How to Use Olaplex

Co-authored by Angela Justice

Last Updated: March 18, 2024

Olaplex is a relatively new hair treatment that is being heralded as a miracle serum by hair professionals worldwide! It was scientifically formulated to reconnect broken and damaged disulphide bonds in your hair to help strengthen the strands from the inside. To use Olaplex’s 3-step process, you should start by making an appointment with an Olaplex-affiliated salon (for the first 2 steps), then you can continue with their at-home version on your own. It’s a simple way to get your hair looking healthier, shinier, and more voluminous.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Getting the Professional Olaplex Treatments

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1
Find a stylist you trust at an Olaplex-affiliated salon. Olaplex is a beauty product that is only sold in select salons. Find a salon that you like and trust that carries Olaplex and make an appointment for a treatment. Since the treatment is incorporated into your existing color/styling appointment, it won’t add very much extra time to your time at the salon.
- You can use the Olaplex online salon locator at https://olaplex.com/
- Make sure you ask the salon if they offer Olaplex treatments when you call. If they do, let them know that's what you're coming in for. Otherwise, they may not have a stylist available to work with you when you arrive.
2
Sit through the Olaplex No. 1 treatment. If you are using the Olaplex in combination with a coloring treatment, your stylist will mix the Olaplex No. 1 solution directly into the bleach, hair dye, or powder lightener before it is applied to your hair. The solution will remain in your hair for as long as the color treatment normally would, then will be simply rinsed out once the allotted time has passed.
- If you're not using the Olaplex in combination with a coloring treatment, your stylist will still put it in your hair as a stand-alone treatment.
- Once the Olaplex has been removed, your hair should feel silky, shiny, and healthier
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3
Continue with the Olaplex No. 2 treatment. The Olaplex No. 2 treatment works best if you are getting your hair colored at the same time, or if you have particularly damaged hair. Your stylist will dye your hair using the hair dye that contains Olaplex No. 1, then rinse it out (using no shampoo) after the allotted amount of time. Your hair will be towel-dried and then Olaplex No. 2 will be applied throughout your hair.^{[1]
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- You must keep the Olaplex No. 2 in your hair for 10-20 minutes.
- Once you finish waiting, the stylist will rinse, shampoo, and condition your hair.
EXPERT TIP

"Olaplex allows stylists to really push the limits of bleaching hair. It brings your hair back to life."

Michael Van den Abbeel
Professional Hair Stylist
Michael Van den Abbeel is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Owner of Mosaic Hair Studio and Blowout Bar in Orlando, Florida. He has been cutting, styling, and coloring hair for over 17 years. Michael loves showing his clients how to wash and wear their hair easily and effortlessly. Mosaic Hair Studio and Blowout Bar is recognized as a Diamond Top Tier level Wella salon.

Michael Van den Abbeel
Professional Hair Stylist

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Using Olaplex No. 3 at Home

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1
Shampoo and towel-dry your hair normally. Hop in the shower and shampoo your hair as you normally would. Soap up your hair and gently massage the shampoo into your scalp. Then rinse the shampoo out completely.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Angela Justice
Master Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 5 November 2021.}
- After you finish shampooing, towel-dry your hair thoroughly.
2
Apply Olaplex No. 3 and let it sit for 10-30 minutes. Pour a nickel-sized amount of the Olaplex No. 3 solution into your hands and massage it into your scalp, just as you would with regular shampoo.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Angela Justice
Master Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 5 November 2021.} Be sure to comb the serum through all of your hair, saturating all of the strands as you go. Let it sit for the required amount of time.
- Leave the Olaplex No. 3 in your hair for at least 10-30 minutes. If your hair has recently been dyed or otherwise damaged, consider leaving it in for an hour or two.^{[4]
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- You may want to put on a shower cap to keep the serum from touching your clothes or other items in your home while you wait out the clock.
3
Rinse the treatment out and shampoo your hair. After the allotted amount of time, hop back in the shower and rinse out the Olaplex No. 3 treatment with warm water. Then, shampoo and condition your hair as you normally would.
- Once you get out of the shower, your hair should be silky smooth, healthy, and ready to be styled!
For the best results, you should keep applying Olaplex to your hair every 10 days after you're initial treatment at the salon. Reapplying the Olaplex No. 3 solution will help keep your hair smooth and healthy.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Angela Justice
Master Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 5 November 2021.}

EXPERT TIP

Michael Van den Abbeel
Professional Hair Stylist
Michael Van den Abbeel is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Owner of Mosaic Hair Studio and Blowout Bar in Orlando, Florida. He has been cutting, styling, and coloring hair for over 17 years. Michael loves showing his clients how to wash and wear their hair easily and effortlessly. Mosaic Hair Studio and Blowout Bar is recognized as a Diamond Top Tier level Wella salon.

Michael Van den Abbeel
Professional Hair Stylist

Do a moisture and protein treatment as well. Michael Van den Abbeel of Mosaic Hair Studio says: "Olaplex strengthens your hair from the inside out, but it doesn't necessarily replace the missing proteins or moisture to your hair. A moisturizing mask that contains protein can help restore the shine to your hair."

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Question

Can I leave Olaplex No 3 in my hair overnight?

Angela Justice
Master Hair Stylist
Angela Justice is a Master Hair Stylist and the Owner of Payton Place Salon based in North Little Rock, Arkansas. With over 33 years of experience, she specializes in styling and cutting hair, coloring hair, providing hair repair and strengthening services, and installing tape-in hair extensions.

Angela Justice

Master Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Definitely! Some people wear Olaplex overnight and then wash their hair with shampoo and conditioner the next morning.

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Question

How do you mix Olaplex?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You can mix Olaplex 1 into any hair color or lightener formula, using 1/8 oz. for every once of color or lightener. It is not recommended to mix Olaplex 2 or 3.

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Question

Do you put Olaplex 3 on dry hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

It is not recommended for dry hair. You should rinse your hair, towel dry, then apply.

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