That wonderful (and yet all) moment of glossy, split end–free hair after a haircut is a daydream. But, like all fantasies, this era comes to an end, no matter how hard we try to enjoy it. Split ends are unavoidable no matter how well you care your hair, thanks in part to heat tools, combing, dyeing, and, well, enjoying life.
To be clear, the only solution to really eliminate this hair problem is to clip them off. There are, nevertheless, treatments that can help them so that they are less obvious in between trims. What’s the best part?
You wouldn’t even need to enter a salon. Jesse Montana, a celebrity hair stylist at Mèche Salon in Los Angeles; Alessandra Saman, a professional hairstylist at Mare Salon in Los Angeles; and Melissa Brown, an extension specialist at Mèche Salon and red carpet stylist for E! Entertainment, were asked to share their preferred split end treatment options.
From homemade coconut and fish oil treatments to tried-and-true hairstyles that strategically disguise damage, you’ll find all you need to know about how to heal split ends without a haircut right here.
Continue reading for hair masks you can make using pantry materials, as well as professional advice.
1. Make A Coconut Oil Hydrating Treatment
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard about coconut oil’s beauty advantages (and it won’t be the last). This popular oil is said to be excellent for skin, nails, and even cleaning makeup brushes. It’s no different when it comes to hair.
Coconut oil has a host of advantages, including the treatment of dandruff, difficult hair growth, and dry ends, and it has been shown to prevent protein loss in hair. If you’re wondering how to get rid of split ends, Montana suggests making a homemade coconut oil treatment. While coconut oil will not repair the ends, it will make them seem less ragged and softer. (Plus, the strands will be soaked in hydration.)
Montana suggests starting with properly shampooed and towel-dried hair to receive the greatest benefits from the hair treatment. “Natural oils are quite heavy, so start lightly and add more as needed, staying away from the hair’s roots,” she advises.
Take a scoop of coconut oil (approximately a quarter of a handful) and massage it into your hair from the ends to the mid-shaft. Then, put your hair in a towel or plastic wrap and wait 30 minutes.
Re-enter the shower, rinse, and wash your hair twice. (Montana points out that, while this may seem counterintuitive, home medicines can build up in your hair if you don’t carefully wash them out.) Once every two weeks, repeat.
2. Make Your Own Nourishing Avocado Protein Mask
What is the secret to repairing split ends? Prevention. A nutrient-dense hair treatment that covers strands with everything they need to be healthy may aid in the prevention of split ends. And, while you may have to forego the homemade guacamole for this one, your hair will thank you.
Saman’s recipe includes one avocado, one egg, and a few drops of olive oil. The trio includes fatty acids as well as vitamins E and K, which work together to soften, moisturize, repair, and preserve the hair and its follicles. (It also gets extra marks for being so simple to create.)
To begin, mash the avocado and combine it with the egg. Saman recommends adding olive oil until the viscosity is “a touch thicker than store-bought conditioner.” Apply it to the hair (paying special attention to the ends), leave it on for 10 to 20 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly with warm water.
3. Smoothing Leave-In Conditioner
If you’re not into do-it-yourself methods, a leave-in conditioner can provide moisture while temporarily smoothing the look of split ends. The Living Proof Restore Repair Leave-In is designed particularly for damaged strands and dry ends, and it contains the brand’s unique healthy hair molecule as well as soothing silk proteins. The end result? According to the brand, the hair is silky smooth and free of damage.
4. Apply Oil To Your Ends.
We never overlook the effectiveness of applying natural oil over our torn ends. This has the additional advantage of potentially repairing broken strands while reducing the appearance of split ends between salon appointments. Our choice?
Hydrators sweet almond oil or argan oil, both of which are widely accessible in pure form and are frequently seen on the ingredient lists of famous hair products. When time is of the essence, dab a few drops onto towel-dried ends.
The one caution here is to be cautious of how much product you’re applying—it is, after all, an oil, so start with a tiny quantity and gradually increase as needed.
5. Make A Hair-Repairing Soak With Fish Oil
While fish oil isn’t normally a first option for basic hair care products (there are nicer choices), it can be the answer to healthy hair and restoration for individuals. Fish oil’s high fatty acid content is thought to encourage stronger strands, stimulate scalp circulation, and stimulate hair development.
In a skillet, blend two fish oil capsules, a tablespoon of coconut oil, and a tablespoon of lavender. For five minutes, heat the mixture on low. Pour into a big mixing basin, dip your ends in, and massage the mixture into your hair (avoiding the roots).
Cover your hair in a towel or plastic wrap and soak it for 40 minutes before washing it. Montana writes of this DIY hair treatment, “The natural omega-3 and -6 oils in the fish oil can fix all your split-end troubles.”
6. Use Honey and Olive Oil to Treat
The hydrating combination of honey and olive oil creates a powerful pair for restoring damaged hair. Honey has emollient characteristics and nourishes hair, making it an effective conditioner for dry, split-end-prone hair. 3 Honey is also “excellent for healing a dry scalp and enhancing shine,” according to Brown.
Combine three tablespoons olive oil and two teaspoons raw honey. Apply the solution to shampooed hair and let on for 20 to 30 minutes. To eliminate any residue, rinse it off and then rinse your hair with a clarifying shampoo like Ouidad’s Ready, Set, Clean Scalp + Hair Rinse.
7. Prevent Excessive Scrubbing And Rinsing.
While brushing and washing your hair is essential, overdoing it can increase the damage that leads to split ends. Brushing, washing, and other methods of grooming have been proven in studies to cause structural changes in hair fibers, especially when done when the hair is wet.
Colored and permed strands are more vulnerable to this type of damage. Avoid over-brushing and too many shampooing sessions to fight split ends (our experts advise washing your hair one to three times a week, dependent on your hair and skin condition).
8. Accept Hair Tucks, Top Knots, And Braids.
If you truly want to avoid going to the hairdresser and spending time on a hair mask isn’t an option, style your split ends away with a creative ‘do. Almost any type of updo or bun with your ends hidden would suffice. Alternatively, choose entertaining accessories such as scarves, barrettes, and hats.
Another odd yet on-trend method for concealing split ends is the “hair tuck,” which involves tucking the bottom of your hair under the collar of your shirt or jacket. This looks best with high-neck clothing (such as turtlenecks) or outerwear with a strong, defined collar that helps maintain the hair in place.
However, if you have textured hair, use caution since natural hair may be quite sensitive, and tucking it may cause breaking.
