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BY JENNY SMITH MATTFELDT Published October 4, 2024
There are only three ways to get great hair: be born with it, buy it, or work for it. And unfortunately I was bald until age three so we're going to have to work for it. For as long as I can remember, my hair was thin. I could grow it to a sexy length, but then it would immediately split and break before I even had a chance to enjoy it. I've tried all the trendy products, but nothing seemed to stop the inevitable breakage. That was until I slowed down and started focusing on what my hair actually needed, inside and out. With a few routine tweaks, my hair went from fragile and brittle to long, thick, and healthy. Here’s everything I’ve done to transform my hair—and trust me, it’s a lot simpler than you think.
These pictures really show the difference in thickness, especially in the hairline.
Good basics— that's what changes your hair. You might be getting tired of hearing this from me, but it’s never a quick fix. It's mindful, long-term changes that give you results in life (yes, even for prettier hair). In this case, it means using quality products consistently for a few months. I’m always going to be completely honest with you about products, and these are the only ones I think are truly worth your money.
Every Month
Once a month I apply Tropic Isle Living Black Castor Oil + Red Pimento Oil to my scalp and let it sit for thirty minutes. I am definitely not the first person to bring up castor and red pimento oil treatments for hair growth but there's a reason people have been recommending these products for generations, with consistent use you're pretty much guaranteed thicker, longer hair. (quick tip— try shampooing twice on these days to remove all the oil)
Every Wash
I was my hair every 4 to 7ish days, which may seem like quite a stretch but with my drier hair type I find that's what works for me. My absolute necessities are the Pattern conditioner and doTERRA hair serum. Every wash day I use the Pattern Hydration Shampoo and the Pattern Medium Conditioner. I have naturally dry, wavy hair and this is the only conditioner I've found that works. It comes in lightweight, medium, heavy, and intensive, depending on your hair thickness and texture. In total transparency I tried switching to a cheaper option for a while and the immediate difference was so noticeable I switched right back. If you have hair that tangles easily regardless of straight/waves/curls I think it's worth checking this brand out. (quick tip— you can start with these cute little samples if you're curious)
The last product, and probably my favorite, is the doTERRA Root To Tip Serum if you're trying to grow your hair out this is the one. I've been using this serum for five plus years, it's the love of my hair life. When I get out of the shower I massage it into my scalp and ends. It's potent (enter peppermint and rosemary oils which are both proven to improve hair growth) which means a little goes a long way but it also means don't get it anywhere close to your eyes.
Every Day
Simple daily habits can have a big impact on the health of your hair. One of the easiest changes you can make is using a detangling Wet Brush— an affordable tool (under ten dollars) that helps minimize breakage and split ends by being gentle on your hair. Trust me I could've used this as a kid, instead of having a meltdown every time I had to brush my hair. As far as styling I'm not a big fan of heat protectants but I'll either give myself a little blow out once a week or let it dry naturally in waves. Adding this collagen and fish oil to my daily routine have also been a game changer, not only for hair length but for my nails as well. And lastly I love a silk pillowcase and silk scrunchies, such a simple but effective way to reduce friction and prevent breakage. Now I just need to figure out how to stop wearing it in a bun 9 out of 10 days and I'll be set.
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