Constantly trying to improve the appearance of our hair, we actually only worsen their condition. After various procedures (coloring, keratin straightening, waving), they usually become dry, brittle, tangled, split and fall out. But we do not stop experimenting with hair, we just try to make them more gentle. One of the new products is the American remedy Olaplex. What do the manufacturers of this tool promise us, and what feedback does it receive from users?
What affects hair negatively
- High alkaline exposure (frequent lightening or staining with permanent paints).
- Permic waving and straightening.
- Temperature above one hundred and thirty degrees (use of flat irons, keratin straightening).
Each of these procedures affects the condition of the hair little by little, but for the time being they can be restored. Over time, their condition worsens due to damage to the protein structure and breaking of bisulfide bonds. Protein helps restore products containing protein. Until recently, there was nothing to restore the destroyed ties. In order to solve this problem, the tools of the series have been developed. Olaplex. Reviews about them are mixed.
Olaplex - what is it?
Two Ph. D.s, a chemist and a materials scientist, looked at the problem of destroyed hair from a different angle and, by combining their efforts, created an original composition. It does not contain the usual silicones, aldehydes and oils used in hair care products. However, the product has a positive effect on the structure of the hair, reconnecting the bonds broken by various “care” procedures.
Users noticed that many of the substances mentioned above were originally in Olaplex, but disappeared from the list in early 2015 (February).
Manufacturers explain the effect of the drug on the structure and appearance of the hair by the fact that it recreates the natural bonds inside the hair, making them strong, strong and elastic.
"Olaplex" is a tool that positively affects the protein structure of the hair. The active substance is the molecule of bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate. It penetrates to the hair root along with coloring pigments. And while the latter are engaged in color change, Olaplex strengthens the bulb. It preserves and restores the bonds of sulfur atoms that make up the amino acid. It forms the correct structure of the protein from which the hair shaft is created.
Issue form
Olaplex products are available in bottles with a dispenser. Initially, it is located separately. In order to install the dispenser, you need to remove the sealed packaging and screw it with a thin part inside. If you are goingto use the product, then you need to remove the cap and squeeze the bottle, squeezing out the right amount. The required volume will help determine the dispenser with divisions.
The unused portion of the product can be kept in the dispenser until the next time.
The series consists of three products:
Olaplex Bond Multiplier 1 in 525 ml bottle. Consists of active substance and water. Therefore, using it in a different way, except by adding it to the coloring composition, does not make sense if there is a mask with the same components
In addition, when using the tool number 1, the staining is less intense than without it. Therefore, the oxide must be used stronger than usual. But if you are already using the maximum, then you do not need to use Olaplex Bond Multiplier No. 1, otherwise the hair color will turn out darker than expected.
- Two 525ml bottles of Olaplex Bond Perfector 2.
- Home care elixir Hair Pefector No. 3 ("Hair Perfection"), in fact, is the same remedy No. 2. In any case, their compositions are identical. But the volume of No. 3 is smaller, 100 ml. Elixir "Hair Perfection" is intended for intermediate procedures, so at one time it is used in a smaller amount. It is recommended to use at least once a week.
The manufacturer's website promises that the Olaplex No. 3 elixir is given free of charge after the recovery procedure with the drugs of the series. But in reality, an additional payment of about 2800 rubles is required for it. On eBay, you can order Olaplex yourself. Price – from $20.
Recognition
The advertisement claims that Olaplex is the owner of several international patents. But there is unconfirmed information that in fact the patent application has only just been filed. Be that as it may, Olaplex products are known not only in Chicago, where they were created. In a short time, the brand has become popular on all continents. This was facilitated by the correct marketing policy.
Other names of this brand are known. These are Salon Intro, Hair Perfector No. 3, Salon Kit, Repour. For each of them there is a special method of application, painted literally step by step.
Expected result
- Sellers of Olaplex claim that the hair under the influence of the drug becomes soft and vibrant, a natural shine appears. They are easier to comb and style.
- Any procedures that lead to a violation of the structure of the hair become safe.
- Hair damaged by the weather, electric heaters, barrettes, restores structure and appearance.
- Effect should be especially noticeable on bleached and bleached dry hair with powders.
- Nourishes and restores hair roots and scalp, heals burns.
- Removes static charge.
- Does not accumulate in hair.
- Color lasts longer after application.
- Used to color hair extensions that require special care and precautions.
You need to use Olaplexregularly, and not only in salons, but also at home. Particular attention is paid to the lasting effect that is achieved when using the described tool.
Application Features
Olaplex recommend using:
- Clients with thin, faded hair.
- If the curls are damaged by various procedures.
- If you want to keep your hair color as long as possible.
The product should be used during all procedures related to hair care. Let's start with coloring with Olaplex.
The instruction advises adding composition No. 1 (concentrate-protection) directly to the clarifying agent immediately after mixing with the oxidizing agent. Treat the hair along the entire length, starting from the roots. The active substance penetrates directly to the bulb and restores it. Product is not sprayed.
The applied composition is kept for at least 5 minutes.
After washing off the paint from the head, apply remedy No. 2 - "Cocktail Fixer". Comb the hair and leave the mass for at least 10 minutes.
