Today I’m reviewing Olaplex No.5 Leave-in Conditioner, one of the newest products by Olaplex. I’ll be looking at it from the angle of those of us with curly hair. Is it worth the hype? Does it love your curls like a trusted friend? Is it worth the investment?
Table of Contents
What is Olaplex No.5 Leave-in Conditioner?
Olaplex No.5 leave-in conditioner is designed to deeply moisturise your hair, protect it from damage, and restore strength—all in a lightweight leave-in cream formula. It contains Olaplex’s famous patented bonding technology, which helps repair broken bonds and prevent further breakage. This makes it ideal not just for everyday hydration, but for those of us dealing with brittle or heat-damaged curls.
Added to this, it even offers heat protection, so you’ll be reassured if you occasionally diffuse your curls. A product that does damage repair and protection? Yes, please.
Why Olaplex No. 5 is Perfect for Curly Hair
Curly hair needs love, and by love, I mean moisture. Here’s where Olaplex No.5 leave-in conditioner absolutely shines.
1. Moisturising Hero
Curly hair is naturally drier because its shape prevents the scalp’s oils from travelling down the hair shaft easily. The Olaplex No. 5 Leave-in Conditioner is extremely hydrating. It softens and smooths while boosting elasticity, making it perfect for tackling frizz and those days when curls have a mind of their own.
2. Repairs Damage
Heat-styling, rough detangling, UV exposure, and even colouring your hair can compromise curl integrity. Thanks to Olaplex’s patented active ingredient—Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate—No. 5 actually helps repair the disulfide bonds inside your hair, which are especially vital for maintaining curl strength and definition.
3. Protects Against Heat
If you love diffusing your curls to give them that extra definition and bounce, having heat protection is non-negotiable. This leave-in conditioner has you covered so your curls stay safe from heat damage (and still look fabulous). It covers hair up to 450F or 232C.
4. Enhances Definition
Not only does it hydrate and protect, but Olaplex No. 5 smooths the cuticle of the hair to give better definition from root to tip .
Is Olaplex No.5 leave-in conditioner Curly Girl Method Approved?
For those following CGM rules, YES, this one can be incorporated into the Curly Girl Method! It’s free from sulfates, so it won’t strip your strands. It doesn’t contain silicones either, which means you can use it guilt free.
That being said, if you’re a strict CGM devotee, you’ll want to take a peek at the full ingredient list just to ensure it aligns with any personal preferences.
How do you apply Olaplex No.5 leave-in conditioner?
- Shampoo and Condition (Olaplex recommends using their own shampoo and conditioner, part 4 and part 5)
- Squeeze out excess water and apply one pump of Olaplex No. 5 to damp hair. Apply more as needed or for thicker hair types.
- Comb through hair with fingers or a wide-tooth comb to evenly distribute the product.
- Style as usual.
My Honest Opinion
I’ve been using this for a couple of months and I love it! The formula is lightweight and it is very moisturising. I find that it is the perfect prep for styling products. It absorbs easily and smoothes my frizzy hair. The fact that it has heat protection is such an added bonus; one less thing to worry about! I’ve tried almost all of the Olaplex line and this is my favourite so far. It is much easier to use than the Original Olaplex Treatment which has to be applied as a pre-shampoo treatment and it doesn’t require the extra time that it takes to do a mask.
I also like the scent. It is lightly fragranced but this smell does disappear quickly after application.
This is also a vegan product.
Are There Any Downsides?
As much as I adore this product, it’s not without some considerations.
- Price Point: At around $30 per bottle, it’s definitely an investment. However, considering the benefits and the fact that you only need a small amount each time, it may be worth it for your curl health in the long run.
- Olaplex claims that this product ‘mends split ends’. Now I don’t want to be the person to say it doesn’t but I think this sets expectations very high! This is a fantastic product and I would hate for anyone to be disappointed because they still have split ends after using it!
Final Thoughts
If you want healthy, bouncy curls that are protected from damage and frizz, Olaplex No.5 leave-in conditioner is definitely worth trying out. It’s a great addition to any curly hair wash day and a fantastically easy way to incorporate the benefits of Olaplex into your routine.
Speak soon,
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