Is Olaplex Worth it? An Honest Review from a User!

Considering using Olaplex and wondering if Olaplex is worth it?

Here’s an honest review from someone who has been using the product for a few months now.

Long story short, I wasn’t an easy convert but I really am loving the Olaplex brand. It has done wonders for my hair (fine hair with an oily scalp and dry ends). My hair is less oily, shinier, has more volume and is less frizzy!

Keep reading for my full Olaplex review and experience.

Is Olaplex Worth it? An Honest Olaplex Review from a User with Fine Hair with Oily Roots

Unfortunately, my natural hair is fine with a combination of oily roots and very dry ends. It is also frizzy – the worst!

The only shampoo/conditioner that seemed to work for me was Herbal Essences bought at the supermarket. You can buy it anywhere including Walmart and it’s only like $4 a bottle so it was super cheap, easy and convenient for me.

I put it down to the clear consistency of Herbal Essences working for my oily roots (no additional moisture like say Pantene shampoos and conditioners which are more of a creamy consistency).

I have been using this shampoo/conditioner for years, despite my mother and sister saying that it is absolutely terrible for my hair due to all the chemicals and silicone in the products.

I couldn’t bring myself to quit Herbal Essences as it dirt cheap and buying it was just so convenient. Plus, I figured if I have to wash my hair every single day how much is salon quality shampoo and conditioner going to cost me?!

I also don’t dye my hair (yet! Although a few greys are just starting to pop up -eek!) so I didn’t think I needed to spend money on expensive shampoo and conditioner.

What changed my mind and made me try Olaplex?

I developed an itchy scalp because I was washing my hair so much with crappy shampoo. It got so itchy that I actually developed sores on my head. It is embarrassing to say but I’m a picker so if I have a sore, I’m likely to get distracted and start picking away.

The sores on my scalp got so bad I actually had to visit a Dermatologist who prescribed me some lotion to try to fix them.

I tried not to itch (bartering with myself – if I don’t itch, I can have X,Y and Z) and eventually my scalp sores went away. Thank goodness because I started wondering what my hairdresser thought of all my sores…

But my head was still so darn itchy and it was a constant battle not to scratch. I still had an oily scalp so I needed to wash my hair a lot and then it would just get itchy again – the battle was endless.

I was in Norway, visiting on a cruise, and I had run out of my Herbal Essences products. There were no shops around that sold it so I was in a bit of a pickle. I ended up seeing a hairdresser and going inside to see what I could fine.

My mother was with me and she has been using Olaplex so she suggested I try it. I wasn’t that convinced by her as she has different hair to me – her hair is dry on her scalp. 

The lady in the shop told me that Olaplex actually works on all hair types, there is no olaplex for oily hair – a claim I didn’t really believe.

Reluctantly I parted with around $90 in hair care products – shampoo and conditioner and treatment as part of the Olaplex 3 step process. This is what Mom had been doing so I decided to give it a try too.

Honestly, it was the best $90 I have ever spent and I have been using it ever since.

It has done absolute wonders for my hair and it’s not that hard to buy – you can buy it in advance and have it delivered to you on amazon – shampoo here and conditioner here. You can see everything that Olaplex has on offer here.

I noticed just after a few uses my hair was healthier, had more volume and was shinier. But most importantly for me my itchy scalp was cured.

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What is Olaplex?

Still wondering if is olaplex really worth it? You might want to consider what exactly it is.

If you’re a hair enthusiast, you might be familiar with the Brazilian “hair chronogram” concept—a process that involves alternating between moisturizing, nourishing, and strengthening your hair based on its needs.

Olaplex has its own unique claim—it wasn’t marketed as a nourishing treatment or a protein treatment, but rather as a bond treatment.

So, what does that mean exactly?

According to Olaplex, our hair is composed of disulfide bonds, and damage occurs when these bonds break. To address this, Olaplex developed a patented formula using Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate.

Now, I’m no chemist, but the crucial part for me is that Olaplex claims to repair all types of damage, whether from heat tools, color treatments, chemical processes, pollution, and more.

As someone who uses a hair straightener every day of my life (I can’t quit my GHD – if you want a quality hair straightener this is where it’s at) along with my itchy scalp issues, the promise of repairing various types of damage was really appealing to me.

Olaplex also asserts that it works for all hair types. I wasn’t sure how this could be possible but I was willing to give it a go.

What products are in the Olaplex care hair line?

