Blogging about hair care kind of makes me feel like I fried my brain with a flat iron, but having utterly failed to write any blog posts in the past two months, I need to start getting back into it however I can. If that means I write about my victory over split ends, then so be it. The good news is that you too can benefit from this post if you have fried your hair (and/or your brain) with a flat iron.
In all seriousness, however, appearance does matter in the big, wide world, and grooming yourself to look healthy and responsible can go a long way. A bad case of split ends can make an otherwise classy girl look scruffy and unprofessional, and as a rule we Dames steer clear of the scruffy, unprofessional look. Since last summer, I have been consciously trying to grow my hair long without letting it turn into prickly straw, and along the way I learned how to be kinder to my hair. Here are a few split end treatment and prevention tips I wish I had not had to learn the hard way.
1. Use electric hair appliances sparingly. Say no to straighteners. Even the blowdryer will fry your hair a bit.
2. Switch your thin ponytail holders for scrunchies and hair clips. I do not know how I reached the age of 23 and made multiple failed attempts to grow my hair long before someone finally took pity enough on me to tell me to ditch the hair elastics in favor of scrunchies. Scrunchies and hair clips look ridiculous and out of fashion, but they do not tear hair the way thin, rubber band-like ponytail holders do. Bonus: that late 80s/early 90s look is in now, so scrunchies are not too unfashionable. Forever 21 is actually selling scrunchies this season, so, hey, they are trendy…if unflattering. This one from Forever 21 looks a little bit like the Golden Snitch from Harry Potter.
Go Gryffindor?
3. Use more conditioner, lots and lots more conditioner: daily conditioner, deep conditioner, leave-in conditioner, etc. I am partial to Suave Professionals Damage Care line. It does a better job on my hair than the more expensive lines like Dove, Tresemme, or Nexxus have ever done.
4. Get your hair trimmed regularly. I will admit I screw up my hair by not doing this. However, I do not believe it is quite as crucial as it is touted to be. I have not had my hair cut since August (due to being out of the country and then being too busy and lazy to get it cut upon my return), but because I have started taking better care of my hair on a daily basis, it looks much better than it ever did when I got it trimmed regularly. I am sure that regular trims combined with quality daily care would be best, but I do not think that trims > regular care.
I used to think that all these split end prevention tips did not apply to me. Then my early 20s came around and I did enough damage to my hair that it felt like dry grass. That changed my mind well enough that now I make an attempt to abide by the rules of the beauty world, and they really have made a difference in my hair. I wish all you readers happy hair styling. Go forth and condition, my friends.
Joni
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