Pureology and Olaplex are two of the most popular brands of hair products on the market for treating damaged hair. Both aim to strengthen and repair hair damaged by chemicals, heat, and other environmental factors.
But when it comes to Pureology vs Olaplex, which is better for restoring your hair?
We’ll explore both brands’ reparative hair care products to help you determine which will best fit your hair care needs.
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Pureology vs Olaplex
Pureology and Olaplex are known for their high-quality ingredients and effectiveness in treating damaged hair.
One main difference between the two brands is that all Olaplex products are specifically designed to address hair damage, while Purelogy offers a wide range of hair care products, and their Strength Cure Line (discussed in this post) is their collection of products that address hair damage.
Also, Pureology products are specifically geared toward color-treated hair, while Olaplex products are suitable for all hair types.
Ingredients
The other main difference is the ingredients each brand uses to address hair damage:
- Pureology products feature ingredients like proteins, antioxidants, and nourishing ingredients that are designed to repair, strengthen and protect your locks.
- Olaplex products focus on repairing and protecting damaged hair from further damage with their signature patented ingredient Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate.
Both brands are 100% cruelty-free and vegan.
Price
Olaplex and Pureology are considered luxury haircare products, so you won’t find either brand available at drugstore prices.
Olaplex products tend to be slightly lower-priced than Pureology products, but Pureology’s leave-in treatments are larger than Olaplex products, so you get more value ounce for ounce with those Pureology products.
NOTE: You may notice that Pureology shampoos and conditioners look A LOT larger than Olaplex, but that’s not the case. Pureology shampoos and conditioners are 9 oz., while Olaplex shampoo and conditioners are 8.5 oz.
Pureology Products
Pureology is a professional-grade haircare line that specializes in helping color-treated hair keep their hair looking vibrant, healthy, and shiny.
The brand uses natural ingredients like antioxidants, plant oils, and plant extracts to reduce hair breakage and boost moisture retention.
The key complex in Pureology products is their signature Antifade Complex which helps slow down the fading of color-treated hair. Ingredients in the complex include sunflower seed, a UV Filter, and vitamin E to protect against color-depleting environmental effects.
This complex is blended with ultra-hydrating ingredients that can help to preserve both the vibrancy and shine of your colored tresses.
Pureology Strength Cure
The Pureology Strength Cure range of haircare products is specifically formulated to restore the integrity of very damaged and processed hair.
This line contains a blend of plant-based proteins that nourish the hair cuticles to reduce breakage and split ends.
Pureology products are also free of harsh ingredients like parabens, sulfates, formaldehyde, formaldehyde-releasing agents, or mineral oil. So you don’t have to worry about putting potentially damaging chemicals onto your scalp or hair.
Olaplex Products
Olaplex is a haircare brand specifically designed to repair damaged hair. It’s formulated with a patented technology that strengthens bonds within the hair shaft, rebuilding and reinforcing it from the inside out.
The key ingredient in Olaplex products is Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate – which helps repair broken hair bonds caused by heat styling or harsh chemicals.
This active ingredient helps lock in moisture, prevent brittleness, and restore the hair’s natural softness.
Like Pureology, Olaplex products don’t contain any sulfates (SLS & SLES), parabens, phthalates, phosphates, formaldehyde, formaldehyde-releasing agents, or mineral oil.
Plus, Olaplex bonding products are designed for all hair types – so you can get the same great results regardless of whether you have straight, wavy, curly, coily, fine, or thick hair.
Pureology Strength Cure Miracle Filler Leave-In Conditioner
Pureology Strength Cure Miracle Filler Leave-In Conditioner is a reparative hair treatment that not only strengthens and mends hair cuticles but also safeguards against future damage.
This blow-dry mist offers a trifecta of benefits, including repairing, strengthening, and hydrating your hair.
The formula features Xylose, a sugar that provides excellent heat protection. Coriander oil strengthens while chamomile extract nourishes and moisturizes your hair.
Coconut oil protects hair from environmental stressors, while amodimethicone, a silicone compound, coats the surface of your hair to protect it from humidity.