If you are going to cut your hair, then you can use the tool number 2 as a lotion. Then wash hair with shampoo and conditioner.
If you continue to carry out any manipulations with your hair, add to all formulations and during all Olaplex procedures (coloring, curling, alignment and restoration are meant).
If blonding is performed in several stages, then the agent must be added at each of them. The drug should make the hair alive, strong andsilky.
Olaplex should also be used at home. Caring for your hair with it will help protect your hair from exposure to high temperatures, various chemicals, breakage when combing and similar procedures.
It must be remembered that Olaplex Elixir No. 3 "Hair Perfection" is washed off with shampoo and conditioner. You can use the balm as often as you need.
Reviews of some consumers indicate an unpleasant chemical smell of the drug, but most do not notice it.
Use with blonde powder
When coloring with blond powder, the amount of Olaplex is determined individually. If the powder is from 30 to 60 g, then a quarter of the dose is enough - 7.5 ml. If less than thirty, then take an eighth of Olaplex, that is, 3.75 ml.
First mix powder with oxidant, then add Olaplex.
Cost
How much should I pay for an Olaplex session? The price of the procedure together with coloring is 2000 rubles. Typically, hair extensions cost 40% more, and long hair costs a third more.
Where to get it
The product is not sold in ordinary stores. It is distributed through a network of beauty salons that receive it directly from the manufacturer.
The distributor is Authentika. Available for both salon and home use Olaplex.
Home use
The first two compositions are most often used by professionals in salons. Therefore, let's take a closer look at tool number 3. Texturegel masks. It is applied to dirty, moisturized hair and kept for some time in order for this very bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate to perform its function. Then wash off with regular shampoo and conditioner.
There are some rules to keep in mind:
- Before use, the drug should be tested on strands of hair.
- The desired concentration of the product can be determined using the dispenser.
- The first procedure is best done not at home, but in the salon.
- If you need to keep the coloring matter on your hair for less than 10 minutes, then it is better not to add Olaplex there. It must be applied before express toning, left on the hair and washed off.
Treatment duration
Users say that different experts suggest leaving Olaplex on hair for different times. It can be from 5 to 30 minutes. Longer, perhaps, no one can stand in the cabin. And they stay at home for the night. In the instructions, this period of time is called the “set time” and does not specify how much you need to keep Olaplex on your hair.
Composition
Customers are perplexed by the change in the composition of the drug. They regret that such useful substances as vitamins, hydrolyzed proteins, aloe extract and oils that nourish the scalp have disappeared. Only propylene glycol and a few conditioning ingredients remained.
Expense
Olaplex runs out fairly quickly. User reviews say that it takes abouta quarter of the volume of the jar, but the tool is expensive. You need to use it once a week. It turns out that the jar is enough for a month.
Result
Many consumers liked the action of the Olaplex series of products. Reviews say that the hair becomes alive and silky after using them.
For some users, after one 15-minute session, the hair became he althy and dense, and the effect lasts up to two months.
Flaws
Women whose hair was in excellent condition before applying the mask noticed that after the procedure the curls became dry, the natural shine was gone. They saw no lasting or short-term effect.
It is noted that there are no research results confirming the real effect of the described drugs. No one counted disulfite bridges before and after the procedure.
But the mask number 2 with the old composition really improves the condition of the hair. Apparently, the manufacturers actually developed a quality composition. Perhaps they spent money on advertising or they had other financial difficulties, and they decided to save money. But the price hasn't changed since then. This does not characterize Olaplex manufacturers very well.
Reviews from some users suggest that the addition of preparation No. 3 to their regular hair care cosmetics has significantly worsened the condition of the hair. But when they apply the mask after washing, the condition of the hair improves. They become smooth and elastic.
WhenOlaplex paint applied
Users say that Olaplex products should not be used by all women. If your hair has not been exposed to a large number of chemical procedures, lightening, recoloring, perms and straightening, then you do not need such drugs.
The use of "Olaplex" to protect the scalp during lightening can be replaced by the use of cheaper products, for example, cream from Pureology, gel from CHI.
When coloring your hair, you need to apply the product only to the growing roots. Do not repaint the part that has not lost color.
Healing not very damaged hair can be cheaper.
It is worth using Olaplex brand products (how to use, we discussed above) in the following cases:
- If you highlight your hair or use bleach powder.
- If, when coloring, the master processes the curls along the entire length with the main composition, and does not tint them above the root.
- If you constantly and often change the color of your hair, while radically, from brunette to blonde, and vice versa.
- With frequent use of various procedures that adversely affect the condition of the hair, including perms and dyes.
- If you want to make a sharp transition from dark to light color.
Product No. 1 should only be added to the main composition, means No. 2 and 3 should be used as a mask after washing.
When applying Olaplex without staining, the product is applied to the hair, kept for the right time, then washed off. But many users say that the curls after the procedure, if they have changed, are not for the better. They are poorly combed, the roots become unpleasant to the touch. Sometimes the effect of the application is present until the next shampoo, no longer.
Some did not notice any difference between the hair before and after the procedure, although they kept the product all night! There are users who think that this is a waste of money.
