Amika The Closer Instant Repair Cream Review
If there’s any haircare problem I’ve struggled with for as long as I can remember, it’s breakage. My mom always called them “baby hairs” but dealing with random pieces around my crown at the root that stuck straight up like a Flintstones character was never cute, but it reached a whole new level of frustration once I started highlighting my hair on a regular basis. Combine frequent bleaching with fine, fragile hair, and I realized my regular haircare routine wasn’t cutting it.
After lots of research and conversations with my hair stylists (one for color, one for cut), I learned I needed a bond-builder, which is meant to seal split ends and help prevent further damage (and thus protect your hair from excess breakage).
I’ve loved the haircare brand Amika for a while now - their products are typically clean, fairly priced, work well, and are easy to use - so I decided to try out The Closer Instant Split End Seal Cream. Meant to seal split ends, reduce frizz, add hydration, and prevent damage, I was excited to try it to see not only if it worked, but if it was worth the $30.
I always test products out for at least a few months before sharing my thoughts here on my blog, and I get a friend (or my mom) to play with them as well to give you a truly comprehensive, unsponsored review. No spoilers, but I’m pleasantly surprised by how well The Closer works and my before and after is a good one. For that comparison, my full review, and tips on how to get the most out of Amika’s The Closer Instant Split End Seal Cream, keep reading.
amika the closer instant repair cream review
amika the closer instant repair cream before and after
how to use amika the closer instant repair cream
One thing to keep in mind when you’re using Amika’s The Closer Instant Split End Seal Cream is that it’s a bond builder, not a leave-in conditioner. You want to concentrate this product on the ends of your hair to ensure you’re not wasting or using too much product.
Use a dime-sized amount and apply to damp hair, focusing mostly on your damaged ends. Amika says you can also apply it to dry hair, but I’ve found I get the best results on damp hair.
I have pretty long hair with lots of layers and use 2-3 pumps, but start with 2.
Most of my damage is around my face-framing and top layers. The hair closest to my neck doesn’t get highlights and is pretty healthy, so I start with the most damaged sections, and then apply whatever is leftover on my hands to that base section.
If you have layers, it might be easier for you to divide your hair prior to applying the product, just like how you do before you heat style.
If you have a lot of damage, you can also apply The Closer to dry hair as a finishing touch after heat styling or air drying. I don’t find it to be as effective as it is on damp hair, but it won’t make your hair crunchy or sticky and will give your ends that final seal post-styling.
If you also want to use a leave-in conditioner and/or heat protectant, use The Closer first. My hair can get weighed down easily, so I make sure I use a leave-in conditioner that doubles as a heat protectant; for me, 2 products (The Closer + leave-in) is great, but using 3 products is too much and makes my hair look blah.
pros
Seals split ends and reduces breakage
Smooths frizz
Hydrates hair
Acts as a bond-builder to prevent further damage
Smells great (amber vanilla blend), but not overpowering - I always get compliments anytime I use an Amika product.
Lightweight
For all hair types and textures
Easy to use, leave-in formula
Does not make your hair crunchy (even if you use too much)
Vegan and cruelty-free
Paraben, phthalate, SLES and SLS free
cons
Small product; a little goes a long way, but I was still surprised by the size when I received it
Does not work as a heat protectant or leave-in conditioner
Doesn’t really make your hair softer
is the amika the closer instant repair cream worth it?
Yes. If you deal with persistent split ends no matter what haircare products you use or how often you get trims, I highly recommend trying a bond builder like Amika’s The Closer Instant Split End Seal Cream. Trust me, the last thing I wanted to do was add another product to my regimen, but hair health comes before everything else - what is the point of highlights or good conditioners if my hair is constantly breaking? - and The Closer really helped me address the damage head-on.
It’s important to remember that this is not a leave-in conditioner or heat protectant; those are meant to address different pain points, so this won’t replace those products in your lineup.
Because it’s designed specifically to be used on your ends, The Closer comes in a pretty small bottle, but you only need a little bit, so it will last you at least 6 months (longer if you wash your hair less frequently or apply it to only damp hair).
It retails for $30, and that’s pretty fair for bond builders. It’s cheaper than another popular one by Living Proof (which is $45) and the scent is better in my opinion, too. If you heat style regularly or spend lots of time outside/ in the water (chlorine or ocean) in the summer, this will be such a savior for your hair health and I highly recommend it. To make The Closer fit in my budget, I personally switched to a cheaper hair mask that I use every few washes instead of a fancier Davines one and I swear my hair is healthier than before.
One thing to remember, though: The Closer Instant Split End Seal Cream is a split end sealer, not a healer. This is going to bind those split sections together to prevent further splitting or damage, but it will not heal or fix your split ends. The only way to do that is to get a nice trim, and I do recommend getting trims every 6-12 weeks depending on your hair type and if you color treat it. For reference, I have fine hair that I wash daily, curl 2-3x a week, and highlight every 8-10 weeks, and I get trims every 12 weeks, but you may want to go more often if you do all-over bleach or live in a cold, harsh climate (as that can weaken the hair follicle and lead to more breakage).
To keep your hair as healthy as possible between trims, I highly recommend trying Amika’s The Closer Instant Split End Seal Cream. It’s safe for all hair types, is color-safe, and really does make your hair healthier. I was skeptical, but my before and after surprised me! I am not one for a 23-step haircare routine, but The Closer has absolutely earned its spot and has become one of my most impactful haircare products. Whether you heat style or not, stick to mostly drugstore products or salon-quality, give The Closer Instant Split End Seal Cream a try.