Is Olaplex good for curly hair? Absolutely!
Olaplex is recommended for every hair type undergoing a chemical process, but does it have particular benefits for curly hair?
There is so much science behind this range of products – more on that in a sec- that it benefits every hair type. Olaplex benefits coloured hair in particular.
I work at a hair salon and we advise every client having their hair lightened to use Olaplex, both at the salon and then at home afterwards as well.
I use Parts 1 and 2 at the salon, and Parts 3 and 7 (a few drops for heat protection) at home and I love the results.
The formula actually repairs damaged hair by re-connecting bonds in the hair that are broken during the colouring process.
It is most beneficial as a preventative measure against further damage. Damage is mostly caused by colour-treating hair and by using heated styling tools.
Does it work? In a word – yes!
Why Is Olaplex Extra Beneficial For Curly Hair?
Olaplex benefits every hair type but we all know that curly hair can be fragile.
Curly hair is especially prone to damage from the colouring process.
Why is it fragile?
Curly hair has more disulfide bonds than straight hair.
The shape of the follicle determines the way that the hair grows and how many of these bonds form between the molecules. The more disulfide bonds there are, the curlier the hair, and the more that can be broken.
Curly hair also has a tendency to be dry.
Sebum produced by glands lining the follicle cannot travel the length of the hair when the follicle curves, as it does with curly hair.
So that’s breakage and dryness. Any harmful factors that curly hair comes into contact with will cause damage and loss of curl pattern.
This is where Olaplex can help. Olaplex will help repair the hair and decrease the chances of further damage.
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Olaplex Products
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Olaplex currently comes in a whopping 9 parts which break down into Salon treatments and At-Home treatments.
Salon Treatments
No. 1 Bond Multiplier
This is used by salon professionals and is mixed into the colour so it can start working as soon as it is applied to the hair. It works on the hair at a molecular level to repair broken bonds.
No. 2 Bond Perfector
This is applied at the salon backwash and is a necessary part of the full Olaplex treatment. It repairs further broken bonds in the hair without the colour trying to inhibit its progress.
At-home Treatments
Part 0 Intensive Bond Building Treatment Kit
A treatment that primes the hair for part 3. Olaplex recommends using this one a week on dry hair.
No. 3 Hair Perfector
The original take-home Olaplex treatment and their superstar!
This is the product that really made Olaplex a hit.
Olaplex says to use this after Part 0 on wet hair as a pre-shampoo treatment.
It reduces breakage and strengthens hair by repairing the broken bonds caused by heat damage and colour treatments.
No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
Reparative shampoo to reduce breakage and strengthen hair. It protects from everyday stress including frizz.
No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner
Moisturising and strengthening conditioner. Highly moisturising and colour safe. It will make hair healthier and more manageable.
No. 6 Bond Smoother
A leave-in cream which moisturises, strengthens hair and also speeds up drying time. To be applied on the mid lengths and ends of the hair.
No. 7 Bonding Oil
Leave-in oil. A lightweight, smoothing, reparative oil. It eliminates frizz and provides heat protection up to 232C.
Just to mention.. parts 6 and 7 also smell amazing! Like lemon drops..
No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask
Reparative hair mask. Apply to wet hair after shampooing, leave for 10 minutes and rinse. This mask is for moisture, shine and smoothness.
No. 9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum
A weightless, leave-in serum that protects hair from pollution, heat, and mechanical damage.
Is Olaplex Curly Girl Method Approved?
Some of the products are CGM approved, some are not.
Curly Girl Method rules state that a product should not contain any of the following – sulphates, silicones, harsh alcohols, oils and waxes which can build up on hair.
Part 0 – Yes – Curly Girl Method Approved
No. 1 – Yes – Curly Girl Method Approved
No. 2 – Yes – Curly Girl Method Approved
No. 3 – Yes – Curly Girl Method Approved
No. 4 – No – it contains silicones
No. 5 – No – it contains silicones
No. 6 – No – it contains silicones, non CG alcohol, waxes and oils
No. 7 – No – it contains silicones, non CG waxes and oils
No. 8 – No – it contains silicones
No. 9 – Yes – Curly Girl Method Approved
Parts 4 to 8 contain non water-soluble silicones and waxes/mineral oils which can build up on the hair.
