Is Olaplex worth the hype? I tried its bestselling products to find out

Putting it to the test.

If there’s one beauty-related issue most of us struggle with, it’s hair damage. Heat, colour and chemical treatments are all accepted as the norm these days, so you’ve probably damaged your hair in one way or another.

I’m equally guilty of mistreating my hair – it’s been through the wringer. Dye, heat and not enough love have left my hair feeling sad and damaged, which is why I’ve made it my personal mission to restore my hair to its former glory. From K18 to silk pillowcases, I’ve tried a lot of what’s on the haircare market. But one brand I’ve been itching to get my hands on is Olaplex.

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Curious to understand how it works – and whether or not it’s worth all the hype it receives on social media – I spoke to hair stylist, curl specialist and the Creative Director of So Haircutters, Phillip Calcagno, to learn more about the product range.

What is Olaplex’s technology and how does it work?

Olaplex was patented by two doctors who crafted their patented ingredient, bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate. Phillip explains to me that in a nutshell, this chemical compound “was designed to restore the broken disulphide bonds in the hair that make the structure of the hair stronger, healthier and basically more resilient”.

When explaining Olaplex technology to his clients, Phillip uses a brick wall as an example. The mortar in between the bricks is like the disulphide bonds in your hair, and over time, the mortar (disulphide bonds) erodes when your hair is damaged when you undergo chemical processes like bleach or dye, or even just heat damage. 

“Olaplex helps to combat that erosion and keep the hair in its strongest integrity so that when you are chemically processing, the hair won’t break down as much,” Phillip says. “It leaves it a lot healthier in the end.”

How many Olaplex products should you be using?

Olaplex has nine products in its range, which is quite a lot of products to be using in your hair care regime. So do you really need all of them? Phillip says the amount of products you should use depends on your hair type, but it’s unlikely you’ll need to use all nine. “Depending on what level of damage you have… you can probably do with the shampoo, conditioner and bond perfector, which would be the number two or three,” he explains.

When you consider your usual hair care routine, it most often involves a shampoo, conditioner, hair mask and something to give it shine, like an oil. It’s best to consider this and what other products you may use when buying Olaplex products. Phillip also stresses the importance of asking a hairdresser who understands the Olaplex range, so they can advise you on which products are best suited to your hair.

My thoughts on Olaplex’s bestselling products

In the name of healthy hair, I decided to give the Olaplex range a go. Adore Beauty sent me some of the brand’s bestselling products which included the Hair Perfector (No.3), Bond Maintenance Shampoo and Conditioner (No. 4 and 5) and the Bonding Oil (No.7). Over the past month and a half, I’ve eschewed my current hair regime and have replaced it with these products to see if they’re truly worth the hype.

When I washed my hair using Olaplex for the first time, I expected my hair to feel miraculously luscious and soft afterwards, which wasn’t the case. For $54 a pop, I was not prepared for the slightly rough feeling my locks had, even after conditioning. When I ask Phillip why my hair didn’t feel like pure silk, he explains that, unlike most other conditioners, Olaplex doesn’t contain silicone.

“It needs something afterwards like the oil to give it that extra bit of nourishment, reduce the frizz and give it that shine,” he points out. And he was right. After applying the Bonding Oil to my mid-lengths and ends, my hair was completely transformed. Lightweight, soft and bouncy, this oil is an absolute game-changer.

Not only did my hefty head of hair feel lighter and softer than usual after using the combination of Olaplex products, but it also looked more alive. My locks looked shinier, and my waves were far bouncier than usual without requiring any styling. Over the course of my product trial, I noticed my hair looked healthier with every wash.

The verdict? I can’t lie, Olaplex really did transform my hair and it deserves every bit of praise it receives. Not only did it work, but it exceeded my expectations, especially in terms of my hair’s bounce and wave definition. While I am anxiously awaiting the day I run out of my current supply, I will certainly be biting the bullet and forking out my pretty pennies on this miracle hair care range.

You can find the Olaplex range here.