During this pandemic, there were times when we couldn’t go to the salon. 

It would have been great to know how to cut split ends at home. With this in mind, we gathered some tips & tricks for you to trim your tips yourself. 

You’ll find a couple of ways to get rid of split ends and precious info on how to conceal the remaining damaged hair until you can see your stylist.

Table of Contents: 

• Is it time to trim your hair, or could it wait? 
• The telltale signs you need to chop of your tips
• How often should you cut your hair depending on hair type?
• How to cut split ends yourself: dos and don’ts 
• Method 1 of trimming your split ends at home: Do the twist!
• Method 2 of cutting your split ends yourself: Slide, baby, slide!
• Method 3 of cutting your split ends at home: the basic chop-off
• Method 4 of removing split ends: learn how to skim!
• How to trim split ends in your bangs
• How to conceal the remaining split ends

Is it time to trim your hair, or could it wait? 

Ideally, all hair needs a trim every eight weeks. Removing the tips can prevent the hair shaft from developing split ends.

The telltale signs you need to chop of your tips

If you want to keep your hair healthy, it’s vital to know how to recognize damaged hair. Yes, damaged hair often starts with split ends.

• When you run your fingers through your tresses, does hair become stuck or tangled? Does your hair knot at the end? Does it feel dry as you travel down the shaft? These are all signs of split ends that need a trim. 
• If your hair feels rough to the touch, straw-like, it needs moisture and a trim.
• If the tips appear lighter than the rest of the hair, they need to go.
• If you notice your strands lack elasticity, have become porous, break easily, and the texture has become hard and crunchy, you need to grab the scissors.

How often should you cut your hair depending on hair type?

Different hair types have different needs. Yes, even when it comes to removing split ends. While the maximum time between trims should be of eight weeks, time may vary depending on your hair type:

• Fine hair needs a strict trimming routine. Get rid of the tips every five weeks to keep your hair full and healthy.
• Wavy hair can go up to six weeks, especially if you don’t overdo it with the heated styling tools. 
• Curly hair tends to knot and break when it develops split ends. Frizz is also another sign you’ve waited long enough. From six to eight weeks: that’s your ideal interval between trims. 
• Color-treated hair is more vulnerable to breakage. A trim every four weeks keeps your hair healthy and split-free. 

How to cut split ends yourself: dos and don’ts 

If you want to incorporate DIY trims into your beauty routine, you need to be prepared. How do you trim split ends on your hair? Here are the dos and don’ts:

• Unless the method specifically asks for it, you need dry hair to cut off your tips by yourself. Blow-dry your hair using the cold setting down the shaft. Don’t fully dry it so that you have some texture in your hair. 
• Always cut your hair in good lighting. Bright daylight is the best time.
• Pick up sharp scissors specially designed for hair-cutting. Only use them for your trims. Spray them with Barbicide after each use and store them in their case. Damaged scissors damage the hair. 
• If you accidentally snip off too much hair, take some time to relax. Consume your emotions - cry, hit something, scream, stare at it - and then, when you’re calm, try to fix it. You can even the hair, cutting it at the same length. Or you can let it grow, styling it to hide the mistake until you see your stylist. 

Method 1 of trimming your split ends at home: Do the twist!

This technique is similar to dusting. If you want to give yourself one of the most precise haircuts, this one is for you. Make sure to dry your hair and brush it gently. Keep in mind that you need to repeat the steps until you’ve trimmed all your hair. 

• Separate your hair into sections. Using a wide-tooth comb, separate your hair into 1-inch sections. Stay on one side of your head so you can keep track.
• Twist the hair sections, and you’ll see the split ends! Starting at the top of the section, twist the hair as you go down. When the entire section is twisted, the ends will pop out.
• Chop off those ends that stick out the twisted section of hair. You need to trim off about 0.2 inches. 
• Twist the opposite way and reveal more split ends. Twisting each strand in the opposite direction can reveal more split ends. Repeat the process until you’ve trimmed all your hair. This method may result in having different lengths of hair.
  
  

Method 2 of cutting your split ends yourself: Slide, baby, slide!

How can you cut your split ends without losing length? The slide method is one technique. 

• Straighten your hair and dry it!
• Gather a section of hair of about 1 inch. Comb again if necessary. 
• Get that hair in between your three middle fingers. Take the strand under the index, over the middle finger, and under the ring finger. Slide your fingers down the strand, from root to tip.
• Split ends will pop off over your fingers, especially over the middle finger. 
• Cut those split ends down the section of hair. The scissors must be perpendicular to the hair strand. You’ll easily chop off the split ends like that as you travel down the shaft. Repeat the process with your entire hair. 

Method 3 of cutting your split ends at home: the basic chop-off

You start with wet hair. When your hair is damp, brush gently but remove all tangles. 

• Separate your hair into sections using a small comb. Sections of 1 inch are ideal. Start one side of your head to keep track easily. 
• Slip every section of hair between the index and middle finger. Start towards the top of the section of the hair. 
• Slide the index and middle finger down the hair towards the tips. Try to pull the strand away from your neck in front of you. 
• Clip off the damaged ends of the hairs. About 0.4-0.8 inches will do. If you notice split ends far up the hair shaft, remove them as well. That will create an even cut, provided you have a friend to help you with the back of your head. 

Method 4 of removing split ends: learn how to skim!

This method is ideal for maintaining your hair length while keeping it healthy and ready to regenerate. 

• Part your hair into thin, layered sections.
• Skim the blade down the hair shaft to the tips of the hair. You’ll notice buildup, frays, and flyways pilling up on the blade.
• While it’s rather satisfying to watch, make sure not to overdo it!

How to trim split ends in your bangs

If you love your fringes, make sure to trim them in the same styling you wear them. Always keep your bangs dry as you trim them. 

It’s better to point cut into the bangs rather than trying to keep a straight line. The dusting method could work fine here. 

Gather the tips of your bangs between your index and middle finger and dust away from the very tips. If you style your bangs with a round brush, do so before the trim. 

That way, you can prevent your hair from getting too short. 

How to conceal the remaining split ends

If you’re not too sure you got all the frayed ends, it’s better to conceal them until your see your stylist. These methods do not only improve your hair texture and appearance, but also keep it healthy. 

Deep conditioning, leave-in conditioners, hair masks containing the following ingredients are your best friends to coat your hair and keep it moisturized and manageable.

• Sweet almond oil is moisturizing and light. It doesn’t weigh your hair down, and it provides extra conditioning. 

• Panthenol (aka Vitamin B5) helps the hair retain moisture. It flattens the cuticle, making the hair strong and easy to manage. 
• Argan oil is deeply moisturizing and gives your hair texture extra sheen. 

So there you have it! 

All you need to know to chop off your split ends. 

All you need to know to keep your hair healthy until you see your stylist again. 

All you need to have to be your stylist. 

There’s one more thing left: do you dare to?