Olaplex arrived on the scene in 2014 with two salon-only products and a singular mission: to safeguard hair during the colouring process. At a time when bleach and breakage went hand in hand, its patented bond-building technology promised to do the unthinkable – repair hair from within. By rebuilding the disulphide bonds compromised during bleaching and dyeing, the formulas work at a structural level, strengthening strands rather than simply coating them.
In many ways, Olaplex was an early pioneer of the ‘skinification’ of haircare – shifting the focus from surface-level shine to what’s happening beneath it. I first came across the brand mid-appointment, when my colourist suggested adding it to the lightener that would take my naturally dark hair several shades brighter. She explained the science and how it could help stave off damage and, naturally, I was sold — anything promising stronger, glossier lengths has my full attention. I kept up the ritual until getting my hands on the no.3 hair perfector (the brand’s first at-home treatment), and have since tested almost every launch that’s followed.
Now a household name, Olaplex has evolved from salon secret to bathroom-shelf staple. But with so many products in the line-up, which ones are actually worth it?
Read more: 9 best leave-in conditioners for healthy and hydrated locks
The best Olaplex products for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Olaplex no.3 plus complete repair treatment: £32, Sephora.co.uk
- Best shampoo for fine hair – Olaplex no.4 fine bond maintenance shampoo: £30, Spacenk.com
- Best conditioner for fine hair – Olaplex no.5 fine bond maintenance conditioner: £30, Amazon.co.uk
- Best for smoothing frizz – Olaplex no.6 bond smoother leave in treatment: £30, Amazon.co.uk
- Best lightweight oil – Olaplex no.7 bonding oil: £28, Amazon.co.uk
Read more: My hairdresser recommended this £70 hair mask – but did it work?
Olaplex no.3 plus complete repair treatment
Best: Olaplex product overall
Size: 100ml
Hair type: All hair types
Key technology: Bond-building (bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate)
Key ingredients: Shea butter, avocado oil, sunflower seed oil, sodium PCA
Use: Pre-wash treatment (3 minutes)
Why we love it
- Quick and genuinely easy to use in-shower
- Leaves hair soft, glossy and more manageable
Take note
- Expensive for a rinse-out treatment
A souped-up version of the brand’s cult no.3, this pre-shampoo treatment is designed to repair damage both within the hair strand and on the surface, while helping to prevent future breakage. At its core is Olaplex’s bond-building molecule (bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate), now paired with added conditioning ingredients. There’s shea butter to soften strands, a blend of oils (including avocado and sunflower seed) to boost shine as well as sodium PCA to draw in hydration and help smooth frizz.
In testing, its biggest strength is how easily it slots into a routine. Unlike the original, which requires a longer leave-in time, this works in as little as three minutes, making it far easier to use consistently. On fine, colour-treated hair, it delivers immediate smoothness and shine, so much so – I can skip my usual leave-in products altogether. And after a few weeks of use, I noticed less breakage when brushing and a stronger, healthier overall finish. It ticks every box!
Buy now £32, Sephora.co.uk
Olaplex no.4 fine bond maintenance shampoo
Best: Olaplex shampoo for fine hair
Size: 250ml
Hair type: Fine
Key technology: Bond-building (bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate)
Use: Daily or frequent shampoo
Why we love it
- Lightweight, airy finish without dryness
- Doesn’t dull colour
Take note
- May not feel rich enough for very dry or coarse hair
Created with fine hair in mind, this is a lighter version of Olaplex’s original no.4 shampoo. The formula offers the same bond-building benefits, but without the heaviness that can sometimes come with strengthening shampoos. It lightly lathers (enough to feel like it’s doing its job), and has a clean, subtle scent that isn’t overpowering.
What sets it apart is how it leaves the hair. It feels properly clean, but never dry or stripped of moisture, with an airy finish that retains movement. I tend to wash my hair every other day, and this is the shampoo I keep coming back to – my colour looks brighter, my lengths feel softer and there’s none of the dullness I often get from other formulas. It may just be a shampoo, but it’s a very good one – and easily one of my favourite products in the line-up.
