Split ends getting in the way of achieving the long, luscious lengths you've always wanted? We feel you.

Unless you're JLo, most of us have them, and thanks to daily heat styling, the way we towel dry our hair after a shower and even what we sleep on at night, our once healthy-looking lengths tend to resemble a fluffy, unkempt mess.

So, in a bid to get rid of the split ends for good, we enlisted help from the experts, because who doesn't want hair worthy of a shampoo ad?

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Matteo Scarpellini

Everything You Need To Know About Getting Rid Of Split Ends

What are split ends?

'Split ends are a result of the fraying or separating of the hair strand into two or more fragments,' says Sam Burnett, Owner and Creative Director of Hare & Bone.

'This is down to damage caused by excessive stress on the follicle, usually chemical (colouring or perms) or mechanical (e.g. styling tools).'

Even though the only way to completely get rid of split ends is by snipping them off, there are heaps of things you can do to prevent them from cropping up in the first place and to stop them from climbing further - because that's not cool.

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Rosdiana Ciaravolo//Getty Images

What causes split ends?

Unfortunately for our ends, a whole host of things can cause split ends. 'Split ends are caused by a number of factors,' says Trichologist Stephanie Sey on behalf of Nizoral Dandruff Shampoo. They include:

  • Mechanical damage such as brushing excessively, drying the hair too roughly, allowing your hair to rub against rough fabrics.
  • Colouring
  • Chemical treatments perms and relaxers (especially when not done correctly)
  • Heat - in the form of straighteners and blow dryers

'All these things damage the cuticle on the hair shaft as you lose more cuticle layers the hair becomes weak, splits and frays,' explains Sey.

how to get rid of split ends
Alessandro Lucioni

How To Get Rid Of Split Ends

1. Re-think the way you towel dry your hair

Your hair is actually most vulnerable during the drying process, so the way you treat it after a shower will make a huge difference to the amount of split ends you have to deal with.

And even though it's tempting when you're in a rush before work, don't do this:

'Rubbing your hair dry with a towel will only promote more breakage,' says Sam, and the last thing you want is for those splits to travel upwards.

'Instead, apply pressure by gently squeezing the excess water out of the hair using a towel. Aquis have a great quick-drying range.'

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Aquis Lisse Luxe Towel Turban Desert Rose Look Fantasticpinterest

This may look unassuming, but we found found that it reduced frizzy bits by half and absorbed water twice as fast as our usual towel, which meant we didn't have to spend long under the hairdryer. Genius.

2. Re-assess your blow-drying technique

We're all guilty of blasting sopping wet hair with a hairdryer, especially in the winter months, but if you're serious about preventing split ends, it really pays to allow your hair to air dry as much as possible before letting loose with the dryer.

'Anywhere from 60% - 90% dry is ideal,' says Sam, 'as the longer you leave your hair exposed to heat, the more damage is likely to occur.'

Even better? Miss the ends out completely.

'Invest in a quality heat protectant (we love the Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Protective Primer, £24) and avoid placing heat directly on to the ends of the hair,' continues Sam. 'Focus more on the roots and mid lengths - leave the ends to dry from the secondary heat and always keep the nozzle moving constantly for an even distribution of heat. Also try your best to dry on a cold air setting.'

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WWD/REX/Shutterstock

This is something Steve Robinson, Art Director at Electric Hair Group seconds.

'Never touch the nozzle to the hair directly,' he says. 'Even rough drying hair means applying heat (yep, it's really not that much better) so if you really want to protect it, just use your hairdryer to create shape and to smooth the cuticles. Position it just above the hair and brush.'

10 Of The Best Hairdryers For All Hair Types
Best hairdryer
On Sale
Supersonic Hair Dryer
Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
Now 17% Off
£333 at Amazon£330 at John Lewis£330 at Argos

This high-tech tool is the Bugatti of hairdryers, largely responsible for the technology boom we've seen in recent years.

So innovative, other brands are still racing to catch up, the Supersonic uses a brushless motor, which allows for a slimmer, more easy-to-wield handle and less noise without compromise to power.

On top of the major airflow on the cards here, range of attachments is sure to please. The unusual-looking 'flyaway' attachment works especially well to smooth fluff-prone hair, while the volumising tool delivers the bounce of a professional blow-dry, no matter your skill level.

