Olaplex has become one of the most talked-about haircare brands in the world — but with products numbered No.0 through No.9, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. Here's your complete guide to every Olaplex product and exactly who each one is for.
What Makes Olaplex Different?
Olaplex works differently to most haircare products. Rather than simply coating the hair with conditioning ingredients, Olaplex uses a patented active ingredient that works at a molecular level to find and reconnect broken disulphide bonds inside the hair shaft.
These bonds break down through bleaching, colouring, heat styling and general wear. Once broken, hair becomes weak, dry, brittle and prone to breakage. Olaplex is the only haircare system that genuinely repairs this damage from the inside out — not just masks it.
At The Cosmetologists we are official authorised UK stockists of the complete Olaplex range, so every product is 100% genuine and sourced directly from Olaplex.
Olaplex No.0 — Intensive Bond Building Treatment
No.0 is the most intensive bond-building treatment in the at-home range. It's applied to dry hair before No.3 to amplify the repair process. If your hair is severely damaged — heavily bleached, colour-treated or heat-damaged — start here.
How to use: Apply generously to dry hair, leave for 10 minutes, then apply No.3 on top without rinsing. Leave both together for a further 45 minutes before rinsing.
Olaplex No.3 — Hair Perfector
No.3 is the iconic product that started it all and remains the most popular in the range. It's a pre-shampoo treatment that reduces breakage and strengthens hair with regular use.
How to use: Apply to damp hair from root to tip, leave for at least 10 minutes (or overnight for deeper repair), then rinse and shampoo as normal. Use once a week for best results.
Best for: Anyone with damaged, colour-treated, bleached or chemically processed hair.
Olaplex No.4 — Bond Maintenance Shampoo
No.4 is a reparative shampoo that cleans the hair while continuing the bond-building process. It's suitable for all hair types and won't strip colour.
How to use: Use as your regular shampoo, lathering twice for best results.
Best for: Daily or regular use on all hair types, especially colour-treated or damaged hair.
Olaplex No.4P — Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo
No.4P is a purple toning shampoo designed specifically for blonde, silver and highlighted hair. It neutralises brassy and yellow tones while strengthening with Olaplex's bond-building technology.
How to use: Apply to wet hair, leave for 2–3 minutes for a subtle tone or up to 10 minutes for stronger toning, then rinse thoroughly.
Best for: Blonde, platinum, silver, grey or highlighted hair that needs toning between salon visits.
Olaplex No.4D — Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo
No.4D is a bond-building dry shampoo that absorbs oil and adds volume between washes without leaving white residue. Unlike most dry shampoos, it also supports hair health rather than simply masking grease.
Best for: All hair types, particularly fine hair or oily roots needing a refresh between washes.
Olaplex No.5 — Bond Maintenance Conditioner
No.5 is the companion conditioner to No.4, providing moisture, softness and detangling alongside bond repair. It's lightweight enough for fine hair but nourishing enough for thick or dry hair.
How to use: Apply after shampooing, leave for 3–5 minutes, then rinse.
Best for: All hair types as part of a regular wash routine.
Olaplex No.6 — Bond Smoother
No.6 is a leave-in smoothing cream that controls frizz, adds shine and protects against humidity. It's one of the best-loved styling products in the range.
How to use: Apply a small amount to damp hair before styling. Start with a 5 pence-sized amount — a little goes a long way.
Best for: Frizzy, dry or colour-treated hair. Excellent for anyone using ghd straighteners or other heat tools.
Olaplex No.7 — Bonding Oil
No.7 is an ultra-lightweight reparative oil that dramatically increases shine, reduces flyaways and provides heat protection up to 230°C. It can be used on damp or dry hair.
How to use: Apply 1–2 drops to damp hair before heat styling, or smooth over dry hair for instant shine and frizz control.
Best for: All hair types. Particularly brilliant for fine hair that can't handle heavier oils.
Olaplex No.8 — Bond Intense Moisture Mask
No.8 is a deeply nourishing hair mask that combines bond repair with intense moisture. It leaves hair visibly softer, shinier and more manageable after just one use.
How to use: Apply generously to clean, damp hair, leave for 10 minutes, then rinse. Use once a week or as needed.
Best for: Dry, damaged or over-processed hair that needs a significant moisture boost.
Olaplex No.9 — Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum
No.9 is a lightweight serum that protects against environmental damage, pollution and free radicals. It smooths the hair cuticle for instant shine while providing ongoing protection throughout the day.
How to use: Apply a small amount to damp or dry hair before styling or going outdoors.
Best for: Anyone wanting daily protection, shine and defence against environmental damage.
The Best Olaplex Routine for Your Hair
For severely damaged or bleached hair: No.0 + No.3 weekly, No.4 + No.5 every wash, No.6 or No.7 to style.
For colour-treated hair: No.3 weekly, No.4 + No.5 every wash, No.8 mask fortnightly, No.7 oil to style.
For blonde or highlighted hair: No.4P to tone, No.5 to condition, No.3 weekly, No.7 or No.9 to finish.
For healthy hair maintenance: No.4 + No.5 every wash, No.3 fortnightly, No.7 or No.9 daily.
Where to Buy Genuine Olaplex in the UK
Always buy Olaplex from an authorised stockist. Counterfeit and grey market products do exist and won't deliver the same results — and in some cases can damage hair.
As official authorised UK stockists, every Olaplex product at The Cosmetologists is 100% genuine, with fast UK delivery and free shipping on orders over £50.
Shop the complete Olaplex range →
Related Guides
Wondering how Olaplex compares to K18 and Kérastase? Read our full comparison of the Best Products for Bleached and Damaged Hair.
Using Olaplex with ghd tools? See our ghd Straighteners Comparison Guide to find the right tool for your hair.
