You want super-shiny hair and a mermaid-worthy length? Well, then your are not alone. Long and healthy hair is considered by many as a sign of beauty and youth, but not everyone is lucky enough to have it. The good news is, if you treat it right you can achieve gorgeous looking hair after some time. Here are some easy tips and tricks to grow your hair and make it thicker and fuller naturally:

Avoid blow-drying mistakes

Using the hottest setting on your hair dryer can be damaging to your strands, especially if you're pairing it with another hot tool, like a flat iron. If you want healthy hair, have your hair air-dried or use a lower temperature.

Brush it correctly

Use a natural-bristle brush, it is softer and more flexible, which means less damage to your hair.

Rinse with cold water

After conditioning, rinse your hair with cold water. This helps to seal the cuticle, making it harder for moisture to enter the hair follicle which can cause frizz.

Treat it right when it’s wet

Wet hair is weaker than dry hair, so never dry your hair roughly with a towel, instead, pat it dry, or leave it dry naturally. Plus don’t ever brush it when it's wet. After washing and towel-drying your hair, only use a wide-toothed comb to untangle it if you must.

Apply a mask treatment weekly

Add a repair mask into your weekly routine. Even if you think your hair is relatively healthy, the change of seasons can be hard (Winter cold! Summer sun!). So it’s good to get in the habit of using a mask weekly to make sure you’re giving your hair the moisture it needs.

Ditch your cotton pillowcase

Ninety-nine percent of the population sleeps on a cotton pillowcase, but since cotton absorbs moisture, it can dry out your hair and skin. Buy a silk pillowcase, it will help to keep your hair hydrated.

Use natural hair products

Most commercial conditioners and shampoos (especially the cheaper brands) contain a lot of chemicals which can dry out and damage your hair. Always try and choose products that contain natural ingredients and are sulfate free.

Cut it regularly

The ends of your hair have been styled and colored so many times that they get dry and frizzy quickly. Therefore, cut it more often because if you wait too long between cuts, split ends could split again, which means you'll have to trim away more later on.

Eat a balanced diet

Your diet also has an important part to play in the health of your hair. To help promote hair growth eat foods that contain zinc, vitamins B, C, D, E, and biotin. Also increase your consumption of foods like vegetables or seeds and eat more protein rich food.

Avoid using hot tools

Flat irons can dry out your hair very quickly and make it brittle, which will lead to more hair loss. Therefore avoid using tools that use heat or turn the temperature setting down low.

Don’t shampoo every day

Avoid daily washing. Shampooing your hair every day will also make it brittle and more prone to breakage. Try washing your hair only every third or fourth day, that will allow more of your natural oils to moisturize your hair.