Sophie says
The Beauty Director and her genius advice on breaking bad habits
‘WHEN IT COMES TO HAIR, I HATE TO TELL YOU BUT IT’S TRUE: YOU CAN’T UNSPLIT A SPLIT END’
We’ve all got them.
None more so than my ELLE team mate, Joely Walker. While she is a mine of beauty information, always devising the next big editorial idea and keeping my diary more organised than the National Archives, she is also splitting hairs. Literally splitting them: taking a blonde strand and then peeling the ends into oblivion. ‘Joely, I need a gripping article for the website,’
I say. Joely sits back in her chair, stares at her split ends, and then splits them further. ‘The 15 most-Googled celebrity eyebrows?’ The girl is a genius. One with terribly ravaged ends, but a genius nonetheless.
My own beauty faux pas is chipped nail polish. By chipped, I mean only about 20% of the polish remains on each nail. Sometimes, I apply a long-wearing gel, but then I get impatient and pick it off, which is the nail equivalent of split ends, so I’m not one to talk. I guess at least 78% of you are reading this with peeling polish and chewed hair too, so let me impart my wisdom (via Joely, who may know the best split-end deterrent, but clearly doesn’t use it).
First, let me explain the damage cycle. Our nails are made of layers (or cells), like fish scales. When you paint nail polish over the top, let it dry and then peel it off, you’re going to take those protective fish scales off with it. For the more vulnerable lower layers, this is disastrous. But in my bag, I have an Essie Professional Cuticle Pen, £11.25, and I put it on whenever I don’t have to type for the next 10 minutes, which actually is never, so my nails aren’t in the best shape. Sally Hansen has saved my problem with Moisture Rehab Strengthener, £9.95. It’s a paint-on product that works overnight – when all the best rejuvenating happens – so it dries, doesn’t oil-up my keyboard and makes my nails look (and feel) a million times better. When I go for gels these days, the technician doesn’t furrow her brow and look at me with disdain. Most importantly, I can post my DryBar glitter shellac on Instagram without any fear of not-so-photogenic flaky nail beds.
Back to the hair! I hate to tell you, but it’s true: you can’t unsplit a split end.
You can make them less visible and you can stop the cycle of abuse (Joely Walker), but you have to resist the urge and invest in some hardcore reinforcements. Ghd Advanced Split
End Therapy, £19.95, is like a salon treatment that you blow dry into your hair after shampooing, then pass your straightening irons over the top to seal with heat. Your ends will appear visibly sealed, so hopefully you’ll feel less urgency to scrutinise them, and more to get your work done.