If you colour your hair, there’s a good chance you’ll have heard of OLAPLEX. The multi-step hair treatment system has been trending since it emerged on the scene, and we’re here to shine a light on what it is and how you use it. So, whether you’re already an OLAPLEX convert or wondering what all the fuss is about, let us enlighten you on the hair repair treatment kit of the moment.
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What is OLAPLEX?
OLAPLEX is a hair treatment system designed for those who regularly colour their hair. If you’ve noticed dry hair, split ends, or frizz from colouring, styling, and heat treatment, OLAPLEX could be just the hair care treatment you need to restore your locks to beautiful condition.
After undergoing numerous chemical treatments and colouring, your hair’s disulfide bonds get damaged. OLAPLEX works as a bond perfector by repairing these bonds.
Your professional stylist must supervise two steps that need to be done in the salon within this multi-step system. You can complete the rest in the comfort of your own home. So, without further ado, let’s look at how to use OLAPLEX.
Step 0: OLAPLEX No.0 Bond Builder
The first step to a beautifully restored mane starts here. Step 0 is the priming stage of the treatment, which prepares your hair for what’s to come. At the heart of OLAPLEX is its patented molecule, bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate (a bit of a tongue-twister, that one). This is the stuff that does all the work and helps your hair to absorb Step 3 of the system. You use Step 0 at home and slather a layer of Bond Builder beneath Step 3 (more on that later), rinsing after ten minutes.
OLAPLEX Steps 1 and 2: In the salon
These are the two steps that need to be completed in the salon. They are where the OLAPLEX mending work really starts on damaged hair, and together, they begin to repair the broken bonds caused by harsh colouring chemicals.
Step 1
This step is the Bond Multiplier. If you’re visiting the salon to have your hair highlighted or coloured, the stylist will mix Step 1 with your colour and add it directly to your hair with the foils. It can also be used as a standalone treatment if necessary.
Step 2
The next salon-based stage of OLAPLEX is the Bond Perfector, which your stylist adds once they have washed the colour of your hair. This step acts as a twenty-minute, nourishing leave-in treatment, strengthening the molecule bonds and beginning to protect your hair against future breakage.
Step 3: OLAPLEX No.3 Hair Perfector
The third step of the OLAPLEX system comes in the form of a once-a-week treatment, which you apply at home before washing your hair with shampoo and conditioner. To get the best out of Step 3, apply one to three teaspoons of the Perfector to damp hair before combing through. Leave on for ten minutes to half an hour, then wash out.
Step 4: OLAPLEX No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
For best results, once you have completed Step 3, OLAPLEX recommends using its bond maintenance shampoo in place of your usual brand. Designed with healthy hair in mind, the shampoo hydrates and nourishes at a molecular level.
OLAPLEX No.4-P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo
This OLAPLEX treatment is an added extra step for all you blondes out there. Supercharged with OLAPLEX bond building technology, the Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo adds strength and brightness to blonde hair, which can become dull and brittle.
OLAPLEX No.4-C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo
All that cleansing can lead to some serious dryness, heightening the chance of those pesky flyaways returning. The Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo remedies this by dealing with hair build-up from hard water and other daily pollutants.
Step 5: OLAPLEX No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner
The Bond Maintenance Conditioner is a great way to get extra hydration into all hair types. Ideal as a hair smoother, OLAPLEX recommends leaving it in for three minutes before thoroughly washing it out.
Step 6: OLAPLEX No.6 Bond Smoother
Acting as a smoothing hair mask, you should tease the Bond Smoother through damp hair after washing, then leave it in to provide smoothness to even the most flyaway hair.
Step 7: OLAPLEX No.7 Bonding Oil
While the idea of putting oil onto your hair might leave you running a mile, OLAPLEX Bonding Oil acts as a shine restorer without leaving your hair looking heavy and greasy. It also helps to restore and strengthen the bond building technology.
Step 8: OLAPLEX No.8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask
Complete with OLAPLEX intensive bond building hair treatment, the Bond Intense Moisture Mask. Adding volume, moisture, body and shine to your hair is all in a day’s work for this hard-working mask.
Step 9: OLAPLEX No.9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum
The final step of the programme and designed for daily use, the Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum protects from heat and UV damage for up to forty-eight hours. Likely to be an OLAPLEX best seller when bought by itself, the serum promises to leave hair feeling silky smooth and weightless.
What else is on offer from OLAPLEX?
Now that we’ve taken a step-by-step tour through the main steps of the OLAPLEX treatment programme, let’s take a look at some of the extra goodies on offer from the hair care brand of the moment.
OLAPLEX volumizing blow dry mist
If you can’t help but add a little heat to your hair care regime, then the OLAPLEX volumizing blow dry mist is designed to protect as you blow dry. Add a little volume to your tresses without the fear of causing heat damage. Your shiny, bouncy hair will thank you for it.
OLAPLEX detox dry shampoo
On those days when you just don’t have time to wash and style your hair, the OLAPLEX detox dry shampoo cleanses and smoothes in one easy step. The brand’s bond building technology will leave your hair feeling strong, clean, and fresh, even if you’re short on time.
OLAPLEX unbreakable blondes mini kit
Another one sure to be at the top of the wishlist for blondes and greys is the unbreakable blondes mini kit, which contains everything you need to keep your hair strong, smooth and in great shape. The kit has toning shampoo, an intense moisture mask, a hair perfector and hair treatment—an excellent gift for the blondes amongst us.
OLAPLEX lashbond building serum
So far, we have only looked at OLAPLEX products for your hair, but the Lashbond Building Serum is meant for your eyes only. (OLAPLEX isn’t the only thing to ‘Bond’ - see what we did there?) If you want to boost your lashes, this serum could be what you’re looking for. Packed with hyaluronic acid and OLAPLEX’s peptide complex technology, it promises to make your lashes look thicker and longer in as little as two weeks.
Where can I buy OLAPLEX?
OLAPLEX is available to buy at many hair salons and online providers of hair and beauty products. The system is available to purchase in its entirety, or, if you’d prefer, you can buy individual products to see what works best for you.
Prices vary, so it might be worth shopping around until you find a price you’re happy with. You certainly don’t have to go all in on the entire kit if you don’t want to; perhaps just try out a product or two first, and if you like it, you can always treat yourself to the entire system.
How does OLAPLEX work?
Hopefully, you now have a good idea of how the OLAPLEX multi-step hair treatment system works and the kinds of products on offer to breathe life back into your colour-damaged hair. So, whether you want to try the whole OLAPLEX range or just want to test out one or two of the products, you know where to go the next time your hair feels frazzled!
Image Credit: Artem Podrez at Pexels
