The Ultimate Hair Care Routine for Growing Gorgeous Thick Hair!

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How do you get hair that even Rapunzel would be jealous of? By following a rigorous hair care routine. It’s not just about using fancy products or following a viral TikTok hack.

I’ve been on a beauty journey for as long as I can remember. Makeup, outfits, skincare, and hair care.

But then I realized one thing that can ultimately make or break your entire appearance: your hair!

You could be wearing a Met Gala-worthy dress with makeup done by a professional artist, but if your hair looks like you just rolled out of bed… It’s going to ruin your whole look!

On the other hand, you could be in pajamas with no makeup, but if your hair is so gorgeous that even Rapunzel would be jealous, that would be a chef’s kiss.

True, lasting healthy hair growth comes down to consistency, the right hair care routine, and (sorry to say) science.

We’ll cover all the basics of hair care. No matter what your hair type is, you are going to find something useful in this article. And if you want a more in-depth guide for your specific hair type, be sure to check out my other guide on hair care for different hair types.

The Ultimate Curly Hair Care Routine for Healthy, Defined Curls

Hair Care Routine for Growing Gorgeous, Thick Hair

The Foundation: Best Diet for Hair Growth and Thickness

Before I even get into the routine, let’s talk about the real foundation of hair growth: nutrition. You can have the best hair care routine in the world, but if your body isn’t getting the right nutrients, your hair will still struggle to grow.

Hair is made of a protein called keratin, and its health is directly tied to what you eat.

Studies have shown that a deficiency in minerals and protein can lead to hair thinning and breakage (Almohanna et al., 2019).  Protein-rich foods such as eggs, fish, and lentils help support keratin production and maintain strong hair.

Additionally, minerals like iron and zinc are crucial for oxygenating the scalp and keeping hair follicles healthy. Without these nutrients, hair growth can slow, and excessive shedding may occur.

Leafy greens, nuts, and lean meats are excellent sources of iron and zinc.

Biotin (Vitamin B7) plays a vital role in keratin production for stronger hair and preventing hair thinning.

Studies indicate that supplementing with biotin can improve hair strength and growth (Flores-Cuevas et al., 2017). While biotin supplements are available, it’s always best to get your nutrition from whole foods such as almonds, eggs, and sweet potatoes.

Morning Hair Care Routine: Protect and Prepare

Step 1: Gently Brush and Detangle

A successful hair growth routine starts in the morning.

The first step is to gently brush the hair with a wide-toothed comb or a wet brush. This helps distribute natural scalp oils evenly along the hair shaft, preventing dryness and reducing breakage.

A gentle detangling routine also minimizes stress on the strands. Always start detangling from the ends and work your way up to avoid breakage.

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Step 2: Scalp Massage

I’m one of the lucky people who have the time to do a 5–10 minute scalp massage every morning since I work from home.

I don’t have to rush, so I can take my time and be mindful while massaging my scalp. This step not only helps with hair growth, but it’s also incredibly relaxing! However, I understand that not everyone has the time to do this every morning, so consider this step purely optional.

Step 3: Apply a Heat Protectant (If Using Heat Styling)

If heat styling is part of the routine, never skip a heat protectant!

Heat protectants act as a barrier between the hair and high temperatures, reducing moisture loss and preventing heat damage. Some good quality heat protectant can even make your style last longer and give your hair a healthy shine.

Don’t forget to apply hair oil from mid-length to the ends after styling for extra protection against environmental damage.

Step 4: Protect Against Environmental Damage

For those stepping outside, a leave-in conditioner or heat oil is essential, not just for styling but also for protecting against UV rays and pollution.

Both environmental factors can weaken the hair shaft, making it more prone to damage and dullness. Leave-in conditioners or hair oils help seal in moisture and provide a layer of defense while keeping the hair hydrated.

Important: Before buying any hair care products, take a look at your hair type. If you have thin, fine hair, you should opt for lightweight products that won’t weigh the hair down.

Meanwhile, if you have thicker, frizz-prone hair, you may need richer, more intense formulas to provide adequate moisture and control.

Finding the right balance is key to keeping hair healthy, manageable, and looking its best. Check out my recommended product list for each hair type to find the best match!

Evening Hair Care Routine: Repair and Strengthen

I like to do my hair care routine after I am done with my skincare routine. This way, I won’t have residue from the hair care products on my acne-prone face.

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Step 1: Detangle Before Bed

Using a wide-toothed comb or a soft-bristle brush, start by gently working through the ends first and then gradually move upward to prevent unnecessary breakage.

This step helps remove any knots that have formed throughout the day and reduces the risk of waking up with tangled, messy hair.

