the real-deal hair care routine that has grown my hair inches

I'll be honest, I've taken my hair down the dangerous road of heat styling with no leave in conditioner, bad $8 haircuts, and diy bleaching in the past and I've tried every hair care line, biotin pill, and pyramid scheme product line that promised to grow my hair inches in months. They're pretty much all money pits and here's the truth people: there's no miracle conditioner that will give you Kim K length locks overnight. Trust me, I've already cried about it too. In the end, you just have to put in the long, hard time and effort to make your tresses happy and healthy. 
Rewind to 10th grade Carl who straightened and curled everyday, added no heat protection to my hair routine, and used $3 shampoo: it was a rough time I will tell you what...
I'm Greek and I have big, fat, Greek hair that does not chill out for anyone. So, when I started heat styling everyday, I lost 4 inches of my hair in a year. I would go for trims to clean up the ends, but then I put my hair through the ringer with my hair care routine and it only got shorter. After I went blonde and back to brunette 3 times, I decided to be done with extensions and weaves and I wanted to grow my hair long and strong the right way. Once I started taking my hair seriously and working hard to keep it healthy, my hair has grown 4+ inches in the last year. My hair issues revolve around big, frizzy hair that I can't keep soft and smooth, but this routine can also help super thin hair grow healthy and strong!​ So, this is my routine:

the real deal hair care routine

• NEVER wash your hair with hot water
  • ​I used to wash my hair with steaming hot water in the shower every single day. The problem with hot water is that you can cause more heat damage to your hair and strip your scalp of its natural oils that help keep your hair healthy. Now I only wash my hair with cold water. It will take a few minutes longer to keep your hair out of the heat, but it really helps in the end! Your hair is basically a sponge, so rinsing with cold water will help seal the good oils from conditioner in your hair.
• ONLY use sulfate-free, paraben-free, silicone-free shampoos and conditioners 
  • ​​This is the most important of all the rules! Sulfates and parabens in your hair products will dry your hair out and only make the hair problems in your neighborhood worse. Silicones can cause major breakage in your fragile strands. Take it from a hair damage pro: spending a few bucks more on sulfate-free conditioner is way better than spending $100 on hair extensions because you made all of your hair break off. Trust me babe, it's worth it!
• ALWAYS use heat protection if you curl or straighten
  • Some people will tell you not to heat style at all, but my natural hair only makes a debut once in a while because it drives me crazy after a few days. I'm pretty much addicted to heat styling, so I have just learned to heat style responsibly. Always, always use [silicone-free] heat protectant spray or product in your hair. Never heat style wet hair, and be sure to work some hair oil into your damp ends after washing.
• Sleep on silk
  • I  know this is the bougiest of all the steps and it maybe sounds ridiculous, but this really helps keep breakage to a minimal! Using a silk pillowcase keeps strands from catching on fabric and breaking in your sleep. It's also important to use soft scrunchies or silk or other specialized hair wraps at night if you keep your hair up.
• Stay away from harmful extensions
  • If you feel like you can't say goodbye to the extensions until your locks grow long, I get it girl. I have been there and done that and sometimes you need some help to  fake it until you make it if it makes you feel better about your hair. But, if you weave, weave smart boo. Go to the pros for your extensions and do your research on the damage weave-ins, glue-ins, and clip-ins can cause before you spend the dough. 

my go-to, happy, hair-safe products 

1. Hask Argan Oil, $5.99 : This magical oil is the dreamiest and most affordable heat protectant hair oil I've ever found. It will make you hair smell and feel so silky and wonderful. 
2. Love Beauty and Planet Shampoo, $6.94 : No parabens, silicones, or dyes. The Love Beauty and Planet shampoo is safe and healthy and will leave your hair smelling great.
3. Maui Moisture Conditioner, $6.97 : This is the answer to your all your big, dry hair probs! I don't think I'll ever use another conditioner again, this stuff is so amazing. Not only is it free of the bad stuff, it's loaded with good stuff and never tested on animals. I also love to use the Maui Moisture Shampoo every now and then to switch it up!
4. L'Oreal Ever Pure Hair Sheet Mask, $3.97 : This is a great little refresher for dry hair that needs a pick-me-up. It's quick and easy and you can find it at pretty much any drugstore.
5. Totalee Volumizing Leave-in Mist, $19.95 : I love Totalee products! I recommend their whole line. I love to use their Volumizing Leave-in Mist for extra protection and shine.

I hope you make your hair-growth dreams come true! Share your hair-care faves and experiences in the comments below!