I first heard of Olaplex on Instagram. I’ve been following numerous “celeb colorists” on IG and noticed that many of the top colorists including Guy Tang and a few at Sally Hershberger’s were using it on their clientele and touting that their client’s healthy hair was due to Olaplex despite frequent dying and highlighting.
Olaplex has also been endorsed by Kim Kardashian who mentioned during her makeup masterclass with Mario Dedivanovic that she likes to leave it on overnight. I was curious and decided to give it a try. Read on to check out my Olaplex Review.
How Does Olaplex Work?
Olaplex is a 3-step process designed to protect hair during the coloring process. It’s mixed with hair dye during the coloring process in order to minimize damage by reconnecting broken disulfide sulfur bonds and multiplies bonds to keep it strong and healthy. As a result, colorists are able to take their clients much lighter (and also much blonder) in just one process.
Olaplex Number 1 is applied first; this is the solution that is mixed with the dye. Once the bleach is rinsed out, Olaplex Number 2, Bond Perfector is applied and left on for approximately 20 minutes.
Olaplex Number 3 (Hair Perfector) is the treatment you get to take home and it’s supposed to be used weekly. My salon didn’t offer me #3 to take home; I’m assuming there’s an extra charge for this. Ask your salon if the take-home treatment will be part of the service as this may vary.
My Olaplex Review
I’m Asian with natural jet black hair that’s been balayaged quite a bit. I started off with subtle caramel ombre highlights that gradually grew blonder with consequent expensive salon visits. Eventually I ended up with lots of blonde highlights. My hair became quite dry and damaged despite the fact that I only get highlights twice a year. When I heard that Olaplex could prevent further damage I knew I had to try it.
My first experience with Olaplex was at a top salon in L.A. It was a two-step process; the stylist’s assistant let the potion sit on my head for approximately 10 minutes after the foils were taken out before rinsing. I’m assuming Olaplex was also added to the color mix. I wasn’t given a treatment to use at home which I later found out is recommended for best results.
And The Results Are In…
My hair was significantly healthier than what it would have been if I hadn’t received the treatment. It felt soft and silky despite the fact that I was lifted from black to a brown with caramel highlights. My hair felt incredibly soft and luxurious.
I’ve also had another stylist generously give me a complimentary Olaplex treatment after a trim after he saw how damaged my hair was (I am assuming this was the #3 treatment). My hair felt extremely soft and silky afterwards and much healthier.
It’s not a miracle worker; you will still need several sessions at the salon if you plan on going from jet-black to platinum locks. Any conscientious colorists will not take you from black to platinum in one session regardless of whether they are using Olaplex or not because such a drastic color change will affect your hair’s structural integrity. It’s worth it to wait it out and shell out the extra money for a few more visits to protect your hair.
Final Thoughts
I definitely recommend that you ask for Olaplex when getting a color process. If you dye your hair on a regular basis Olaplex is a must. If you plan on going from dark hair to much lighter you will also want to take advantage of this product. It really is a game changer and a shame that we’ve been coloring hair for so long without it.
Olaplex is used at most of the top salons in major cities like LA & NY but you do have to ask for it as not all salons or colorists provide it. It may also end up costing more than a color process without Olaplex due to the cost of the product.
I also highly recommend it if you have damaged or dry hair and need moisture and repair. Your hair will feel much softer and be more manageable after the treatment.
Olaplex 3 Ingredients
Water, Bis-Aminopropyl Digycol Dimaleate, Propylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Retinol Palmitate (Vitamin A), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Phytantriol, Panthenol, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Wheat Amino Acids, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Hydroxyethyl Ethylcellulose, Quaternium-91, Cetrimonium Methosulfate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Fragrance (Parfum), Polyquaternium-37, Tetrasodium EDTA, Magnesium Nitrate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Magnesium Chloride, Methylisothiazolinone, Etidronic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil.
