If you're looking to solve your hair drama, let us introduce you to one of the best hair treatments, Olaplex. For years, people have attacked their hair with bleach in the hope they will achieve ice-white levels of blonde. While most would certainly have hit the dizzy heights of peroxide fun, the damage bleach caused the hair follicles were often major. From the best hair oil to finding a nourishing hair mask, Olaplex is the brand you need on your radar.
Breakage, frazzled ends and yellowing fluff replaced previously strong, glossy strands. The only solution for a bleach fan was to step away from the toner and go natural. Until the discovery of Olaplex...
When it comes to shopping for the best hair treatments, whether you're in the market for some hair serums to treat your dry ends or introduce a hair mask into your routine, Olaplex is a brand that has a range of products available for your hair concerns.
The best Olaplex hair products at a glance:
Best Olaplex at-home hair product: Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector (£28) - Buy on LookFantastic
Best Olaplex shampoo and conditioner: Olaplex Shampoo and Conditioner Bundle (£56) - Buy on LookFantastic
Best Olaplex hair oil: Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil (£28) - Buy on Cult Beauty
What is Olaplex?
Before Olaplex, the dream of going from brunette to blonde in a day would be exactly that – a dream. Now, stylists can push the boundaries of colouring thanks to the magical benefits of Olaplex.
These little bottles of lotion aren’t yet another ‘deep conditioning’ treatment. Oh no, it’s way more technical than that. Olaplex permanently rebuilds the side bonds (the things that provide elasticity and strength and get damaged during the chemical process) within the hair. See? Clever.
SHOP: The Olaplex products you need to add to your haircare routine
Best Olaplex at-home hair product
Olaplexwww.lookfantastic.com
Description
This must-have bond-repairing hair treatment allows you to experience the power of Olaplex in the comfort of your home. Apply the Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector to damp hair and leave for a minimum of 10 minutes or longer to allow treatment to get to work on repairing broken bonds and nourishing damaged hair.
Customer reviews: "Olaplex No 3 is my go-to hair treat. My hair is dyed blonde, fine and flyaway. Using this keeps the colour bright and condition amazing. I wouldn't be without it. I use it as an overnight mask and the difference it makes is incredible."
Pros
- Intense treatment work to see results
- Can be left on the hair for a minimum of ten minutes
Cons
- Treatment needs consistent use to see results
Best Olaplex shampoo and conditioner
Olaplex www.lookfantastic.com
Description
It's time to swap your usual shampoo and conditioner routine for the Olaplex Shampoo and Conditioner Bundle to cleanse, hydrate and strengthen your hair. Introducing this shampoo and conditioner duo into your daily hair routine is the easiest way to repair your hair and see a noticeable difference in the condition.
Customer review: "You really do get what you pay for. I felt a difference in my hair from the first use. High shine, reduced frizz. I’ve been using it for a few months now, my hair is so much stronger."
Pros
- Can be used regularly
- Suitable for all hair types
Cons
- Shampoo and Conditioner need consistent use to see results
Best Olaplex hair oil
Olaplex www.lookfantastic.com
Description
Banish any unwanted frizz, protect your hair from heat and repair broken bonds with the No.7 Bonding Oil from Olaplex. The multi-tasking treatment doubles as a helping hand for damaged hair types, as well as a styling product and heat protectant.
Pros
- High heat protection
- Controls unwanted frizz
Cons
- Product may need replenishing more often
Best Olaplex frizz smoother
Olaplexwww.lookfantastic.com
Description
Looking for the ultimate leave-in hair treatment? Look no further than the No.6 Bond Smoother to instantly calm and hydrate the hair. This styling treatment instantly nourishes and treats damage as well as calming any frizz to protect your hair style.
Customer review: "Love this product I’ve tried many others but this is by far the best, leaves my hair feeling amazing after blowdrying. Smells lovely as well."
Pros
- Can be used on dry or damp hair
- Combines both a styling and repairing treatment
Cons
- Rich formula might not work for everyone
Best Olaplex moisturising hair mask
Olaplexwww.lookfantastic.com
Description
Struggling with dry, damaged ends? Give your hair some much-needed love with the Bond Intense Moisture Mask from Olaplex. Simply treat this product as your conditioner by applying on clean, damp hair and allow it to get to work for 10 minutes.
Customer review: "If you are a bleach blonde like myself you need this mask. I usually leave it on overnight and rinse it out in the morning."
Pros
- Visible results after one use
- Can be used on coloured hair
Cons
- Not ideal for an oilier hair type
Best Olaplex hair serum
Olaplexwww.lookfantastic.com
Description
If you're on the hunt for a new hair serum, this one is definitely one to add to your shopping list. This lightweight, silky serum leaves hair looking shiny, protected from heat and hydrated.
Customer review: "Gone back to this after using a similar product but this can’t be compared. A little goes a long way and makes a big difference to the condition of my hair from first use."
Pros
- Protects the hair from both heat and pollution
- Lightweight formula
Cons
- None!
Best Olaplex blonde shampoo
Olaplexwww.lookfantastic.com
Description
Tone and maintain your blonde locks with the Olaplex No.4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo. If you're looking to banish any unwanted brassiness whilst improving the condition of broken bonds - we recommend trying this shampoo.
Customer review: "I’ve bought a few purple shampoos and find they dry your hair out. This one doesn’t. Leaves my hair as soft as the original Olaplex and keeps my blonde from looking brassy."
Pros
- Toning shampoo that nourishes as it removes brassiness
- Leaves a brighter finish
Cons
- Works better on blonde hair
Is Olaplex just for colour-treated hair?
It isn't just bleach fans breathing a sigh of relief. Any chemical process applied to the hair can be Olaplex-ed. That includes perming, keratin treatments and even damage done using your straighteners. And it won’t break the bank. Most salons charge around £30 on top of your usual colour. Thirty quid to avoid looking like a scarecrow? Yes, please.
We popped into Myla & Davis salon in Brixton to speak to senior stylist Charlie and try out Olaplex...
What exactly do you do with the Olaplex?
"We add Step 1 (Olaplex No.1 Bond Multiplier) to the colour mix before applying it to the hair. This means the Olaplex is working to protect the hair during colouring. The system actually rebuilds the hair from the inside. We haven’t ever seen anything like it."
Who should use Olaplex?
"Everyone! I think it should be available to anyone having a colour treatment or other chemical treatment. Hair that used to feel almost stretchy after bleaching now feels strong. You can see a difference after just one treatment."
What happens after colouring?
"We apply the second stage after rinsing and leave that on as a mask for about 20 minutes to really let it sink in. If you have an Olaplex treatment every time you dye your hair you will see a huge change in the condition. It really is amazing."
Is it only available in salons?
"Step 1 and 2 yes, but you can buy Step 3 to use as a weekly mask at home. I would definitely recommend that."
Luckily for us, Olaplex has expanded its range of at-home treatments, so you can revel in the glory of gorgeous hair.
Georgia Scott is a beauty and fashion product writer writing across brands such as heat, Closer, Grazia and Yours specialising in all things lifestyle and trending. Before starting at Bauer, Georgia completed her degree in Journalism at University and worked as a retail beauty advisor and make-up artist.