Dusting isn’t just for your spring cleaning routine. It’s also for your…hair? Sporting 24.2 million views on TikTok, #HairDusting has quickly taken hold in the beauty world. But don’t worry, there’s no need to take a duster to your locks. The latest trend is all about achieving growth as quickly as possible without sacrificing the length you part with at a regular trim. But is this a simple ask for your hair dresser or a tedious time-waster? Could you do it yourself? We asked expert hair stylists to break down this TikTok trend.
Featured Experts
- Steven Picciano is a national artist for Goldwell
- Laura Polko is a hairstylist for John Frieda House of Frieda
- Jonathan Colombini is a celebrity hairstylist and creative director of style and color for L’Oréal Paris
- Zoë Irwin is a hairstylist and creative director for John Frieda
What Is Hair Dusting?
According to John Frieda House Frieda hairstylist, Laura Polko, hair dusting is a technique to remove split ends. “Hair dusting is cutting where you don’t get rid of length, only damaged split ends,” Polko explains. “You basically flip the hair up and cut the ends almost as if you were dusting off a sweater.”
The trend itself isn’t exactly new. “Hair dusting has been around as long as I can remember,” says national artist for Goldwell, Steven Picciano. “As a child, I grew up around hairstylists and remember clients asking for them quite often.”
It’s also pretty time consuming. “It’s not actually a quick cut,” Polko says. “If dusting is done properly, it is a tedious process to carefully get rid of the split ends.”
In a recent Instagram video, hairstylist and creative director for John Frieda, Zoë Irwin explains that not all stylists care for hair dusting. “This is a controversial cutting technique,” she says. “Some people love it. Some people hate it. I personally am a fan, and this is because I feel that hair dusting can take off, individually, all those split ends and that gives you a better overall hair quality.”
What are the Benefits of Hair Dusting?
“Its main benefit is to specifically remove dry or split ends,” says celebrity hairstylist and color for L’Oréal Paris, Jonathan Colombini. “As a stylist, I may have to adjust my approach with curly hair, however all hair types and textures can benefit [from hair dusting].”
We want to remove those split ends because they can actually spread through your hair strand. “This is important because split ends start at the bottom and travel up towards the scalp,” says Picciano. “Products like the KERASILK Strengthening Bond Builder ($36) can help to prevent breakage before it starts, but once split ends are present, you have to cut them loose.”
It’s particularly appealing to those who are trying to grow their hair out, because it doesn’t remove any length. “The main benefit is that it helps keep length while removing split ends, making the hair healthier,” Polko says. “And it works on all hair types.”
Even though it’s tedious, plenty of stylists are familiar with hair dusting. “I do this for clients often. When I do, I like to make sure the hair is clean and dry that way we can really see where the hair needs help,” Picciano says. “Anyone who is trying to grow their hair longer is a great candidate for this, once your hair has passed your shoulders it’s time to start dusting to ensure it is healthy enough to continue to grow.”
Can I do Hair Dusting on Myself?
While some TikTok beauty trends are easy to replicate at home, some of them probably belong in the hands of professionals.
“I don’t suggest doing this at home other than in the front because it’s tricky when you can’t see the back of the head,” Polko explains. “In between cuts, use products to keep your hair healthy like John Frieda Frizz Ease Daily Nourishment Leave-In Conditioner ($10).”
