Oribe vs Olaplex

Oribe and Olaplex are two of the most popular high-end hair care brands on the market today. Oribe (pronounced OR-bay) offers products with unique ingredients which nourish and strengthen damaged hair, while Olaplex is formulated with a unique bond-building technology to rebuild broken hair bonds.

So what is the difference between Oribe and Olaplex? And which brand is better for your hair’s needs?

In this Oribe vs Olaplex post, we’ll take an in-depth look at both brands and their products, so you can decide which products are best for your hair.

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Oribe vs. Olaplex

Oribe and Olaplex have more in common than the fact that they both start with the letter O!

Both Oribe and Olaplex are luxury hair care brands, and they are pricey. Oribe is VERY expensive, even more so than Olaplex.

But some Oribe products, including their best-selling Gold Lust shampoo and conditioner, are available in REFILL sizes that decrease the price per ounce quite a bit.

Ingredients

Both brands are cruelty-free. Oribe and Olaplex products are sulfate-free, gluten-free, paraben-free, and free of formaldehyde-releasing preservatives.

All Olaplex products are vegan, while most Oribe products are vegan.

While both brands offer damage-repair hair products, Oribe has a much more extensive range of products, including haircare products formulated to address shine, volume, color, blonde hair, and more.

Olaplex has a hero ingredient, the patented Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate molecule, which works to rebuild broken bonds in the hair and strengthen and protect it.

Oribe Gold Lust products are formulated with Oribe’s Signature Complex, Oribe’s Bio-Restorative Complex, plant extracts, and oils to nourish and protect the hair from environmental damage.

Oribe’s ingredient lists tend to be much longer than Olaplex’s.

Fragrance

When it comes to fragrance, both brands contain added luxurious fragrances.

Oribe Gold Lust products contain Oribe’s signature scent (crafted in partnership with one of France’s oldest fragrance houses), Côte d’Azur. Notes in the fragrance include Calabrian bergamot, white butterfly jasmine, and sandalwood.

All Olaplex products contain a bright, fresh, citrus scent.

So, Which Brand Is Better?

That all depends on your specific hair needs.

If you have damaged hair that needs extra love and care, Olaplex could be a great choice as it is formulated with a unique bond-building technology.

If you want more than damage repair and want to target things like color care, volume, or shine, then Oribe could be a better option, as it has a much more comprehensive range of products.

Let’s take a look at individual damage repair products from Oribe and Olaplex to help you determine which brand is more appropriate for your hair needs:

Its formula contains a rich blend of ingredients that work together to strengthen hair and balance the scalp.

At the heart of the shampoo’s formula is Oribe’s Signature Complex, which includes watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss flower. This combination helps to protect hair from oxidative stress, photoaging, and keratin depletion.

This Oribe shampoo also contains Oribe’s Bio-Restorative Complex, infused with plant collagen, caffeine, biotin, and niacinamide, all of which strengthen the hair cuticle from the inside out and replenish the scalp and hair follicles.

Other key ingredients in the Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo include Mediterranean cypress extract, which moisturizes hair, and an Amino Acid Complex that repairs damage to the hair cuticle while also moisturizing the hair and scalp.

Argan oil, known as the “liquid gold of Morocco,” conditions hair to add shine, control frizz, and promote overall hair health.

Antioxidant-rich baobab seed oil helps to strengthen, hydrate, and smooth hair, while green tea extract, also rich in antioxidants, helps to fortify and protect hair.

Citric acid is included to lower the shampoo’s pH and help tame frizz.

The shampoo contains Oribe’s signature Côte d’Azur fragrance, a light, fresh fragrance.

The shampoo’s primary ingredient is the patented molecule Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate, which rebuilds hair strength, structure, and integrity.

Rosemary leaf and burdock root extract protect the hair from environmental stressors, and hydrolyzed vegetable protein helps hair retain moisture.

Amodimethicone is added to condition and protect hair, while pro-vitamin B5, also known as panthenol, smoothens hair and prevents split ends.

Sodium hyaluronate hydrates and moisturizes damaged hair, and fruit extracts replenish both your hair and scalp. Citric acid reduces pH and keeps cuticles sealed.

Nourishing sunflower seed oil, apricot kernel oil, and fermented filtrates of green tea seed oil and argan oil soften and moisturize your hair for a silky, smooth finish.

This shampoo reduces breakage, split ends, and frizz, resulting in shinier, more manageable, and healthier hair.

