If heat styling tools, harsh chemicals and desiccating styling products have left your hair looking damaged and fuzzy, you're not alone. We turn to the experts for tips on how to get rid of split ends and recommended products to help manage and mend those damaged strays and return your mane to its former glory.
Image: Imaxtree
Redken
Formulated with biotin, this leave-in treatment fortifies hair from root to tip to prevent damage and breakage. Simply brush on to magically mend the appearance of frazzled strands.
Extreme Length Sealer, $24 at Ulta
Shu Uemura Art of Hair
Restorative agents, such as red micro-algae, moringa extract and anti-inflammatory gentian root extract counteract the delay aggressors that leave our locks looking stressed. Use regularly to restore your dry, damaged mane to its optimal state.
Urban Moisture Hydro-Nourishing Double Serum, $38 at Shu Uemura Art of Hair
Aveda
Enriched with nangai oil from the South Pacific, this intense healing treatment binds frayed ends back together again for a healthy-looking, smooth finish.
Damage Remedy Split End Repair, $32 at Aveda
OUAI
This fortifying restorative mask, formulated with keratin, tamarind seed extract and amino acids, heals damage in minutes, leaving strands incredibly soft and smooth after a single treatment.
Treatment Masque, $32 at Sephora
Rita Hazan
Coloring your hair can wreak havoc on your strands. This reparative complex strengthens strands, mends splays and provides heat protection to prevent color fading and damage.
Triple Threat Split End Remedy, $30 at Nordstrom
IGK
Nutrient-rich coconut water and oil guard against heat and environmental stressors while strengthening and smoothing down overworked strands to provide the proper protective and enhancing foundation for any additional styling products.
Call Time Styling Primer, $27 at Sephora
Oribe
The silky luxe formula’s special polymer blend bonds roughed-up cuticles to prevent further damage from occurring, no matter your hair shade or texture.
Split End Seal, $46 at Oribe
Phyto
The pineapple-based hair cleanser smooths ragged cuticles down for unbelievable softness and shine.
PHYTOLISSE Straightening Shampoo, $24 at Sephora
René Furterer
Perfect for textured hair, this nourishing mane cream penetrates deep into the cortex to repair intercellular damage. Use daily to reduce breakage and maintain a strong strand defense.
Karinga Hydrating Styling Leave-In Cream, $28 at René Furterer
Garnier
This protein filler plugs up the gaps in your hair shaft to make your strands healthier, stronger and sleeker.
Fructis Damage Eraser Split-End Bandage, $4.97 at Walmart
Alterna Haircare
This multitasking 10-in-1 CC leave-in hair cream, boasting caviar extracts, omega fatty acids and antioxidants, delivers superior moisture, shine, smoothness, softness, manageability, strength, anti-breakage and heat protection to even the thickest and unruliest of manes.
Caviar CC Cream Extra Hold, $25 at Sephora
Marie d'Argan
The sulfate-free gentle cleansing formula with honey, hydrolyzed wheat protein and nigella sativa oil delivers intense moisturization to the distressed tresses, which strengthens follicles, repairs split ends and calms frizz.
Revitalizing Shampoo With Honey, $22 at Marie d'Argan
TRESemmé
Infused with macadamia oil, wheat proteins and avocado oil, this lightweight conditioning treatment
nourishes weak and damaged cuticles, restoring smoothness and strength.
Botanique Damage Recovery Conditioner, $
4.99 at Target
Pantene
Pantene recently updated its best-selling formula with histidine, a powerful antioxidant that can penetrate your hair fiber’s core and smooth out those micro cracks.
Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Hydrating Conditioner, $4.49 at Walgreens
Davines
This antioxidant-rich formulation deeply nourishes damaged hair for a silky-soft feel, without weighing it down.
Your Hair Assistant Prep Rich Balm, $40 at Davines
John Frieda
This pre-shower treatment bonds to strands to tame frizz, flyaways and frays for up to 10 days.
Frizz Ease 10 Day Tamer Pre-Shower Treatment, $11.97 at Walmart
Living Proof
This magical mane concoction is like hair glue in a tube. Its patented technology uses ionic charges to seal and mend individual split ends for an overall polished and fresh look.
Perfect Hair Day Fresh Cut Split End Mender, $24 at Sephora
Fekkai
Fortified with argan oil extract, this heavenly-scented mist reduces frizz and repairs damaged hair shafts, rendering your mane soft and supple — all while providing a dose of shine and heat protection.
PrX Reparatives Instant Repair Leave In Conditioner Spray, $20 at Fekkai
SheaMoisture
Omega-rich Peruvian sacha inchi oil, quinoa, rose of Jericho extract and shea butter provide ultra healing reparative benefits to distressed strands.
Sacha Inchi Oil Omega 3, 6, 9 Rescue + Repair Hair Masque, $12.99 at Ulta
Marula
The high concentration of oleic acid naturally found in marula oil allows this gentle, ultra moisturizing hair cleanser to transform and revive weak, damaged locks.
Intensive Repair Shampoo, $28 at Sephora
Pacifica
Undo the damage with this supercharged reparative mask that tames stressed locks while imparting luminous shine and moisture.
Coconut Super Power Deep Conditioning Damage Control Mask, $16 at Ulta
Keranique
This concentrated hair treatment works while you sleep to help replenish and resuscitate decimated strands.
