It’s around this point in the year – the point when you start checking the weather forecast more often than Instagram and finding a seat in a beer garden is rarer than one of Kylie Jenner’s Lip Kits – that getting beachy waves becomes an obsession.
That said, getting your hair to grow quickly is one of the most frustrating beauty dilemmas (though getting even eyeliner flicks comes pretty close.) Growth creeps mere millimeters in months then plateaus, usually around the mid-boob area, with ends flicking out, like a bad version of ‘The Rachel’ circa 1994. Livid.
The causes of sluggish hair growth are varied and range from everyday stresses, hormonal fluctuations and diets lacking in iron, to just bad luck on the genes front or over-styling. You’ll be pleased to know that if ending your love affair with straighteners or quitting your job in favour of a yoga retreat in Ibiza isn’t an option, there are plenty of products out there to speed things along.
Think of this as the hair alternative to a face scrub. It exfoliates the scalp to remove any follicle cloggers (product build up, dandruff and dead skin cells) so that new hairs have a clean path to break through. The difference with this shampoo is it won’t dry hair out in the process. Form an orderly queue…
Admittedly this one’s more like a mask than a primer. After shampooing, massage into the roots right down the tips, then rinse out after a couple of minutes. In that time, added protein and biotins encourage the hair’s own proteins to get cracking and strengthen locks.
Hair that doesn’t split or break will make it past the shoulder length. Also, healthy hair won’t have you trotting down to the salon quite so much. "When hair isn’t dry or split prone you’ll find you won’t have to have as much cut off in the long run," explains Paul Percival, co-founder of Percy and Reed, meaning the length you get stays. Now where’s the mermaid emoji?!
Redken Extreme Length Primer, £13.60, available at Feel Unique
"Great hair starts from within," Eugene Souleiman, Wella Professionals Global Creative Director, Care & Styling tells us, "which is why I think it’s so important for women to take vitamins like Biotin to encourage healthy (and frequent) hair growth."
Plenty of supplements contain Biotin but Viviscal are the ones we’d flog our Prada pumps for. When taken over six months (yes it’s a marathon ladies, not a sprint) they encourage hair growth by strengthening the quality of the follicle and encouraging re-growth better than any others we’ve tried. That’s not to say you have to wait six months before you can see any results – it’s gradual but hits full speed after six months.
Viviscal Maximum Strength Tablets, £37.46 for 1 month supply
Basically scaffolding for the hair to strengthen and protect breakage, it’s the lazy-girl's answer to rapid hair growth. The do-it-all serum rids the scalp of damaging toxins (the green-tea anti-oxidant will do that) but also conditions the mid-lengths to ends thus mending any breakages. A splurge, but well worth saving up for.
Kérastase Serum Initialiste Advanced Scalp and Hair Concentrate, £30, available at Look Fantastic
A nifty little number that you spray directly at your scalp, particularly aiming it at any thinning patches. It draws blood cells and nutrients to ensure optimum growth conditions. No need to rinse, but we’d recommend applying it straight out of the shower when the scalp is at its cleanest and most receptive to product because there aren’t any obstacles like oily roots or dandruff for the spray to dodge.
Nioxin Intensive Treatment Hair Booster, £25.99, available at Look Fantastic
This is for every girl whose hair remains stubbornly in the LOB phase (that’s ‘long bob’ FYI.) The added protein works like fertiliser to get hair sprouting like the clappers. Scoop out an egg-sized lump and massage into the roots after you’ve shampooed (the massaging is key as it stimulates blood flow to the area which feeds the follicles with energy.) Leave for a good five minutes then rinse. Expect fuller hair and serious head turning.
Lee Stafford Hair Growth Treatment Pink, £8.49, available at Boots
"Regular brushing encourages healthy hair growth as it helps to stimulate blood flow to lazy scalps and naturally exfoliates hair," explains Adam Reed, co-founder of Percy and Reed. Kent brushes are perfect for this as the natural bristles don’t feel scratchy and will evenly distribute natural scalp oils at the root over the lengths of hair for natural gloss and moisture. Win win.
Kent Brushes CSFS Small Pure Black Natural Bristle Cushion Brush, £22.50
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
8 Of London's Cutest Hairdressers
Why This Reality Star's "Joke" About Hair Really Isn't Funny