How to Use Olaplex According to a Senior Hair Stylist

If you are serious about your haircare routine, then you’ve probably heard of Olaplex by now. One of the best-selling brands in the haircare industry, Olaplex offers professional treatments that can be used at home to get the best, salon-quality results. We at SkinStore interviewed senior hairstylist Leidi Grisales on the ways she uses Olaplex and what she recommends to her clients.

Expert Profile: Leidi Grisales

Leidi Grisales has been licensed as a cosmetologist since October 2005, founding Marquis Hair Studio over a decade ago in an effort to reach clients looking to enhance their beauty. She provides clear, well-informed information regarding cuts and colors.

Leidi takes a realistic approach to ensure her clients’ safety by not compromising hair health, being mindful of each and every client’s hair type, texture, curl pattern, and hair goals.

Leidi has worked at Paris and New York Fashion Week for the past few years, and when she is not styling hair or being a mom, Leidi engages in yoga and athletic training.

Working at a molecular level, the formulas seal broken bonds and rehydrate the strands to leave your locks looking healthier, fuller and shinier than ever before.

Want to know how to transform your hair with Olaplex? Here are the ways our editor and a stylist have used the brand’s products.

To treat colored hair

One of the main ways to use Olaplex is to treat colored or previously dyed hair. Using the No.0 Bond Builder Treatment, first prime the hair; apply the No.0 to clean dry hair and comb through before leaving on for 10 minutes before applying your No.3 Perfector directly on top.

Next, apply the No.3 Perfector to your hair running it through the lengths and leave this to absorb for 20 minutes. The No.3 formula penetrates deep into the hair fibre to hydrate and repair chemically damaged strands that have become weak or dehydrated following colour treatments. The Perfector helps to strengthen the hair, keeping your color looking shinier and stronger for longer.

The No.0 Bond Builder contains the highest possible dose of Olaplex’s patented bond building technology that expertly preps your locks for the No.3 treatment to work it’s magic, allowing for a deeper conditioning treatment.

For our editors, they do the No.0 and No.3 within their at-home hair care routine. For Leidi, she adds the No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask after the lightening process.

Leidi’s Advice: The Olaplex treatment is more effective on its own to repair your hair after a high-lift treatment because it’s working to strengthen the fragile bonds without combating the ingredients in bleach. Also, after a salon visit, ask your stylist about the products they use in your hair. Investing in salon-quality brands like Olaplex will help the health of your hair both in and out of the salon chair.

As a hair mask

Not only for colored hair, the No.3 Perfector can be used on un-treated hair in need of a boost and though it is recommended to use the No.0 first for the best results, the product can be used alone as a masking treatment.

The lightweight formula absorbs into all hair types using Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate, an ingredient that helps to strengthen and fortify hair to prevent damage from heat, environmental aggressors and breakage.

Simply rinse and then towel dry your hair before rubbing the No.3 treatment into your strands, leave for at least ten minutes (or longer if you have the time) and then wash out, continuing with your usual shampoo and conditioner routine.

As an overnight treatment

Alternatively, instead of rinsing out, leave the Olaplex No.3 Perfector in overnight and wash out in the morning for an even more intense treatment. This allows the formula to penetrate deep into the strands and hydrate the hair whilst you sleep so that you can wake up to your best hair day ever!

Leidi’s Advice: Treatments are a must for certain hair types such has curly hair or dyed hair. Incorporate a deep conditioning treatment (or a simplified overnight treatment) to add extra moisture to your hair this summer. Also, don’t forget SPF for your hair! Scalp sunburn IS a thing, so make sure to apply protection against heat and UV rays when styling your tresses.

As a conditioner

The No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner helps to maintain moisture levels and prevent damage after washing. The Conditioner harnesses the same bond-building power as the No.3 Perfector, however is designed to be used in the shower, ideal for busier days.

The formula detangles and smooths strands to make hair more manageable after washing and giving it a shinier finish. Apply the Conditioner to shampooed hair, however instead of focusing on just the lengths, also work the treatment into the scalp. Leave on for around 3 minutes before rinsing out.

As a pre-styling treatment

If your hair is a little hard to handle or you’re not quite seeing that sleek, shiny finish you’re looking for, try the No.6 Bond Smoother for glass-like, glossy results.

Designed to be applied to damp hair after washing, the No.6 Bond Smoother offers protection against chemicals, heat and extreme weather conditions.

Three is never a crowd when it comes to the No.0, No.3 and No.6, so this makes the perfect addition to your Olaplex routine, helping to maintain the moisture levels provided by the No.3 treatment and working to smooth frizz to make your hair more manageable. The No.6 also contains the brands bond sealing technology, providing a leave-in treatment that repairs your hair throughout the day.

SkinStore Editors

Writer and expert

Our team of beauty experts cover everything from skincare to makeup, picking out the most effective products from the best brands and latest trends. Stay up to date on everything beauty with the SkinStore blog, and find all your essentials in one place.