After a Decade, My Color-Treated Hair Finally Grew Past My Collarbone—Here's How

Though the last several months of pressing pause on our "normal" lives have proven to be challenging due to inevitable uncertainty, there is a silver lining to this said pause. We have been given the room to step back, reflect, and make time for self-care that seemingly always fall to the bottom of our to-do lists. Whether it’s dedicating nights to applying face masks and meditating or indulging in the latest beauty products and rituals like dry-brushing, we’re finally able to take the time for ourselves. 

Don't laugh, but one of my silver linings, if you will, is accomplishing my biggest hair goal: growth. An aspiration that has felt nearly impossible the last decade or so has come to fruition due to years of intensive trial and error and a newfound dedication. As a blonde who will never sacrifice my highlights, I’ve resorted to alternative remedies to improve my hair’s overall health and to ultimately grow it. While my hair length has been stagnant since 2007 (the year I got my most dreadful haircut), 2020 marks the first time my hair has consistently grown, and I owe it to my strict product regimen and advice from the experts. 

IGK Salon colorist and haircare guru Ryan Pearl, who also happens to do Hailey Bieber's color, advises, "Use products, especially for color-treated hair or those with thicker hair! Products act as a protectant against the sun and a barrier when you are in the oceans or pool and against environmental stressors.”

Yes, it is about using the right products, but it is also about consistently using them. In my recent haircare journey, I’ve learned to make the time for minor things, like leaving a hair mask on overnight or avoiding heat altogether and actually staying consistent in my ritual, thus manifesting real results. I’ve essentially mastered the art of hair growth and have broken it down into three imperative categories: maintaining scalp health, applying nourishing masks and treatments, and focusing on the connection between my overall health and hair heath. Keep scrolling to discover the products that completely changed my hair for the better and how much my hair has changed in a year.

Maintain Scalp Health 

According to Iris Rubin, MD, dermatologist and founder of Seen, "healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp. It’s important to use hair products that respect your scalp since the hair follicles are the manufacturing plant for the hair." I took this photo back in May, two months into my meticulous hair routine and when I took my scalp health to a whole new level through these products.

Masking & Treatment Remedies 

It sounds silly, but before 2020, I never felt like I had time for hair masks. I was either in too much of a rush from events to dinners or simply too lazy. Garren, celebrity stylist and co-founder of renowned haircare line R+Co, reveals the secret to hair health. "Healthy hair and stronger hair depend on your diet, hormones, thyroid, and your choice of shampoo, conditioner, and a treatment masque," he says. This picture was taken back in late July. By then, I was consistently using hair masks almost four days a week.

Beauty From Within 

The big reveal: Before this year, my hair had never gone an inch past my collarbone. This picture was taken in early November, and you can see it goes several inches below my collarbone. I am an advocate of fostering wellness and beauty from within, which is why I've continually used supplements like Nutrafol (check out my review of the brand). "Wellness comes from within. Your hair health is indicative of your overall well-being, and Nutrafol is all about promoting a healthy lifestyle change that combines a holistic approach with a functional medicine perspective," advises Sophia Kogan, MD, co-founder and chief medical advisor at Nutrafol.