I’ve always adored my short bob haircut, a style I’ve been rocking for over eight years. Whether it’s been shorter or longer, I’ve kept it side-parted with layers for movement and light blonde highlights to add volume to my thin hair. My love for the bob even led me to write a few blog posts about it, like “The Chicest Bob Hairstyles Spotted at Paris FW24 Street Style” and “7 French Bob Haircuts That Make Short Hair Look So Chic.”
But now, it’s time for a change! Inspired by the Chloé Pre-Fall 2024 collection and Chloé Lecareux’s hair in the featured photo of this post, I’ve decided to grow my hair out to armpit or bra-strap length. The long, wavy, natural hair gives off such an effortless, chic 70s vibe, and that’s exactly what I’m going for.
To get there, I’ve completely overhauled my hair care routine. I’m now using specific brushes, supplements, and products designed to promote healthy hair growth. Luckily, my hair grows pretty fast. Since my last cut in early April, when my bob was at jawline length, it’s already grown to neck length—more than 5 centimeters in just three months! I figure it’ll take about a year and a half to reach my goal.
The challenge, though, is that my hair is quite thin and tends to look flat and lifeless when it gets long. That’s why I’ve incorporated products, tools, and supplements into my hair care routine to boost my hair’s density and achieve that beautiful, thick, shiny mane.
If you’re also looking to grow your hair or just want to recreate the perfect French hair care routine, you’re in the right place! In today’s post, I’ll share my tips, secrets, and the best products I’ve tried and tested for stronger, healthier hair. I promise, only the crème de la crème will be featured here :)!
This post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own. I only feature products I truly love and personally select. If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Merci!
1. Collagen & Supplements
Before taking anything or adding supplements to your diet, I can’t stress enough that the number one secret for healthier hair, nails, and skin is maintaining a healthy and balanced diet based on real, whole foods. Foods rich in iron, zinc (like oysters, clams, beans, and eggs), vitamin C (bell peppers and dark, leafy greens), B vitamins, and omega-3 (hemp seeds and wild salmon) are particularly great for stronger and longer hair.
In addition to a healthy diet, you might want to try collagen drinks and food supplements. Biotin is a go-to for hair supplements. I recently bought Aime’s Hair & Scalp Boost supplement, which is packed with biotin, probiotics, folic acid, and rice proteins—just perfect for healthy hair! I also ordered Aime’s Collagen Discovery Set to find out which collagen flavor I’ll stick with in the coming months (spoiler alert: my favorites are Cacao Glow and Mocha Glow), as collagen can really boost the quality of skin, hair, and nails.
2. Tools & Brushes
Four years ago, I splurged on what my hairdresser calls the “Rolls-Royce of brushes”: the Mason Pearson Handy Bristle Hair Brush (for medium-length and fine hair). It’s been one of the best investments I’ve ever made! I’ve seen a huge difference in my hair: way less breakage during detangling and brushing, and my hair is now shiny and super soft. The premium-grade boar bristles give a gentle and pleasant scalp exfoliation while also stimulating circulation to the hair follicles.
Recently, I discovered a similar French brand that offers boar bristle brushes: La Bonne Brosse. They are a bit more affordable than Mason Pearson. I have the gorgeous Bonne Brosse N.01 Universal Hair Care Brush on my wishlist! Each brush is carefully crafted in France, following centuries-old artisanal traditions.
3. Shampoos & Conditioners
Cleansing is the foundation of any hair-care routine, and for me, it starts even before I step into the shower. I love applying L’Huile de Leonor Greyl to my lengths and ends for at least 10 minutes as a pre-shampoo treatment. This oil, made with organic jojoba, coconut, sunflower seed, and sesame seed oils, smells absolutely divine! I do this once a week, and it’s amazing for my hair because it leaves a light film that keeps the shampoo from stripping away moisture.
Then, I use Leonor Greyl Bain Volumateur aux Algues. I’m in love with this shampoo! It’s not your typical shampoo since it doesn’t lather much, which might be surprising at first, but it works wonders. After using it, my hair feels denser, with more volume at the roots, and stays cleaner for several days, allowing me to wash it less often. The best part is that it detangles my hair, so I don’t need a conditioner :).
On days when I’m not doing a pre-shampoo treatment, I cleanse my hair with Leonor Greyl’s Shampooing au Miel, a super gentle volumizing shampoo that can be used daily if needed. Then, I apply a small amount of Leonor Greyl’s Masque Fleurs de Jasmin just on the lengths. This nourishing hair mask is perfect for dry, thin, or limp hair, and the jasmine scent is sublime! I use this hair mask as a conditioner for my hair.
4. Treatments for Blond Hair
Twice a year, I treat myself to very light blond highlights at my hairdresser. Because of this, my lengths and ends tend to get dry and a bit damaged. To keep my blond looking beautiful and my hair strong, I use two products once a week: a purple shampoo that instantly neutralizes brassy undertones (I love Kérastase Blond Absolu Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo) and a purple hair mask to strengthen and soften hair damaged from lightening treatments. My go-to favorites are the Kérastase Blond Absolu Strengthening Hair Mask and Christophe Robin’s Baby Blonde Mask. Purple shampoos and masks are fantastic, not just for lightened hair but also for cool blonde, bleached, or even gray hair :).
5. Hair Styling Products
I towel dry my hair, leaving it still pretty damp, and then I apply Leonor Greyl’s Condition Naturelle, a heat-protective styling spray for thin hair. If you’re looking for an alternative, I also recommend Christophe Robin’s Instant Volumizing Mist with Rosewater—it’s fantastic for adding volume and shine. I love both these products because they give my thin hair a bit more density without being sticky or greasy. I apply them mainly to the roots and a bit on the lengths.
After that, I either let my hair air dry while I sleep or blow dry it by flipping my head upside down and giving it a rough dry from underneath. This step is essential for achieving incredible hair volume! When my hair gets longer, I plan to invest in Dyson’s Airwrap (which has been on my wishlist for years) to style it properly.
Et voilà! I hope you enjoy reading this blog post and feel inspired to take better care of your hair :)! If you have any questions or product recommendations, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below. Merci!
