How to Keep Your Hair Healthy, Strong and Thick

My tips and rituals that actually make a difference

How to get your hair to grow stronger, thicker and glossier?

Let’s start at the root of it all (pun intended) Your scalp is skin, and when you take care of it the same way you care for the skin on your face, your hair will reflect that.

This is the routine I’ve used for years and what I recommend to my clients when they ask how to grow stronger, fuller hair. Read on for a lot of little tips and tricks along the way....

Start at the root with a healthy scalp

My number one ritual is scalp oiling. Once or twice a week, I use BurBur Growing Season Hair Oil. One of the star ingredients is burdock root which is known for soothing irritation, balancing the scalp, and supporting healthy hair growth. The oil blend smells delicious and feels light and nourishing, and over time it helps create the ideal environment for stronger hair to grow.

Make it a slow, comforting evening ritual. Massage the oil into your scalp with your fingertips or use a massage tool. In the shop I have a jade gua sha scalp comb which feels amazing and really helps boost circulation on the scalp. Jade tools are also great to help calm the nervous system and encourage lymphatic drainage, so it becomes a whole-body ritual rather than just “hair care”.

Use whichever tool feels good for you and enjoy those few minutes to unwind before bed, you then wash out the oil the next morning.

A little tip for washing out scalp oil

A lot of people struggle to remove hair oil properly and end up with greasy roots the next day. The best trick is this:

Put your shampoo straight onto your dry, oily hair before adding water.

The shampoo can cut through the oil far more effectively when it isn’t diluted. Massage it in for a minute, then add water and rinse. Sometimes I’ll do a double shampoo if I feel it’s needed.

Choose a gentle, high quality shampoo & conditioner

A good shampoo is essential for hair growth because harsh detergents can strip the scalp and disrupt your natural oils. Look for formulas that are free from sulfates, parabens, silicones and drying alcohols.

In the shop, I carry Najeau hair, a luxury hair care line with skincare ingredients and free of toxic ones. Since I’ve been using this I’ve noticed a considerable difference in my hair health and noticed that I need to wash far less often, as my scalp is becoming less oily. When you stop stripping away your natural oils then your scalp comes back into balance it stops overproducing. An added benefit is that it’s actually better value since I only need to wash twice a week.

I also love the whole line of Blu and Green Beauty who make a concentrated shampoo and conditioner. I love them for everyday use and they’re also perfect for travel because they come in lightweight aluminium tubes that pack easily and won’t spill. They even come with a little key so you can squeeze out every last drop. The Blu and Green beauty weekly mask is quickly becoming a cult favourite and one of my best selling products, ideal for people who are getting a lot of hair damage living in Costa Rica amongst the sun, salt water and the dust that we get in the summer months here. You apply the mask after shampooing once a week and leave in for 20 mins before rinsing out. Your hair will feel more flexible, shiny, more resilient and less likely to tangle, really reversing the damage that we get living here. I also love the dry shampoo which is made of clean ingredients and helps me stretch out my wash days by absorbing a little scalp oil and giving some volume and boost. 

A lightweight hair serum or oil for the ends is also a great addition to prevent dryness and breakage. I have a few options available including a solid oil from Blu and Green beauty which you can melt into your hands before applying to your hair.

Don’t brush your hair when it’s wet!

This one is huge. When hair is wet, the strand swells and becomes more elastic, which makes it far more prone to snapping. Brushing it in that state can cause breakage, thinning and frizz.

I always brush my hair before I get in the shower, while it’s dry and strong. A wide tooth comb is a good option for distributing conditioner and detangling whilst washing. After washing, I let it dry naturally or blow dry gently on a cool or medium setting.

Also, don't aggressively rub your hair with a towel to dry it! Instead, squeeze the moisture from it with your towel. I also recommend a hair wrap or a towel just folded over the head rather than twisted around the hair. Those strands are very delicate when wet!

Boar bristle brushes really are the best !

Boar bristle brushes are incredible for distributing your natural oils from the scalp down the hair shaft which keeps your hair smooth, shiny and less frizzy. They are far superior to plastic which can break strands. Boar bristles will detangle very gently and also stimulate the scalp and enhance hair health over time.

I’m really happy to stock the Burbur boar bristle brushes in the shop. The bristles are a by-product of the meat industry, so no animals are harmed for the brushes, and the wooden paddle is beautifully made.

A quick note though

I don’t recommend using these particular boar bristle brushes on wet hair, especially in Costa Rica’s humidity, because the cushion can hold moisture and it’s simply not the right tool for wet detangling.

Avoid heat where you can

I don’t use curling wands or straighteners. My favourite alternative is heatless rollers using a long soft fabric (a dressing gown belt works perfectly). You wrap your hair while it’s slightly damp and wake up with effortless waves, shape or volume without heat damage. I will be stocking some of these heatless roller sets soon because I absolutely love them.

If you blow dry, keep the heat low and use gentle tools.

Protect your hair while sleeping

Small habits make a big difference

• Braid your hair at night to reduce friction

• Sleep on a silk pillowcase to prevent breakage and frizz (also amazing for your skin! and feels so luxurious you'll never go back...)

• Use silk or fabric scrunchies instead of tight elastic bands

Your morning bed head will be noticeably different ;) 

Beach and pool protection

If you swim, surf or live by the ocean, this tip is essential. Wet your hair with fresh water before getting in the sea or pool. Hair acts like a sponge so if it’s already full of clean water, it can’t absorb as much salt or chlorine.

For even more protection, I love and recommend the Najeau Hair Guard which I sell in the shop. It forms a light barrier that helps shield the hair from salt, chlorine and sun.

If you surf, better to do so with your hair loose rather than tied up. (You'll no doubt have your moments being humbled underwater spun in circles and if your hair is in an elastic it will tear it)

Feed your hair from within

Hair health isn’t only about what you put on your scalp. Nutrition plays a huge role in how strong and fast your hair grows.

Here are some foods and nutrients that truly support hair health

• Protein because hair is literally made of keratin

• Collagen for strengthening the hair follicle and promoting growth

• Healthy fats like avocado, nuts, seeds and olive oil

• Iron rich foods such as lentils, beans, spinach and red meat for those who eat it

• Zinc and biotin found in eggs, seeds and whole grains

• Vitamin C to support collagen production and increase iron absorption

• Omega 3s in salmon, chia seeds and flax

And of course, one of my favourites Pinky Collagen Supplement which I stock in the shop. Collagen helps support the hair follicle from the inside out, assists in strength and thickness, and pairs beautifully with all the topical rituals. Many of my clients notice an improvement in hair shedding and overall density with consistent use.

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Healthy, long, thick hair isn’t about expensive treatments or drastic changes, and there isn’t one magic trick…. It’s about consistency, gentleness and a few mindful rituals. When you nourish your scalp, use good quality products, protect your hair from stress and feed your body well, everything improves.

All the products I mentioned are available in the shop if you want to build your own routine. But more than anything, I always hope to inspire you to slow down, take care of yourself in a mindful way and introduce little rituals which are good for the soul!