Smooth and seal the look of splitting ends with these nourishing formulas from Amika and Oribe.
Nothing says “I haven’t gotten a haircut in 20 kajillion years” quite like split ends. One of the most frustrating side effects of simply growing out your hair is split ends and they can happen to any hair type. They can typically be identified by a frayed, scraggly look at the longest point and can kill an otherwise healthy-looking style. Luckily, the best split end treatments and hair products will provide exactly what your strands need for a sleeker, less damaged look.
Luckily, there are steps you can take to prevent split ends, according to Los Angeles-based hairstylist Matilde 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.
As for hair that’s already in Splitsville, it may be too late to actually fix what’s broken, 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 New Jersey-based stylist Michelle Cleveland. “Once the strand has split and separated at the end, there’s absolutely nothing that will bring it back together” — at least not permanently. New York-based stylist Senada K. Ceka says hair treatment sprays, glossing serums, and leave-in conditioners all make the appearance of split ends less noticeable and give the hair a sleeker, healthier look.
So, whether your goal is split end prevention or simply cosmetic improvement, there are plenty of hair-care products worth working into your regimen. Here are 15 nourishing treatments experts can’t recommend enough.
Best Overall: Amika The Closer Instant Repair Cream
Amika’s The Closer Instant Repair Cream does exactly what its name states: closes split ends — instantly (and temporarily). This rich hair cream is spiked with amino acids that strengthen hair and prevent ends from splitting in the future. It’s also infused with seabuckthorn oil, a decadent ingredient known for its abundance of moisture-replenishing antioxidants (hello, vitamin C) and conditioning fatty acids. The results: smoother, silky hair that’s soft to the touch.
Expert’s Pick: K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil
New York City-based hairstylist and colorist Lazaro Lambertucci of Warren Tricomi Upper East Side calls the K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil “weightless and amazing for all hair types.” This deep-conditioning blend of squalane, avocado oil, and sunflower oil smooths the look of splitting ends, frizzy hair, and flyaways while its lightweight formula prevents heat-related hair damage at up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Best for Color-Treated Hair: Oribe Split End Seal
Lambertucci also gives the Oribe Split End Seal his seal of approval for its dryness-reducing formula that also prevents heat damage and shields color-treated strands from fading. This nourishing serum is powered by a blend of watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss flower extracts, all of which contain a slew of antioxidants that condition dry ends and protect against damage-inducing environmental aggressors.
Best Hair Oil: Kérastase Nutritive Split Ends Serum
Contrary to its name, the Kérastase Nutritive Split Ends Serum is actually an antioxidant-infused hair oil — and a fabulous one at that. This conditioning treatment’s star ingredient is niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, which is known for its moisturizing and shine-boosting properties that’ll have your hair feeling smoother and softer than ever.
Best Styling Finisher: Moroccanoil Mending Infusion Hair Serum
Top off your final look with the argan oil-infused Moroccanoil Mending Infusion Hair Serum. Along with its moisturizing star ingredient, this finishing serum also contains conditioning macadamia oil and baobab extract that smooth and plump dry strands. It’s also worth mentioning that this serum has a featherweight texture that’s safe for fine hair types to use without caution.
Seal + Moisturizes: Philip Kingsley Bond Builder Split End Remedy
Philip Kingsley’s Bond Builder Split End Remedy is made with hydrolyzed oat protein to soften texture and add in moisture and hydration. Just one pump seals up split ends making hair stronger and looking like you just got a fresh cut in the salon.
Best Pre-Styler: Sebastian Professional No.Breaker Leave-In Bonding Spray
If your hair has incurred damage from hot tools, the Sebastian Professional No.Breaker Leave-In Bonding Spray is up for the job. Just spritz a few pumps of this apple acid (which seals ends) treatment onto wet hair before heat styling; once dry, you’ll notice softer, smoother strands.
Star Ingredients: Coco & Eve Like a Virgin Miracle Hair Elixir
“Oils protect your hair from further damage by coating it and giving an additional layer of protection, protecting the natural keratin found in your hair,” Campos says, telling Allure that many of the products she loves include the coconut oil that’s so prominent in Coco & Eve’s Like a Virgin Miracle Hair Elixir. It seals split ends with a healthy dose of hyaluronic acid, papaya seed oil, and fig extract, protecting hair from heat tools as it fights frizz.
Frizz Minimizer: Color Wow Pop + Lock
Cleveland says Color Wow Pop + Lock is “great at minimizing the appearance of frizzy, broken ends,” so while it may not repair split ends, it does a damn good job of camouflaging them. This serum finishes hair with a super-smoothing shine that seals ragged ends, thanks to its silicones, which cosmetic chemist Randy Schueller has told we act like a sealant and tamp down frizz. Extra-special bonus: It leaves your style literally sparkling.
Silicone-Free Formula: Bread Beauty Supply Hair-Oil
Bread snagged its first-ever Best of Beauty Award in 2020 with its Hair-Oil, and not just because it’s a reliable source of glossiness from natural oils and extracts. It’s also fantastic for smoothing split ends. “I love that it’s silicone-free and non-greasy,” says Campos, who promises that those with curly hair are at risk of becoming obsessed with this oil. “It combats frizz and smells divine,” she adds.
Best for Dry Hair: Virtue Split End Serum
Virtue’s Split End Serum is a lightweight cream that’s packed with hair-nourishing ingredients that are sure to seal up split ends. The list includes pea protein to protect against heat damage, quinoa to enhance color, and baobab seed oil, which is a rich silky oil that heals dry or damaged hair.
Best for Split End Prevention: Living Proof Restore Repair Leave-In
“I recommend this product if your hair is overly damaged from chemical treatments such as highlights and color treatments,” Campos tells Allure. She loves the way it smells, but even more so, she loves how silky it leaves hair. That said, its benefits aren’t simply superficial: It promises to prevent up to 93% of styling-induced split ends.
Best for Curly Hair: DevaCurl Curlbond Re-Coiling Split End Serum
Curly-haired peeps, the DevaCurl Curlbond Re-Coiling Split End Serum is for you. This leave-in treatment features guar bean paste that temporarily seals the hair cuticle to reduce the appearance of splitting ends and frizz, all while leaving curls looking healthy and shiny and preventing future breakage from happening. This lightweight hair serum can be applied to wet hair for damage prevention during your next blow-drying or heat styling session and you can use it as a finishing touch on dry, styled ends for a shinier and healthier appearance.
The Multitasker: Matrix Total Results Miracle Creator Multi-Benefit Treatment Spray
Cleveland is super impressed with how effective Matrix Total Results Miracle Creator Multi-Benefit Treatment Spray is on ends that have come undone. Serving as a leave-in conditioner, heat protectant, finishing spray, and everything in-between, this multitasker means business when it comes to preventing split ends and softening every inch of hair.
Best of Beauty Winner: Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Strengthening Treatment Oil
Come for the rosebud suspended in the oil, stay for the damage-undoing power. Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Strengthening Treatment Oil won a 2020 Allure Best of Beauty Award because it makes a noticeable difference in how frayed ends look and feel. It may be only a one-ounce bottle, but a little goes a long way, thanks to a potent combo of surface-repairing ceramides and botanical oils like that of rose and sweet almond to add a vitamin-packed shine.