Back in November, I wrote about frying my hair with my 10 year old CHI Flat Iron. I scorched my bangs, the two front side pieces of my hair that used to be longer than the angled sides and back, and the ends of my hair. My hair felt like straw, and it looked frazzled and frizzy.
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In addition to buying a new flat iron (I still love my new ghi Platinum+ Professional Flat Iron reviewed here), my colorist recommended that I switch to a moisturizing shampoo. My friend, Amy, recommended that I try Olaplex. I have been trying lots of different shampoos and conditioners over the past several years, but somehow Olaplex wasn’t on my radar. I’ve since discovered that Olaplex is the savior brand of so many people who were stripping, bleaching and dying their hair in fabulous pastels and rainbow shades.
Olaplex has an entire system of bonding haircare products that are often used in tandem with hair color to prevent and repair damage from chemical processes. Olaplex repairs the bonds that are broken during bleaching by healing hair from the inside out.
Because I still love my JOICO K-Pak Lustre Lock Treatment Conditioner, I decided to start out with multi-benefit Olaplex No. 4 Bonding Maintenance Shampoo.
Olaplex developed and patented Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate, the first ingredient in the new bond builder category of haircare products that protects, nourishes, and restructures the inside of the hair shaft. Because that innovative ingredient doesn’t moisturize hair, Olaplex added natural hydrating ingredients: Coconut, Sunflower Seed Oil, Banana Fruit Extract, Noni Fruit Extract, and Glycerin. Since healthy hair comes from a healthy scalp, Olaplex added Acetic Acid, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Biotin, Oregano Extract, Burdock Root Extract, and Sodium Hyaluronate. To thicken hair as well as to create elasticity that prevents breakage, Panthenol and Biotin are key ingredients. Shine, smoothness and manageability come from Vitamin E, Apricot Kernel Oil, Pomegranate Seed Oil, and Fermented Argan Oil.
And there are more beneficial ingredients still, but I have a feeling that your eyes may be starting to glaze over, lol.
From the reading I’ve been doing about the Olaplex brand, lots of top tier colorists use Olaplex products as part of their hair color processes. My colorist is certainly familiar with and approves of Olaplex, but, Sassoon Salons (corporate) dictate the products that can be used and sold in their salons, and sadly, Olaplex is not one of them. But that won’t stop me from using Olaplex on my own.
I have been using Olaplex No. 4 Bonding Shampoo for about two months, and my hair has become noticeably healthier. True, I am helping it along by having my hair cut. My stylist has been cutting the damaged hair off of the bottom of my bangs, my side pieces and the ends of my hair. The hair that remains feels like new hair: silkier, thicker, and stronger.
Olaplex No. 4 Bonding Shampoo comes in a no-nonsense plastic bottle with a simple, no frills label. The shampoo is an ivory/yellow cream. It has a very pleasant, light, grapefruity scent. Honestly, I thought it was fragrance-free, but when I sniffed the bottle, I could smell the enjoyable scent. The shampoo is very concentrated, and a small amount makes plenty of lather. Yet, it is easy to rinse out. When I first started using Olaplex No. 4, I used my “normal” amount of shampoo and frankly, that was too much!
Olaplex is safe for all hair types, gentle, non-toxic, pH balanced, paraben free, color safe, vegan, sulfate free, cruelty-free, and SLS/SLES free. The full size bottle that I purchased contains 8.5 fl. oz./250 ml and is priced at $28. There’s a smaller 3.3 fl. oz./100 ml size for $14. Olaplex is widely available on the Olaplex website, at Sephora, Nordstrom, Dermstore, ASOS, Bella Kalista Beauty, and more.
Amy suggested that I try more of the Olaplex product line. In fact, she suggested a holiday gift set/travel sizes of four healing and strengthening products. But since I am wedded to JOICO K-PAK, I am considering trying Olaplex No. 0 Intensive Bond Building Treatment that primes hair for deeper repair with the highest dose of patented OLAPLEX technology in any at-home product. Although I think my hair is in very good shape now, I think I will give it a go. I am just looking for a sale, per usual.