While the shampoo is pricey, this Olaplex product has a dense and thick texture, so you only need a small amount to create a rich lather.

Oribe vs Olaplex Shampoo Similarities and Differences

Both Oribe and Olaplex damage repair shampoos have a thick, rich texture and create abundant bubbles.

If price is a concern, Oribe is much more expensive than Olaplex (and Olaplex isn’t cheap, either!).

Both shampoos are sulfate-free and contain fragrance. Olaplex has a bright, citrusy scent, while Oribe has a more muted, luxe scent.

Both shampoos contain argan oil, amodimethicone, green tea, and citric acid to balance and nourish your hair and scalp.

The most notable difference between the two is their key ingredients.

Oribe’s shampoo uses oils and extracts to balance the scalp and strengthen strands. Olaplex uses its patented Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate to rebuild hair bonds for stronger, healthier strands.

So while Oribe takes a more natural approach to hair care, Olaplex focuses on more scientific-based ingredients.

Olaplex will probably be the better choice if you have very damaged hair, as it rebuilds broken bonds from the inside out, strengthening the hair fiber.

This complex safeguards hair against oxidative stress, photoaging from the sun, and keratin loss.

The conditioner also contains shea butter, which moisturizes and nourishes the hair, while Mediterranean cypress extract repairs and moisturizes.

Oribe’s Bio-Restorative Complex, which contains antioxidants such as caffeine and nourishing reparative actives like plant collagen, biotin, and niacinamide, fortifies and revitalizes the hair.

Argan oil, rich in fatty acids, enhances hair shine, reduces frizz, and provides moisture, while baobab seed oil, rich in antioxidant and nourishing fatty acids, deeply hydrates dry hair.

A protein blend targets hair damage, minimizes split ends, and strengthens hair, along with vegetable amino acids that offer hydration and strength.

Green tea extract, with its antioxidant properties, guards hair against environmental stressors, and citric acid assists in controlling frizz.

The lightweight texture of this conditioner rinses out cleanly, leaving hair silky soft and smooth.

This highly-nourishing conditioner addresses hair damage by repairing split ends and breakage through re-linking broken bonds, resulting in stronger, healthier hair.

The formula is enriched with moisturizing oils, such as green tea seed oil, Crambe abyssinica seed oil, avocado oil, grape seed oil, sunflower seed oil, and fermented filtrates of green tea seed oil and argan oil.

Panthenol increases hair hydration and elasticity, while amodimethicone forms a protective layer over the hair, making it less susceptible to damage and hair breakage.

Fruit and plant extracts provide nourishment and protection to promote healthy hair.

This rich, thick conditioner deeply moisturizes, softens, and smooths frizzy and damaged hair.

This Oribe conditioner is lightly fragranced, similar to the matching shampoo. It can be used daily, or every time you wash your hair.

Oribe vs Olaplex Conditioner for Damaged Hair

Like the shampoos, Oribe and Olaplex conditioners are rich and nourishing. Both improve hair texture and manageability, restore shine, and protect the hair from further damage.

Oribe Gold Lust Conditioner is much more expensive than Olaplex No. 5 Conditioner.

Like the shampoos, both conditioners contain argan oil, amodimethicone, green tea, and citric acid.

When it comes to active ingredients for damaged hair, Olaplex has a science-backed formula.

Olaplex contains a patented molecule, Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate, that repairs broken bonds plus several nourishing plant oils. Oribe uses a blend of natural extracts and oils that provide strength and hydration.

While both conditioners target split ends, breakage, and hair damage, Olaplex has the more advanced formula due to its patented molecule.

However, if you’re looking for a more natural-based formula, Oribe is probably the better choice.

It contains a blend of oils, including Crambe abyssinica seed, meadowfoam seed, argan, olive, and black currant seed oils, that offer emollient, protective, and softening benefits.

Additionally, jasmine oil helps to improve shine and fight against scalp dryness and itchiness.

Like Oribe Gold Lust shampoo and conditioner, the hair oil features Oribe’s Signature Complex of watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss flower to protect hair from dryness, damage, photoaging, and loss of keratin.

Shea butter is also included in the formula, which helps to soften and moisturize hair, while sandalwood extract works to repair split ends.

This hair oil is ideal for dry, damaged, or color-treated hair, as it provides heat protection, reduces drying time, and strengthens damaged hair.

The luxe oil repairs, protects, and strengthens all hair types, from fine to thick, or color-treated to natural, while adding shine and softness.

Sunflower, moringa seed, and pomegranate seed oils help seal the cuticle and protect it against future damage.

