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16 Ways to Salvage Dry and Frizzy Ends—Celebrity Stylists Explain

 

Dry, frizzy strands can threaten to undo even the most expertly crafted hairstyle. Glorious layers can look frayed, beautiful bangs become brittle, and luscious curls and waves just end up looking deflated despite our best efforts to salvage them. In many cases, our overzealous styling patterns are the source of such woes. Over-processing, hot tools, infrequent trims, or a lack of moisture can all contribute to dry strands and frizzy hair days. The good news? A little TLC and a whole lot of patience can coax the life back into your hair. Unless your ends are damaged beyond repair (usually due to an irreversible process), three professional hairstylists confirm that dry ends can indeed be saved. Keep scrolling to uncover their tips.

Meet the Experts

Marcus Francis is a celebrity hairstylist. He has worked with Julianne Moore, Olivia Colman, Jared Leto, Awkwafina, Lizzy Caplan, and more.
Olya Iudina is a hairstylist at IGK NYC in New York.
Jenna Spino is a hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago.

Examine Your Ends

Focusing on the health of your ends will ensure your hair stays healthy versus just looking healthy after a cut. "Your ends are the last part of your hair that gets the natural oils that are produced from the scalp that actually condition and strengthen your hair," celebrity hairstylist, Marcus Francis says. "They become dry first, and after a short while, they will split and break. It often distracts from how great the rest of your hair (or hair color) looks because dry, split ends don’t give shine as the rest of the hair does. It won’t hold curls, and the overall look won’t appear polished (even if you’re going for an undone style)."

Get Frequent Trims

"The best way to treat dry [ends] is a haircut!" says IGK stylist, Olya Iudina. "You can use serums and oils and any other treatments, but if the hair is dry to the point when it can’t hold any water, it means it’s time to let it go." Consider frequent, short trims (we're talking half an inch to an inch, at most) every three months.

We know it can be especially difficult to part with your locks when you've been waiting patiently for them to grow out, but remember that you don't necessarily have to chop off your hair to "start fresh." Instead of waiting years (or months) to cut your hair, Francis recommends "getting your hair trimmed regularly. You can still achieve (or maintain) length as long as you communicate that to your stylist."

In case visiting a hair salon frequently isn't in the cards for you, opt for an at-home trim, but be mindful of only trimming the dead, split ends.

Byrdie Tip

You can communicate to your stylist that you’d like a “dusting,” which implies trimming the ends only where they need to be freshened.

Condition Daily

Conditioner is crucial in providing necessary moisture to thirsty tresses, especially if you're used to heat styling often. It's easy enough to reason why: "Since the ends lack the same kind of natural hydration the rest of the hair strand has, it’s important to condition them regularly," explains Francis. Your ends are the oldest parts of your hair, and as such, are already prone to dryness. Skipping conditioner can cause already dehydrated hair to become excessively dry. For a daily conditioner, Francis recommends Better Natured Hydrating Milk Spray or the Better Natured Strengthening Leave-in Cream. He adds, "Both give the hair amazing results, leaving it feeling soft and hydrated, depending on if you prefer a spray or creme to apply to your hair."

Condition Correctly

There's a difference between conditioning your hair and simply wasting product. To really get the moisture-surge you're after, Iudina recommends releasing as much water from your strands first. "While you wash it, after [you] rinse the shampoo, make sure you squeeze out all the water before you apply conditioner, to make sure it doesn’t slide off your hair and really works," she says.

And if you're worried about weighing the hair down with product, just focus on the ends. "Let’s say you want to maximize the volume at the roots. You can always just put conditioner on the mid-lengths and ends, avoiding the scalp area," Francis says.

Let Hair Air-Dry

Using hot tools like a blow-dryer, flat iron, or curling iron every day can fry the hair, which is already prone to environmental stressors like the sun. Try letting hair air-dry most days by combing hair in the shower, patting it mostly dry with a towel, and then twisting it up, so it will dry with a slight wave.

When You Do Blow-Dry, Take It Easy

When you must use hot tools, use them on low heat and remember to put back the moisture that has been taken out from the hair. From rinse-out conditioners to deep conditioning ones, look for those that work in conjunction with low heat for maximum penetration.

Use a Leave-In Conditioner

Using a deep, leave-in conditioner, mask, or natural oil once or twice per week is key to healthy hair. Even if you're conditioning daily in the shower, it may not be enough. "Hydrating the hair is probably the easiest thing you can do (next to getting your ends trimmed) to avoid having dry, dull, or damaged hair," according to Francis.

He recommends the Better Natured Moisture Replenishing Masque. "It penetrates the hair cuticle with enough moisture to strengthen your hair, giving it a healthy shine. It’s an incredible treat for your ends, especially to have once a week." 

To apply it correctly, distribute the leave-in conditioner to damp ends before towel-drying. Brush with a de-tangling brush or comb to distribute the product throughout the ends and let it fully absorb.

"Choosing the right anti-frizz product is very important, depending on your hair and texture," adds Iudina. "It can be a lightweight spray for fine hair, or a cream or balm for thicker textures."

