9 Top Olaplex Alternatives for the Perfect Hair Day, Every Day
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Aren’t we all guilty of over-styling our hair?
Lucky for us, we know these 9 affordable Olaplex alternatives for salon-gorgeous hair, every day!
Olaplex has been one of the go-to brands for saving hair from damage caused by heat styling, hair treatments, and other environmental stressors.
And indeed, Olaplex results are phenomenal!
From being a salon-only treatment that professionals swear by, it became a household staple for hair junkies who like to keep a healthy crowning glory.
But the thing is… for such a small product, it may seem quite pricey to some.
Worry no more! We listed down our 9 affordable, favorite Olaplex alternatives that you can try!
- Provides heat protection
- Prevents color fading
- Smooths frizz and seals split ends
- Repairs damaged cuticles and hair
- Hydrates and leaves hair with a healthy, glossy finish
- Improves hair elasticity and softness
- Gently cleanses
- Repairs and strengthens the hair
- Targets the most abundant bonds in the hair
Table of Contents
How Does Olaplex Work?
Olaplex is one of the leading and most trusted hair care brands when it comes to mending damaged hair and bringing it back to life. It is a treatment like no other.
Olaplex works through the science of hair damage, which targets each of the million bonds that compose the hair.
Each product from this miracle brand works to repair the hair structure from within, and fights against all types of damage on all hair types, for healthier hair inside and out.
You can tell that it does its job just by looking at its patented formula, which includes bis-aminopropyl glycol dimaleate.
This patented ingredient is a single-molecule bond multiplier that repairs broken bonds in the hair on a deeper level, making visible results in an instant.
Plus, the entire hair care line is also free of sulfates, silicone, parabens, and phthalates, and is also vegan and cruelty-free!
Know Your Olaplex Product
The 12 different Olaplex products are divided into 2 systems: Olaplex No. 1 and No. 2. These go hand-in-hand for professional and in-salon uses, and the rest are for at-home treatments.
The different names might be confusing especially if you’re looking for the perfect solution to a specific hair problem, so here’s a handy guide we made to walk you through the entire Olaplex collection.
The Olaplex Beginner’s Guide
| Olaplex Product | Description | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Olaplex No. 1 Bond Multiplier | Used as a stand-alone treatment or an additive to lessen hair damage from chemicals. | Repairs damage, prevents breakage, and improves the condition of the cuticles during a chemical process. |
| Olaplex No. 2 Bond Perfector | A more concentrated version of Olaplex No.3. | Repairs hair follicles by bonding exposed molecules, strengthens the hair, and prevents further damage. |
| Olaplex No. 0 Bond Builder | Primes the hair for maximum absorption of No.3 Hair Perfector. | Rebuilds broken bonds to help achieve smooth and shiny hair. |
| Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector | A concentrated hair treatment that strengthens the hair from within. Best paired with No.0 for intensive repair. | Designed to reduce breakages, restore the hair’s healthy appearance, and visibly improve the hair’s look and feel. |
| Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo | A restorative shampoo that repairs, cleanses, and protects your hair from stress. | Makes the hair glossier by promoting bond repair and reducing damage, frizz, and split ends. |
| Olaplex No. 4-P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo | A highly concentrated purple shampoo that cleanses, hydrates, and tones the hair. | Creates stronger, softer, and shinier hair; tones blonde hair away from the unwanted yellow undertones or brassiness. |
| Olaplex No. 4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo | A clarifying shampoo that removes hair impurities and damage-causing particles. | Deep-cleanses while bringing the volume, softness, and vibrant color back into the hair. |
| Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner | An award-winning conditioner made of clean ingredients. | Nourishes, strengthens, and hydrates the hair; keeps hair looking like it’s fresh out of the salon. |
| Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother | A lightweight leave-in smoothing and repairing treatment. | A smoothing cream that covers each hair strand with moisture as it speeds up the styling process. It also repairs dryness. |
| Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil | A heat protectant oil that’s lightweight and non-greasy. | Provides heat protection up to 450°F and brings dull hair back to life without feeling and looking greasy. |
| Olaplex No. 8 Bond Intense Colour Mask | A concentrated hair mask that regenerates damaged bonds. | Fast-acting mask that gives volume and shine to hair so it looks and feels healthier |
| Olaplex No. 9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum | A leave-in reparative styling serum for all-around protection and shine. | Protects and shines the hair for an easier-to-manage and frizz-free style. |
9 Affordable Olaplex alternatives
Without further ado, here’s our list of the best alternatives for Olaplex if you’re seeking affordable alternatives!
alternative For Olaplex No. 0
Lather it up and treat your damaged hair with safe and clean ingredients that leave you with salon-looking results.