Intensive Overnight Hair Repair Serum, $48 at Ulta
Alba Botanica
Keratin, argan oil, capuaçu and cocoa butter hydrate and restructure the hair shaft, helping resolve your everyday hair drama of splits and breakage.
Hawaiian Deep Conditioning Minute Mask Real Repair Cocoa Butter, $8.59 at Walmart
Many of us have experienced it, but few of us maintain it. We’re talking about gorgeous, glossy, healthy hair — the province of supermodels, goddesses and naturally beautiful, low-maintenance bohemian types. But because of rough handling, high heat from blowdryers and hot tools, harsh chemical processes and desiccating styling products, many of us high-maintenance gals ruin our mane glory. Daily external stress factors, such as those already cited, erode the protective outer layer of our hair, exposing the internal structure of the hair cuticle. When that happens, strands became fragile, dehydrated and damaged, making them susceptible to split ends.
To help us recapture our former hair splendor and keep split ends to a minimum, we asked a few of our favorite stylists for expert advice on how to get rid of split ends. Read on for preventative and easy tips on how to keep your strands luscious and in great condition.
Detangle Hair Before Washing
“Wet hair is more elastic and breaks from much less stress than when it’s dry,” says Taylor Brock, stylist at Butterfly Studio Salon. He recommends detangling hair before it’s wet with a natural bristle brush or a rubber wide-tooth comb. Start slowly from the ends, working your way up gently to the roots. And if you must detangle your hair while wet, do so with conditioner in your hair. The conditioner will allow the brush or comb to glide more easily through any snags or snarls.
Be Mindful of Your Diet
Your health affects your hair. A low-fat, low-protein diet will result in weak, dull locks. “Protein is key for hair repair,” says Brock. “It strengthens hair.” Incorporate good fats, like olive oil and avocado, lean protein, fruit, vegetables and iron-rich foods for a strong, healthy mane.
Avoid Harmful Ingredients
“You want to start with the right products for your hair type. Avoid any products with sulfates or parabens, which can dry hair, irritate the scalp and fade color,” advises Aaron Grenia, co-founder of IGK Hair.
Hydrate Thirsty Damaged Strands
Frazzled strands often require nourishing condition treatments to help them look healthy. “Using a deep moisturizing treatment at least once a week will help smooth down split ends and keep new ones at bay,” says Jennifer Matos, stylist at New York City’s Rita Hazan Salon. “After using a hydrating shampoo and conditioner, be sure to use a leave-in treatment, like Rita Hazan Triple Threat Split End Remedy, to help protect and lock in moisture on your ends.”
Treat Your Hair with TLC
The more you rough-handle your hair, the more chances for breakage and splits. Opt for low-maintenance styles that require little manipulation. Also, use only covered nylon elastics to tie your hair into a ponytail. They don’t get tangled or pull out strands like uncovered rubber ones.
Take a Break From Heat Styling
Using high heat can take a toll on strands, especially if they are over-stressed and weak. “Take a break from heat styling at least once a week and let your hair air-dry,” says Grenia. While hair is damp, he suggests using IGK Rich Kid Coconut Oil Gel, a coconut oil-infused creamy gel, to soften and hydrate parched hair.
But When You Do, Use a Heat Protectant Spray
When used too often and improperly, heat tools can burn hair, causing splits and frazzled ends. To keep damage to a minimum, monitor the temperature and always use a heat-protecting product. Brock likes using a leave-in like any of the Thermiques by Kérastase after towel drying. He then uses a reconstructive serum like Kérastase Résistance Fibre Architecte on dry hair before curling or flat ironing to get hair smoother and softer.
Try a Keratin Treatment
Brock recommends considering a safe keratin smoothing treatment, such as Cezanne Perfect Finish, for long-lasting results. This quick fix is a perfect means for taming the frizzies and the flyaways. Because hair requires less manipulation, it reduces stress on your tresses and minimizes any further damage.
Dust Hair Periodically
If you don’t snip off the damaged ends, eventually the splits will travel up the hair shaft causing much more damage — resulting in you getting a bigger chop later on. Dusting is the process where you lightly trim away the splits while still retaining hair length. Take a small section of your hair, twist it into two strands and with a sharp pair of professional hair scissors, clip away the frays that stick out. Repeat the process until you’ve completed your whole head. And voilà, now you are truly split end free and you haven’t lost any hair length.
Seal Splits with a Repairing Treatment
Though the only way to permanently get rid of split ends is to trim them away, split end repair treatments can (temporarily) fuse the frayed ends back together again so they’re less noticeable. “A favorite is Oribe Split End Seal. It’s clinically proven and the name says it all. Application couldn’t be easier; just add one to two pumps into your routine on wet or dry hair to help mend and strengthen fragile ends,” enthuses Brock. “Shu Uemura Essence Absolue Nourishing Protective Oil or, for thicker, coarser textures, Shu Uemura’s Essence Absolue Oil-In-Cream are always go-tos for hair health. They’re great for repairing and ‘hiding’ split ends.” For naturalists, Brock suggests using a small amount of organic coconut oil as an alternative reparative treatment.
The post How to Get Rid of Split Ends — Without Getting a Haircut appeared first on theFashionSpot.