Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector

Before shampooing, on damp hair, at least ten minutes, then rinse. In that order.

1. Start with damp, towel-dried hair. Not soaking — squeeze the excess out first.
2. Apply evenly and distribute from roots through to the ends.
3. Comb through so nothing is missed.
4. Leave on for at least 10 minutes. Longer gives a deeper treatment; there is no penalty for leaving it 20 or 30.
5. Rinse thoroughly.
6. Shampoo and condition as normal, ideally with No.4 and No.5.

Use it weekly for most hair, or twice a week if your hair is heavily bleached or damaged.

Three common mistakes:

• Using it after shampooing. It is a pre-shampoo treatment — used afterwards it is simply rinsed away.
• Applying to soaking wet hair, which dilutes it.
• Rinsing too soon. Ten minutes is the minimum, not a suggestion.

For external use only. Avoid contact with the eyes. Keep out of reach of children.

Olaplex is built around a patented bond-building active that works inside the hair to repair broken disulfide bonds — the internal links that bleaching, colouring, perming and heat damage break apart.

That mechanism is why it is rinsed out rather than left in, and why the benefit accumulates over repeated use rather than washing straight back out.

The formula is free from silicones, sulphates, phthalates and parabens, and is suitable for colour-treated hair.

The complete INCI ingredient list is printed on the bottle. Please read it before first use if you have a known allergy or sensitive scalp.

Is it a conditioner?

No, and this is the most common mistake. It is a pre-shampoo treatment applied to damp hair before washing and then rinsed out. Using it as a conditioner wastes it.

How long do I leave it on?

At least ten minutes. Longer is fine and gives a deeper treatment. Rinsing sooner is the usual reason people see no result.

How often should I use it?

Weekly for most hair. Twice weekly if it is heavily bleached or badly damaged.

100ml or 250ml?

The 100ml lasts most people around two months at weekly use and is the sensible first buy. The 250ml is better value per millilitre for long hair or more frequent treatments.

Do I need No.4 and No.5 as well?

No, No.3 works on its own with any shampoo. Using No.4 and No.5 afterwards maintains the result between treatments, which is what they are for.

Can I use it with K18?

Yes, at different points. No.3 is pre-shampoo and rinsed out; K18 is post-shampoo and left in. Do not try to combine them in one wash.

• Product Type: Pre-Shampoo Treatment
• Technology: Bond Building System
• Hair Type: All hair types
• Size: 100ml / 250ml