Best hairdryer for smoothing
Air Hairdryer

GHD claims its original model is twice as fast as your average hairdryer, and we do admit, it's a powerful proposition. The heat and speed buttons are intuitively placed, so you can style and set with little faff, while the concentrator works well to smooth frizzy strands and style fringes.

Best hairdryer for fragile hair
On Sale
Halo

Dubbed 'the Tesla of hairdryers', we were excited to see if this futuristic bit of tech was worth the hype. Remarkably, the Zuvi Halo uses infrared light to wick water away from the surface of your hair without using heat or harsh airflow. By stopping the inner cortex of each strand from becoming hot, the hair's integrity is left intact, and you'll soon see swishier, healthier, shinier tresses.

It's a big promise – so, does it work? While we were admittedly sceptical here, one particularly thick-haired ELLE team member is happy to report that it truly delivers. Now, don't expect a super-speed blow-dry, or a tonne of styling potential, but if you have delicate or bleached hair and you simply want to dry it without damage, this is a game-changer.

Best compact hairdryer
The Great Hairdryer
Hersheson's The Great Hairdryer

If you happen to be a Hersheson's client, you'll already be well aware of just how brilliant this hairdryer is.

And if you're not? Well, it really needs to be experienced to be believed. Featuring a brushless motor, it weighs about the same as your iPhone and is around a third of the size of a traditional hairdryer. It's quiet too: so much so, you can feasibly use it on early Monday mornings without waking up your partner.

So far, so appealing – but surely this means less power? Actually, no: thanks to the next-gen motor, this is a shockingly powerful option, making light work of even the longest-thickest hair. With a wide nozzle, smaller nozzle and a large diffuser included, everyone is catered for, too.

Best wet to dry styler
Duet Style 2-in-1 Hot Air Styler
ghd Duet Style 2-in-1 Hot Air Styler

If you're old enough, you may remember a fad phase in the '90s when the whole 'wet to dry' thing turned luscious locks into frazzled lengths — nobody had managed to perfect the tech. Now, nearly 30 years later and after nine years of rigorous research, ghd has developed a dual-use product that looks like it's here to stay.

The Duet uses a concentrated airflow, framed by four low-temperature ceramic straightening plates to dry hair into a smooth, straight style in one fell swoop. Impressively, the brand's testing revealed absolutely not thermal-related damage to the hair after 100 uses, with each use involving four passes through the device.

The clear benefit here is the frizz control: if you've got fine-to-medium thickness hair, you can expect a perfectly sleek and straight style that lasts all day. Thicker hair types may still want a little finishing with a pair of straighteners – but thoughtfully, a flick of a switch converts the Duet to do just that.

Best value hairdryer
On Sale
2100W Hydro-Fusion Dryer
BaByliss 2100W Hydro-Fusion Dryer
Now 41% Off
Credit: BaByliss

A go-to for those days when you snooze your morning alarm, this small-but-mighty hairdryer makes light work of speedy styling.

Granted, it's not the most luxe bit of kit in our list, but if you're simply after a one-and-done device to take you from wet to dry, this one is a surprisingly effective, extremely affordable option.

Best hairdryer for shine
The Airshot Pro Hairdryer
Cloud Nine The Airshot Pro Hairdryer

We all want our hair to look noticeably better after styling, but some heat tools can leave strands looking parched and bone dry. Instead of slathering on half a bottle of silicone-rich serum, consider switching your hairdryer instead.

Designed with styling addicts in mind, Cloud Nine's techy-looking Airshot is so powerful, you can feasibly use it on the coolest setting and still achieve that bouncy blow-dry that will have people thinking you've been to the salon.

Best travel hairdryer
Fit Compact Hair Dryer
T3 Fit Compact Hair Dryer
Now 25% Off

As compact as your make-up bag, this mini powerhouse from the ever-reliable T3 is perfect for long weekends and trips abroad. It might be tiny, but it'll work so much better than that vintage model you'll inevitably find in your hotel.

Best hairdryer for frizz and flyaways
Helios Professional Hair Dryer
ghd Helios Professional Hair Dryer
Now 19% Off

This is the second ghd dryer to make our list, proving that the brand really knows its styling tools. This recent launch is designed for those who struggle with split ends, with a high-powered concentrated nozzle that claims to smooth the hair cuticle to give you your sleekest blow dry in half the time.

3. Turn down your straighteners

You'd be forgiven for whacking your hair straighteners or tongs up to the highest setting, especially if your hair is super-thick, or you're in a hurry. But what if we were to tell you that your hair won't straighten any faster or better?

