Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest cause of split ends?
If you’re dealing with split ends, your hot tools are likely the first to blame. (Sorry!) While chemical treatments, environmental stressors, extended time between haircuts, and rough brushing can all contribute to split ends, “the biggest cause of split ends is thermal styling, blow-drying and the constant use of hot tools,” Ruiz says. That’s why using split-end serums, leave-in conditioners, and heat protectants is so important to protect hair while styling, she adds.
While no product can permanently mend a split end once it forms, it’s possible to prevent them. Start by using products that offer heat protection alongside nourishing ingredients (and remembering to use a heat protectant every single time you reach for a blow-dryer, curling iron, or flat iron). That can keep your ends looking healthier for a longer time in between trims.
Can you actually repair split ends?
For hair that’s already in Splitsville, it may be too late to actually fix the hair strand, but that doesn’t mean you can’t help improve how your hair looks. “Any product on the market for split-end repair is targeted more to the appearance of split ends,” says Cleveland. Translation: It makes them less noticeable by giving the hair a sleeker, healthier look. The only true fix for split ends is snipping them off right at the start of the split.
How can I make my split ends look better?
Luckily, there are steps you can take to prevent split ends, according to Campos. “Little trims keep your hair shaft healthy and from continuing to split,” she tells Allure, urging those reluctant to let scissors near their hair to take a chance on taking off the last inch or two every now and then.
If you absolutely refuse to get a trim (and even if you don’t), you can help prevent fraying by brushing correctly when you’re detangling strands. “Remember to start from the bottom and work your way up slowly,” she says.
Another rule of thumb: Reduce how often you use heated styling tools in your hair-care routine, as they can dry hair out and diminish its natural proteins.
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
We always enlist a range of testers for our makeup vertical, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While certain products can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind. Many are created to address a concern (dandruff, breakage, brittleness) or to work most effectively for a specific hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair). You wouldn’t want to pick up a purple shampoo that’s only been reviewed by someone with, say, auburn hair, or a diffuser that’s never been tested by anyone with curls — right?
For our review of the best split end treatments, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and hair stylists with varying hair types, concerns, and desired outcomes (i.e., want shinier hair). Testers considered performance across four primary categories: efficacy, texture and experience, fragrance, and packaging. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors — in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon — is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