The formula offers color protection with Pureology’s patented Antifade Complex that protects color vibrancy.
This leave-in conditioner is great for those with color-treated or damaged hair who need a little extra protection from the elements.
The lightweight lotion fills in weak spots caused by breakage. This Pureology product contains less than 1% synthetic fragrances.
The bright scent combines pear and a soft, floral rose with a touch of sandalwood.
Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector
Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector is a best-selling hair repair treatment that reconstructs broken disulfide bonds in the hair shaft.
This product is designed to be used at home, between salon visits, and is excellent for brittle, dry hair.
Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector contains a proprietary ingredient called Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate.
The reparative molecule helps rebuild damaged hair bonds and restore elasticity by relinking broken disulfide bonds that occur due to chemical treatments, heat styling, and environmental damage.
Jojoba oil, panthenol, and aloe vera moisturize your hair, while ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is a potent antioxidant.
The best-selling strengthening treatment in the Prestige Haircare category, Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector is not a conditioner but an intensive hair treatment that strengthens damaged hair while reducing hair breakage.
Apply No.3 to towel-dried damp hair from your roots to ends. Leave it on for at least 10 minutes.
The longer it stays on your hair, the more effective it is. Olaplex says you can get great results when No. 3 is left on your hair between 30 to 90 minutes. After rinsing, shampoo, condition, and style your hair as usual.
You can use it once a week or up to two to three times a week if your hair is very damaged.
No.3 Hair Protector is suitable for all hair types, including color-treated, natural, straight, textured, heat-styles, and curly hair.
No.3 contains Olaplex’s signature citrus fragrance.
Pureology Strength Cure Miracle Filler Leave-In Conditioner vs Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector
Intensive Treatment Similarities
Both the Pureology Strength Cure Miracle Filler Leave-In Conditioner and Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector are designed to treat hair damage and repair and strengthen your hair. Both treatments:
- Protect and repair damaged hair
- Strengthen hair
- Address damage caused by environmental stressors, chemical treatments, and heat styling
Intensive Treatment Differences
- Pureology Strength Cure Miracle Filler Leave-In Conditioner is a leave-in treatment, while Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector is a rinse-out treatment.
- The treatments use different ingredients to target hair damage:
- Pureology Strength Cure Miracle Filler Leave-In Conditioner relies on Xylose, coriander oil, chamomile extract, coconut oil, and the silicone amodimethicone to protect hair.
- Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector uses a patented ingredient called Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate which helps rebuild and strengthen broken hair bonds.
- Pureology Strength Cure Miracle Filler Leave-In Conditioner is specifically designed for color-treated hair, as it contains Pureology’s patented Antifade Complex.
- Pureology is $31.00 for 5.1 oz, and Olaplex is $30.00 for 3.3 oz.
Pureology Strength Cure Shampoo
Pureology Strength Cure Shampoo helps repair damaged, color-treated hair with its strengthening formula.
The shampoo is formulated with a plant-derived protein, Keravis, which penetrates the hair shaft to improve moisture and strengthen your hair.
Astaxanthin, also known as “super Vitamin E” for its potent antioxidant properties, comes from the microalgae Haematococcus Pluvialis. This extract helps support healthy hair growth.
Arginine is an amino acid that improves moisture levels for extended hydration, while amodimethicone (a type of silicone) helps reduce frizz and gives hair a smooth, soft texture.
This Pureology shampoo is suitable for all hair types and textures, including hair damaged from heat styling and/or overprocessing.
Pureology Strength Cure Shampoo provides color protection with Pureology’s patented Antifade Complex.
The rich lather of this peach-colored shampoo leaves your hair looking shiny and healthy.
Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo is a concentrated shampoo that repairs, hydrates, and strengthens your hair.
No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo contains Olaplex’s patented bond-building technology and the ingredient Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate to repair and protect your hair from damage.
The sulfate-free formula repairs and protects against hair damage, split ends, and frizz by relinking the broken disulfide bonds in your hair.
Sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronic acid) hydrates, while sunflower seed oil, apricot kernel oil, and panthenol add moisture to your hair.
Tocopherol (vitamin E), rosemary leaf extract, and other plant extracts offer protective antioxidant benefits.
This color-safe shampoo has a thick, rich texture and Olaplex’s signature citrus scent. It is formulated for all hair types and leaves hair feeling clean but not stripped, just smooth and soft.
The end result? Shinier, more manageable, stronger hair with reduced hair breakage.
Olaplex also offers two additional shampoos formulated with Olaplex’s bond-building technology, a clarifying shampoo, Nº.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo, and a reparative purple shampoo for blonde hair, No. 4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo.
Pureology Strength Cure Shampoo vs Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
Shampoo Similarities
Both shampoos are formulated to repair hair damage:
- Contain protective antioxidants
- Improve hair moisture levels
- Protect against future hair damage
- Suitable for all hair types and textures
Shampoo Differences
The shampoos use different active ingredients to achieve the same goal – stronger, healthier hair:
- Primary Repair Ingredient:
- Pureology: Keravis (a plant-derived protein)
- Olaplex: Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate (Olaplex’s patented bond-building technology)
- Additional Protective Ingredients:
- Pureology: Arginine and amodimethicone
- Olaplex: Sunflower seed oil, apricot kernel oil, and panthenol
- While Olaplex is color-safe, Pureology contains its patented Antifade Complex for color protection.
- Pureology is $36.00 for 9 oz, and Olaplex is $30.00 for 8.5 oz.
Pureology Strength Cure Conditioner
Pureology Strength Cure Conditioner is a reparative conditioner that repairs hair damage while building hair strength and preventing future damage.
Strength Cure Conditioner uses a plant-based ingredient called Keravis. This protein fortifies your hair and protects it from future breakage.
Astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant, effectively repairs and safeguards hair against the damaging effects of environmental stressors.
Amodimethicone forms a protective coating on your hair, shielding it from humidity and maintaining a lustrous shine.
Olive fruit oil and camelina oil moisturize, nourish, and condition your hair without weighing it down.
Vitamin E, a potent antioxidant, helps to improve the health and strength of your hair by protecting it from environmental stressors.
Strength Cure Conditioner improves the performance of your heat styling tools by creating a protective film over hair strands to help reduce breakage.
Like the matching shampoo, this conditioner contains Pureology’s signature Antifade Complex that protects the color vibrancy of color-treated hair.
Olaplex No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner
Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner is a rich conditioner formulated to repair split ends, frizz, and hair damage from the inside out with its patented reparative molecule.
No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner uses the active ingredient Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate to relink the broken disulfide bonds in your hair. It helps restore your hair’s structure and strength.
This Olaplex product also contains moisturizing panthenol and multiple nourishing oils, including green tea seed oil, Crambe abyssinica seed oil, avocado oil, grape seed oil, and sunflower seed oil.
Hyaluronic acid hydrates, reduces frizz, and boosts shine and fullness.
The conditioner promotes stronger, healthier, smoother hair with less tangling and breakage. It is suitable for all hair types and is gentle enough to use on color-treated hair.
This Olaplex conditioner does a great job of controlling my frizzy hair, leaving it super silky and manageable.
Pureology Strength Cure Conditioner vs Olaplex No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner
Conditioner Similarities
Both conditioners are formulated to repair hair damage and:
- Strengthen the hair and prevent future damage
- Contain moisturizing and nourishing ingredients
- Improve hair shine and smoothness
- Are suitable for color-treated hair
Conditioner Differences
The main difference between Pureology Strength Cure Conditioner and Olaplex No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner is their specialized ingredients:
- Pureology Strength Cure Conditioner contains the protein Keravis as a key ingredient to fortify your hair and astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant, specifically for environmental protection.
- Olaplex No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner is formulated with Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate to repair broken disulfide bonds in the hair.
- Purelogy contains olive fruit oil and camelina oil for moisture, while Olaplex contains hyaluronic acid, green tea seed oil, Crambe abyssinica seed oil, avocado oil, grape seed oil, and sunflower seed oil.
