Haircare Hero’s: Olaplex Number 3

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, chances are you’ve heard of Olaplex. However, for many people, that’s as far as it goes. You’ve heard of it, but you’re not quite sure what it does. The line can be confusing to understand, with its technical jargon and vaguely numbered products. It can be hard to know where to start. Furthermore, Olaplex is definitely on the pricier side, making it all the more vital that you choose the very best product.

So, if you’re wondering which product in the range is worth investing in, look no further! I have tried every single Olaplex product and there is one that stands out above the rest: Olaplex Number 3.

Olaplex number 3 is marketed as their ‘Hair Perfector’ and it certainly lives up to the name! The treatment is infused with patented Olaplex ‘Bond Building' technology. This sounds complicated, but it basically means that it rebuilds your damaged and broken hair from the inside out. Many products just act as a temporary cover up, whereas Olaplex actually fixes the hair. For me, Olaplex Number 3 was the most effective product to deliver this ‘bond-building’, which is why I recommend it over all the other (still wonderful) Olaplex products. It can be used in tandem with Number 0, but honestly, it works perfectly fine on its own.

This wonder product is described as a pre-shampoo treatment. However, I have found it actually works best after a thorough cleanse, so it can penetrate the hair as much as possible. Due to this, I usually shampoo, lightly towel-dry my hair, apply number 3 and then sleep with it in. Again, it is recommended to be kept on for 10 minutes, but I find the longer, the better. Then, the next day, I re-shampoo to remove any reside and condition as normal. Using Olaplex Number 3 this way allows your hair to really reap the benefits, such as reducing breakage and visibly smoothing and strengthening your hair.

I have bleach-damaged hair, which sits somewhere between wanting to be wavy and thick, but settling for just being frizzy instead. Olaplex Number 3 makes this much more manageable, restoring a healthy appearance and texture. I wash my hair twice per week, and tend to use Olaplex Number 3 for one of these washes. If you use heavier treatments like this too often, they can weigh down the hair and cause build-up, so it is important to not over-do it!

Overall, if you’re confused, overwhelmed or budgeting, it can be difficult to navigate the world of Olaplex. Start at Number 3, and see how it feels for you. From there, you can build up knowledge about your hair and your goals for it, to understand which of the other products you’d like to try. Or, like me, you can stick to trusty Number 3!