For those of us who have put our hair through the wringer with coloring, heat styling, and chemical treatments, the promise of Olaplex - a system designed to repair damaged hair - is incredibly appealing. This review dives into the Olaplex system, focusing on the shampoo and other key products, to determine if it truly delivers on its claims.
Olaplex is a multi-system of haircare products that aim to repair damaged hair and works for all hair types. Their products are made with a patent system to repair damaged hair. This is achieved through the use of a patented single ingredient, Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate. This ingredient is said to repair hair from thermal effects (hot tools), chemical damage (relaxers, coloring and keratin treatments), overall tugging/brushing the hair, and environmental factors. The science behind it resonated-rebuilding the broken bonds within the hair shaft to restore the strength and shine.
The No. 0 is said to prime the hair and to absorb the No.3 treatment better. It’s supposed to be applied to dry hair and to fully saturate each section of hair. It’s said to last at least 3-6 applications (depending on the length of your hair). The No 0. Treatment is suggested to be applied to dry hair and to let it absorb into the hair for 5-10 minutes prior to moving on to the next steps.
When applying the No. 0 Treatment, start on dry unwashed hair and saturate the hair with the pre-treatment. It’s recommended to be left on for a few minutes prior to adding the No.3. The minimal ingredient list is a plus. One drawback mentioned is that the nozzle is very small-making which made it difficult dispense at a slow rate (this can easily be altered by cutting the nozzle), but this did take a substantial amount of time to fully saturate my hair.
Some users report getting 5-6 applications from one bottle. However, some users didn't see much of change while using it and wouldn't repurchase the No.0 Treatment.
Read also: Benefits of Olaplex Shampoo
The No.3 is said to reduce breakage and visibly strengthen the hair. It has seriously transformed hair, and continues to do so-each time hair has been colored since starting using it, stylists have commented on how much stronger hair feels. The No. 3 Hair Perfector goes on before shampoo. It can even be left on overnight, but keeping it on for about 30 or 45 minutes-rinsing hair, working a nickel-sized amount from roots to tips, putting it in a bun, then working out-is sufficient. Then rinse it out in the shower and follow with either the Olaplex shampoo and conditioner.
The 3-ounce bottle lasts about 3 months with regular use. Use the treatment with every shampoo (1x a week) or every other week and a greater effect is definitely noticed using it more frequently. Con- the 3oz bottle only gives about 2.5-3 uses. If you have very thick or long hair you may only get 1-1.5 uses from this bottle. Even with it being so costly, it is worth purchasing the No.3 treatment.
The shampoo is said to repair and protect, leave the hair shinier and help with frizz, and is color safe. The texture of the shampoo is very creamy and only a little bit of product is needed to get to a good lather. This shampoo leaves hair soft and manageable. With most shampoos hair tends to feel stripped, tangled and gives a super squeaky clean, which usually means its too striping for hair. The Olaplex No. 3 works best when used in conjunction with the No. 4 shampoo and No. 5 conditioner. The shampoo is super concentrated-you only need a dime-size amount-and in spite of being sulfate-free, it lathers really well.
Being that the Olaplex line is on the pricier side, this shampoo can be used with every other hair wash. This a shampoo that would work for most hair types- especially those with curly hair as the shampoo is moisturizing and helps to tame frizz.
However, all of those things are likely due to the presence of silicones, which can build up on your scalp and cause breakage, which is likely why there are so many adamant one-star reviews. The advice is to rotate between this and a shampoo with sulfates, which, although they get a bad rap, actually clean your scalp and help prevent buildup.
Read also: Is Olaplex 4C Worth It?
The Bond Maintenance Conditioner is said to deeply hydrate, repair and strength the hair.
The first thing noticed when using the conditioner was how thick it is. Most wash out conditioners are on the thinner side, but this one has a great consistency. Thicker conditioners are preferable as hair is like a sponge and soaks up conditioner. As per the directions, the conditioner is to be applied from scalp to the tips of the hair. Once rinsed out hair feel very soft and it even helps to loosen up any tangles that may have been in hair. If you have naturally curly-coily hair, this conditioner provides a decent amount of “slip”.
Like the shampoo, it contains silicones (dimethicone to be exact), so if you use too much, it can make your hair kind of stringy. But if you use exactly the right amount, your hair is shiny, bouncy, and so healthy looking, you won't believe you just bleached the living daylights out of it last week.
The question is do I feel the need for this? Not exactly. At some points of usage, this conditioner was being used and then following up with a deep conditioner. But I don’t think this was necessary. Being that heavier hair masks are preferable, next time around purchasing this conditioner will be skipped. As much as I like it, there isn’t really the need as there are a ton of deep conditioners in collections. But if you’re someone who doesn’t feel the need to deep condition or you don’t have the time in your schedule, then this may be for you.
This product is basically a leave-in conditioner that eliminates frizz and protects your hair from heat styling. And you need even less of it than the shampoo and conditioner; the consistency is almost like a paste, and if you have fine hair like I do, you can easily overdo it. This product on second-day hair, particularly if ends are looking a little dry and scraggly is really great. Like the shampoo and conditioner, No. 6 has dimethicone in it, so your mileage may vary.
Read also: Choosing the right shampoo for hair loss.
Many users report significant improvements in their hair's health after using Olaplex products. Hair regains fullness, dullness turns into a healthy shine, and ends become stronger. It wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was a source of newfound confidence as well. No longer did I shy away from wearing my hair naturally, and the once-dreaded wash day became a chance to nourish my mane.
The Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo is controversial. The presence of silicones is a concern for some users. Silicones can build up on your scalp and cause breakage. It is advised to rotate between this and a shampoo with sulfates, which actually clean your scalp and help prevent buildup.
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