In these rough economic times, we've all had to rethink our spending habits, finding creative ways to save money without sacrificing fun, food, or style. One expense that I've recently been considering: haircuts. For one, they're pricey–fixing your 'do can cost anywhere from $40-$150. And, if you have long hair (like me) or bangs (like half the population), it's a frequent expense, too. After about six weeks, even if my style is still holding its shape, split ends ruin the look, sending me back to the salon for a trim. Who can afford so many haircuts?

Fortunately, three products — Citre Shine's Split End Mender ($5), Herbal Essences' Long Term Relationship ($3), and White Sands' Porosity ($16.95), — are as anti-split end as I am.

Split ends and breakage occur when hair is dry or brittle from styling, or simply damaged by being brushed and pulled back into a ponytail. Both of the leave-in "laminates" (Herbal Essences and Citre Shine) keep your hair healthier for longer by strengthening the follicle and protecting it against the effects of heat. And they're both fabulous. Choose by smell: the Herbal Essences' cream boasts a typically strong and fruity aroma; Citre Shine's version gives off a more citrus-y scent. White Sands is a spray that controls porosity–the measure of void spaces in a material, like hair–by penetrating the follicle and filling in those voids, thereby evening its texture. It's a pretty penny for something that goes on your hair, but it certainly gets the job done (and can cut down on frequent trips to the salon). 

Get Yours: Drugstore.com and beauty-mart.com.