An Ultimate Guide to Choose the Right OLAPLEX Number for the Best Results!

What is Olaplex?

Olaplex is a system that permanently rebuilds the damaged disulphide bonds in your hair that are broken during the chemical process.What makes OLAPLEX the worldwide phenomena that it is, is its patented active ingredient Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate. It works on the hair internally to seek out and repair broken disulphide bonds caused by chemical, thermal, mechanical and environmental damage. It's dramatically improves the hair strength, and provides immediate results for all hair types.

Olaplex products help repair all types of chemical damage, like relaxing and keratin treatments, as well as perms and coloring.  If you've over-bleached or had your hair highlighted for years, Olaplex allows you to rebuild the strength, structure and integrity of your hair. It goes further than a traditional hair mask, helping to reverse damage rather than simply glossing over it.

Olaplex is free of silicones, sulfates, phthalates, DEA, aldehydes and gluten and is never tested on animals.

What are the Stages of Olaplex?

Olaplex is a multi-step, hair strengthening treatment. Steps 1 and 2 are in-salon services only and must be administered by the professionals; while steps 0 and 3 through to nine, as well as the brand new N°4C, 4P are available as at-home products.

Basically, the stand-alone treatment done in salons is No. 1 and No. 2. The at-home equivalent (just a little less potent) is a treatment done with No. 0 and No. 3.

1. The In-salon Steps: No.1 & No. 2 

No.1 and No. 2 are to be used by trained professionals in the salon.

• Olaplex No. 1 Bond Multiplier

It is the first step of the Olaplex system that for professional in-salon use. It can be put on the hair as a standalone treatment, or if you're getting your colour done, it is mixed in with the bleach and put straight onto your hair in foils to lessen damage during chemical processing. It can also be added to color, toner, or gloss. No. 1 help prevent breakage and improves the condition of the cuticle. Olaplex No. 1 is never intended to be used alone; it should always be followed by No. 2.

• Olaplex No. 2 Bond Perfector

This second step of the Olaplex system is also intended for in-salon use. Once your hair has developed and you've reached your goal colour, rinse out the bleach/Olaplex mix and then apply No 2. This is left on for a good 20 minutes to really get the most out of its chemical mending. 

It's important note that No. 2 (and all other Olaplex products ) are not just conditioning treatments, and they are not protein treatments. They actually repair the hair follicle by bonding with the molecules left exposed by broken hair bonds. This strengthens the hair and actually helps to prevent future damage.

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2. The At-home Steps: No.0 and No.3 

• Olaplex No.0 Bond Builder

What is it? 

Olaplex No.0 is the first product you should reach for come wash-day. 

This miracle worker contains the highest concentration of the patented bond building technology of any Olaplex at home product. It’s the at-home version of the Olaplex No.2 Bond Perfector. 

How to use?

For best results, and in lockstep with the professional stand-alone treatment, Olaplex stylists recommend that on dry hair, saturate with N°0 for 10 minutes; Do not rinse and apply a generous amount of  N°3 over N°0 and leave for another 10 minutes, and then rinsing the mixture. Use as a two-part system with No.3 once a week or two to three times a week for damaged hair, although we find both work perfectly well independently.

The benefits:

 No. 0 is formulated to intensify the No. 3 treatment at home, strengthen and repair hair from chemical, thermal, mechanical, and environmental damage. This formula is made to work with every hair type, providing real, structural repair that works from within.

Where to buy it?

sephora.com ($30 + 3-4% cashback)

walmart.com ($27.75 + up to 3.5-4% cashback)

• Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector 

What is it? 

Olaplex No. 3 is the global bestselling at-home reparative treatment. It is often misconstrued as a conditioner, but it’s actually designed to be used before shampoo as a pre-wash intensive treatment. 

How to use?

Olaplex No.3 should be applied to damp (not dripping wet hair) before shampooing. Apply it across the whole of your head, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends, and leave it to work for a minimum of 10 minutes. Then, use other shampoo and condition as usual. Using these two products 1-3 times a week before washing in conjunction with each other will make a world of difference for your locks.

The benefits:

This deeply reparative, at-home bond-building treatment for damaged hair is formulated with patented OLAPLEX Bond Building Technology™. It helps to rebuild weak and broken disulfide bonds for visibly healthier, stronger hair and to reduce breakage and split ends for visibly healthier hair. 

Where to buy it?

sephora.com   ($30 + 3-4% cashback)

bluemercury.com  ($30 + 6.5-8% cashback)

3. The Wash Step: Olaplex No. 4 & No. 5

• Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo

What is it?

A restorative shampoo that nourishes, strengthens and repairs broken bonds, while also cleaning the hair and removing excess oil, dirt and product build-up. 

How to use?

Take a small amount and gently massage across damp hair and scalp to create a lather. Rinse thoroughly and follow with the No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner. Formulated for daily/every wash use.

