Is Olaplex worth it? We tested their top haircare products to find out how well they tame the frizz

The Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo is a product targeted at strengthening and repairing damaged hair that has been exposed to colouring, chemical treatments and heat styling. It claims to add moisture and nourish hair while making it more manageable, soft and visibly strong to prevent breakage. It is also vegan. 

The Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo was tested and reviewed by Ella Croft, SEO Content Strategist at Bauer Media and she said, “This shampoo smells lovely and my hair felt clean and lightweight for days afterwards. However, just after washing it out it did feel a bit too squeaky clean for my liking, it was hard to rake my hands through my hair.

“After a few weeks of use my hair did start to feel weighed down from product build up, and the results weren't as good as when I first started to use it. So, I took a break from using it and used a clarifying shampoo to get rid of the build-up - I then resumed with the Olaplex shampoo and I achieved good results once again. This might not happen for all hair types, but for wavy and low-porosity hair like mine, I recommend using a clarifying shampoo every few washes to reduce product build-up.”

Overall, it is recommended for those who wish to achieve a good wash, light, bouncy and soft hair afterwards. But as everyone’s hair is different, you may have to figure out how often to use the product for the best results.

The Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner is the perfect accompaniment to go with the shampoo and finish your hair wash by nourishing and hydrating your hair while also helping to reduce visible damage, split ends and flyaways. Ella Croft, SEO Content Strategist at Bauer Media tested and reviewed this conditioner and she said, “With this conditioner, a little goes a long way. I can feel that it really penetrates my hair rather than just sitting on top, which some conditioners do. It makes my hair feel soft but also strong.”

“However, similar to the shampoo, after a few weeks, the results weren't as nice as the first couple of washes because my hair started to feel weighed down by product build-up. So, I would keep this in mind before buying,” she added.

The Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother Leave In Treatment is a product that can be used on towel dried hair after your shower to minimize frizz, protect your hair against styling damage and nourishe it. This was tested and reviewed by Ella Croft, SEO Content Strategist at Bauer Media and she said, “I used this bond smoother by mixing a pea size amount with a drop or two of the bonding oil and it really helped clump my curls together and made them easier to style.”

“It smooths my hair down, and you only need a small amount. Using too much, however, weighed down my fine hair. I did unfortunately experience product build up with this product too, so a clarifying shampoo may be needed every so often to combat this.”

This product was also tested and reviewed by Akhila Thomas, Digital Writer for Yours.co.uk and she said, “I used this product on long, curly hair that is fine and tends to run dry. I used 2 pumps and worked my way from the roots, through the length of my hair. Although it did not hold my curls as well as a curling cream would, it helped to reduce the frizz and make my curls look smoother and shinier.”

“This product alone gave my curls some definition when it dried, although it did not last more than one day. But if you follow it up with other styling products, you will be able to achieve long lasting styling while also making sure your hair is hydrated and smooth.”

The Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil promises to repair, strengthen and protect damaged hair while also restoring healthy appearance and texture. The oil was tested and reviewed by Ella Croft, SEO Content Strategist at Bauer Media and she said, “I used this oil by adding a drop or two to the bond smoother, and smoothed over my towel dry hair. It really helped smooth down my frizz and gave my hair some much-needed moisture, along with a lovely, healthy shine.”

“You only need a very small amount, using too much made my hair look weighed down and greasy. Like with No.4, No.5, and No.6, I did experience product build-up, which weighed down my hair. Those with similar hair types – low porosity, fine hair - may need to clarify their hair semi-regularly to combat this.”

The oil was also tested by Akhila Thomas, Digital Writer for Yours.co.uk and she said, “With longer, curly hair that reaches a little past the middle of my back which also has higher porosity and is prone to frizz, this oil works brilliantly as a product that can be used in between washes to smooth down flyaways, reduce frizz make hair look smoother, softer and shinier. Don’t let the small bottle fool you into thinking that you will have to restock often as a couple of drops are enough to make the entire length of your hair smell divine and look much smoother.”

The Olaplex No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask can be added to your hair wash routine as a step that will get your hair shining, smooth and frizz-free in 10 minutes. Akhila Thomas, Digital Writer for Yours.co.uk tested and reviewed this product and she said, “I use the Olaplex No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask after shampooing on clean hair by applying it through the length of my hair, much like a conditioner. I leave it on for 10 minutes before rinsing it out and results are much like that of a very good conditioner. It makes my usually dry and frizzy hair feel smooth and shiny and the effects last even once the hair dries without any other styling or products.”

“Just a few washes in, I can see that it is improving the texture of my hair, making it less prone to frizz and it feels much softer. As an additional product, it comes for the same price as the conditioner, making it a bit expensive. But it definitely works better than a regular conditioner as the results last longer. Only a small amount of product is required, I use just 2-3 pumps for my hair that reaches the middle of my back,” she added.

Olaplex No. 9 Bond Protector Hair Serum functions as a good after-wash treatment prior to any styling. It is free of silicone, paraben and formaldehyde making it a safe choice as a leave-in treatment. The serum protects your hair against pollution, styling products and devices. With its antioxidant-rich formula that also contains Red Algae Extract, it helps to detangle hair without damage, leaving it with a velvety shine. It also offers heat protection up to 450°F / 230°C. 

The Olaplex No. 9 Bond Protector Hair Serum was tested and reviewed by Akhila Thomas, Digital Writer for Yours.co.uk and she said, “I mainly use it as the first product I apply on damp hair after a wash. It helps to smooth frizz, improve shine and detangle without breakage which is very crucial for curly or long hair. Sometimes I follow it up with a curling cream or the Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother Leave In Treatment to style my hair and I find that it helps the styling product to hold on stronger and for longer.

“While it does seem to improve the overall texture of my hair and make it smoother, I am not sure it delivers fully on the style memory and bounceback effect that is advertised. The curling and styling usually depends more on the curling cream I use and I did not find that it particularly improves curl structure or bounce,” she added.

Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector is a pre-shampoo treatment that helps to visibly restore dry and damaged hair. It is recommended to comb product through damp hair, allow it sit for 10 minutes, and then follow with your usual wash routine. The formula helps to hydrate, smooth and strengthen hair.

While it is normally enough to use it once a week, you can use it up to 2-3 times per week for very damaged hair. Several reviewers have shared that this has become an all-important part of their hair care routine to protect, heal and strengthen their damaged hair. “I feel like it’s made a massive difference to the texture of my hair as it’s less frizzy and dry now,” one reviewer added.

The Olaplex Nº.4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo is a must-have product if you are looking to improve the texture of coloured or greying hair. The formula is designed to enhance the appearance, brighten and strengthen colour treated and greying hair which tends to look drier and brassier over time. The shampoo specialises in cleaning without stripping hair of moisture and it is sulphate free and PH balanced making it a gentle and safe option. So, this toning shampoo coupled with the same conditioner can make the perfect pair if you wish to give those greying strands a silver sheen.