Buy now £30, Spacenk.com
Olaplex no.5 fine bond maintenance conditioner
Best: Olaplex conditioner for fine hair
Size: 250ml
Hair type: Fine hair
Key technology: Bond-building (bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate)
Use: After shampoo
Why we love it
- Hydrates without weighing hair down
- Makes detangling noticeably easier
- Leaves hair feeling soft with natural movement
Take note
- Can feel too heavy if applied at the roots
If you have fine hair that needs hydration but falls flat easily, this strikes a very good balance. Alongside Olaplex’s bond-building molecule, it’s formulated with hyaluronic acid to draw in moisture, helping to smooth and soften strands. The texture is lightweight but conditioning enough to make a difference, and it rinses clean with no greasy residue left behind.
On my hair, it makes detangling noticeably easier and leaves lengths softer, smoother and more manageable. Once dry, there’s a fuller, more voluminous finish that’s often hard to achieve with conditioners. A little goes a long way, though – applied all over, it was slightly too much for my hair type, but focused through the mid-lengths and ends, it delivers softness and slip without flattening natural body.
Buy now £30, Amazon.co.uk
Olaplex no.6 bond smoother leave in treatment
Best: Olaplex product for smoothing frizz
Size: 100ml
Hair type: All
Key technology: Bond-building (bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate)
Use: Leave-in treatment
Why we love it
- Helps tame fly-aways and frizz
- Speeds up blow-dry time
- Leaves hair feeling softer
Take note
- Easy to over-apply – use sparingly, especially on fine hair
I’m not exaggerating when I say I’ve tried hundreds of leave-in treatments over the years, and Olaplex’s no.6 bond smoother may just outshine them all. If your hair is dry or prone to frizz, it’s well worth trying. A small amount (around half a pump) is enough to smooth lengths, tame fly-aways and leave hair looking noticeably sleeker.
Worked through damp hair before styling, it helps cut down blow-dry time while giving that just-left-the-salon finish. While my hair is naturally wavy, it’s worth noting the number of rave reviews from those with curls, who credit it with boosting definition and shine. After a few weeks of consistent use, my ends feel healthier and look far less brittle – no mean feat.
Buy now £30, Amazon.co.uk
Olaplex no.7 bonding oil
Best: lightweight oil from Olaplex
Size: 30ml
Hair type: All
Key technology: Bond-building (bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate), provides up to 232°C heat protection
Use: Leave-in treatment
Why we love it
- Strengthens the hair
- Provides heat protection
- Boosts shine
Take note
- If applying to ends, will need to use heat protectant alongside it
Fine hair and oil don’t always get along. Too rich, and it can quickly weigh lengths down, leaving them limp and lifeless. Find the right formula, though – something lightweight but still nourishing – and it can completely transform dry, lacklustre ends. Case in point: Olaplex’s bonding oil.
A few drops (I use around three to six) worked through damp hair daily leaves my ends feeling softer and looking far healthier, without any greasiness. It’s lighter in texture than many oils I’ve tried, but that’s exactly why I love it. It adds subtle shine and smoothness without flattening natural body. Focus application through the mid-lengths and ends and pair with a separate heat protectant through the roots for best results.
Buy now £28, Amazon.co.uk
Olaplex no.4P blonde hair hydrating and brightening purple toning shampoo
Best: Olaplex shampoo for cool blondes
Size: 250ml
Hair type: Blonde, lightened or grey hair
Key technology: Bond-building (bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate), violet pigments
Use: One to three times per week (or as needed for toning)
Why we love it
- Neutralises brassy tones
- Brightens colour
- Hydrating formula
Take note
- Deep purple formula can be messy
Purple shampoos are designed to counteract brassiness in blonde hair, and this one from Olaplex does exactly that. Packed with a high concentration of violet pigments, it works quickly to neutralise yellow tones, leaving colour looking fresher. You can also tailor the intensity depending on how long you leave it on for – a few minutes for subtle brightening, longer for a more noticeable tone shift.
