This $7 ‘No-Haircut Cream’ *Actually* Works for Anyone Trying To Grow Out Their Hair

Any hairstylist will tell you that regular trims are the best way to keep your hair as healthy as possible, but it can be hard to accept this information when you’re in the grow-out phase and the last thing you want to do is go in for a chop. And although it’s a good idea to stay in touch with your personal hair crew regarding the best plan for your strands, there’s now a drugstore product that can maximize the time between your salon appointments and help you achieve the lengths you’re looking for.

L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths No Haircut Cream

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L’Oréal’s Elvive Dream Lengths No Haircut Cream ($7) is a leave in conditioning treatment that does essentially what its name implies: It keeps your hair in good shape as you’re trying to grow it out. It’s meant for long, damaged hair types, and is formulated with a blend of nourishing castor oil and vitamins B3 and B5 to strengthen hair and seal split ends, the pesky frayed parts of the hair that make those trims so necessary in the first place.

To understand why split ends are such a problem when you’re trying to go for the longest-hair possible, it’s important to know why they happen in the first place. “They usually happen due to dehydrated hair or overuse of heat tools and chemicals from treatments or products like bleach, relaxers, hot irons, blow dryers, or even bad brushes,” explains celebrity hairstylist Paul Labrecque of New York City’s Paul Labrecque Salon and Spa. According to Nicole Leal, master stylist and director of education at Chicago’s 901 Salon, they occur because the hair’s outermost layer, the cuticle, endures either a physical or chemical reaction that causes it to become damaged and split into two or more parts.

That’s where the cream comes in. By coating your cuticle with good-for-you ingredients, you’re able to reverse some of the damage that’s already done. There are also other easy-ish ways to avoid making split ends worse (hint: don’t even think about pulling them apart when you’re bored at your desk.), like cooling it on heat styling. If you cant’ bear to part with your blow dryer, though, there’s good news—The L’Oréal Elvive No Haircut Cream also provides heat protection up to 450°F, so if and when you do want to use your hot tools, you can do so without worrying.

And for a full routine, there are plenty of other products in L’Oréal’s Dream Lengths regimen, including a shampoo, conditioner, styling spray, and 8-second treatment that will help hair grow even longer. Good luck with your growing out process.

Want to create an entire damage-reducing routine? Check out the video below, which will teach you exactly how to do it based on your hair type. 

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