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- I've been using Olaplex No. 3 on and off for a year to keep my hair strong and healthy.
- After not using it for two months, I was impressed with how well it worked after just one wash.
- It took my dry and frizzy hair and turned it into shiny locks within 20 minutes.
Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3 Check price at Amazon Check price at Sephora Editor's note: Olaplex came under fire in 2022 after customers claimed the product caused breakage and hair loss — and a lawsuit alleged that the company didn't disclose the fertility-related health risks linked to an ingredient in the product. Despite using "a trace amount of lilial" at a 0.01% concentration, which the company claims isn't a harmful amount, it has since been phased out of the formula.
After seeing countless friends, influencers, and even my hairstylists tout the wonders of Olaplex No. 3, I decided I had to try it. Though it works on just about any hair type, it's especially hailed by those who dye their hair as a way to keep locks healthy. As someone who has been highlighting their hair for four years, this made it especially appealing since my ends can definitely feel damaged and my hair can start to break between cuts.
Olaplex has an entire hair line that includes shampoo, conditioner, leave-in conditioners, hair masks, oils, and more. Though I've heard good things about all of Olaplex's products, I only use the No. 3, which is essentially a mask that you put on wet hair and then rinse out during your normal shower routine.
I've used Olaplex No. 3 off and on for about a year now and have been shocked at how incredible the results are.
The ingredients
Olaplex No. 1 and No. 2 are salon-level products that work to treat hair and keep it from being damaged as it's getting dyed or highlighted. Olaplex No. 3 uses the same active ingredients as these professional products and was formulated specifically to help strengthen hair, especially color-treated hair. One of the key patented active ingredients in Olaplex is bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate, which is known as a "bond builder."
Coloring your hair, as well as just general brushing and styling, breaks down the bonds that hold together keratin fibers and leads to damaged strands. Olaplex No. 3 works to repair these broken bonds so hair is stronger and stays healthier. Olaplex No. 3 is also free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.
My review of Olaplex No. 3
I first started using Olaplex No. 3 after a haircut to try to keep my hair from ever getting too damaged and frizzy between cuts. I typically get balayage highlights that are easy to grow out, and I often go six to eight months between seeing my stylist. Amidst the pandemic, I was acutely aware that it would likely be even longer.
Typically, my hair is pretty frizzy and the ends start to show signs of breakage after a couple of months. However, my hair definitely felt better for much longer with the Olaplex No. 3. Even after four or five months, it was feeling like I had just walked out of the salon.
One of the only downsides to Olaplex No. 3, if you happen to be rather lazy like me, is that it's not a leave-in conditioner. Instead, you have to wet your hair, comb a quarter size amount of the mask through, leave it on for a minimum of 10 minutes, and then wash it out. I typically use Olaplex No. 3 just once a week and leave it in for about 20 to 25 minutes because my hair is long and thick. However, when you're in a rush or just not feeling like taking the extra time, it can be easy to end up skipping the treatment and just doing your normal wash. I ended up falling off the wagon and stopped using my Olaplex for about two months.
This is when I realized just how much it really had been working before. My hair was suddenly far drier and frizzier and lacked any luster. I decided to get back into my routine and was honestly shocked at the results of using the Olaplex No. 3 again after just one wash.
The before and after photos can practically do the talking, but suffice it to say I was more impressed than ever when after just one use, my blow-dried hair was suddenly shiny, soft, and frizz-free again.
Ever since, I've been continuing to use Olaplex roughly once a week. It's been about 10 months now since my last haircut. While my hair isn't perfect, it's far healthier, stronger, and shinier than it's ever been when I've gone this long between seeing my stylist.
Cons to consider
As previously noted, one con when you're extra busy is that the mask does take a bit of time. You have to be willing to tack on an extra 10 to 20 minutes to your shower to let the Olaplex No. 3 soak in before rinsing it out and showering as normal. Because of this, I've found it's best to do once a week either at night or on the weekends. However, if your hair is particularly damaged, you may benefit from leaving it in even longer or doing it twice a week at first.
The other downside is the price. At $28 for 3.3 ounces, it's not terrible, but there are also certainly cheaper masks on the market. Using it once a week for about 8 months has just about used up my bottle, so it does last a relatively long time.
The bottom line
Olaplex No. 3 is known as the "Hair Perfector" within the Olaplex haircare line, and I would honestly say it lives up to the name. I can go longer between visits to my stylist, and I've noticed that my hair is much softer and has less breakage than normal.
I've also been impressed with how well it works after just one wash — the results are immediate and obvious. Once I finish up my bottle I will be restocking immediately.
Check price at Amazon Check price at Sephora
Hannah Freedman Former Associate Travel Editor, Reviews Hannah is the former associate travel editor for Insider Reviews. She's been to over 50 countries on five continents and is always on the hunt for the best hotels, food spots, and off-the-beaten-path finds. Before joining the Insider team, Hannah oversaw all digital content and edited print features for Family Traveller magazine. Under her guidance, the Family Traveller website won multiple awards, including in the Best Online Travel Magazine category, from the North American Travel Journalists Association. She also previously worked at Oprah.com and has written for outlets including Vanity Fair, Travel + Leisure, Thrillist, Brides, Here Magazine, Greatist, and more. She holds a master's in Publishing and Digital Media from NYU. An avid traveler, you can follow along on Hannah's adventures on her Instagram @hfreed11. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. Read more Read lessncG1vNJzZmivp6x7o8HSoqWeq6Oeu7S1w56pZ5ufonyowcidnKxnkpqutsDYaKalmaCaxW66zmxkq52mnrK4