- While both are suitable for color-treated hair, Pureology contains a patented Antifade Complex for color protection.
- Pureology is $36.00 for 9 oz, and Olaplex is $30.00 for 8.5 oz.
Pureology Color Fanatic Leave-In Hair Treatment Spray
Pureology Color Fanatic Leave-In Hair Treatment Spray is Purelogy’s best-selling multi-benefit leave-in treatment that offers many benefits for damaged color-treated hair.
Although not in Pureology’s Strength Cure collection, the spray offers 21 benefits for your hair and protects from heat damage, smooths frizz, boosts shine, and repairs damage.
Infused with Pureology’s signature Antifade Complex, this treatment ensures that your vibrant hues stay radiant and true while defending against environmental aggressors.
The leave-in spray contains camelina oil, an omega-3-rich oil that strengthens and hydrates your hair. Other nourishing oils, like olive and coconut oil, lock in moisture, while amodimethicone smoothes strands and antioxidants protect against environmental stressors.
The treatment spray is fragranced with a rose and floral ginger mixed with cedarwood.
Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother
Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother is a leave-in styling treatment that conditions and strengthens your hair.
The concentrated cream smooths, conditions, and strengthens your hair while speeding up blow dry time and smoothing frizz and flyaways for up to 72 hours.
The cream is filled with protective antioxidants and nourishing plant oils, like grapeseed, sunflower, and coconut oils. Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) and aloe vera provide additional moisture.
Citric acid balances scalp pH, enhances hair shine, and helps in removing product buildup and excess oils.
Like all Olaplex products, No. 6 Bond Smoother contains Olaplex’s patented bond-building molecule, Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate.
N°.6 can be applied to both damp and dry hair and works great on air-dried curls.
Olaplex notes that while No. 6 Bond Smoother does provide some heat protection, it is not rated for 450 degrees, so they suggest using another heat protectant alongside No. 6. when using heat styling tools.
The pH-balanced treatment comes in an airless pump delivery system.
This Olaplex styling cream is ideal for all hair types and is fragranced with Olaplex’s signature citrus scent.
Pureology Color Fanatic Leave-In Hair Treatment Spray vs Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother
Leave-in Treatment Similarities
Both are leave-in treatments designed to offer benefits for damaged or compromised hair. They also:
- Smooth frizz and provide added shine
- Contain nourishing oils, including coconut oil, to moisturize and protect hair
- Are designed to protect the hair’s color and reduce damage from environmental stress
- Offer some form of heat protection
- Contain antioxidants to help protect against environmental damage
- Contain coconut oil
Leave-in Treatment Differences
- Pureology’s leave-in treatment comes in a spray, while Olaplex is cream.
- Pureology’s treatment contains camelina oil, an omega-3-rich oil and olive oil, while Olaplex No. 6 contains its patented bond-building molecule, Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate, grapeseed, and sunflower oil, panthenol, and aloe vera.
- Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother can speed up blow dry time, and its smoothing effects last up to 72 hours, whereas Pureology does not specify these benefits.
- Pureology is formulated with its patented Antifade Complex for color protection.
- Pureology is $34.00 for 6.7 oz, and Olaplex is $30.00 for 3.3 oz.
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The Bottom Line
Pureology and Olaplex offer high-quality products designed to repair and nourish damaged hair. They share several similarities, such as using moisturizing oils and antioxidants in their formulations.
The choice between the two may largely depend on your specific hair needs and preferences.
If you prioritize color protection, Pureology may be the better choice. But if hair damage is your primary concern (especially if you have very damaged hair), Olaplex’s offerings might be more suitable.
Whatever brand you choose, consider your unique hair needs, type, and condition before buying a product to ensure the best possible results.
Read more about Olaplex products:
Thanks for reading!
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Sarah Roberts is the founder, writer, and photographer behind A Beauty Edit. With over 10 years of experience in the beauty industry, Sarah is an avid skincare and beauty enthusiast who shares the best beauty finds to help you save time and money!