More than just ditching haircuts altogether, growing out your hair is no easy feat. It takes regular visits to your stylist, and some awesome products, not to mention the time and patience to get your hair where it's longing to be.

Bypassing the in-between lengths, the impatient cuts on a whim, dry, scraggly ends to flowing long hair and belly-button length braids is an achievement. Long hair can be your best feature, it's relatively low-maintenance and has a presence that demands attention if you want it to. But let it go and you're dealing with lifeless lengths, ratty ends and a dull colour that belongs wrapped up in a top knot.

Put the scissors away and take back control, here are 9 tips to keep your long hair hydrated, glossy and healthy.

Long hair tends to mean you can push wash days out - once or twice a week will suffice. It's pretty low maintenance in that regard. However, it can be on the drier side.

Choose a shampoo that cleanses without stripping your hair of its natural oils. Follow up with a nourishing conditioner that matches your hair type; if your hair is dry or curly, opt for a rich, hydrating regimen. For fine hair, a lightweight, volumizing conditioner is ideal. Long hair will drink up a moisture mask every other week too.

For a quick refresh, pick up a dry shampoo to soak up excess oils and push wash day out one more sleep if you need to.

Even if it's just a tiny sweep of your ends, regular trims should be an automatic repeated event in your Google Cal - even (especially) if you're growing your hair out. Lock in those trims every 8-12 weeks, they are crucial to prevent split ends and breakage. This helps keep your hair looking healthy and avoids the need for more drastic cuts later on.

Long hair can easily become tangled, especially if it’s curly or wavy - IYKYK. Gently detangle your hair starting from the ends and work your way up to the roots. Use a detangling spray with a wide-tooth comb or a brush designed for detangling to untangle knots while minimising breakage.

Brush your hair out before you get in the shower, this will help when it comes to washing and rinsing - and minimise the amount of hair fall down the drain/ on the walls. Dry your hair with a microfiber towel such as an Iles Formula Hair Turban, to reduce friction, frizz and damage

Feeling a bit ratty? Long hair needs extra moisture to stay soft and manageable. Use a leave-in conditioner and hair oil to keep it hydrated. Before using heat styling tools, always apply a heat protectant spray or serum to prevent damage.

By now we are aware that a healthy scalp is essential for creating optimum conditions for healthy hair and growth. Regular scalp massages can improve circulation, promoting hair growth. Use a scalp scrub or exfoliating shampoo once every couple of weeks to remove buildup and keep your scalp squeaky clean. It's an everything shower moment.

Save yourself from getting wrapped up in hair while you get your beauty sleep, hold out on pesky split ends and don't even think about breakage; protect your hair while you sleep. Avoid sleeping with your hair down, as it can lead to major tangles and breakage. Instead, loosely braid your hair, wear it in a chic Gloria silk scrunchie or use a silk pillowcase to reduce friction and prevent damage. Same goes if you're hitting the gym!

Healthy hair starts from within. Make sure your diet is rich in vitamins and minerals essential for hair health, such as biotin, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids. Staying hydrated is also crucial for maintaining the moisture balance in your hair.

To avoid those washed-out-looking ends, which are way longer than everyone else's let's be honest, invest in a colour treatment shampoo or mask to breathe a bit of life into your hair. A pigmented shampoo helps to refresh and revive your hair colour in between salon appointments; from neutralizing brassy blonde or revitalizing a cool luminous brown to enhancing copper tones, a pigmented product will transform and refresh dull-looking lengths.

Might be obvious but the longer your hair is, the older it is. For this reason, working in anti-ageing products to care for dry, damaged, and even split ends is essential to keep your length.

Rejuvenating products like YOUNG.AGAIN are designed just for this. With restorative Immortelle and Baobab Oils, hair is left softer, hydrated, and more resilient against dryness, damage, and breakage.