The original and most beneficial parts of Olaplex are CGM friendly. The salon treatments, the at-home primer Part 0 , No. 3 and No.9 are all approved.
The majority of the shampoos and styling products are not, so if you are a strict follower of CGM you can still reap the benefits of the original bond-multiplying formula.
Applying Olaplex to Curly Hair
This is how to apply Part 3 Olaplex Bond Perfector at home on curly hair.
- Depending on the products you use on a regular basis, it can be a good idea to do a clarifying shampoo before doing an Olaplex treatment. If you know that your curl products contain silicones or oils, it is worth removing these before the treatment as they may inhibit the Olaplex.
- Apply the Olaplex treatment all over your hair once you have gently removed excess water with a microfibre towel/t-shirt.
- Use your fingers to ensure that it is distributed evenly. A comb may harm fragile curls and hair is more vulnerable when wet.
- Leave the Olaplex on for 10-20 minutes.
- Rinse it out and then use your shampoo and conditioner as usual
The actual science behind Olaplex. Just a quick look..
Olaplex’s patented chemistry works at a molecular level. The structural integrity of hair is affected by our lifestyle.
Environmental stress, heat damage and colour treatments all compromise the health of our hair by breaking apart the disulfide bonds.
These broken disulfide bonds result in 2 single sulphur hydrogen bonds.
Single sulphur hydrogen bonds have 2 possible paths. They can pair with one oxygen molecule which is a good result with no further damage OR they can can pair with 3 oxygen molecules to create a sulfate group called Cysteic Acid.
This is bad news. Cysteic Acid eats protein out of our hair, weakening it. Olaplex works by pairing with the single sulphur hydrogen bonds before they can pair with the oxygen molecules. No Cysteic Acid! The active ingredient in Olaplex which allows this to happen is bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate.
Further Benefits of Olaplex
The entire range is
- PH balanced
- Vegan
- Cruelty Free
- Gluten Free
- Nut Free
- Sulphate Free
- Paraben Free
- Phthalates Free
In Conclusion
Olaplex will benefit fragile curly hair which has suffered at the hands of heated tools and bleach/tints. Parts 1 and 2 at the salon and Part 3 at home will be the most beneficial in repairing the bonds broken in damaged curly hair. These 3 Olaplex products are all CGM approved!
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Do you use no7 bond oil on your curly hair. I’m trying to find a serum that works with my hair. I’ve had curly hair for using but none of the products I used was curly girl approved so when I started the CGM in April I found that I haven’t been able to find a serum that I works well like my old one, so I was wondering if the oil would be any good??
Hi Frannie,
Yes, I do use the No. 7 Bonding Oil. It isn’t Curly Girl Method approved, unfortunately, as it contains silicones. I don’t use it every time but it adds shine, helps with frizz and my favourite feature is that it has heat protection unlike so many curly girl products. Amazing if you diffuse your hair. If you are happy to bend the CGM rules a bit I would say that this would make a great alternative to your serum. You can use it on wet or dry hair x
If I’m no longer coloring my hair, can I get the two salon treatments by themselves to repair my damaged hair?
Hi Eileen,
Yes, absolutely! Olaplex works best on hair that has been coloured, so even previously coloured hair is a great candidate. Most salons will offer a ‘stand alone’ Olaplex treatment which you could have without a colour service. Lxx
Hi there, I’m struggling on which olaplex to get and which ones good for my hair. I have very dry hair and very bad hair loss.Also, I have curly hair and I use cantu shampoo. I’m just struggling on which olaplex to use and if I should get the shampoo and conditioner.
Hi Nafeesah,
I would suggest starting with Part 3 – Hair Perfector. It contains a much higher level of the active ingredient (Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate) than the shampoo or conditioner.
Parts 1 and 2 are only available as salon treatments and in my personal experience, Part 0 is not as easy to use as Part 3.
Olaplex repairs the bonds in your hair at a molecular level so you may not notice your hair feeling less dry when you use it, but rest assured it is doing good. I would still recommend using moisturising treatments and protein treatments alongside Olaplex as they have different objetives.
In addition to this, I’m not sure whether you are following the Curly Girl Method, but Parts 4,5,6 and 7 are not CGM approved.
I hope this helps. Lxx