Yep, really.

'It's a huge myth that the hotter the tool, the better and longer lasting your blow-dry or curl,' says Electric Hair's Steve. 'Hair reaches optimum mouldability at 180 degrees, so anything higher is overheating and damaging the hair.'

The worst part, though? A high temperature is zapping your hair of the one thing that contributes to shine, strength, softness and manageability - keratin.

'Healthy hair contains keratin, which dissipates once heated over 200 degrees,' says Steve, 'so, any hair tool over 180 degrees will de-keratinise the hair.'

how to get rid of split ends
LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT

So what tools do the stylists swear by?

'My go-to is the ghd Platinum + Stylers, £189,' says Sam. 'They use ultra-zone predictive technology that harnesses a safer heat, making the hair healthier and shinier. The T3 SinglePass Luxe Straighteners, £145 also have an internal microchip technology which regulates and maintains even temperature so that hair isn't exposed to any unnecessary heat.'

And ditch the idea that straightening at a low temperature is being 'kind' to you hair - it really isn't.

According to Jo Robertson, Head of Education at ghd, any temperature lower than 180 degrees can be just as damaging, because it takes many more passes of the tool to achieve a good result and this is super-drying on the hair, resulting in a tonne more split ends.

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Matteo Valle

4. Bin your brush

It might not feel like it, but hair is much more flexible and prone to damage when wet. Your trusty paddle brush? It could be doing more harm than good.

'It's always good to start with a wide tooth comb,' says Steve. 'You don't need to add pressure or brush vigorously, especially if you start at the bottom of your hair and work your way up, otherwise, you're just dragging the knots.'

Makes sense, right? And you should really be taking your time at this stage to prevent causing any damage.

'There's no harm in splitting your hair into sections to brush it,' adds Steve.

ELLE Recommends...

- ghd Detangling Comb - £8.50 SHOP NOW

ghd detangling comb
.

This is brilliant at teasing out knots and curls without snagging. Like most straighteners, it boasts ceramic technology to keep frizz on lockdown, even when you pull it through dry hair.

5. Beef up your hair-care routine

You can't repair split ends permanently, but there are some amazing products out there that have the ability to make them much less obvious. Smooth, sleek hair? Yes please.

'Damaged split ends crave moisture,' says Sam. 'My favourite product for taming them is the KMS California Smoothing Reconstructor Mask.'

15 Best Hair Masks For Shinier, Stronger Strands
Best Hair Mask For...A Fine Fragrance
Deeper Love Treatment Mask
Hair By Sam McKnight Deeper Love Treatment Mask

There is no-one better placed to create a haircare line than Sam McKnight. Throughout his incomparable career, he has worked on hair of every texture, colour and condition, and it's safe to say he knows exactly what works.

Now, McKnight has finally expanded his eponymous range to include shampoos, conditioners and styling products. The first thing to try? This lightweight yet deeply hydrating mask, which is best used before a big night out: expect shinier hair, less frizz, and a ridiculously delicious green scent (formulated by perfumer Lyn Harris, no less).

Best Hair Mask For...Heat Damaged Hair
Acidic Bonding Concentrate Leave-in Treatment
Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Leave-in Treatment

Another leave-in hair mask we love is this under-the-radar Redken tube. It's based around citric acid, which is a bit of a hero for hair that needs major rehab, working to remove product build-up from the fibre while simultaneously wrapping each strand in moisture. If you're starting to see ends snap off due to colouring or straightening, get this one in your bag immediately.

Best Hair Mask For...Thick, Frizzy Hair
OI Absolute Beautifying Hair Butter
Davines OI Absolute Beautifying Hair Butter

Truth be told, we’d recommend any and every Davines hair mask, but for thick and coarse strands, it has to be the inexplicably named OI Hair Butter. It’s loaded with Amazonian roucou oil and really softens straggly strands, imparting major shine in the process. Leave it on for ten minutes, or let it linger overnight for the deepest of treatments.

Best Hair Mask For...All Hair Types
On Sale
The Future Youth Treatment Mask
Arkive The Future Youth Treatment Mask
Now 33% Off

Leading stylist Adam Reed is a true Fragrance Head, so when we heard he was to launch his own line, we expected an aromatic treat. And boy were we right: this sensorial wonder imparts notes of fresh flowers and sticky rhubarb with every hair swish.

