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Curls Guide
No. 3 Hair Perfector by Olaplex
deep conditioner
CG Friendly
Protein Free
Silicone Free
Vegan
Cruelty Free

Olaplex

No. 3 Hair Perfector

"The original bond-builder. Reconnects broken disulfide bonds for 3x stronger hair after one use. Protein-free so safe for protein-sensitive curlies."

Best for:
Damaged, bleached, or colour-treated hair Those wanting bond repair without protein Weekly pre-shampoo treatment All hair types and porosities
Avoid if:
You need protein repair (no protein content) Budget-conscious (premium pricing) Looking for a conditioner (this is a treatment)

Hair Compatibility

Curl Pattern

2A 2B 2C 3A 3B 3C 4A 4B 4C

Strand Thickness

fine
medium
coarse

Porosity

low
medium
high

Performance

Definition 2/5
Hold 1/5
Shine 3/5
Crunch Potential 1/5
Buildup Risk 1/5
Hold Level
No Hold
Weight
Light
Finish
Soft, No Cast
Buildup Risk
Low

What's Inside

Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate

Patented bond-building molecule

✓ CG Friendly
✓ Protein Free
✓ Silicone Free
✓ Sulfate Free
View Full Ingredients List

Water (Aqua/Eau), Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate, Propylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Ethylcellulose, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Quaternium-91, Sodium Benzoate, Cetrimonium Methosulfate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Fragrance (Parfum), Tetrasodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-37, Benzyl Benzoate, Etidronic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Phytantriol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Panthenol, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate

Analyze these ingredients with our Ingredient Checker tool.

How to Use

Best as: Deep Conditioner

Pairs Well With

Curlsmith

Double Cream Deep Quencher

deep conditioner

Bouclème

Intensive Moisture Treatment

deep conditioner

Alternatives to Consider

Curlsmith

Bond Curl Rehab Salve

Includes protein + targets all bond types

Overview

Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector is the at-home version of the salon treatment that revolutionised bond repair. Using patented technology, it reconnects broken disulfide bonds in hair, making strands up to 3x stronger after just one use.

Key Ingredients Breakdown

  • Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate - The patented Olaplex molecule that finds and links broken disulfide bonds within the hair structure.

What We Love

  1. Proven technology - Patented, clinically tested bond-building
  2. 3x stronger hair - Measurable improvement after one use
  3. Protein-free - Safe for protein-sensitive hair
  4. Universal - Works on all hair types and conditions
  5. Colour-safe - Won’t affect colour or highlights

What Could Be Better

  1. No protein - If you need protein repair, this won’t provide it
  2. Targets only disulfide bonds - Curlsmith alternative targets all three bond types
  3. Not designed for curls - Works, but wasn’t made with texture in mind
  4. Premium price - This is a premium-priced product

How to Use

Weekly Pre-Shampoo Treatment

  1. Apply to damp (not soaking wet) hair
  2. Work through from roots to ends
  3. Leave on for minimum 10 minutes (30 minutes for extra repair)
  4. Shampoo and condition as normal

Tips for Best Results

  • Use on towel-dried hair, not dripping wet
  • Can leave on longer for severely damaged hair
  • Use weekly for maintenance, more frequently for repair

The Verdict

As a premium-priced product, Olaplex No. 3 remains a solid choice for bond repair. However, curly-specific options like Curlsmith Bond Curl Rehab Salve now offer protein PLUS multi-bond technology at similar pricing. Olaplex is still the go-to for those who are strictly protein-sensitive.

Our Rating: 4/5