Haircare isn’t something I’ve ever really been super passionate about. My hair has always been very plain, however I’ve noticed that my hair was becoming quite dry and lifeless. Olaplex is a brand that I have seen hyped up absolutely everywhere, so I thought it was worth looking into. Then I saw the price… Yeah, this stuff if pricey!! I decided to give it a go and write up my opinions on if you should splash your cash.
What is Olaplex?
Lets start by talking about who and what Olaplex actually is. Olaplex is a 9 step hair care system – 2 treatments are salon use only so I’m unable to review these. The brand was created in order to repair the hair from within each strand rather than just a superficial outside fix. It works for all hair types but more specifically for those who bleach or dye their hair intensely.
How Olaplex Works?
Like I said, Olaplex is designed to repair damaged hair from within the strands. Our hair contains millions of bonds which give the hair strength, structure and stability. When these become damaged they are called Disulfide Bonds.
There are 4 main factors that contribute to broken bonds. Thermal; this is simply from using high levels of hear from curling, straightening or even blow drying. Chemical; This damage comes from colouring, perming and keratin treatments. Environmental; This is any damage caused by UV from the sun, extreme cold and pollution. The final factor is Mechanical; this one is probably one we all suffer from. This is where damage is caused by brushing, friction, tugging and pulling on wet hair.
Olaplex uses Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate which restores compromised hair to a beautiful, healthy and strong natural state.
Let’s look at the products now shall we?
Olaplex No.0 Intensive Bond Building Treatment
Olaplex No.0 is essentially a primer for your haircare routine. You start by using this to saturate dry hair from root to tip and leave it to sit for at least 10 minutes. If I’m being honest this is probably the step I dislike the most, not because it doesn’t help but because it’s time consuming and I’m lazy!
For a 155ml bottle No.0 it will cost £26 and give you between 3 and 6 applications depending on hair length and thickness. It is advised to use this treatment 1 to 3 times per week depending on how damaged the hair is and should be used as a two-part system with No.3.
Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector
Olaplex No.3 is probably the most famous product that the brand sells with many celebrities talking about it’s superpowers! This one is a global best seller that I think is best described as a hair mask. It works on your hair to reduce breakage and visibly strengthen it. Even if you don’t have super damaged hair, you could certainly use this product on it’s own and see massive improvements. No.3 should be applied to damp hair (either water or No.0) from root to ends and left for a minimum of 10 minutes. I personally like to leave it on for 30-60 minutes however many people opt to leave it in overnight to really see the full extent of its power. I noticed a huge difference in my hair even after 2 applications of this one!
For a 100ml bottle of this baby it will again cost you £26 however some website often sell a 250ml bottle for £52. Again it is recommended to be used 1 to 3 times per week depending on the level of damage.
Olaplex No.4 and No.5 Bond Maintenance Shampoo and Conditioner
Next up in the system is No.4 and No.5 – the shampoo and conditioner. These are designed to nourish, strengthen and of course repair the hair in particular helping to fight split ends and frizziness. These are designed to be used for daily use and work best for those with oily hair. The shampoo should be focused on the roots of the hair and you truly do not need a lot of this as it lathers up amazingly! As for the conditioner it should be focused more on the ends of the hair and left in for 3 to 5 minutes before rinsing. This duo smells incredible by the way!
Both the Shampoo and Conditioner come as a 250ml bottle and again both are £26. I use these twice a week and a bottle honestly lasted me around 3 months which definitely makes the price tag feel a bit better but still a super high cost for an everyday product.
Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother
The bond smoother is a leave in reparative style creme that helps to nourish the hair while reducing frizz. It actually claims to elimate frizz and flyaways for up to 72 hours! – I’d say I do somewhat agree with this statement. I have definitely seen a dramatic improvement in the frizziness of my hair. This can be used after each wash or as needed for styling and only needs a small amount applied from mid-length to ends of the hair. No.6 has become a second favourite in the routine for me which is surprising because I genuinely disliked it to start with. I soon realised I was just using too much product and instead of helping my hair it was weighing it down so be careful – when it says a very small amount it means it!
For a 100ml bottle of No.6 it’ll cost you… can you guess?… £26! I genuinely don’t mind the cost of this one because you truly use the tiniest amount on each use.
Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil
We’ve reached our final step! No.7 is a highly-concentrated, weightless styling oil that dramatically increases shine, softness and provides UV/heat protection. This oil can be used on wet or dry hair prior to styling with heated tools. Before No.7 I had never used a hair oil before, mainly out of fear that my hair would look heavy or greasy but I must admit I am really enjoying this one. I add 4 or 5 drops into No.6, mix them together and run them through my hair combined.
This one comes as a 30ml bottle and when you’re only using 4 or 5 drops at a time it really will last ages! Do I even need to tell you how much this one costs at this point?? ( Yup, yet another £26)
Final Words and Thoughts
Y’know what? I like Olaplex. Is it truly worth the money? Some products definitely more than others. Has my hair improved? Oh yes! I’ve noticed my hair feeling stronger, looking healthier and it really doesn’t break off half as much as it used to.
I’m not saying you should absolutely go out and spend over £150 on hair products – unless your hair is incredibly damaged – but I do definitely recommend No.3 and No.6 if absolutely nothing else. If you head over to LookFantastic you can pick up a Repair Trial Kit for £22 that contains 30ml bottles of No.3, No.4, No.5 and No.6 which I highly suggest you pick up if you are keen to try the products but not sure if you can or want to commit to the price tag.
Have you tried Olaplex? Or have a different haircare routine that you find works better? Let me know in the comments!
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