Primary Benefits: Rebuilds strength and elasticity; prevents breakage and split ends; protects color-treated hair from fading
Features:
- Has a pH of 4.5 to 5.0
- It contains antioxidants like green tea to protect the hair
- Concentrated blend of keratin amino acids, botanical oils, and vitamins for a deep-penetrating treatment
Slash more than half the price off of Olaplex, but get almost the same repair results.
Although the effects of Olaplex No.0 and the ApHogee 2-Minute Treatment seem to be alike, their uses are arguable.
They are both repairing treatments, but Olpalex contains active molecular ingredients, while ApHogee is a protein treatment.
Olaplex repairs and fixes damages caused by previous coloring and styling. ApHogee, on the other hand, is ideal for color-treated or permed hair.
This two-minute keratin treatment has a blend of concentrated amino acids, botanical oils, and vitamins that guarantees maintaining moisture and rebuilding strength and elasticity.
It also soothes irritated scalps and restores the hair to its healthy state.
Considering the price range, there’s also a significant difference between the two. ApHogee is a lot cheaper.
So if you’re a bit conscious about the budget and want a cheap Olaplex alternative, this can give you the same bond-repairing action as Olaplex’s, and a pretty decent job at that.
alternative for Olaplex No. 3
Their patented formula works so well, it outshines some of the leading hair treatment brands.
Primary Benefits: Strengthens fiber elasticity; regenerates broken bonds; repairs hair damage
Features:
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Has nano-emulsion technology and patented bond builder
- Free from gluten, bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate, maleic acid, gluten, parabens, phthalates, and sulfates
Keeps blonde, balayage, and colored hair damage-free.
Putting up with damaged and coarse hair from all the styling and coloring?
This conditioner from Uberliss is probably one of the top Olaplex No. 3 alternatives that cost you less than half the price but will leave you with a result that’s just as good!
While No. 3 is applied on damp hair before you shampoo and condition it, Uberliss is applied right after shampooing your hair. Yes, just like a conditioner.
They both target damaged strands and strengthen your bonds, especially after an intense styling treatment.
Uberliss has a patented formula that works like a mask and hair conditioner in one and is formulated with a nano-emulsion technology that regenerates damaged bonds via sub-micron technology.
It also contains coconut oil and aloe vera for hydration.
Results can be quickly seen upon consistent twice-a-week use. Plus, it has a subtle tropical guava scent but not in an overpowering way.
And if you have colored hair, this bond sustainer also comes in different colors that can be applied as a leave-in conditioner!
alternative for Olaplex No. 4
Hair all fried up from all the styling and coloring? Bring it back to life with Amika!
Primary Benefits: Gently cleanses; repairs and strengthens the hair; targets the most abundant bonds in the hair
Features:
- Innovative bond cure technology
- Formulated vegan proteins that provide keratin-like benefits
- Contains plant, butter, and vegan proteins
It’s cruelty-free, vegan, and comes in recyclable packaging. You sure don’t want to miss this!
Despite not getting the attention it deserves, we bet you’ve probably come across a statement about how the Amika the Kure Bond Repair Shampoo makes an incredible contender to Olaplex. No?
This brand is vegan and includes some of the healthiest ingredients for the best-looking results.
It has nutrient-rich plant, butter, and vegan proteins like omega fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, and amino acids for the keratin-like effect from plant-based sources.
And for the star of the ingredients, it has sea buckthorn. It is considered a “super fruit” because it has the fatty-acid omega-7 and is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants.
No wonder why this Olaplex shampoo alternative is super good for the hair and scalp!
Just like the No. 4, it targets broken bonds, but instead of the Olaplex technology which is, of course, patented, it uses a bond cure technology that cleanses and repairs any damage while still locking the color in the hair.
alternative for Olaplex No. 4P
This dupe keeps hair brass-free, damage-free, and healthy from inside out!
