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OLAPLEX is a hair-care brand built around its proprietary bond-building technology. Its products serve different purposes: some are pre-shampoo treatments, others cleanse or condition, and still others are masks, leave-ins, styling products, or targeted care. You do not need the entire range to use OLAPLEX; choose products by the job you want them to do and follow each product’s own directions.
What does OLAPLEX mean by bond-building?
OLAPLEX describes bond-building hair care as targeting broken disulfide bonds, which the company says can be damaged by chemical treatments, heat styling, and environmental factors. It identifies Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate as its patented active ingredient. The company’s 2025 annual filing says OLAPLEX introduced its patent-protected technology in 2014. These are the brand’s descriptions and company-reported history; they do not independently establish the mechanism’s effectiveness or superiority to other products.
The brand’s own summary is that “Bond-building hair care goes beyond temporary moisture or smoothing.” That distinction helps explain how OLAPLEX positions its treatments, but it does not mean every product in the range performs the same job or that every shopper needs a full routine.
How do the main OLAPLEX products fit together?
The numbers are product names, not steps that everyone must follow in sequence. The clearest basic routine in OLAPLEX’s guidance is a pre-shampoo treatment, followed by shampoo and conditioner. Other products can be added for specific needs, such as styling, moisture, or scalp care.
#1 Best Overall
- No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo + No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner strengthen and protect hair health
- No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo + No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner reduce breakage, frizz, and split ends
- No.7 Bonding Oil boosts shine, softness, and provides 72-hour frizz control
- No.7 Bonding Oil reduces breakage and protects from heat up to 72-hours
| Product or family | Role | How it fits |
|---|---|---|
| No.0 Intensive Bond Building Treatment | Pre-treatment or booster | Paired with No.3 or No.3PLUS rather than positioned as a standalone routine. |
| No.3PLUS Complete Repair Treatment | Current pre-shampoo treatment | Used before shampoo and conditioner according to its three-minute directions. |
| No.3 Hair Perfector | Separately named treatment | Official legacy-page directions call for at least ten minutes on damp hair; do not substitute these directions for No.3PLUS instructions. |
| No.4 shampoos | Cleansers | Used on wash day; variants address different needs, including fine hair, curls, clarifying, dry hair, and toning. |
| No.5 conditioners | Conditioners | Used after shampoo; the range includes variants and a leave-in conditioner. |
| Masks | Periodic moisture care | Choose weight and product family around hair texture and needs. |
| No.6 Bond Smoother | Leave-in styling cream | Applied to clean, damp hair before styling. |
| No.7 Bonding Oil | Styling oil | OLAPLEX says it can be used on wet or dry hair. |
| No.9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum | Styling and heat-protection serum | OLAPLEX describes it as offering heat protection up to 450°F/232°C; this is a company product claim. |
| Other targeted products | Specific care needs | The brand’s FAQ also lists curl gel, scalp treatment, and lash and brow serums. |
This is a product-family map based on OLAPLEX’s FAQ, not a verified global inventory of every size, professional product, or regional formula. Names and availability may vary by market.
What is the basic OLAPLEX routine?
- Before shampoo: Wet hair, squeeze out excess water, and apply No.3PLUS from mid-lengths to ends. OLAPLEX’s routine guidance says to leave it for three minutes, then rinse.
- Cleanse: Shampoo with an appropriate No.4 variant.
- Condition: Follow with a No.5 conditioner suited to your hair and routine.
- Add optional care: Use a mask when you want periodic moisture, or a leave-in or styling product for the finish and styling support you need.
OLAPLEX also gives No.0 a distinct pairing step: apply it evenly to dry hair, leave it for ten minutes, then apply No.3PLUS and follow that product’s directions. Check the current product label before use. No.3 Hair Perfector is a different product: its official legacy-page directions say to apply it to damp hair, leave it for at least ten minutes, then rinse, shampoo, and condition. Do not combine the directions for No.3 Hair Perfector and No.3PLUS.
Rank #2
- Transform your hair with iconic N°3PLUS pre-shampoo treatment to repair and strengthen in just 3 minutes. Experience our #1 shampoo and conditioner*, then instantly soothe and protect your scalp with N°0.5. When it’s time to style, get smoother, softer, instantly shinier hair with N°6 and bestselling OLAPLEX N°7.
- KEY BENEFITS ✓ N°3PLUS reverses damage in one use * ✓ N°4 and N°5 reduce breakage, hydrate, and smooth ✓ N°0.5 promotes soft, visibly healthy hair ✓ OLAPLEX N°7 and N°6 boost shine, reduce frizz, and protect from heat up to 450ºF/232ºC ***Tested on bleached hair.