Seal in Hydration

To get even more moisture into your hair, Francis recommends trying the baggy method, a solution for sealing in hydration by wearing a baggy shower cap or plastic wrap after applying a moisturizing product to your hair. Per Francis, "This creates heat underneath the shower cap, opening up the hair cuticle, which allows you to maximize the amount of conditioning agents to penetrate the hair. If you have the time to dedicate 10 minutes to this method, it'll help accelerate repairing damaged hair."

Byrdie Tip

Try bagging your ends a few nights per week, to begin with, and notice if there's any improvement in your hair's moisture levels after a few weeks. Once your ends are less brittle, you can cut out the bagging altogether or simply do it less frequently.

Use a Heat Protector

Dry or frizzy hair can also be the result of damage caused by excessive heat or friction. "Blowing hair out or using hot tools to smooth out frizz, while sealing the cuticle, can dry the hair out further if over-done," explains Chicago-based hairstylist, Jenna Spino. "Be sure to always use a heat protectant and I recommend applying Kerastase Elixir Ultime daily to ends."

Finish Your Blowout with a Blast of Cool Air

Another expert-approved method to prevent and/or treat pesky dry ends lies in how you blow-dry your hair. Francis suggests, "After blow-drying your hair, turn the heat on to 'cool' to seal your hair. It gives shine, locks in the conditioning agents from your product, and closes the hair cuticle, which stops any free radicals from further damaging the hair."

Avoid Shampooing Daily

Although we tend to want to be super clean, sometimes over-washing hair can do more harm than good. Take it from Francis, who offers up some advice: "Try not to shampoo every day. On your off day, rinse your hair and condition the ends. That break from cleansing the hair will prevent dry ends with extra moisture."

Incorporate a Wet Look Into Your Week

If on Wednesdays you wear pink, why not also choose one day a week to rock a wet hair look? Francis says, "A braided hairstyle will make you feel like you’re polished enough to go out without feeling like it’s just a 'wet bun' sort of style." Not to mention, braids are a protective style that can help you transition to natural hair, in case you're interested.

Don't Vigorously Towel-Dry Hair

Although you might be tempted to quickly towel-dry hair post-shower, don't. Instead, "Try to squeeze out the excess water from your hair after the shower/bath rather than rubbing the towel back and forth. That friction over time weakens your ends, causing them to be split or dry faster than they would [otherwise]," says Francis.

"While towel drying be very delicate, do not rub it on your hair," echoes Iudina. "You can use microfiber towels, and gently press it to absorb the water." 

Use a Paddle Brush to Detangle Your Hair

Detangling hair, if done incorrectly, can cause hair damage, breakage, and even pain.1 "I love the Wet Brush as it really doesn’t tear the hair. Start detangling from the ends, working the brush upward toward the scalp. Always start at the ends!" Francis emphasizes. "Reforming this habit on how you detangle your hair after the shower or the pool or beach will save your ends from becoming weakened and dry."

Schedule a Keratin Treatment

For especially glossy, frizz-free results, consider scheduling a keratin treatment with your stylist. Keratin treatments rebuild the hair's natural keratin content and, in doing so, create a protective shield against frizz-causing humidity. "When it comes to salon keratin treatments, yes, they work miracles - and can make any frizzy hair look shiny and smooth," says Iudina. "Keep in mind that this will last only for two free months and long-term, it’s going to make your hair dry."

Consider Other In-Salon Solutions

While keratin treatments may be the most popular frizz-fighting solutions, they're not without their setbacks—as Iudina previously pointed out. There are, however, a plethora of other in-salon treatments available like boosters and custom-blended masks. "Kerastase Fusio-Dose are great in-salon treatments," notes Spino. "They are very moisturizing and have mix-ins for added benefits such as shine, anti-frizz and strength."

FAQ

How do you fix dry ends without cutting your hair?

Your dry ends can’t actually heal and repair themselves, however, you can smooth the cuticle and minimize the appearance of split ends. Start by using a moisturizing shampoo and deep conditioning treatment. Before blow drying hair, add in a heat protectant cream, focusing on the ends of your hair. As you blow dry your hair, use a large round brush or flat brush to smooth your ends. If your ends still look dry and frizzy, ask your hairstylist for a “dusting,” so they just trim the split ends and leave the length intact. 

What is a good DIY hair mask for dry ends?

The following Byrdie-approved hair mask will help moisturize your hair and minimize the appearance of split ends—and it only requires a banana and olive oil. Mash one ripe banana and add in one tablespoon of olive oil until the mixture looks creamy and frothy. Apply the mask to your wet hair in the shower, focusing on the ends. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes and rinse out.

What is the best way to manage dry ends and oily roots?

If your ends are dry and roots are oily, you should still moisturize the lengths of your hair; just focus the conditioner on the hair shaft and the ends. Don’t apply conditioner to your roots as it can make your hair look greasier. Instead, apply a volumizing mousse to the roots to add body and a dry shampoo to manage the oil.