Step 2: Apply a Nourishing Leave-In Conditioner or Hair Oil

Hair tends to lose moisture throughout the day. Rehydration of your hair is an essential part of a nighttime hair care routine.

A lightweight leave-in conditioner can help lock in moisture and prevent dryness, especially for those with fine or color-treated hair. For extra nourishment, apply a few drops of hair oil.

An evening hair care routine should focus on repairing and protecting the strands overnight. This step helps strengthen hair, smooth frizz, and keep split ends at bay.

Important: Less is more. If you have fine or oily hair, you should use only a tiny amount to avoid weighing the hair down. There’s no perfect rule for how much oil you should use. Please experiment with the amount with your hair.

Step 3: Scalp Massage

If you skipped your scalp massage in the morning, now is the perfect time to do it. When massaging your scalp, focus on moving the skin rather than just rubbing a specific spot.

Use tools like a bamboo hairbrush (my favorite!), a scalp massager, or simply your fingers. Aim for at least 5–15 minutes every evening. Not only does it feel amazing, but it also helps stimulate blood flow, which promotes hair growth and overall scalp health.

Step 3: Choose a Protective Hairstyle

What hair rests on during sleep matters just as much as how it is styled. You can use one of the following methods to protect your hair overnight.

1. A silk or satin pillowcase is one of the best investments for hair care, as it reduces friction, prevents frizz, and minimizes breakage compared to traditional cotton pillowcases.
2. Silk or satin hair bonnet (my favorite!), which keeps hair protected and prevents moisture loss overnight. I use a cheap hair bonnet to sleep every night, and I kid you not, my hair is always shinier and softer in the morning!
3. Soft scrunchie helps minimize harsh creases and prevent unnecessary tension on the hair.
4. A loose braid is great for keeping hair in place and even creates soft waves by morning.
5. For curly-haired girls, the pineapple method, which involves loosely gathering curls into a high ponytail, keeps curls intact while reducing frizz and flattening.

Weekly Hair Care Routine: Deep Nourishment

A weekly hair care routine is essential for maintaining the health of the scalp and strands. It helps remove buildup, deeply nourishes the hair, and prevents long-term damage. The key elements of a strong weekly routine include proper shampooing, conditioning or hair masking, and scalp oiling.

Step 1: Scalp Oiling – Nourish from the Roots

Scalp oiling is the foundation of my healthy hair.

It stimulates blood circulation, strengthens hair follicles, and deeply nourishes the scalp, leading to faster hair growth and less breakage. This practice has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic hair care and is scientifically backed for improving scalp health.

Check out my Best Oils for Hair Growth & Scalp Health article for a complete breakdown of scalp oiling, how to do it, and what is the best oil for your hair type.

Step 2: Shampoo

The ideal shampoo frequency depends entirely on your scalp type and hair condition. Washing hair too often can strip away its natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation.

On the other hand, not shampooing enough can cause product buildup, clogged hair follicles, and excessive oiliness.

How often do you need to wash your hair?

• Oily scalp: Shampoo as needed—every 1–2 days. If the scalp gets greasy quickly, frequent washing is necessary to prevent buildup and irritation. A mild sulfate-free shampoo works best to maintain scalp balance without overdrying or overmoisturizing.

• Normal scalp: Shampoo 2–3 times per week. A mild sulfate-free shampoo works best to maintain scalp balance without overdrying or over-moisturizing.

• Dry scalp: Shampoo once or twice per week. Since dry scalps lack enough natural oil, using a hydrating shampoo with ingredients like aloe vera, glycerin, or argan oil can help maintain moisture levels.

• Curly or textured hair: Shampooing once per week or even every two weeks works best. Curly hair tends to be drier and needs gentle, moisturizing shampoos with no sulfates or harsh detergents. Co-washing (using conditioner instead of shampoo) is also an option for those who want to refresh their curls without stripping moisture.

Choose a shampoo that matches your scalp type rather than just the hair strands. A well-balanced scalp leads to healthy hair growth!

Step 3: Conditioner & Hair Masks

Many people focus only on shampooing, but conditioner and hair masks are just as important, if not more. Shampoo cleanses the scalp, but conditioner and hair masks restore moisture, repair damage, and protect hair from external stressors.

My hair is coarse, dry, and frizzy. So, I always use a hair mask after I shampoo my hair because it needs a more potent formula to tame my hair.

If your hair is more on the fine or oily side, use a lightweight conditioner that won’t weigh your hair down. Avoid heavy oils and butters and focus on formulas with proteins to add strength.

Do I need a conditioner or a hair mask?

It depends on your hair type and your hair condition. If you feel like your hair is dryer than usual, go with a hair mask!

Monthly Hair Care Routine: Reset and Strengthen

A monthly hair care routine focuses on deep cleansing and strengthening to make sure that the scalp and strands remain healthy and free from buildup. This is the time to hit reset, removing excess product residue, refreshing the hair, and preventing damage.