Presently, Olaplex offers a comprehensive hair care line comprising ten distinct products, each labeled with a number:

• Nº0 – Intensive Bond Building Treatment
• Nº1 – Bond Multiplier* (Exclusive to professionals)
• Nº2 – Bond Perfector* (Exclusive to professionals)
• Nº3 – Hair Perfector
• Nº4 – Hair Maintenance Shampoo
• Nº4P – Blond Enhancer Toner Shampoo
• Nº4C – Hair Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo
• Nº5 – Bond Maintenance Conditioner
• Nº6 – Bond Smoother
• Nº7 – Bonding Oil
• Nº8 – Bond Intense Moisture Mask
• Nº9 – Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum

Note: Nº1 and Nº2 are available solely to professionals and not to regular consumers.

You can see everything that Olaplex has on offer here.

Among the array of products, Nº3 stands out as the most popular and the one that propelled Olaplex to widespread recognition. An impressive one bottle of Nº3 is sold every 3.5 seconds.

Every single item in the line is designed specifically to treat damaged hair. To determine the most suitable product for your hair needs, you can take a quiz on Olaplex’s website for personalized recommendations.

I personally started using the recommended 3 step  Olaplex procedure to try to fix my hair and scalp:  shampoo(04), conditioner (05) and Nº3 – Hair Perfector

How to Use Olaplex Nº3?

Olaplex Nº3 is an exceptional at-home hair care treatment designed to repair damaged bonds and perfect your hair, as the name suggests.

While Olaplex recommends using Nº3 after Nº0 as a two-part system, I only have tried Nº3 in addition to the Olaplex shampoo and conditioner (as part of a 3 step process)

The official instructions state that you should apply Olaplex Nº3 on still wet, towel-dried hair and leave it on for a minimum of 10 minutes. For more enhanced results, you can extend the treatment time.

I personally left mine on for around 1 hour. Afterward, you can use the Olaplex shampoo and conditioner.

You can alternatively you can shampoo your hair first to remove any pollution or residue from the hair, possibly allowing the treatment to work more effectively.

I have tried both ways and I personally haven’t noticed a difference.

Before and after Olaplex Treatment

After a week of using Olaplex, I saw noticeable differences:

Firstly, I could wash my hair less – every 2 days rather than everyday. I’m in a habit of washing my hair every day so sometimes I still do it but it doesn’t need doing.

The biggest thing for me however was that my scalp was not itchy!!! I’m no longer in a constant battle of itching and my sores have not reappeared. 

Even though my scalp is oily – I think Herbal Essences was just drying it out way too much and causing it to become insanely itchy.

There is no way I’m going back to cheap supermarket shampoo again. If I had of known this is what was causing my all my issues, I would have stopped years ago.

Below is a photo of my hair after I started using Olaplex products in Norway. I was already noticing a big difference in just a few uses.

I have also found that Olaplex has gave my hair more volume, shine and made it in general better condition than it was before.

Is it good for your hair?

Is Olaplex completely natural shampoo? No but it is free from from DEA , Aldehydes and Formaldehyde which is a good start. It is also vegan and cruelty free which I like.

I found that Olaplex has been good for my hair because it has fixed my itchy scalp problem. It has also made my hair more luscious and given it more volume.

What about Olaplex for Men?

My husband has tried it since I converted and he has noticed his hair has improved. He also has an oily scalp and has found he is washing his hair less often since using it.

Also he told me that the product has made his hair easier to style.

Frequently Asked Questions about Olaplex

1. Are there any risks with using Olaplex “too often”?

No, there are no risks associated with using Olaplex too frequently. It is safe for your hair, regardless of how often you use it.

Some users have mentioned that over time, it might take longer for the product to take effect, but this claim varies from person to person. 

2. Can I use Olaplex if I’ve never dyed my hair?

Absolutely! Even if you have “virgin” hair that has never been dyed (like me), Olaplex can still provide benefits.

Various environmental factors can cause damage to your hair, and Olaplex helps address issues like dryness, frizz, and fine hair.

3. How much product is in a bottle of Olaplex?

Each bottle of Olaplex is 250ml and costs around $30. Though it might not seem like a lot, you’ll find that a single bottle can last for several months.

With careful application, even using it one, two, or three times per week, you can make it last. 

4. What other products do you use besides Olaplex?

I have also tried a few other salon quality shampoos since my change and I also really like K18 products. You can see my K18 review here.

5. Is Olaplex worth the money?

Olaplex is expensive but in my experience with the results I got, I would say yes, it is worth the money.

6. Is Olaplex good for oily hair?

Yes, I have oily roots and I used to wash my hair everyday with Herbal Essenses before I started using Olaplex and more expensive shampoos and conditioners like K18 products.

I have found olaplex good for oily hair with dry ends.

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So overall is Olaplex worth the hype? I would say yes. Have you used it and do you have your own Olaplex review to share? Let us know in the comments below!

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