That's not all: of course, it works wonders on turning around dry, lacklustre lengths too. With shea butter, coconut oil and baobab oil, it's a recipe for seriously glossy strands.

Best Hair Mask...For Coils And Kinks
Hair-Mask: Creamy Deep Conditioner
Bread Beauty Supply Hair-Mask: Creamy Deep Conditioner

Finally breathing some much-needed life into the textured hair market is Bread Beauty Supply: the name to know if you're looking to make the most of your curls, coils or kinks. This pearly, lemon-scented conditioner delivers incredible slip to textured hair and ensures curls bounce into shape with serious shine. Trust us, try it.

Best Hair Mask For...Total Luxury
Gold Lust Transformative Masque
Oribe Gold Lust Transformative Masque

Yes, this one costs as much as a big night out, but it's worth every penny. The extra-rich, mega-moisturising formula envelops hair in moisture, resulting in bigger, bouncier blow-dries with an unbelievably glossy shine. The scent is expensive - think Champagne-o-clock in St. Tropez – and the experience truly indulgent. You deserve a treat...

Best Hair Mask For...A Vegan Beauty Routine
Reincarnation Mask

This handy tube is filled with a blend of wheat protein, sunflower seed oil and lactic acid, which work together to repair damage from, you guessed it, bleach, all while keeping dye and highlights in tip top shape. Promising ultra-glossy tresses in a little as 20 minutes, this is our new Sunday night ritual.

Best Hair Mask For...Breakage
Restorative Hair Mask
Act + Acre Restorative Hair Mask

Act + Acre's trichologist-formulated products are ideal for delicate, breakable hair that needs treating extra nicely. The brand's hair mask contains a little protein alongside a lot of moisture, so it a great one for repairing moderately damaged hair. It's fairly rich, so ideal for thicker hair, and comes in the most genius waste-reducing aluminium packaging.

Best Hair Mask For...Bleached Hair
No.8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask
Olaplex No.8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask

It's no secret we love the original Olaplex bond-repair treatment, but we admit hopping in and out of the shower to use it is a bit of a faff. Lazy girls, listen up: this mask delivers all of the benefits of the famed original with none of the effort. Simply slick it on after your shampoo, wash your face, and enjoy your sleeker, stronger lengths.

Best Hair Mask For...A Leave-In Treatment
Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask
K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask

K18's Tiktok-famous mask might be spendy, but the benefits go far beyond a basic moisture injection. It's powered by peptides, which sink into the hair shaft to help repair the keratin bonds that become broken as a result of chemical or physical stress: think straightening, bleaching, or even rough detangling. Even better: this one's a leave-in mask, so you can slather it on and get on with your day.

Best Hair Mask For...Multitasking
Almost Everything Cream
Hersheson's Almost Everything Cream

It's always a good sign when a product has been formulated by a seasoned stylist, and Luke Hershesons' multi-tasking Almost Everything Cream is one of the best.

This humectant and emollient-rich cream can truly be used in any way you choose: smooth it over split ends, use it to slick down flyaways, or apply it as a lightweight, static-reducing mask before a big night out.

Best Hair Mask For...Coloured Hair
Color Beautifying Hair Care Mask
Sisley Color Beautifying Hair Care Mask

Sisley's indulgent hair line never fails to impress, and the brand's latest launch is perfect for hair that looks dull and lacks shine.

The formula has a precise acidic pH that helps to seal the cuticle of each strand, locking in your colour pigments and ensuring a smooth, light-reflecting surface. Ceramides and rich plant oils add plenty of moisture, ensuring even the fluffiest of hair dries smoothly – so much so, you'll likely forget all about the hair straighteners.

Best Hair Mask For...A Protein Treatment
Restorative Treatment Mask
Virtue Restorative Treatment Mask
Now 25% Off

Cult line Virtue takes things one step further than most haircare brands. Central to the line is the brand's patented Alpha Keratin 60ku, which has the exact molecular structure as the keratin protein in our hair.

This means the formula can seek out strands in need of help and sink in seamlessly to repair from within. For hair that's recently been coloured, this is the investment to make.

Best Hair Mask For...Textured Hair
Deep Conditioner
Dizziak Deep Conditioner

This extra-thick deep conditioner is particularly great for curly or Afro hair types, with power ingredients like quinoa protein and coconut to revive crunchy curls. It was formulated by an ex beauty editor who couldn't find anything good enough for her own coily hair, so expect great things.

