The 5 Best Olaplex Dupes to Save Your Hair and Money!
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If you stumbled upon this blog post then I imagine you are looking for some serious help with damaged hair repair but on a budget! Lately it seems like everyone from your girl at the hair salon to the influencers you follow to your bestie will just blanket statement answer “Olaplex!” as the answer to your damaged locks. And while the price isn’t exorbitant, it is more than some of us want to spend on a hair care product!
So today I am sharing the best Olaplex dupes out there (according to the Internet!) so that you can make a financially savvy decision that also helps your hair bounce back to it’s shiny, healthy self it was meant to be!
I am sharing the top 5 Olaplex dupe products today, but in case you’re in a rush and really just want the absolute best one I listed it below for you, you’re welcome!
What is the BEST Olaplex Dupe?
Revolution Hair Plex Collection from Target
If you just want to know straight up which of the Olaplex dupes I am going to list is hands down the best one then I’ll let you know it has got to be the Revolution Hair Plex Collection that you can buy at Target! The cost is FAR less than Olaplex with each product in the line costing under $10 a piece! And RAVE reviews, with some people saying the prefer it to Olaplex! I like that it also has 6 different products that work in tandem with each other, just like Olaplex does. Oh and did I mention it’s at Target? What more could a girl want?
To skip down to the rest of the list of the 5 Best Olaplex Dupes click here!
So What Exactly is Olaplex Anyway?
The Olaplex line of hair care products is meant to be salon-level quality and utterly life-changing for those of us who color our hair to the point of total damage! Olaplex works to repair the broken disulfide bonds in our hair (AKA the visible and tangible damage!) that is created through exposure to heat, coloring, chemical treatments like perms, mechanical damage (brushing and tugging), and environmental exposure (UV rays and cold weather). Our hair can really take a beating, especially if we are constantly styling it with heated tools and coloring or chemically treating it! Olaplex was made for the girl whose hair is need of serious help!
There are 9 different products total in the line and they make it really easy and name them No. 0 - No. 8! Each product in their line is meant for specific scenarios. For example, the No. 1 and No. 2 formulas are meant to be used in tandem with dyeing or highlighting hair so it is actually sold and marketed to hair salons/hair stylists! Every other product is meant to be used at home, some can be used daily and others just 1x per week. Depending on your hair needs, schedule, and budget, you can determine which product(s) is/are right for you!
Which Olaplex product is right for me?
Since there are 9 different products in the Olaplex line, you’re probably wondering which ones make the most sense for your hair. I am going to break down what each product does and what hair issues each is meant to remedy!
Something to note: A lot of these were meant to use in tandem with the other products in the line, which is why they sell them in bundles as well.
Olaplex No. 0 Intensive Bond Building Treatment
Olaplex No. 0 is meant to “prime” your hair to absorb the benefits from the nourishing hair products in the Olaplex line to give it the best chance at repair. It is most often used in tandem with Olaplex No. 3 and clearly is not really meant to be a stand alone product since it’s more of a primer! I’m sure Olaplex No. 3 works without it, but likely it works better and faster along with it.
It is meant to be used 1x per week but the website says you can up that to 2-3x per week for really damaged hair. You are supposed to apply it to dry hair and fully saturate it with the product.
Olaplex No. 1 Bond Multiplier
Olaplex No. 1 is basically Olaplex No. 0 on steroids but it’s meant for, and only sold to, hair salons! They use it when coloring or chemically treating their clients hair to lessen the damage. So it’s not really a product the average consumer is going to buy!
Olaplex No. 2 Bond Perfector
Olaplex No. 2 is meant to be used as a system with Olaplex No. 1 in the salon setting. Your stylist would apply it after shampooing and it’s meant to pick up the slack for any bonds that did not get repaired prior to shampooing. So again, not something we as a regular consumer would be purchasing.
Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector
If you’re going to buy one product from this line, then this would probably be it! It does work best when paired with Olaplex No. 0 but you could just use it on it’s own to help repair the bonds in your hair and reverse the damage! It just may not work quite as well, but it’s better than nothing! This product is the one that I will be sharing the most dupes for!
It is meant to be used 1x per week but the website says you can up that to 2-3x per week for really damaged hair. You are supposed to apply it to damp hair from roots to end. (You can use water or if you buy Olaplex No. 0 you can use that to dampen your hair as the first step.)
Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
Well of course there is a shampoo! And it’s probably (ok definitely) way better than your drugstore shampoo. It is safe (and recommended!) to use on color treated hair too. But it’s just another added layer of protection and repair for your hair, especially if you wash your hair often! It’s often sold in tandem with Olaplex No. 5
This is for all hair types but especially for oily hair. You can use it daily (or as often as you wash your hair).
Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner
I am the type of girl that would continue to abuse my super damaging purple shampoo (only blondes understand this one LOL!) and then rationalize it by following up with this bond restoring conditioner! But for real if you’re pinching pennies and trying to choose between the shampoo or the conditioner I would go for the conditioner! I’m sure the results from using both are amazing though!
Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother Creme
This is basically a leave-in conditioner that’s meant to last about 72 hours for taming frizz and giving your hair an overall smoother appearance while working to strengthen it as well. You just apply it about midway down your hair to the ends and you can use it as needed or even as often as after every hair wash!
Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Hair Oil
This lightweight hair oil strengthens your hair, while making it more shiny and vibrant, AND serves as a heat protectant as well! It seems to really do it all, and may be a smart choice if you use a blow dryer or other hot styling tools on your hair regularly.
You can apply it to wet or dry hair and all you need are a few drops. Can be used daily!
Olaplex No.8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask
A hair mask that is going to make your hair look shiny and healthy while also helping to repair it. According to the Olaplex website this product works really well in tandem with Olaplex No.0 and No.3.
You apply it to damp hair from mid way down to the ends, then leave it on for 10 minutes, and then rinse it out. They recommend applying it about once per week.
How Much Does Olaplex Actually Cost?
A loaded question since there are 9 different products and there are bundles you can buy as well! The price can range anywhere from $196 to $16!
Okay wait, $16?! Then why do we need a dupe at all? Because that is the price for a travel size pack of Olaplex No. 0 and No. 3. Which is a lot to pay for travel size and you’ll run out pretty quick! So not terrible but not exactly a bargain. The regular size of that particular bundle is normally $56.
But if you just want to try it out and see if you even like it, then that’s a nice low cost option before committing fully to spending your money consistently on Olaplex products for your hair health.
Does Olaplex ever go on sale?
Yes it looks like it does! Amazon and QVC have had it on sale in the past and Sephora typically does a really good bargain bundle during the holiday sales. Your best bet to get it at a good price is to buy it in a bundle for sure, and it works out since all of these products were formulated to compliment each other.
What are some Olaplex Alternatives?
I am so glad you asked! Well that’s the main reason for this blog post right? I am breaking down the best Olaplex cheaper dupes and alternatives if you are looking to get results and save money!
1- The Revolution Hair Plex Collection from Target
As I mentioned above, this is, IMO, the best dupe you’re gonna find. A full line of products (which means a dupe for every single product in the Olaplex line!), a WAY cheaper price, and tons of positive reviews!
2- The INKEY List Line of Haircare Products
A solid option if you’re trying to more with less! The INKEY List is apparently more known for their skincare products but this line of haircare products that they have is focused on bond repair and restoring your hair’s volume too! There are 4 products in the line and all seem to work in tandem together to repair your damaged hair. Probably your best bet of all their products if you’re looking for the most Olaplex-esque one would be their PCA Bond Repair Hair Treatment. Each product is under $15 a piece and you can buy it at Sephora!
3- Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Haircare Products
We love a product you can get on Amazon! This cheaper version of Olaplex looks very promising and definitely makes for good dupes of Olaplex No.4, No.5, and No.6! Since it is available on Amazon, you can subscribe and save even more if you end up loving it long term! But at the time of this post you can get all 3 for $36 (prices change ALL the time on Amazon so definitely double check).
4- L’Oreal Paris EverPure Bonding Shampoo and Conditioner Kit
If you want truly drugstore prices then this is your best bet! My sister used to work in the marketing department at L’Oreal and she let me in on an insider secret that L’Oreal products are very thoroughly tested with real people and if the product doesn’t seem to show that it’s not doing what it says it does, then it doesn’t make it onto shelves! So I definitely trust that this works, plus it’s the cheapest option to boot! Definitely a great dupe for Olaplex No.4 and No.5.
5- Botanic Hearth Hair Bond Treatment System
Ok talk about getting more bang for your buck! Those shampoo and conditioner bottles are BIG so they’ll last you awhile (and they’re super cheap)! If you’re looking for the simplicity of just a shampoo, conditioner, and post wash product then this product line will be your bestie! The reviews look amazing, with some shocking before and after photos! And the price is miles better than Olaplex! Click the images above to check the prices on Amazon.
So that’s my roundup of the top 5 best Olaplex dupes that are definitely much cheaper alternatives. If you are looking for a more affordable at-home solution to your damaged hair woes, then I would definitely consider giving these a spin before trying out Olaplex. Or if you’re hooked on Olaplex and looking to cut costs a bit, try these out and compare to see if you’re maybe overpaying!
Know about any other good dupes out there? Let me know below in the comments!
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