You won’t snap your fingers and suddenly have long hair, as much as that seems like it could be nice. As many stylists will tell you, growing long hair is a slow process that requires patience. And once you’ve hit your length goals, maintaining the long hair you so gradually grew takes a great deal of effort, especially for those with thin or brittle hair prone to breakage. To keep your long hair looking its best, a proper haircare routine is a must. Here, we’ll let you in on our top tips for maintaining long hairstyles and introduce you to a simple, six-step routine you can follow to help keep your mane manageable and well-moisturized. Keep reading for our crash course on long haircare.

How To Care For Long Hair

Here, discover the best Kiehl’s haircare products for maintaining your long hair and learn how to use them in a simple routine.

Step 1:

Start With a Scalp Oil

Adding a lightweight scalp oil, like Magic Elixir, to your regular haircare routine can help ensure your scalp feels hydrated and looks healthy. This non-greasy treatment with avocado oil and rosemary leaf oil helps moisturize your hair and scalp and promotes a healthy scalp environment. When used regularly before shampooing, this unique treatment also helps improve hair’s manageability and boosts shine for soft, healthy-feeling strands.

To use this pre-shampoo rinse, apply a small amount to your dry hair and scalp immediately before showering. Lightly massage the oil onto your scalp with your fingertips and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Then, hop in the shower and complete your regular haircare routine using the shampoo and conditioner of your choice.

Step 2:

Shampoo as Needed

For some people with long hair, shampoo isn’t necessary every day. In fact, many people find that their hair feels the best when they wait a few days between washes.

When you do lather up, we recommend doing so with a mild, lightweight shampoo, like our Amino Acid Shampoo. This Kiehl’s favorite gently cleanses your hair and scalp while adding body for soft, full-looking hair.

Kiehl’s Tip: Once a week, swap out your usual shampoo for a deep-cleansing scalp scrub, like Amino Acid Scalp-Detoxifying Treatment Scrub. It contains both physical and chemical exfoliants and helps remove buildup, creating an optimal environment for strong, healthy-looking strands.

Step 3:

Apply a Nourishing Scalp Mask

As we mentioned, it’s difficult (if not outright impossible) to have strong, healthy hair if your scalp isn’t healthy. Common haircare habits, like chemical processing, heat styling, or even spending a lot of time in the sun, can weaken your scalp’s moisture barrier, which in turn affects your hair’s health and overall appearance.

Incorporating a nourishing scalp mask into your regular haircare routine can help protect your scalp from these potentially damaging stressors and promote healthy hair growth. Try Amino Acid Scalp-Restoring Treatment Mask, which contains a triple amino acid complex and coconut-derived triglycerides. The non-greasy formula helps lock in moisture to hydrate your scalp and reinforces hair at the roots. Apply it to your clean scalp and let the creamy treatment work its magic for five minutes, or leave it on for up to 15 minutes for an ultra-conditioning treatment. Rinse thoroughly with warm (never hot!) water before continuing to the next step.

Step 4:

Comb Conditioner Through Your Lengths

After shampooing (and treating your scalp, if needed), you’ll want to apply a generous amount of conditioner to your hair, focusing on dry, brittle areas prone to breakage. Again, you’ll want to look for a formula made for your specific needs.

Step 5:

Deep Condition With a Weekly Hair Mask

Using products that help strengthen your hair and protect against damage is critical for maintaining healthy-looking long hair.

For anyone with long strands (as well as those trying to grow out their hair), we recommend using Olive Fruit Oil Deeply Repairative Hair Mask at least once a week. This deep-conditioning treatment mask deeply moisturizes and helps strengthen brittle, weak hair to restore your mane’s healthy appearance. When used regularly, it also helps protect against future damage—like that caused by heat-styling or even regular wear-and-tear—to promote stronger, more nourished strands over time.

To use this mask, shampoo, rinse, and towel-dry your hair, then apply a liberal amount of the creamy treatment through your hair from the mid-lengths to ends. Wait at least three minutes (more if your hair is extremely damaged), and rinse well with lukewarm water. Once you’ve finished showering, towel-dry your hair gently by blotting your strands, as rubbing creates unnecessary friction that can lead to breakage.

Step 6:

Smooth In a Styling Treatment

While some can get away with air-drying and limited styling, most people with long hair need a little extra help to keep their strands looking sleek and shiny. That’s why we recommend lightweight styling products for anyone with long hair.

To add moisture and help smooth your lengthy locks, try Creme with Silk Groom. This non-greasy styling cream with jojoba oil moisturizes, conditions, and protects hair. The weightless smoothing formula also adds softness and shine for easily manageable, lustrous-looking hair, no matter what long hairstyle you choose.

Next: How To Choose The Right Conditioner For Your Hair Type