The benefits:

This is a nourishing, reparative shampoo that cleanses and hydrates all hair types to leave hair touchably soft, shiny, and more manageable with every use. It protects hair from everyday stressors that cause frizz, breakage, and split ends by relinking broken bonds.

Where to buy it?

sephora.com ($30 + 3-4% cashback)

kohls.com ($15-$30 + 2-3% cashback)

• Olaplex No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner

What is it?

This moisturizing product helps repair and strengthen your hair on a daily basis. Not to mention, it's vegan-friendly and has a nasty-free formula that is suitable for all hair types.

How to use?

Apply after using the No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo. Use a generous amount from scalp to tip. Leave for three minutes and rinse. Formulated for daily/every wash use.

The benefits?

The No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo & No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner both feature a highly nourishing formula to protect and repair damage, split ends, and frizz. 

This everyday conditioner repairs and nourishes your hair with one impressive formula. It strengthens, hydrates and maintains your favorite hair color for vibrant results even after you've left the salon.

Where to buy it?

sephora.com  ($30 + 3-4% cashback)

nordstrom.com  ($15-$30 + 0.4-0.6% cashback)

4. The Finishing Touches: Olaplex No. 6 & No. 7

• Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother

What is it?

 A leave-in treatment that adds moisture, strengthens and reduces frizz for up to 72 hours. Once you step out of the shower, you might think you're done tending to your hair. 

How to use?

Apply to the lengths and ends of damp/dry hair before styling or blow drying. Apply to mid-length to ends, comb through and style as desired. Start with 1/2 pump for shoulder-length hair. Use more for longer, thicker hair. Less for fine or short hair. 

The benefits: 

Olaplex No. 6 continues the work of No. 5 by battling frizz and adding moisture to hair. The smoothing cream moisturizes your strands, while also speeding up the styling process. It’s the perfect fuss-free option for repairing dry and damaged hair and you can leave it in without worrying about it.

Where to buy it?

sephora.com ($30 + 3-4% cashback)

bloomingdales.com ($30 + 1.5-2% cashback)

• Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil

What is it?

 A reparative styling oil that adds shine, tames frizz, repairs damaged bonds and protects your hair from heat damage up to 450°.

How to use? 

Once you've applied No. 6, you can finish with the No. 7 for the ultimate glossy sheen. Use a few drops and smooth across wet or dry hair before styling with heated tools like hair dryers, flat irons or curling irons.

The benefits:

Lightweight, non-sticky and formulated to target dry, brittle hair, strengthening it against future damage. It has heat protectant qualities against temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. The No. 7 Bonding Oil is also great for adding a much-needed boost of shine to dull hair.

Where to buy it?

sephora.com ($30 + 3-4% cashback)

walmart.com ($26.88+ up to 3.5-4% cashback)

5. New Addition to the Process: No. 8 & No. 9

• Olaplex No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask

What is it?

Saving damaged and bleached hair yet again is the latest step from Olaplex, No.8.  An intense repairing mask, No.8 is infused with Olaplex's patented Bond Building Technology to moisturizes, smooths, adds body & shine our hair.

How to use?

No.8 can be used once or twice a week in place of your usual hair mask or conditioner, rather than being added to your full Olaplex routine. Simply apply to clean, damp hair mid-length to ends and work through with fingers. Leave for 10 minutes and rinse thoroughly. 

And for the deepest repair possible at home, use with Nº.0 Intensive Bond Building Hair Treatment + Nº.3 Hair Perfector once a week or as needed.

The benefits: 

The multi-benefit, reparative mask works to moisturise, smooth, and uses their unique formulation to repair brittle, weak and damaged locks. It’s perfect for hair that has suffered from chemical treatments and environmental damage. Plus, it doesn’t weigh down your hair, but instead adds plenty sexyvolume and body.

Where to buy it?

sephora.com ($30 + 3-4% cashback)

walmart.com ($26.49 +up to 3.5-4% cashback)

• Olaplex Nº.9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum

What is it?

A weightless, leave-in styling serum that’s rich in antioxidants to help protect from pollution, heat, and future damage for shine, bounceback curls, and anti-static and anti-tangle action.  It's good for all hair types and textures, especially those prone to knots and tangles. 

How to use?

Use as the first step in your styling routine. Can be used on clean, damp hair and reapplied between washes. Use alone or follow with No. 6 Bond Smoother Reparative Styling Creme for frizz control and/or No. 7 Bonding Hair Oil for brilliant shine.

The benefits: 

Perfect for all hair types, this antioxidant-rich, silicone-free styling serum shields strands from pollution, heat, and future damage by supplying nourishment, blocking pollutants, and neutralizing free radicals. Use on clean, damp hair and reapply between washes for satin shine, style retention, bouncy curls, less static and tangles, and heat protection up to 450°F.

Where to buy it?

sephora.com ($30 + 3-4% cashback)

walmart.com ($29.99 +up to 3.5-4% cashback)

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