“You see results from the get-go, and I’ve got through half a bottle in two months – yes, it’s that good,” says Charlotte Bitmead, Stylist’s senior beauty writer.
When a brand announces an OG formula that’s been revamped and is ‘back and better than ever’, I usually take it with a pinch of salt, and sometimes even inwardly grimace.
Why ruin a good thing? A reformulation has ruined many great products. So, when Olaplex announced it was reformulating its cult No.3 Hair Perfector, I was surprised.
While I was never its biggest fan (I found it didn’t deliver enough hydration for my hair), I knew people who swore by it as the one beauty product they couldn’t live without. However, I’m pleased to report that Olaplex’s No.3 Plus Complete Repair Treatment surpasses the original by far, in my opinion.
Olaplex No.3 Plus Complete Repair Treatment
Not only does it have the hydrating qualities I felt the original formula lacked, but it’s faster, too. Now, it takes just three minutes to get to work.
The original launched in 2018, and if we think about how much the world has changed in that time, it’s no wonder that more snazzy technology is now available to recharge the formulation and make it better than ever.
For example, the reinvention works deeper within the cortex of the hair to repair cuticles and now repairs three types of bonds (disulfide, ionic and hydrogen bonds – in case you were curious). It is also designed to pack more of a hydrating punch than the OG – something that was music to my ears.
Unlike many bond-building products out there, this doesn’t take multiple applications to see results – I’m told I should notice the visible differences after one wash. On the inside, it helps to support the hair long-term by reducing breakages and repairing any damage caused by everything from bleaching to environmental stress for all hair types and textures. These were some bold claims, to say the least, and with my damaged head of hair, I was really going to put it through its paces.
Olaplex’s No.3 Plus Complete Repair Treatment is a pre-shampoo treatment, so the first step is wetting the hair, applying a generous amount of product from root to tip, and waiting for three minutes to let the magic happen. Follow up with a shampoo and conditioner (the brand said it works seamlessly with its own shampoo and conditioner, which I’ve found to be true, but it also plays well with other brands).
What I loved about this, compared with other bond-building products out there, is that no heat is required to activate the formula. So, if you have wavy, curly or coily hair, you don’t have to compromise your natural texture to get the best results.
Credit: Charlotte Bitmead
From the first wash, I’ve noticed a visible difference, and it did indeed live up to the hype. Having not had my hair cut in months, and despite drowning my strands in masks on a weekly basis, my lengths look frazzled. This delivered all the moisture I had been yearning for in multiple products, but in one handy bottle. My strands felt smoother, looked shinier and plumper – giving the illusion of thicker hair. Yes, it had been heat-styled on this occasion, but my hair is never this smooth, despite a blow-out.
Fast forward six months, I have been using it once a week, mostly on my natural, wavy hair. I usually notice my waves start to look dishevelled, sometimes a day after washing, but this seemed to keep them intact and looking pristine for longer. Friends commented on how much thicker my hair looked, which was a direct result of the repair treatment, as it’s the only new formula I’ve added to my haircare routine for months.
After using this once a week for six months, I’ve gone through three bottles of the stuff – something that usually takes me ages to achieve, so I do have to be diligent when it comes to replenishing. However, I think it’s worth the investment for the results that really deliver – especially if it means I don’t have to soak my hair in multiple products weekly.
If you have thirsty ends that don’t seem to respond to oils, masks or glosses, no matter how many you try, I recommend giving this one a go. Your strands will thank you.
Images: Charlotte Bitmead; Olaplex