Hi Allison! I second the wonders of Olaplex. I started out using the number No. 3 Hair Perfector treatment about 1.5 years ago, but only sporadically. Then I added the No 6 Bond smoother, before and after blow drying to smooth. I have mid-length, very fine hair, color treated to blonde highlights, and trying to keep it on the longer side. With the pandemic and hormone changes, I lost a lot of hair volume the past 6 months. Now I am all in with their system. I don’t typically wash more then twice a week, so now use the Olaplex treatment and shampoo/conditioner, smoother, each time. Hooooeee! Already noticing a difference! My hair is much smoother and less tangled. May add the oil too. Definitely, only need small amount to shampoo! First time, I used normal amount and could make shapes in my hair with all the foam.
Mary, thank you for weighing in about Olaplex. I’m laughing about your description of being able to make foam sculptures with the shampoo lather. I often forget that I’m using Olaplex and need just a small amount, and the lather can be overwhelming but truth be told, I like a lot of suds. So when do you use the No. 3 Hair Perfector? Is it on dry hair or on what hair before shampoo? I am trying to decide whether to add No. 0 or No. 3. I just can’t do all the steps. I only wash my hair every 5 days, and in the winter, sometimes every 6 especially since I’m not going anywhere. I am afraid if I layer on too many products my coarse hair will be overwhelmed and weigh a ton, lol, or at least I’ll have to wash it more often. What’s your experience been so far especially since you have fine hair?
I use No 3 treatment before shampooing 2x a week. I just wet my hands and run through my hair a few times then add the No 3. Thought about using dog’s spray bottle instead, LOL. Pretty basic. I don’t typically spend a lot of time on beauty treatments (don’t mask, etc.) and was very sporadic using No 3. But with the recent hair loss, I decided to commit. I comb the No 3 through my hair, pin it up for 10-20 mins while I exercise or get my food and ready for work, before showering. Just made it part of my routine. Next, I want to leave in hair overnight, but afraid of the mess on my pillow if shower cap slips. Any suggestions?
Thank you so much for the specific info on how you use No. 3, Mary. I may have already told you this, but I ordered the launch kit for No. 0, the primer, and Olaplex throws in a small tube of No. 3. I figured I would try the primer and treatment together, as Olaplex suggests, once or twice and then decide about getting a larger bottle. I hope there’s enough No. 3 in the tube for two usages, but if not I’ll make do. I couldn’t see the size of the No. 0, but I’m hoping it’s a full size. I did some reading about leaving No. 3 in overnight, and a few women swear by it, but others say it isn’t necessary and could even have diminishing results. The consensus seemed to be that 45 minutes tops is the most you should leave it on, and that 30 is the sweet spot. Who knows? I’ll try 10 minutes for the primer, and 20-30 for No. 3 and see how it goes. I have tried sleeping with a shower cap, and it did stay on, but I found it so uncomfortable and chilly that I haven’t tried it again.
WE use this at the salon and sell the entire line. It works wonders on my daughter’s damaged hair from too much bleaching.
Oh, I’m really glad to hear that about Olaplex. I don’t know where I’ve been because it had not been on my radar. Just using the shampoo is really helping my hair a lot.
I haven’t tried Olaplex. I’m currently using Alterna Caviar, but then again, my hair is no longer color-treated.
I remember trying something from Alterna that I got a couple of years ago in a Sephora Play bag, I think. That brand also has quite a following. If your hair isn’t color-treated or damaged, you probably wouldn’t need Olaplex. While I wouldn’t call it a fun shampoo that I look forward to using like I do some shampoos that smell fantastic (this one smells good but on my hair, I don’t smell it at all). But it’s doing the job
Speaking of scent, my favorite hair product in terms of how it smells is Aveda Invati serum. Oh my stars!!! I love it!
I haven’t tried that, but I love their cherry scented conditioner. Actually, Aveda does natural scents really, really well!
I love Aveda scents! They are addicting. Mmmm, the smell of the Color Conserve shampoo (sandalwood?) is delish. But alas, Olaplex does seem better for my hair.
Aveda scents are magical, but you’re right, you do have to go with what is better for your hair.
This shampoo and also Olaplex conditioner are pure magic! I don’t know how they do it, but nothing makes my hair as soft as those.
I just got Olaplex No. 0 and a travel size tube of No. 3. I can’t wait to try them in addition to No. 4 shampoo!