks are good for the health of your hair, but if you’re anything like me, you probably haven’t done one in a while. Well, that’s all changed for me because I am now committed to doing a weekly (usually Sunday night) hair mask. This cult mask floods the hair with moisture-boosting elasticity, manageability, bounce and shine, all without weighing strands down. It’s a real hair hero. 

Shop Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Deep-Conditioning Treatment at Cult Beauty, £21

buy now

beauty-editor-hair-growth-tips

Sleep in a silk bonnet

Protect your hair while you sleep with a silk hair bonnet or turban. They limit the friction caused between your hair and pillow, meaning less tugging, pulling and inevitable damage along the way. I also find that sleeping in a hair turban means that my hair gets less greasy, meaning I have to wash it less frequently – which is another big tick when you’re trying to grow out your hair. 

Shop Slip Pure Silk Turban at Space NK, £75

buy now

beauty-editor-hair-growth-tips

Upgrade your straighteners

It goes without saying that cutting out heat styling is the best way to limit damage. But I’ll be honest with you, I’ve straightened my hair regularly for over 15 years and that’s not going to change any time soon.

So while I have been limiting my heat styling (with heatless curlers and using blowdry tools that use less heat), I also swapped out my 10-year-old straighteners for a new pair – that’s able to regulate its temperature more efficiently, limiting the damage to my hair. So if your heat styling tools are as old as mine, it might be worth thinking about trading them in for a newer model that’s much kinder to your hair. 

Shop GHD Chronos Hair Straightener at Cult Beauty, £289

buy now

Images: courtesy of brands

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