Primary Benefits: Tones down brassiness; nourishes and protects fragile blonde hair; gently cleanses the hair while maintaining a shine
Features:
- Cruelty-free
- Has SmartRelease technology
- Blended with arginine, monoi oil, and tamanu oil
Live the blonde life to the coolest, thanks to Joico Blonde Life Violet Shampoo.
We get it, going blonde comes with the responsibility of frequently toning it back to its cool, icy shade from time to time.
Aside from the damaging and draining effects of bleaching, there are many factors why your hair doesn’t stay as blonde as it used to be: the heat from the sun, your styling tools, and the hair products you use.
Joico Blonde Life Shampoo is an effective Olaplex alternative shampoo that costs just a bit less but guarantees a greater amount of product.
It also performs just as well in banishing the unwanted yellows and maintaining the cool and bright blonde, every time.
Its ultra-violet formula is enriched with the following key ingredients:
- Monoi oil — a frizz-fighting and shine-boosting oil from an exotic blend of coconut oil, and Tahitian gardenia flower
- Tamanu oil — a rich UV-absorber found in Southeast Asia. It is fortified with omega -6 and -9 for deep hydration, additional shine, and strengthening factors
- Arginine — a naturally produced amino acid that protects and rebuilds damaged bonds from within
The formula also features SmartRelase technology, which delivers a unique liposome system that releases rosehip oil, arginine, and keratin for overall resilience from daily styling.
alternative for Olaplex No. 4C
Purify and refresh your hair with every wash while saving some extra cash.
Primary Benefits: Purifies, refreshes, and leaves hair shiny; deeply cleanses the hair against pollution, buildups, and hard water minerals; strengthens hair cuticle
Features:
- Contains 2% AHA fruit acid
- Formulated with anionic surfactant and amphoteric surfactant for the cleaning benefits
- Also contains chelataning agent and sugarcane extract for removal of metal, moisture, and detangling
Cleanse, and condition all your hair troubles away! This works perfectly as a duo with any Redken conditioner.
Yes, every shampoo can cleanse the hair… but not any shampoo can go this far in doing its job for your hair.
Olaplex No. 4C uses a spectrum clarifying system to remove impurities, product buildup, pollutants, and other harsh water chemicals right off each strand.
And this Redken Olaplex alternative also does the same!
It is formulated with fruity acids that give the hair a healthy-looking sheen while detoxing and repairing the hair from the cuticles down to the ends.
This alternative works effectively regardless of what hair type you have.
But if you want the most stunning and long-lasting results, this concentrated shampoo works best along with any Redken conditioner.
alternative for Olaplex No. 5
Aside from being super effective, this dupe comes super-sized — like larger than the standard.
Primary Benefits: Deeply nourishing; targets the hair fibers in strengthening and repairing the hair from within; smoothens and conditions all hair types
Features:
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Made from three different types of plant proteins
- Has the powerful combination of phytantriol, vitamin B, and provitamin B5
Say bye-bye to dry, damaged hair and say hello to nourished hair from within.
If you’re looking for a revolutionary conditioner, then this Revolution Olaplex alternative is just what you need.
The entire Hair Plex line has attempted to recreate the Olaplex standard in a cheaper form.
And to be honest, its performance is commendable for its price.
Looking into the formula, it’s quite noticeable that it’s more watery than Olaplex.
The Hair Plex 5 has a triple molecular weight protein cascade system that targets different layers of fibers to strengthen the hair from the inside.
It works on different technologies and with different ingredients than Olaplex No. 5, but they are built for the same purpose.
What sets this alternative apart is how it also leaves an impeccably soft and silky feeling on the inside while penetrating the hairs from within.
alternative for Olaplex No. 6
No need to travel long distances and dive deeper into the online market just to find the best Olaplex dupe.
Primary Benefits: Increases smoothness, adds elasticity, softens and helps reduce frizz and the appearance of split ends
Features:
- Cruelty-free
- Salon technology
- Has an irresistible smell
Bring straw-like hair back to life every time you shower!
The third step to the OGX system is just what you need for an at-home salon-like treatment just like an Olaplex.
When your hair gets overly exposed to sunlight and harsh products and tools such as hair bleaches, dyes, and straighteners, it generates disulfide bonds or split ends, eventually weakening the hair.
OGX Bonding Plex Leave-In Treatment is a great leave-in treatment for that!
