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A couple of months ago, I wrote about my experience using Olaplex No. 4 Bonding Shampoo that was recommended to me by my friend Amy to help repair my damaged hair that I burned with an old flat iron. No. 4 Bonding Shampoo has worked well for me, and I love the mega-lather that I get from it.
Amy also recommended that I try more of the product line to help undo the damage to my hair. She suggested buying a travel set that came out during the holidays that included sample sizes of the entire line. I managed to find the set at Sephora after the holidays, but I decided that I would pass since I already had the shampoo. Also I am wedded to my favorite JOICO K-PAK Color Therapy Luster Lock, a conditioning treatment that works so well for my coarse hair, so I didn’t really want the Olaplex conditioner. I thought I might do better cherry picking the products I was most interested in.
I continued my Olaplex quest, and I found Olaplex Intensive Bond Building Hair Treatment No. 0, a hair primer, in a set that included a sample of No. 3 Perfector. Since No. 0 and No. 3 were the two products that I really wanted to try, I decided to go for the set.
No. 0 Intensive Bond Building Treatment “primes, repairs, strengthens and protects all hair types”. Overall, it primes hair to absorb nourishment and thereby strengthens the hair.
It’s a clear liquid that comes in a squeeze bottle. You’re supposed to saturate the hair from roots to ends with it. I find that applying it is a challenge because I have so much hair. To saturate my hair completely, I would probably have to use the entire 5.2 fl. oz. bottle! I do a combination of squeezing it onto my hair at the crown and removing the tip, pouring some into my hand to apply the watery liquid to the main part of hair and the ends. You’re supposed to leave it on for at least 10 minutes.
Next, I applied the white cream No. 3 Perfector that came in a travel size squeeze tube.
I squeezed it into my hand and spread it throughout my hair, again from crown to ends. It was easier to apply than the watery No. 3. I used half the 30 ml tube each of the two times I used it. No. 3 is also supposed to be left on for 10 minutes or longer. No. 3 Perfector is not a conditioner. Here’s how Olaplex describes it: “at home bond builder…Our patented technology relinks the broken bonds in every type of hair providing real, structural repair that works from within…(It) reduces breakage and visibly strengthens hair, improving its look and feel. It will restore your hair’s healthy appearance and texture by repairing damage and protecting hair structure.”
The first time I used this duo, and I left both of them on my hair for much longer than 10 minutes, more like a half hour for No. 0 and about an hour for No. 3. The second time, I left them on for about 15-20 minutes each. To be honest, I didn’t see much difference in the results after leaving them on longer.
Using No. 0 and No. 3 together was shown via testing to promote 68% more repair and three times stronger hair after just one use. That’s quite impressive.
I washed my hair with Olaplex No. 4 Bonding Shampoo and followed up with JOICO K-PAK. I didn’t use the Derma E Hair Repair Bonding Oil that I love because I wanted to see how the two Olaplex pre-treatment products worked on their own.
My hair feels very silky, soft and healthy. Just about all of the burnt areas are gone except for a tiny bit at the bottom of my bangs.
I used up the No. 3 Perfector sample tube. I am wondering how No. 3 would work if I didn’t use No. 0 Primer first? Any Olaplex users know??? I bought a full size No. 3.
I am pleased with my results using Olaplex No. 0 and No. 3. If I can build in some extra time before washing my hair, it seems worthwhile to use No. 0 and No. 3. However, when I don’t have an extra half hour, I am glad I can use a few drops of Derma E Bonding Oil to get a similar result.
Olaplex No. 0 Primer contains 5.2 fl. oz. and is priced at $28. The full-size Olaplex No. 3 Perfector contains 3.3 fl. oz. and is priced at $28. Olaplex can be purchased at Sephora, Dermstore.com, Amazon, and on the Olaplex website.
Olaplex is cruelty-free, vegan, gluten-free, sulfate-free, phosphate-free, nut free, paragon-free, and pH balanced.
No. 0 ingredients: Water (Aqua), Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
No. 3 ingredients: Water, Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate, Propylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Ethylcellulose, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Quaternium-91, Sodium Benzoate, Cetrimonium Methosulfate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Fragrance, Polyquaternium-37, Tetrasodium EDTA, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Etidronic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Phytantriol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Panthenol, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate.
Hi Allison,
Thanks for the shout-out! I’m glad you got a chance to try Olaplex No. 0 & 3 (in addition to the shampoo). I find No.3 to be effective enough on its own, without No.0, which is a more intensive treatment that’s not necessary to use very often.
The Olaplex products really rescued my hair when I was having it colored every 3 weeks to cover the grey, and it became so dry and brittle-looking. The arid climate where I live in Mexico also didn’t help matters! But since I started letting the grey grow out over a year ago, I found I don’t need to use No.0 or 3 very often, but I still use all the other shampoo, conditioner and leave-in treatments, since I blow dry my hair after every shampoo and I love the results.
There are a couple Olaplex facebook groups that share information and hair stories that are quite interesting, so you might want to check them out.
Best wishes, my dear friend!
Thanks again for your recommendations, Amy! Glad to know that No. 0 is not mandatory every time I use No. 3! I will definitely check out the FB Olaplex group – who knew??!! 💕
Haha! are you going to get me started again about my love for Olaplex, and the foamy shampoo? I may need to try 0 now. I don’t currently use, but it the description reminds me of a favorite pre-treatment I used to use.
Lol, I hoped you would chime in! Refresh my memory, do you use No. 3 (on its own, meaning without No. 0)? Honestly, to saturate my hair, I need to use a ton of 0, and I would love to not use that one if it’s not critical!
I am so glad that almost all of the damage is gone, Allison! I have ben wanting to try their products for quite a while, and your experience makes me want to try a few of their products!
Lola Seicento recently posted…Erno Laszlo Multi-Task Eye Serum Mask Review
You’ve obviously hit upon a great combination for your hair. It looks like you just stepped out of a salon with all their pampering. It’s great news too that you’ve conquered the burnt hair!
MarciaF recently posted…Moroccan Gold Series haircare for good hair days
You really have beautiful hair! You’re the perfect ad for haircare!
Loving all things Olaplex for my processed hair! It really does make it feel like you came out of a salon.
Glamorable recently posted…Ipsy Glam Bag Plus February 2021 Unboxing & Review
Thanks for the review — I’ve heard so many good things about Oloplex, and now I am considering trying it.