Can You Really Reverse Split Ends? Pureology's Newbie Serum Comes Close
Francesca is the Beauty Editor at Adore Beauty. With a background in glossy mags and bylines in publications like Marie Claire, ELLE and BODY+SOUL, Francesca has turned her love of beauty into a career. Whether she's decoding buzzy ingredients or road testing lip glosses (so. many. glosses.), her approach to beauty is equal parts glamour and highly-considered.
It's not everyday that the sighting of a split end evokes... excitement?! It was mid WIP when my colleague burst out a genuinely ecstatic "Oh you DO have split ends - I'm so happy I assigned that article to you".
Ahhhhhhh!
She meant it sincerely (and lovingly, I know) but I couldn't help but feel embarrassed. It was a Beauty Editors worst nightmare come true.
Though, I can't say I was surprised. I had noticed an influx of dry, brittle (read: ratty) strands myself.
A series of box-dye jobs (too close together), dips in a chlorinated pool and a trusty GHD straightener that has been put through her paces, had lead me to here. I had no one to blame but myself.
I needed to invest in a strand saviour - and fast.
Cue: Pureology's new Dream Healer Serum. Promising to revive frayed strands and return them to their former healthy state - I was sold. Read on for a formula breakdown (and my personal thoughts) below.
What Causes Split Ends
Split ends occur when the protective outer layer of the hair cuticle wears away due to damage, leaving the inner core vulnerable to fraying or splitting.
Common culprits include excessive heat styling, chemical treatments like colouring or perming, over-washing and environmental stressors such as UV exposure and pollution. Even daily habits like brushing hair when it’s wet or tight styling can contribute to breakage over time.
When hair becomes dry and brittle, it's more prone to splitting, especially at the ends, where it’s oldest and most exposed.
How To Fix Split Ends
So the thing is, you can't completely fix split ends. What you can do is seal the hair cuticle to re-strengthen strands, minimise the appearance of split ends and prevent further fraying. And this newbie is said to deliver in spades.
It harnesses a potent blend of lactic, amino and citric acids to support strand health, boost resilience and strengthen the structure (internal and external) of strands.
A resurfacing go-to, lactic acid works to smooth the surface cuticle of strands. Think of it as akin to spackling cracks in a wall.
Citric acid, on the other hand, supports the internal bonds of your strands (strengthens what’s been weakened) to deliver thicker, more resilient locks. And amino acids help to reinforce the hair’s structure and defend against future breakage.
Some clinical claims for you:
- Restores up to 99% virgin-like strength
- Visibly seals 76% of split ends
- 85% reduced breakage
* according to a clinical study performed by Pureology
While great for boosting overall hair health, this formula does it's best work on damaged or colour-treated manes.
Now, let's talk texture.
This one's a standout. It reminds me of a classic gripping primer; a little gloopy at first but sheers out effortlessly to reveal a lightweight balmy liquid. And I'm not exaggerating when I say - it's featherlight.
I warmed two generous pumps (my hair is thick and long) between palms then raked it through mid-length to ends on damp, post-wash hair. I blowdryed as usual - though the formula is airdry-approved too.
The product was virtually undetectable - no sticky finish or greasy film.
Now I should disclose, the product does bear an unusual 'chemical' scent. First wafts are strictly alcohol which quickly dissipate to reveal a chocolate-y undertone. Baileys, anyone?
Truthfully it is quite potent at first (so for those who are fragrance aversed - be warned) but it did settle down after a few minutes.
Another standout? The heat protection. It guards against up to 230°C, which is more than enough to face off with my straightener’s fiery plates.
Like all Pureology products, the formula is vegan, paraben-free, mineral oil-free. Great stuff.
I did notice a difference during my first blowdry - my hair seemed to be behaving a little bit better. There was more glide and substantially less frizz. Strands did also feel silkier.
It wasn't until my next few applications, however, that I actually observed a minimised appearance to my split ends. Looking at individual strands (and straining my eyes in the process), my hair appeared to be smooth and healthy. The hair shaft (and particularly ends) felt less straw-like too.
Where I was once seeing split ends in abundance, I could now only spot a few stragglers. It was impressive - and kind of unbelievable?!
While I wasn't able to completely reverse my split ends (a girl can dream) this mighty serum formula makes a convincing case for strengthening and curing. It totally lives up to it's name of being a dream healer!
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