This alternative is applied after showering, and not only does it lessen your blow-dry time, but it also leaves maximum moisture and shine to the hair.
Its formula has cystine, glycerin, and other vegetable proteins for retaining and producing exceptional moisture and preventing further damage by providing a protective barrier in each strand.
alternative for Olaplex No. 7
Get the nourishment and hydration your hair needs, even after styling.
Primary Benefits: Provides heat protection, prevents color fading, smooths frizz, and seals split ends
Features:
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Has a sophisticated and feminine floral scent
- Infused with a blend of African galanga, ama, and Asian borage oils
Oily has never been this good!
This Olaplex No. 7 alternative oil works just like the real thing, sometimes even better.
Despite wanting fabulous hair, oftentimes we just can’t skip heat-styling.
Most tools heat up to 450°F (232°C), while the hair can only handle up to 350°F (177°C) before the cuticle gets fried up and weakens.
This is where Ouai Hair Oil comes in!
Just like Olaplex No. 7, Ouai Hair Oil is a lightweight and color-safe heat protectant oil. It tames frizz, shields hair against humidity and heat damage, and leaves any hair type with a
stunningly glossy finish.
But unlike Olaplex, it is packed with more nourishing goodness because of ingredients like moringa seed oil, ama oil, borage oil, baobab seed oil, African galangal root extracts, and other amino acids and plant extracts.
These ingredients commit to giving your hair the hydration and protection it needs daily.
Plus, did we mention that the scent is enticing?
It has a sophisticated and floral fragrance called Rue St. Honoré — a distinct combination of violet, gardenia, ylang-ylang, and white musk.
alternative for Olaplex No. 8
No need for lavish salon appointments and costly hair products; you’ll only need this Asian hair treatment plus a shower cap and the results are perfect!
Primary Benefits: Repairs damaged cuticles and hair; hydrates and leaves hair with a healthy, glossy finish; improves hair elasticity and softness
Features:
- Suitable for all hair types
- Contains collagen and plant-based ingredients
- Infused with herbal extracts, hydrolyzed milk, and silk amino acids
Could this possibly be better than Olaplex?
Is there a alternative for Olaplex that works even better?
Probably one of the benefits of scrolling through TikTok is discovering products that are equivalent to or better than what is being raved about by mainstream media.
And #HairTok did its job and introduced us to the ultimate jackpot.
Not only does this product do an amazing job at reducing frizz for days; it’s also a Korean hair care product.
We all know how promising K-beauty products are!
This deep conditioning treatment contains keratin and pig-derived collagen. It may sound off-putting, but that gelatin-like ingredient can already be found in most cosmetics and hair products.
So why is this considered a “miracle hair product in a tube”?
This mask may be intended to be washed off, but it leaves more moisture and protection than most products can ever deliver.
It penetrates every strand of the hair and makes them stronger and softer like it’s never been damaged.
And, it costs less than half the price of an Olaplex. What a jackpot!
Got More Questions?
What causes damaged hair?
Even if you don’t notice it, our hair gets into a battle against different stressors every day.
The most common culprits we blame for having frizzy, dry, and lifeless hair are the styling tools and hair dyes. But apart from these, there are natural stressors like your lifestyle, the weather, pollution, and even the water you use for showering.
Can Olaplex No. 1 and No. 2 be used at home?
Yes, Olaplex No. 1 and No. 2 can be used at home, and you can purchase them online. But to make sure you’re preventing further damage, keep in mind that Olaplex in-salon systems are intended to be used by professionals only.
How long does Olaplex treatment last?
The entire Olaplex line ensures to nourish and fortify the hair from within and leaves evident results regardless of how damaged your hair is.
But for best results, use these treatments every six weeks if you have slightly damaged hair, every four weeks for moderately damaged hair, and every two weeks for extremely damaged hair.
Grab the Top Olaplex alternatives Now!
Olaplex may be such a staple in the hair care category, but looking for a alternative that does the same job is possible!
With more and more brands developing innovative technologies, it is nearly impossible to not be able to find amazing alternatives for your hair care needs.
But in choosing the right product, always consider your budget, hair type, and what your hair needs. Most importantly, never forget to check the label.
Read more hair-related articles and give your hair the love it deserves:
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- Top 10 Shampoo & Conditioners For Brazilian Blowout