Best Hair Mask For...Thick, Dry Hair
Hinoki Hair Mask

Yes, London's favourite fragrance house also makes some pretty great hair and body heroes. This moisture mask is as thick as they come and makes even the most parched of ends feel impressively soft. It rinses away with ease, but the scent thankfully lingers: a woody, heady incense blend that's every bit as good as the famous Santal 33.

Best Hair Mask For...Fighting Frizz
Fable & Mane HoliRoots Repairing Hair Mask
Fable & Mane Fable & Mane HoliRoots Repairing Hair Mask

Fable & Mane's philosophy is to introduce Indian hair rituals into Western beauty practices – and if you're new to the brand, this hair mask is a great place to start. It smooths cuticles to combat frizz, breakage and stressed strands, with soothing fragrance notes of coconut and banana to keep you smelling sweet.

6. Book in for a keratin treatment

Keratin treatments are totally worthy of their game-changer status and are especially amazing if you suffer with fuzzy, parched split ends - not a good look.

So, how do they work? Well, they harness a large dose of proteins (mainly keratin), which, when blow-dried into the hair, smooths and reinforces the fragile strands that would usually be prone to fraying. It also lends a mirror-like shine and cuts styling time in half.

'Kerasilk by Goldwell works just like Polyfilla,' says Steve. 'Where keratin is missing, more is added to pack out the hair shaft and then it is locked in with heat. It lasts for a good few months.'

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7. Switch up your shampoo and conditioner

While there are no magic shampoos or conditioners that will get rid of split ends, choosing something filled to bursting with moisturising ingredients can help disguise them.

They also work to strengthen and protect strands against other factors that contribute to them, such as colouring.

ELLE Recommends...

- Moroccanoil Moisture Repair Shampoo and Conditioner Duo - £41.25 SHOP NOW

Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo and Conditionerpinterest

    It may be packed with nourishing ingredients, but it doesn't weigh hair down, promise. It has the knack of making dry ends spring back to life and really nurtures colour.

    Dyeing your hair for the first time and worried about damage? Here's everything you need to know.

    8. Think about getting a silk pillowcase

    Amazing hair is totally an excuse to be extra, but it pays to be savvy.

    'A silk pillowcase won't cure split ends but it's more of a luxury preventative measure,' says Steve, 'as is tying your hair in a loose ponytail while you sleep.'

    ELLE Recommends...

    - SLIP Embroidered Silk Queen Pillowcase - £85 SHOP NOW

    Crafted from mulberry silk, this really works to banish the matted, knotty and tangled bedhead look come AM. It'll make your bed look seriously chic, too.

    - SILKE Hair Wrap The Kate - £50 SHOP NOW

    SILKE Hair Wrappinterest

    When you toss and turn in the night, your hair cuticle is at risk of becoming roughened by any abrasive pillow cases and bed linen you sleep on, which is where SILKE's hair wrap comes in. It acts like a shield against any rough materials and found that we didn't need to wash or straighten our hair as often, too. It may look really 1920s, but it's made from 100% silk cocoon and is so comfortable to wear.

    9. Get a trim - it's worth it in the long-run

    If you're growing your hair, the last thing you probably want to do is book in for a trim, but the longer you leave it in between salon appointments, the more likely you are to cause further breakage - and really, a haircut is the only thing that will completely eradicate split ends.

    'The hair follicle will just continue to break and snap along the hair shaft otherwise,' says Sam.

    'At Hare & Bone, we're all about educating our clients on promoting healthy hair, so the first thing I tell them is that it's a common misconception that in [cutting], the hair won't grow. For optimum hair growth, I recommend my clients visit the salon every 6-8 weeks for a trim, depending on the colour and condition.'

    Model backstage at Sportmax Milan Fashion Weekpinterest
    Rosdiana Ciaravolo//Getty Images

    And if you're still wary?

    'Hairstylists can cut cleverly by working in minimal layering,' says Steve. 'This technique makes the hair appear long but it cuts out the bulk of the split ends.'

    But how do you know how much needs to come off?

    'Even though I wouldn't recommend picking at split ends, if you did, you could work out how much needs to be cut,' reveals Steve.

    'If you split apart the hair, the point where it stops splitting is a good indication of where the weak hair ends and the strong hair begins.'

    Good hair days all round.

    18 Of The Best Leave-In Conditioners To Take Your Hair From Frazzled To Flawless
    best leave in conditioner

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