Split ends. Our fierce enemy who we are all familiar with! Whether they are caused from heat damage, chemical damage or if your just unlucky to get them, my top 10 tips will help you keep the split ends at bay and improve the condition of your hair.

1. Regular Cuts

Nothing beats having regular cuts! The best way to avoid split ends is to prevent them from even happening, by cutting off the dry and damaged ends. This doesn’t mean having to lose your luscious locks; simply having 1-2 inches cut off 6-8 weeks will keep split ends at bay, and help boost hair growth.

2. Silk Pillow

This seems like a strange one but investing in a silk pillow will actually reduce the amount of split ends you get. Standard cotton pillows actually create friction that ‘roughs up’ the hair shaft which leads to split ends and breakage, so if your serious about preventing split ends, a silk pillow is the way forward. You can purchase good quality silk pillow cases from John Lewis for £45.

3. Shampoo & Conditioner That Actually Works

Investing in a good shampoo and conditioner is really important, so throw out your herbal essences and invest in salon standard products which will actually do what they say on the bottle! The best I have found is the Redken Extreme range, which contains an interlocking protein network for fortifying complex, which helps protect your hairs strength and reinforces its surface. Products that contain protein really do work wonders for your hair, but be careful, as over proteination of your hair can make it brittle and more likely to snap.

Redken extreme shampoo 300ml £15
Redken extreme conditioner 250ml £16.50

4. Use Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, which helps prevent protein loss in hair. Additionally the structure of coconut oil allows it to penetrate the hair shaft in ways which other oils cannot. Coconut oil also has a high moisture retaining capacity which is brilliant for locking in moisture and keeping the hair soft. You can apply the oil in many ways:

• directly on your hair when needed
• Mixing a small amount with your conditioner to give it a boost
• After washing hair whilst it is still wet
• As an overnight intensive hair mask

You can pick coconut oil up from your local supermarket or you can buy some online at Look Fantastic.

5. Get the Correct Hair Brush

If you’ve got thick hair that tangles easily, investing in a Tangle Teezer will really help your hair. If you find these too expensive, a wide tooth comb is your next best option for easing out knots to help keep your hair tangle free. Avoiding brushes that have hard spines that rip out hair is important, and always brush your hair from the bottom working up, removing any knots as you go. My top tip is to brush your hair before getting into the shower, and avoid ‘scrubbing’ your hair whilst shampooing to prevent tangles. Brushing your hair when it is wet can cause more split ends because this is when it is at its weakest.

Tangle Teezer Original £12

6. Only Use Heat When You Have To

Try use heat less often, such as buying a hairdryer with a cool setting if you don’t already have one. If you really need to use your heated styling tools, make sure to put on some heat protection beforehand to reduce any damage you may do, Toni&Guy Prep Heat Protection Mist works well, conditioning the hair and protecting against heat. Using straighteners or curling wands dehydrates your hair, making it more prone to breakage so remember to use protection every time you style!

7. Style Heat Free

If you’re the type of girl who can’t go a day without looking preened to perfection, learning to style your hair without using heat will prevent a lot of damage. Sleep-In Rollers, or the Aurora Band Night Roller may be two things you need to invest in. Sleep-In Rollers, can create subtle volume, and loose glamorous curls, but if you find it difficult to sleep with something so large in your hair, then the Aurora Band Night Roller may be a better option for you, which creates salon quality curls without the damage and hassle.

Sleep-in Roller Set 20 piece £17
The Aurora Band Night Roller £12.99

8. Try Olaplex

I first heard of Olaplex when Kim Kardashian debuted her platinum locks at the Paris Fashion Week in 2015. How did she manage such a drastic colour change without frying her hair? Olaplex is how. This miracle treatment permanently rebuilds the damaged disulphide bonds in your hair that are broken during the chemical process of dyeing your hair. It can be used with hair dye, or on its own as an intensive reconstruction treatment. It does come at a hefty price but believe me it’s worth it! Olaplex is intended for use in a professional salon setting, and as such is only available for purchase by certified salon professionals, with many salons now offering this system at an extra price. However the 3 step in the system, Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector can be purchased online or from your hairdresser to take home.

Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector 100ml £26

9. Feed your hair

Your hair can be greatly affected by your diet, and increasing your vitamin and mineral intake can improve the condition of your hair. Your hair is made out of keratin (a type of protein), which provides its strength and structure, so making sure you get enough protein in your diet is important for healthy hair. Protein doesn’t always mean eating your own body weight in red meat, and you can still achieve a high protein intake easily by eating beans, lentils, nut and seeds. Don’t stray away from fats if your hair is brittle or dry; fish, nuts, avocado and eggs all contain healthy fat which will promote glossy hair. If you struggle to fit different foods into your diet, it might be useful to buy some biotin supplements. Biotin helps promote healthy skin, hair and nails because it is an essential ingredient in the process of hair growth, so making sure you’re not deficient in it can improve the condition of your hair over time, making it stronger and thicker.

10. Weekly Hair Treatments

Most people use a face mask once a week to give their skin a little boost, so why not your hair too? Your hair endures abuse to leave it dry and damaged, so giving it a small pick me up is the perfect solution to bring your hair back to life. With hair masks, a little goes a long way, and Bleach London Reincarnation Mask works wonders on coloured or bleached hair that needs some hydration. Regular use of this mask helps repair damaged hair and promotes a healthy shine. But if you can’t afford to splash out on these products, DIY masks can work just as well! Here are some of my favourites:

• 1 avocado,  2 eggs,  1 tbsp of honey , 1 tbsp of coconut oil
  Mix together, apply to ends of hair and leave on for 20-25  minutes.
• 2 tbsp of honey and 3 tbsp of olive oil
  Heat in microwave for 30 seconds, apply to ends of hair and leave on for 1-2 hours.
• 1 over-ripe banana, 1 tbsp of honey, 2 tbsp of olive oil
  Mash the banana into a smooth consistency, mix in honey and olive oil, apply to ends of hair and leave on for 20-25 minutes.
  

Bleach London Reincarnation Mask 200ml £7.50

Do you have any tips on how to prevent much dreaded split ends?

Laura 
♡