I’ve had my hair lightened for over a decade and tend to lean towards warmer, honeyed tones, so I’m not necessarily the ideal candidate for a product like this. That said, it does make my colour look cleaner and brighter after use – just not cooler, which I actually prefer. If you favour an ashier finish, this is where it really comes into its own (a friend with cooler blonde swears by it). The only downside is the deep violet pigment, which can be a little messy – I found myself rinsing down the shower after using it.
Buy now £30, Amazon.co.uk
Olaplex no. 5P blonde enhancer toning conditioner
Best: Olaplex conditioner for cool blondes
Size: 250ml
Hair type: Blonde, lightened or grey hair
Key technology: Bond-building (bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate), violet pigments
Use: One to three times per week (or as needed for toning)
Why we love it
- Protects hair from damage
- Brightens colour
- Hydrates hair and boosts shine
Take note
- Deep purple formula can be messy
The conditioning counterpart to the shampoo, this formula combines violet pigments with Olaplex’s bond-building technology to help maintain a brighter blonde while softening and strengthening strands. It feels more hydrating than other toning conditioners I’ve tested, which is thanks to the inclusion of shea butter – a nourishing ingredient that leaves lengths smooth, glossy and easier to manage.
That said, it’s not one I reach for regularly. I tend to prefer warmer, honeyed tones, and while this does leave my colour looking fresher, it also nudges it slightly cooler than I’d usually go for. If you’re trying to maintain a cooler, ashier blonde, though, it does exactly what you’d want. Like the shampoo, the deep violet pigment can be a little messy, so it’s worth applying with care.
Buy now £30, Amazon.co.uk
Olaplex no. 0 intensive bond building hair treatment
Best: Olaplex product for strengthening hair
Size: 155ml
Hair type: All
Key technology: Bond-building (bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate)
Use: The first step in a two-part at-home system with No.3 Hair Perfector
Why we love it
- Strengthens strands
- Hair looks healthier over time
- Boosts shine
Take note
- Hard to saturate hair with the nozzle design
The first step in Olaplex’s at-home repair system, this pre-treatment is all about priming the hair for deeper restoration. Applied to dry hair before no.3, it delivers the highest concentration of the brand’s bond-building technology, working to strengthen strands, reduce breakage and support overall hair health.
In theory, it’s a great concept – and used alongside no.3, it does make a difference, with hair feeling smoother and a little more resilient after rinsing. Used on its own, though, the results are more subtle. It’s also worth noting the application: the nozzle dispenses the product in more of a direct stream than a fine mist, which makes it harder to evenly saturate the hair and can lead to using more than you’d expect.
Buy now £28, Amazon.co.uk
Olaplex no. 9 bond protector heat protection and frizz reduction nourishing hair serum
Best: Olaplex product for heat protection
Size: 90ml
Hair type: All
Key technology: Bond-building (bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate), heat protection up to 232°C
Use: After shampoo on towel-dried hair
Why we love it
- Protects hair from heat and pollution
- Helps replenish lost moisture
- Clear, weightless texture
Take note
- May not feel rich enough for very dry or coarse hair
The ‘skinification’ of haircare shows no sign of slowing, and this is one of the first serums I remember incorporating into my routine. Specifically formulated with urban lifestyles in mind, No.9 helps protect against environmental stressors, with antioxidant-rich red algae extract and polymers working to shield hair from pollution and free radicals.
It also doubles up as a heat protectant (up to 232°C) and helps to smooth tangles and reduce static. The texture is incredibly lightweight, almost jelly-like, and disappears into the hair without any stickiness. I tend to work a small amount through towel-dried lengths before styling or air-drying, and it leaves my hair feeling silky soft and so much shinier. Bravo, Olaplex!
