Olaplex No.3 is unlike anything else I’ve used on my curly hair. It’s not a gel, nor a mask. It’s not even a protein treatment. And when I first bought it, I’ll be honest, just thinking about when to use it and what to do after felt overwhelming.
If you’ve ever felt confused about Olaplex No.3, this guide is for you. I’ve been using it consistently since 2017, and this post breaks down exactly what it is, what it isn’t, and how to use it properly on curly hair.
Review Summary
| Product | What it Does Well | How it Feels | Key Ingredients | CG Approved? | Does it have protein? |
| Olaplex no.3 | Strenghtneing and repairing | A lotion like cream | Patented OLAPLEX Bond Technology™ | ✅ Yes | ❌No |
Disclaimer (Please Read)
This post is not sponsored. I purchased Olaplex No.3 multiple times with my own money since 2017.
All views expressed here are based on my personal experience. I’ve linked additional sources for deeper learning, but ultimately, use this treatment at your own discretion. Hair responds differently for everyone. My goal is to help you understand your hair better, not promise miracles.
What Is Olaplex No.3?
Olaplex No.3 is a bond-building treatment designed to repair damaged hair.
If you have:
- Color damage (highlights, bleach, global color)
- Heat damage (straightening, blow drying)
- Sun damage
- Mechanical damage (breakage, friction, lack of protection)
…this treatment may help strengthen your hair over time.
Some curly hair bloggers like Penny and Jackie use Olaplex No.3 on virgin hair too. Personally, I’ve noticed the most visible difference only when hair is damaged.
A quick clarification:
- Olaplex No.3 is protein-free
- It does contain aloe, which can feel protein-like for some people
If your hair is extremely damaged, Olaplex recommends weekly use. Healthier hair may not see dramatic results, and that’s normal.
What Olaplex No.3 Is Not
Based on the most common questions I get:
- ❌ Not a styler
- ❌ Not a gel or leave-in
- ❌ Not a deep conditioner (it does not moisturize curls)
- ❌ Not a shampoo or conditioner (it does not lather or clean hair)
- ❌ Not a protein treatment
- ❌ It will not bleach or lighten hair
This is important: misuse is why many people feel Olaplex “did nothing.”
What Does Olaplex No.3 Actually Do?
Olaplex is a bond builder– at a molecular level. Hair bonds break due to:
- Chemical services (color, bleach)
- Heat styling
- UV exposure
- Physical stress (sleeping, travel, friction)
Olaplex No.3 works by temporarily repairing broken bonds, making hair feel stronger and more resilient. Think strength, not moisture.
Similar concept: Curlsmith Bond Curl Rehab Salve or K18 Leave-in Mask (I’ve reviewed and compared them separately).
How to Use Olaplex No.3 on Curly Hair (Step-by-Step)
Think of Olaplex No.3 like a pre-shampoo treatment.
My personal routine:
I use it on day 3 or 4 hair, when there’s no heavy oil or butter buildup. Olaplex has great slip. So, as long as hair is damp, it spreads easily.
Official + real-life steps:
- Start on damp, unwashed hair (towel-dried = damp, not dripping)
- Detangle gently
- Apply in small sections
- Use just enough to coat hair evenly, curl train with two-strand twists
- Leave on for 20 minutes
- Shampoo to remove
- Do not follow with a clay treatment or an ACV rinse
- Deep condition after for best results, then style as usual.
- I’ve left it overnight only when my hair was heavily bleached (2020). That’s optional, not required.
What I Do After Olaplex No.3
After shampooing, I personally follow with:
- A protein-free deep conditioner
- Then condition (if needed)
- Then style as usual, preferably with a little protein.
When I’m doing an Olaplex treatment, I often use:
- Olaplex No.4 (shampoo)
- Olaplex No.5 (conditioner)
⚠️ Note: Other Olaplex products contain soluble silicones. They’re designed to work together, but using the full line is not mandatory.
Olaplex No.0 + No.3: Do You Need Both?
Olaplex No.0 is relatively newer product. It works like a primer, helping No.3 absorb better.
How to use:
- Apply No.0 on dry hair
- Leave for 10 minutes
- Apply No.3 on top (with wet palms to hydrate your hair)
- Proceed as usual
If you’re already investing in No.3, pairing it with No.0 can make sense, especially for damaged hair.
Extra Tips Most People Don’t Tell You
- Heat caps are optional (they speed up chemical reactions, especially for low–medium porosity hair)
- ❌ Do not heat Olaplex before applying
- ❌ Do not use the whole bottle at once
→ One bottle gives my thick medium length hair about 4+ applications - Yes, you can use Olaplex on grey hair
→ Grey hair is often finer and drier; I find my grey hair more manageable post-treatment.
Can You Use Olaplex No.3 as a Leave-In?
I have, especoallu when I was geating redy to deliver my baby no.3. And I got 5 great hair days from it. was it the post partum hormones? Was it the extra nourishment? Maybe it was all of it.
But:
- Olaplex is not moisturizing
- I layered high-moisture creams/ milks over it
- This is not beginner-friendly, proceed with caution
Olaplex 1 & 2 vs No.3 (Salon vs At-Home)
Salon treatments (No.1 + No.2) are roughly 75% more potent.
Best approach:
- Severe damage → start with salon treatment
- Maintain results → continue with No.3 at home
If your hair isn’t damaged, salon treatments aren’t necessary.
Does Olaplex Change Hair Porosity? (My Experience)
This is my personal theory, not a claim.
Before highlights (2018), my hair felt like happy medium porosity.
After color + postpartum bleaching (2020), it behaved like high porosity:
- Moisture escaped quickly
- Needed heavier creams
- Dried dull faster
After consistent Olaplex No.3 use:
- Hair absorbs water more slowly
- Styling on damp hair works better
- My color treated hair felt more like low porosity behavior
Can Olaplex alter porosity? I can’t say for sure, but this has been my experience. I’m not complaining becuase medium or low porosity hair is much better to deal with than high porosity hair anyway. If you’ve noticed something similar, I’d love to hear from you.
Final Thoughts
If you made it this far, yay!
Olaplex No.3 isn’t magic, but when used correctly, it can be a powerful tool for damaged curly hair.
For official references, you can also read:
👉 Olaplex FAQs (linked)
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