Step 1: Clarifying Shampoo – Detoxing the Hair and Scalp

Over time, hair products, natural oils, and even minerals from hard water can build up on the scalp and hair strands. This buildup prevents proper moisture absorption, weighs hair down, and can lead to scalp irritation or dandruff.

What Is Buildup, and Why Is It Bad?

Buildup occurs when products like dry shampoo, silicone-based conditioners, and styling creams accumulate on the hair shaft. Hard water (water with high mineral content) can also leave a film on the hair, causing dullness and brittleness.

Signs of Product Buildup:

• Hair looks greasy or limp, even after washing.

• The scalp feels itchy or flaky, even without dandruff.

• Hair feels sticky or coated, like it never fully dries.

• Strands appear dull and lifeless, lacking shine.

• Styling products no longer work as effectively.

Using a clarifying shampoo once a month removes this residue, allowing the scalp and hair to “breathe” and absorb nutrients more effectively. If you are someone who uses a lot of dry shampoo, hairspray, or leave-in products, you might need to clarify more often, every two weeks instead of monthly.

Step 2: Clean Your Hair Tools

Imagine spending half an hour washing your hair, using the best shampoo and conditioner, only to grab a detangling brush that hasn’t been cleaned since you bought it… three years ago. Yikes.

That’s like wiping your freshly washed face with a dirty towel, it completely defeats the purpose.

Hair tools accumulate dust, oil, and product residue over time. If you’re using a dirty brush, you’re just reintroducing all that buildup back into your clean hair, making it greasier, duller, and even prone to scalp irritation.

The same goes for your styling tools like flat irons and curling wands, product buildup can affect performance and even damage your hair.

How to Clean Your Hair Brush:

1. Remove the Hair: Use a comb or your fingers to pull out any stuck hair.

2. Soak in Soapy Water: Fill a bowl with warm water and a few drops of shampoo. Swirl the brush in the water. Avoid fully submerging wooden brushes.

3. Scrub the Bristles: Use an old toothbrush to gently scrub between the bristles.

4. Rinse & Dry: Rinse under running water, then let it air dry bristle-side down on a towel.

How to Clean Your Styling Tools (Flat Irons, Curling Wands, Blow Dryers):

1. Unplug & Let Cool: Never clean them while they’re hot and plugged!

2. Wipe with a Damp Cloth: Use a cloth or cotton pad dampened with rubbing alcohol to wipe off product residue on the plates or barrels.

3. Clean the Blow Dryer Filter: The back vent of your hair dryer collects dust and lint. Remove it, clean it with a toothbrush, and replace it.

Regularly cleaning your hair tools helps prevent buildup, extends their lifespan, and keeps your hair looking fresh and healthy.

So, if you haven’t cleaned your brush or flat iron in a while, this is your sign to do it now!

Quarterly Hair Care Routine

Regular Trims

Regular trims make a huge difference for my hair! Trimming hair may seem counterproductive when trying to grow it out, but cutting off split ends every 6–8 weeks actually helps hair grow longer, stronger, and healthier.

Trimming helps to prevent split ends from traveling up the hair shaft, reducing breakage.

Many people avoid trimming their hair because they don’t want to lose length, but split ends will break off on their own if left untreated!

This could lead to uneven, fragile hair. A small trim every few months prevents bigger damage in the long run.

How Often to Trim Hair?

Most people say to trim your hair every 10–12 weeks to prevent breakage. But I take a different approach. I only trim my hair when I notice signs of split ends, dryness, or brittleness on my ends.

How to Choose the Best Hair Products for Your Hair Type

The best hair products start with understanding your hair type.

Fine hair needs lightweight, volumizing formulas, while thick or curly hair benefits from rich, hydrating ingredients. Oily scalps require clarifying shampoos, whereas dry or damaged hair thrives with moisture-boosting conditioners.

Using the wrong products can lead to buildup, breakage, or excessive dryness, so selecting the right formula is essential for maintaining healthy, vibrant hair.

Beyond shampoo and conditioner, styling products play a crucial role in hair care. Heat protectants prevent damage, leave-in treatments add nourishment, and curl creams define natural texture.

Check out my full guide on how to choose the best hair products

Final Thoughts

Achieving thick, healthy hair isn’t about quick fixes, it requires a consistent, science-backed approach to hair care. Proper nutrition, a dedicated routine, and protective practices all contribute to stronger, fuller hair over time.

Small daily habits, such as scalp massages, protective styling, and using nourishing products, can make a significant impact in the long run.

Consistency is key when it comes to hair care! Have you tried any of these tips? Let me know what works best for your hair!