Pureology Strength Cure vs. Strength Cure Blonde: Which Is Right for Your Hair?

Find the Perfect Sulfate-free Formula for Hair Breakage

Damaged hair, breakage, and split ends are common concerns, whether caused by heat styling, physical wear, or chemical processing. But finding the right professional repair treatment shouldn't be complicated. Pureology’s award-winning Strength Cure system is the #1 strengthening shampoo and conditioner in the U.S.*, engineered with a powerful blend of Astaxanthin and Keravis to repair damage and prevent future breakage by making your strands 2x stronger**. However, if you have lightened hair, you might be eyeing Strength Cure Blonde.
So, what’s the difference? While both collections feature our exclusive Antifade Complex® and 100% vegan formulas, they serve different color and restoration needs. Here is your expert guide to choosing the perfect sulfate-free solution for your hair type. * Circana, LLC, US Prestige Beauty Total Measured Market, Hair Primary Benefit: Strength/Restoration, Daily Rinse Shampoo and Conditioner, Product, USD and Unit Sales, January 2024 – August 2024.
**vs. non-conditioning shampoo

Feature	Strength Cure	Strength Cure Blonde
Best For	All damaged, color-treated hair types	Damaged, blonde, or lightened hair
Formula Type	Highly concentrated strengthening system	Professional purple toning & repair system
Key Benefit	2x stronger strands	Neutralizes brassy tones while repairing
Usage	Daily / Every wash	1-3 times a week (as needed for toning)
Key Ingredients	Keravis, Astaxanthin, Arginine	Purple Orchid, Keravis, Astaxanthin
Scent	Raspberry, Peach, Water Flowers	Pear, Rose, Sandalwood
Color Protection	Patented Antifade Complex®	Patented Antifade Complex®

Strength Cure Shampoo & Conditioner

A best seller for a reason! This duo is the winner of a coveted Allure Best of Beauty Hair Award: Best Shampoo & Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair. It's easy to see why people are completely obsessed and call it the best shampoo and conditioner for damaged hair.

"Every time I use this duo, my hair feels almost impossibly soft and looks shampoo-commercial-level of shiny," says Allure's content director Kara McGrath.

Pureology Strength Cure is a highly concentrated, professional system formulated to make your hair 2x stronger*. It is packed with a powerful blend of star ingredients, including:

Keravis: A strengthening, plant-based protein that fortifies the fiber to prevent hair breakage.
Arginine: An amino acid that helps restore and repair damage from the inside out.
Astaxanthin: A powerful antioxidant that visibly heals and protects against environmental aggressors.

"If your hair is prone to breakage, splitting or feels brittle, Pureology's Strength Cure Shampoo and Conditioner can provide the nourishment needed to improve hair resilience and reduce breakage," says Pureology Artistic Director Jamie Wiley. "If you're looking to grow your hair longer or improve its overall health, the Strength Cure line can also be beneficial. It contains ingredients that promote hair growth and help maintain the hair's natural moisture balance."

This mix of ingredients makes Strength Cure an amazing hair-breakage treatment. In fact, 90% of women said their hair looked visibly less damaged after just one use in a clinical study.

*vs. non-conditioning shampoo

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Strength Cure Blonde Shampoo & Conditioner

Pureology Strength Cure Blonde contains all the reparative power of the original formula but is professionally engineered specifically as a sulfate-free purple shampoo and conditioner system for all shades of blonde, lightened, or highlighted hair.

It features the addition of Purple Orchid, an extract touted for its intensive reparative and moisturizing properties. In Strength Cure Blonde, it works alongside Keravis and Astaxanthin to fortify the hair fiber while it instantly tones hair.

Why Purple? If you think back to art class, purple is directly opposite yellow on the color wheel. This means the highly concentrated active purple pigment in the formula acts as a professional toner to instantly neutralize brassy yellow tones, leaving your color salon-cool, luminous, and bright.

How to Use It: Because this is a powerful toning formula, you don't need to use it every day. We recommend using Strength Cure Blonde 1-3 times a week (or every third wash) to maintain your cool tone. On other days, swap in the regular Strength Cure system to focus purely on repair without over-toning.

Pro Tip: For even longer-lasting toning results and high-gloss shine, try the Color Fanatic Top Coat + Tone Purple treatment between salon visits to keep your blonde vibrant and refreshed.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Pureology Strength Cure and Strength Cure Blonde?
The main difference is professional toning. Strength Cure is a daily reconstruction system for all damaged hair types, including color-treated hair. Strength Cure Blonde is a purple-pigmented system that combines the same 2x strengthening repair technology with highly concentrated violet dyes to neutralize brassiness in blonde, highlighted, or lightened hair.

Is Pureology Strength Cure Blonde a purple shampoo?
Yes, Pureology Strength Cure Blonde is a professional sulfate-free purple shampoo and conditioner system. It is unique because it offers the toning and brightening benefits of a purple shampoo while also providing the deep repair and strengthening of the Strength Cure line without drying out your strands.

How often should I use Strength Cure Blonde?
We recommend using Strength Cure Blonde 1-3 times a week or every third wash, depending on your hair's porosity and level of brassiness. On your other wash days, we recommend swapping in the regular Strength Cure shampoo and conditioner to keep your hair fortified without over-depositing purple pigment.

Is Pureology Strength Cure good for damaged hair?
Yes, it is the ultimate professional solution for damaged hair. Strength Cure is clinically proven to make strands 2x stronger after just one use. In consumer studies, 90% of women said their hair looked visibly less damaged after just one use, making it our top recommendation for repairing breakage and split ends.

What is the difference between Pureology Hydrate and Strength Cure?
While both are sulfate-free and color-safe, they target different hair needs. Hydrate is focused on dry hair that needs intense moisture and softness. Strength Cure is specifically engineered for damaged hair that needs repair and plant-based protein to prevent breakage. If your hair feels brittle or snaps easily, Strength Cure is your essential system. For a full comparison of all Pureology shampoos, see our guide.