Here’s a little backstory about me and my hair. I am naturally that mousey-brown that does nothing for a pale complexion. I was in my very early 20s when I first started bleaching it and have continued to lighten my hair ever since. (There was a brief interlude when I went a really dark brunette, which was so badly dyed that it looked green from most angles. But the less said about that the better.) I now visit the second most important man in my life (the vows I gave in 2018 mean that my husband legally has to take the top spot) every six weeks for highlights. Which means that I am the perfect Olaplex candidate. I use a lot of the products from the range, but none more than the Olaplex shampoo and conditioner.
If you’ve heard of Olaplex but you’re not entirely sure what is it or how it works, it’s a brand that originally launched into salons only as a professional treatment for repairing broken bonds (the things that hold keratin in place) in the hair caused by bleaching, over-processing or chemical straightening. It was used during colour appointments and took the industry by storm because of the way that it transformed seriously damaged hair. It does this thanks to its patented ingredient called bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate – a mouthful right?! Due to its success the brand grew to include at-home products to allow consumers to continue the good work after they left their salons. This has also kickstarted a new category of bond-repair hair products.
The Olaplex shampoo and conditioner, also known as No.4 and No.5, have long since been a regular fixture in my shower. I tend to wash my hair twice a week and will use them in conjunction with No.3, the iconcic at-home Hair Perfector treatment every so often to help strengthen my strands and help my colour last.
How does the Olaplex shampoo and conditioner work?
Like all of the at-home products, the Olaplex shampoos and conditioners (because there are more than one – more on that later) contain the magic bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate but at much lower concentrations. It penetrates on a molecular level and once it’s in your hair, it finds the broken bonds in your strands and repairs each one to reveal healthier and stronger hair.
They can be used an effective of duo, or in conjunction with the rest of the Olaplex line, which now features 10 steps (including the two professional treatments).
Olaplex shampoos and conditioners
There are in fact three Olaplex shampoos and two conditioners. The original Bond Maintenance formulas (No.4 and No.5), Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo and Conditioner (No.4P and No.5P) and the Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo (No.4C).
I use all three regularly. The original formula is my normal shampoo that gets used the most, the Blonde Enhancer is one of the best purple shampoos on the market and I use this to get rid of any unwanted brassiness. The clarifying shampoo is something that I use every so often to get rid of everything from product build up, to heavy metals, minerals, chlorine and pollutants – all of which dull colour. This brightens my blonde and brings a vibrancy back to my colour.
Shop the Olaplex shampoos and conditioners:
Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
This shampoo is really rich and thick, so can feel like it takes an age to lather. I would say if you have fine hair, use a small amount to begin with. I always comment on how healthy my hair feels after shampoo with this. I have to test so many shampoos for my job, but I always come back to this and I feel like there’s a noticeable difference in the strength and manageability of my hair.
Olaplex No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner
My hair is incredibly hard to brush through after washing, but this detangling conditioner makes lightwork of it. It smells like pineapple too, which makes my hair smell incredible.
Olaplex No.4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo
If you are looking to knock back brassy tones in your hair you will really like this shampoo. If you are looking to achieve that icy, almost ashy blonde look, you will love this shampoo. It contains a punchy amount of pigment, so I would advise wearing gloves when using it. The results are worth the faff though.
Olaplex No. 5P Blonde Enhancer Toning Conditioner
For years I wanted my hair to be so ashy it almost looked silver in some lights. However, I have now moved away from that look and prefer a golden blonde. I know often skip the purple shampoo and go straight to this to help combat yellow tones. There’s enough pigment in here to do the job, but not too much that I go back to my old ways.
Olaplex No. 4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo
This is a seriously handy shampoo for anyone to keep in their bathroom cabinet. None of us are immune to the dulling powers of product build-up and minerals and metals in our water. Even if you don’t colour your hair, you will see a difference to how your hair looks.
Olaplex Shampoo and Conditioner Bundle
I know that the 100ml rule will soon be a thing of the past, but I will continue to buy this bundle for any future travel plans. Because you don’t have to much of either product, these last. It’s also a great way of trying the Olaplex shampoo and conditioner for the first time.