- Patented OLAPLEX Bond Technology
Which product should you choose?
If you want a pre-shampoo treatment
No.3PLUS is the treatment in OLAPLEX’s current routine guidance. No.0 is an optional booster to pair with No.3 or No.3PLUS, while No.3 Hair Perfector has separate directions. These products are not interchangeable simply because their names are similar.
If you are choosing shampoo, conditioner, or a mask
Start with the product’s job and your hair’s needs. The brand lists shampoo and conditioner variants for concerns such as fine hair, curls, dryness, clarification, and toning. Its routine guidance differentiates a lighter mask for fine-to-medium hair from richer hydration for medium-to-thick hair. Follow the instructions for the specific item rather than assuming all variants are used alike.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
- Achieve the ultimate smoothness and shine with a full-sized styling duo featuring No. 6 Bond Smoother and OLAPLEX No. 7 Bonding Oil.
- KEY BENEFITS ✓ Instantly boosts shine and provides 450ºF/232ºC heat protection ✓ Smooths and reduces frizz and flyaways ✓ Softens, hydrates, and helps define air-dried styles
- Clinically Proven 125% more shine* 72H frizz control** 450°F/232°C heat protection*** *Compared to bleached hair without application of OLAPLEX No.7 Bonding Oil. **N°.6 Bond Smoother ***N°.6 Bond Smoother and/or OLAPLEX No.7 Bonding Oil.
- INGREDIENTS Cationic Conditioning Agents Soften hair and provide anti-static action to help smooth hair cuticles. A blend of Coconut-Derived Emollient, Vitamin E, and Sunflower Seed Oil Conditions, smoothes, and provides shine
If you want styling support
No.6 is a leave-in styling cream; OLAPLEX advises starting with a small amount on clean, damp hair, combing it through, and styling. No.7 is an oil that the brand says can be applied to wet or dry hair. No.9 is a serum described by OLAPLEX as providing heat protection. These are styling and care additions, not replacements for a pre-shampoo treatment.
If your need is more targeted
The official FAQ includes products such as curl gel, scalp treatment, and lash and brow serums, alongside specialty shampoo and conditioner variants. Use the product label and intended use to decide whether one fits your routine; the numbered hair-treatment sequence is not a requirement to use these products.
Rank #4
- Strengthens hair integrity
- Protects hair integrity
How often should you use OLAPLEX?
There is no single frequency for the entire range. OLAPLEX says wash-day frequency depends on the individual product and the person’s needs. Use each product’s label for its directions and cadence, and adjust the routine to the job you are addressing rather than applying every item on a fixed schedule.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is OLAPLEX suitable for color-treated or chemically treated hair?
OLAPLEX’s FAQ addresses use on color-treated and chemically treated hair, but formulas and directions differ across products. Check the current packaging for the product’s instructions and ingredient list. The brand says ingredient lists can change, so a previously viewed list may not reflect the current formula.
Best Value
- This instantly volumizing hair mask for fine to medium hair is formulated with Biomimetic Cuticle Technology to lock in lightweight hydration and seal hair cuticles for 5 washes.
- KEY BENEFITS Lightweight hydration through 5 washes* Reduces and prevents breakage even after 5 washes Instant volume that lasts all day *On virgin hair tresses
- Clinically Proven 2X Volume Instantly & All Day* 2X Hydration Instantly with 75% Retention After 5 Washes* 63% More Shine 32% Reduction In Breakage Instantly with Protection up to 5 Washes *On virgin hair tresses
- INGREDIENTS Biomimetic Cuticle Technology seals cuticles for up to 5 washes, wrapping each strand to enhance hydration and prevent cuticle damage over time. Volume Boost Complex creates instant volume and prevents snapping and breakage for length and body retention over time.
What should you know about sensitivities and safety?
OLAPLEX advises consumers who are pregnant or nursing to consult a healthcare professional with questions. If you experience an allergy or sensitivity, the company advises stopping use and contacting a healthcare provider. This is the brand’s guidance, not a substitute for individualized medical advice.
More broadly, terms such as “repairs,” “rebuilds,” and heat protection describe OLAPLEX’s product claims. The evidence cited here does not establish independent head-to-head testing or comparative proof that the complete range outperforms alternatives.
Quick Recap
Official OLAPLEX guidance
- OLAPLEX Frequently Asked Questions
- How to Moisturize Hair with OLAPLEX
- No.0 Intensive Bond Building Treatment and product guidance
- The Bond Repair Treatment Routine for Stronger, Healthier Hair
- OLAPLEX Holdings, Inc. annual filings
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
