Bouncy, shiny, reality starlet (or Kate Middleton) hair is the stuff of most of our dreams.

But long, swishy hair need not remain a fantasy, ladies. Here are five really easy-to-do tips that will give you longer, stronger locks in no-time:

1. Don't shampoo every time you shower

If you want to grow your hair long – and healthy – you should aim to wash your hair less, not more. Twice a week is ideal, but if you feel like you have to wash it more often, then at least cut back on the shampoo, says experts. As in; wash without shampoo and just use conditioner every other wash.

The purpose of shampoo is to wash away dirt and product buildup, but the problem is that it also takes essential natural oils that keep your hair soft and healthy along with it. When you genuinely need to wash your hair, make sure you use a mild shampoo, and be careful only to lather up at the scalp, and letting the product just gently rinse over the lenghts of your hair.

The shampoo and conditioner from Joico have completely transformed my hair, making it so soft and easy to brush out.

2. Use a hair mask weekly

Once your hair reaches your shoulders and beyond, we are talking hair that is several years old(!), and in need of a little more TLC than just standard conditioner can provide.

For lengths, you need a mask, and preferably one that will really inject some moisture to your hair.

We are loving this one from Kerastase right now. Not only does it leave our hair super-soft, but it also smells divine.

3. Take some hair-boosting supplements

To grow your hair longer and thicker, your body needs a whole slew of nutrients, minerals, and protein too. It might be a cliche, but beauty really does start from within, and if you want good hair, you need to eat a good, balanced diet.

To really give those strands a boost, it might be a good idea to take some supplements designed for this. We are currently loving Imedeen Hair and Nails, which contains both Biotin and Zinc, helping keep both your hair and your nails strong.

4. Rinse with cold water

It might not be the most comfortable way to end your shower, but rinsing your hair with cold water after washing it can make a huge difference in keeping your hair healthy.

This is because cold water lays down the outer layer of hair more smoothly, which in turn helps prevent moisture loss, snags and heat damage. And don't worry, a few seconds of cold water running through your hair is enough, and over time, you will see the difference.

5. Never wrap your hair in a towel again

I was so guilty of this hair faux-pas until I interviewed a hairdresser a while back who told me I needed to stop this right away as it was ruining my hair.

It might seem like the perfect way to dry your hair, but the towel itself, as well as the weight of it when wrapped around your hair causes so much breakage. The hair gets caught in all the fibers, and because we often wrap it tight to get it to stay in place, those fine strands around our face get damaged and will break.

The best thing is to let your hair air dry, but failing that, it would be better to wrap it up in a soft t-shirt, and a microfiber towel.