Buy now £30, Amazon.co.uk
Olaplex no. 4C bond maintenance deep clean clarifying shampoo
Best: Olaplex product for a deep cleanse
Size: 250ml
Hair type: All
Key technology: Bond-building (bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate)
Use: Weekly or as needed
Why we love it
- Deeply cleanses hair and removes product build up
- Sulphate-free and pH-balanced
- Boosts shine and softness
Take note
- Can leave hair feeling dry
Like any clarifying shampoo, no.4C aims to lift buildup – think product residue, pollution and hard water minerals – for a deeper, more thorough cleanse. What sets this formula apart is that it’s sulphate-free and pH-balanced, with Olaplex’s bond-building technology working in the background to help support strength rather than strip the hair.
The texture is thicker than your average shampoo, building into a rich lather that feels satisfyingly cleansing, with a fresh scent that lingers lightly. I’ll admit I made the mistake of using it on consecutive days, which left my hair feeling drier and more tangled than usual – but used as intended (once a week or as needed), it works much better. Hair feels clean, but still soft and bouncy, with colour looking more vibrant.
Buy now £30, Amazon.co.uk
Olaplex weightless nourishing mask
Best: Olaplex hair mask for fine hair
Size: 200ml
Hair type: Fine to medium
Key technology: Biomimetic Cuticle Technology and Volume Boost Complex
Use: Weekly
Why we love it
- Lightweight texture
- Smooths and hydrates cuticles
- Works in as little as 3 minutes
Take note
- Doesn’t give much body
I’m not ashamed to say I’m very picky when it comes to hair masks. The reason being is that my hair tends to fall flat easily and will often hang heavy with richer products. So, what drew me to this one was the promise of a ‘weightless’ finish. Formulated for fine to medium textures, this once-weekly mask is incredibly lightweight but still delivers a hefty dose of hydration without weighing hair down.
It’s powered by the brand’s ‘biomimetic cuticle technology’ – essentially a blend of moisturising ingredients (like glycerine) to smooth the cuticle surface. It also contains a ‘volume boost complex’ – a combination of shea butter, panthenol and polymers that add body and lift. While I didn’t notice a dramatic difference in volume, it did leave my lengths feeling silky soft and well-conditioned.
Buy now £39, Amazon.co.uk
What is the best Olaplex product?
There’s good reason Olaplex has become a mainstay in so many beauty routines. While the range has expanded significantly, you don’t need to use every product to see results. If I had to narrow it down, the no.3 plus complete repair treatment is the standout – it’s quick to use, effective and easy to slot into a regular routine.
Alongside that, the no.4 and no.5 fine bond maintenance shampoo and conditioner are excellent everyday staples for finer hair, leaving lengths clean, soft and full of movement, while the bonding oil is ideal for adding shine and smoothing dry ends without weighing them down. Used consistently, this line-up delivers stronger, healthier-looking hair with a glossy finish
How I tested Olaplex products
A longtime fan, I’ve tried and tested several Olaplex products over the years – some of which have earned a permanent place in my routine. Others featured in this review, including the new Olaplex no.3 plus complete repair treatment, are more recent additions that I’ve been trialling over the past three weeks.
For context, my hair has been colour-treated for over 15 years. It’s fine, fragile and prone to breakage, so I’m always on the lookout for formulas that strengthen and hydrate without weighing it down. Each product was tested for a minimum of three weeks, with close attention paid to individual claims and how the formulas performed both immediately and over time – from softness and shine to longer-term improvements in strength and condition. Here’s what I look for during testing:
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Emma-Jade Stoddart is a beauty expert and was formally senior beauty writer at Grazia meaning she has a wealth of knowledge and years of putting products through their paces. She also previously tested the Ghd chronos for IndyBest. Like all our reviews, Emma-Jade scrutinised Olaplex products’ performance compared to cost to work out whether they are worth spending your money on.
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