It’s a question every hairdresser gets asked, and if we’re honest, there’s only one true solution to ditching the splits. But fixing split ends doesn’t just mean getting rid of them. To truly tidy up the tips of your hair, you need a routine that also prevents further hair breakage, while disguising any splits between trims.
Here’s your guide on how to get rid of split
Condition your hair regularly
It’s crucial you apply a hydrating treatment every time you wash your hair. The more nourished your strands are, the more they are protected in the face of aggressors.
Brush your hair from tip to root
Dragging your hairbrush from root to tip doesn’t only put you at risk of hair breakage; it can also split the shaft, leading to a stressed-out, ragged look. The right way to brush your hair sees you start at the tips, gently teasing knots away. Gradually, you can start brushing higher and higher, until you’ve detangled every strand. Try this technique when distributing hair masks evenly too. Apply the treatment to wet hair first, then use a wide-toothed comb to delicately work through knots from the bottom to the top.
Avoid tight ponytails with elastics
The ponytail might be one of the most effortless and easy-to-wear hairstyles around but beware: tight elastic can put stress on fine strands, resulting in splits and breakage. Wear locks loose when you can, and when you can’t, stick to clips or soft, silky scrunchies. Over time, you’ll notice fewer split ends, and that scrunchie will keep your look on-trend, too.
Safeguard your strands from heat
Split ends are a symptom of damage, which means if you shield your hair from harming aggressors, you’ll see less breakage. And one of the key culprits is heat styling, every time. By exposing fragile hair to unseemly temperatures that strip out natural oils, you’re leaving it at risk of splitting and snapping. That’s why it’s important that you always use heat protection, whether you’re blow-drying, straightening, or curling hair.
How to disguise split ends
Apply a styling cream to damp hair
A hydrating styling cream or balm acts like a temporary ‘glue’ to smooth split ends. Apply it to just-washed, damp locks before air-drying or blow-drying, and enjoy a silky glow. If you’re using heated tools, make sure you spritz through your heat protection as a base then smooth just through the mid-lengths and ends, focusing on the most split sections.
Use hair oil to smooth the splits
Once hair is dry, use oil to nourish ends and further disguise pesky splits. This should be used after your tong or straightening iron, so you don’t end up sizzling strands. You only need the tiniest amount to give those tired ends a touch of gloss. Squeeze the hair oil into the palms of your hands, then gently massage it through just-styled locks.
Hair spray
When hair splits, flyaways can happen. They’ll mess up even the most groomed ‘do, but a simple trick with hairspray and your brush or a spoolie will tease them back into place. All you have to do is mist a light hairspray and make sure you do it while the spray is still tacky.
How to get rid of split ends
There’s only one way to really get rid of split ends, and that’s by cutting them off. No matter if they’re inching along or found just through the tips, a thorough trim is needed to restore a tidy shape. When the splits go far up the hair shaft, consider shorter cuts, like a pixie crop or modern bob. The latter can even be worn long if you’re worried about losing too much length.
But if it’s just the ends that need a snip, consider a technique called ‘dusting’. It’s like an invisible cut, which simply targets the splits and takes off as little length as possible. By ‘dusting’ regularly, you can keep on top of split ends as and when they happen, allowing you to keep them at bay while maintaining your chosen style from season to season. Just make sure you book in for that subtle trim every four to six weeks.
