From my understanding and with some research, Olaplex three-step process (No. 1, 2 & 3) includes a patented active ingredient that works on a molecular level to seek out broken bonds in the hair that are caused by chemical, thermal, and mechanical damage. You can use Olaplex to restore compromised hair, or add it to another service to provide the ultimate breakage insurance. Olaplex steps 1 & 2 are in-salon treatments that are often used when dyeing the hair to prevent damage. The third step is your take home treatment to keep your hair looking healthy and to prevent any further damage in between salon treatments. Today, however, I’ll be reviewing the 3-4-5 Bond Maintenance System after using for over 2 months. This system is supposed to repair, strengthen, and protect all types of hair.
A little bit about my hair before we start — I have long, curly, fine hair- so it’s a bit difficult to manage when it comes to frizz and breaking. I colour on occasions but I don’t have damaged hair and I do not use heat on my hair at all; so I can’t really comment on how this system repairs damaged hair; just what it has done for my hair and how it feels and looks since I’ve been using the Maintenance system.
- Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3, a treatment that reduces breakage and visibly strengthens hair, improving its look and feel.It claims to repair damaged and compromised hair; strengthens and protects hair structure and restores healthy appearance and texture.
I use this as a weekly treatment. I apply this step to my entire head, from roots to ends on unwashed towel-dried hair and leave on for 20 minutes. You can repeat this process as often as you want depending on the condition of your hair or if you know you want to make a drastic change. I then rinse from hair and follow with No. 4 & 5 and style as usual. After use, my hair feels stronger and thicker and look overall healthier. I don’t use heat in my hair at all so I don’t have any sort of heat damage. This made my hair very soft, shiny and gave me the ability to style it very easy and quickly. While I don’t think this is a miracle product, I do think it helps restore your hair to a healthy appearance as claim and I will keep it in my routine. One thing you should know is that this isn’t going to protect your hair from over bleaching or using way too much heat. Just because you’re using Olaplex it doesn’t mean you’ll be able to process your hair anymore than normal and you could still be susceptible to damage. At the end of the day, bleach and heat are damaging so it is important to still look after your hair – always use heat protection and don’t overprocess!
- 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo, a highly moisturizing, reparative shampoo that leaves hair easy to manage, shiny, and healthier with each use. It claims to repairs and maintains bonds within the hair; eliminates frizz and flyaways and reduces breakage. This shampoo repairs and protects hair from everyday stresses—including damaged hair, split ends, and frizz—by re-linking broken bonds. No.4 is color-safe and proven to reduce breakage and strengthen all types of hair.
This shampoo makes my hair very shiny and soft. It smooths my hair, keeps it soft and manageable. It’s sulfate free but still gives a luxurious lather, and is super concentrated so I only need a dime size amount and it lathers up wonderfully. It has an incredibly refreshing smell.
- 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner, a highly-moisturizing, reparative conditioner that protects and repairs damaged hair, split ends, and frizz by re-linking broken bonds. It claims to repairs hair and maintains bonds within the hair; adds shine and strengthens.
The No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner is for all hair types and leaves hair easy to manage, shiny, and healthier with each use. The conditioner is color-safe and on the thicker side, which I like personally. My hair is left super soft, silky and shiny with some added volume to it after each use. You only need a small pea size amount and it just glides all over your hair. This conditioner made it very easy for me to detangle my hair. The product goes on thick and really moisturizes the hair, but it doesn’t feel heavy. I have had some other conditioners that make my hair feels really weigh down after using them, this doesn’t do that at all.
Overall, the results are tremendous after a few uses: my hair definitely looks much healthier and it feels good! It fights frizz, and it’s great for curly hair. It works on all hair types and textures! Both the shampoo/conditioner work well to tame frizz and smooth my hair. I really love the Hair Perfector for my ends. This line comes at a hefty price tag but everything performs really well.
If you’re interested in giving this a go, you can find Olaplex at Sephora for $38 each.
Have you heard of or tried Olaplex before? What is your favorite at home treatment?
Ann-Marie x
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