If you’ve dyed or highlighted your hair during the past few years, it’s likely you’ve heard of Olaplex. In fact, in July 2015 I actually tried out an Olaplex treatment as part of my partnership with the Red Door salon (you can find the post here). When you get an Olaplex treatment done in a salon (either as part of a color service, or on its own), it is supposed to dramatically reduce breakage and also make your color last longer.
Since the pandemic, I’ve stopped having my hair professionally colored and have returned to the world of box dye. This has actually been an improvement for my hair – as the salon dye seems to have been too harsh for my hair and I’ve seeing more healthy regrowth since I’ve taken over on my own.
However, I do have concerns about hair breakage. To be honest though… I’m not sure if it’s hair breakage or hair regrowth, but I have some little curly bits around my hairline. I tried a silk pillowcase for a while, but didn’t see any difference (and didn’t love it) and I often use a deep conditioner, but when doing my research, I was reminded of Olaplex.
And they now have an ‘at home’ version of their products.
So first up, what does Olaplex really do? Well, here is their claim: our patented active chemistry works on a molecular level to improve hair strength and repair the broken bonds that come from coloring treatments, bleaching, or heat damage from blow dryers and curling irons.
After doing a bunch of research, here are the Olaplex products that I think may work best for me:
No.3 Hair Perfector, $28 for 100 ML: This is the original Olaplex product that they are famous for. It’s an at-home treatment that reduces breakage and visibly strengthens hair. You wet your hair, towel dry it, and then apply this from roots to tips. They say it should stay on your hair for at least 10 minutes, but in their ‘personal hair quiz results’ they sent me, I should leave it in for 45 minutes before shampoo and conditioning my hair and use it 2-3 times a week. They also recommend using it 2-3 times in a row before you color your hair to keep it extra healthy.
No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo, $28 for 250 ML: This shampoo repairs and protects hair from everyday stresses by re-linking broken bonds. It is color-safe and proven to reduce breakage and strengthen all types of hair.
No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner, $28 for 250ML: The conditioner is also supposed to protect and repair damaged hair by re-linking broken bonds and is also color-safe.
No 6. Bond Smoother, $28 for 100 ML: This is a highly concentrated leave-in smoothing cream that is supposed to strengthen, moisturize and speed up blow-dry times. This is said to be excellent for all hair types, including colored and chemically treated hair and will eliminate frizz and fly-aways for up to 72 hours.
While everything sounds pretty great and I’ve heard good feedback from multiple hair stylists, it is quite the chunk of change to spend on hair care. If I purchased everything on my list off the Olaplex website, my total would be $112!
They do have a Hair Repair Trial Kit for $25 that I was considering, as it contains 1 oz trial versions of the No. 3, No.4, No.5 and No.6. However, while the price was right, I was concerned that the bottles were too small for me to get a good idea on whether they work on my hair.
Then I saw that they currently are offering a Holiday Hair Fix Kit for $60. Still pricey, but it contains a full size 100 ML No.3, a travel size 100 ML No.4, a travel size 100 ML No.5, and a full size 100 ML No.6. I actually think this will be perfect for me so I can try the full list of products, and then after the shampoo and conditioner run out, I can see how the No.3 and No.6 work with my typical shampoo and conditioner before fully committing to the whole kit-and-kaboodle.
As I’m waiting for my order to come I’m very curious to know if this is going to be the THING my hair has been needing. Or, if it’s just snake-oil and will make literally no difference at all.
If you use any of the Olaplex system, I’d love to know your thoughts! Also, is anyone interested in a review post after I try it out for a few weeks?
Disclosure: Not sponsored at all!
How often would you have to use #3, or 4? I would be interested if it was easy, didn’t take long to do, and didn’t have to be done so many times a week.
For 3 you are supposed to use it 1-3 times a week, depending on how damaged your hair is. For 4 and 5, you use them when you would typically wash your hair.
Thanks!