Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector

The one Olaplex most people start with: a pre-shampoo treatment with the patented bond-building molecule (bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate) that Olaplex says relinks broken bonds inside hair damaged by bleach, colour, heat and chemical services. Apply to damp hair, leave it on, rinse, then shampoo and condition. Protein-free, colour-safe and formulated without SLS/SLES.

What it does well

• Patented bond-building technology: Olaplex's single active molecule, the same one its salon treatments use
• For hair damaged by bleach, colour, heat, friction and hard water, on every hair type (Olaplex)
• Protein-free and keratin-free, so no protein overload on fine or over-treated hair
• Colour-safe; formulated without SLS/SLES, silicones, phthalates and parabens
• Vegan, gluten-free and cruelty-free according to Olaplex; use within 12 months of opening

What to expect

• Use 1: Damp hair, generous amount, 10 minutes or more, rinse, shampoo, condition. Most people feel softer, smoother hair straight away.
• Weeks 1–4: Weekly, or 2–3 times a week on very damaged hair. The change builds with repeated use.
• Ongoing: Weekly maintenance, especially around bleaching, colouring and heat styling.

The honest part

• The original formula: This is No.3 Hair Perfector. In 2026 Olaplex introduced No.3PLUS, a reformulated successor with a 3-minute leave-on time; the 10-minute instruction here is for the original. Check the bottle you receive and follow its label.
• Repair, with care: 'Repairs damaged hair' is a cosmetic claim backed by Olaplex's own testing. We do not say it permanently rebuilds bonds, regrows hair or reduces hair loss.
• Lilial-free since 2022: The fragrance ingredient lilial, banned in EU cosmetics from March 2022, was removed worldwide. Current bottles use benzyl benzoate instead.