This Olaplex oil provides heat protection up to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C) by coating the hair. It is also excellent for managing frizz and flyaways and improving hair shine.

The oil benefits damaged hair by shielding it from future damage, offering UV protection, and reducing drying time. It also softens and detangles color-treated hair, extending its wear.

This oil is highly concentrated, requiring only a few drops to do its job. Despite its concentrated nature, it is lightweight and does not weigh my hair down.

I use it to tame flyaways and smooth my ends when my hair is excessively frizzy. Mixing a few drops of this hair oil into your styling cream can also be effective.

Oribe vs Olaplex Hair Oils

While both oils offer heat protection, control frizz, and boost shine without weighing down the hair, they use different oils to nourish your hair.

Oribe contains Crambe abyssinica seed, meadowfoam seed, argan, olive, jasmine, and black currant seed oils.

Olaplex contains sunflower, moringa seed, and pomegranate seed oils.

Oribe formulates its oil with Oribe’s Signature Complex of watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss flower, while Olaplex features its patented bond-building technology.

The main difference is that Oribe’s oil is more natural-based and provides more emollient, protective, and softening benefits for dry, damaged, or color-treated hair.

Olaplex’s oil provides more strengthening and shielding benefits, making it more suitable for hair that has been severely damaged.

About Oribe

Oribe is a premier hair care brand that was founded in 2008 by celebrity hairdresser Oribe Canales and Daniel Kaner.

With a commitment to offering a luxurious and personalized experience, Oribe’s line of shampoos, conditioners, masques, oils, gels, and sprays are designed to elevate hair care to new heights.

Their products are carefully crafted using high-quality ingredients, and the brand has gained a reputation for excellence in the beauty industry.

Whether you’re looking to achieve a sleek, polished look or a more natural, effortless style, Oribe has something for everyone, providing customers with a truly boutique experience that is both indulgent and transformative.

Product collections include:

• Gold Lust
• Signature
• Hair Alchemy
• Beautiful Color
• Brilliance & Shine
• Moisture & Control
• Magnificent Volume
• Bright Blonde
• Serene Scalp

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) are commonly used as foaming agents in shampoos, but they can cause irritation to the scalp and strip the hair of its natural oils.

With advancements in sulfate-free technology, Oribe has made updates to their products, and all of their current offerings are now sulfate-free.

Also, Oribe products are formulated without parabens and sodium chloride. All Oribe products are gluten-free, cruelty-free, color, and keratin treatment safe, and have UV protection for hair. 

Most products from Oribe are infused with a signature fragrance, but for those with sensitivities or preferences for fragrance-free hair care, Oribe also offers two products: Serene Scalp Soothing Leave-On Treatment and Serene Scalp Thickening Treatment Spray, both of which are formulated without any added fragrances.

About Olaplex

Established in 2014, Olaplex is a scientifically-proven hair repair system that aims to safeguard, reinforce, and restore damaged hair.

Olaplex products are formulated with their patented Bond Building Technology, which works to reconstruct and fortify hair bonds.

The Olaplex system contains several damage-repair haircare products. Steps 1 and 2 are not included in the list below, as they are salon treatments.

At-home products include:

• No. 0 Intensive Bond Building Treatment
• No. 3 Hair Perfector
• No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
• No. 4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo
• No. 4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo
• No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner
• No. 6 Bond Smoother
• No. 7 Bonding Oil
• No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask
• No. 9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum

Olaplex products are cruelty-free and are free of sulfates, parabens, DEA, phthalates, aldehydes, and gluten.

With over 100 worldwide patents, Olaplex has as one of the best-selling hair care brands globally.

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The Bottom Line

Whether it’s luxury, repair, or something in between, both Oribe and Olaplex products have products formulated to improve your hair.

Oribe wins the higher-priced brand title, as it is a luxurious haircare experience for those looking to repair and strengthen their hair.

On the other hand, Olaplex is a scientifically-proven repair system that restores damaged hair with its patented Bond Building Technology.

Both brands offer sulfate-free and paraben-free products, as well as cruelty-free and gluten-free options.

Overall, while Oribe offers an indulgent experience with its signature line of products, Olaplex is specifically designed to repair and strengthen hair bonds through its patented bond-building molecule.

Ultimately, the choice comes down to what you’re looking for in a haircare brand and your budget since these are high-end products.

However, you may even want to use both for optimal hair health. I wait until a Sephora sale to get the best prices and stock up!

Thanks for reading!