As part of the highly acclaimed Olaplex system, Olaplex No. 0 and No. 3 work together to breathe life back into your locks by repairing damage and protecting your hair.
But, understanding How To Use Olaplex No. 0 and No. 3 together can be a bit of a puzzle.
So in this post, we’ll break down how to use Olaplex 0 and 3 together to get the most out of these best-selling products.
But before we dive into the details, let’s get a comprehensive overview of the entire Olaplex line and understand where these two power players fit in:
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At A Glance
- How They Work: Olaplex No. 0 and No. 3 work in tandem to rejuvenate and repair damaged hair by targeting and rebuilding broken disulfide bonds.
- Unique Formulas: Both products contain Olaplex’s patented ingredient, Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate, to strengthen and protect hair at a molecular level.
- Application Process: Apply No. 0 to dry hair for at least 10 minutes (do not rinse), then layer No. 3 on top for another 10 minutes or longer for enhanced benefits.
- Impressive Benefits: Using No. 0 and No. 3 together can lead to 68% more repair and 3x stronger hair from just one use, according to Olaplex.
- Suitable for All Hair Types: These products are vegan, cruelty-free, and free from harmful chemicals, making them ideal for various hair types, including damaged hair.
How To Use Olaplex 0 and 3 Together
If you are wondering what the must-have product of the Olaplex line is, that’s an easy one: Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector. Per Olaplex, one is sold every 3.5 seconds.
Olaplex No. 0 Intensive Bond Building Treatment is a newer release formulated to be used in conjunction with Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector:
- Apply Olaplex No. 0 Intensive Bond Building Treatment to dry hair and make sure to completely saturate each section of hair from root to tip.
- Your hair should be damp but avoid drenching your hair in product. Leave it on for a minimum of 10 minutes, and DO NOT RINSE.
- Then apply Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector to damp hair (that is already saturated with No. 0) and wait another 10 minutes.
- You can leave it on longer if you want, but you should leave it on for at least 10 minutes before rinsing, shampooing, and conditioning as usual.
The bold claim that Olaplex makes is that when these two Olaplex products are used together, they create 68% more repair & 3x stronger hair in just one use when used as a two-part system.
These products are free of DEA, aldehydes, and formaldehyde and are vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, nut-free, paraben-free, phthalates-free, phosphate-free, sulfate-free, and pH-balanced.
Let’s take a look at each product and their formulas.
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Olaplex No. 0 Intensive Bond Building Treatment
Olaplex No. 0 Intensive Bond Building Treatment stands out because it delivers the highest concentration of Olaplex’s patented bond-building technology of any Olaplex at-home product.
It is formulated to be used before No. 3 Hair Perfector to prime, repair, and strengthen damaged hair. Olaplex calls it an “intensive repair booster” when used with No. 3 for the most intensive repair.
No. 0 is suitable for all hair types, but due to the intensive benefits of the product, it would be ideal for you if you have damaged or very damaged hair.
This Olaplex product comes in a 5.2 oz. spray bottle, which has been redesigned for improved spray application. Depending on your hair length and density of your hair, a bottle of No. 0 should last 3-6 applications.
No. 0 can use it once a week or up to two to three times a week for damaged hair.
Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector
Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector is the #1 product in prestige haircare for a reason. It is an at-home treatment that strengthens and repairs damaged hair by reconnecting broken disulfide bonds.
It contains Olaplex’s patented ingredient Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate, which relinks the disulfide bonds that have been broken due to chemical processing, heat styling, or environmental damage.
The treatment helps to reduce split ends and breakage and noticeably smoothes your hair for a silky, shiny finish.
Keep in mind that it isn’t a conditioner but an intensive hair treatment that strengthens your hair while reducing hair breakage.
Follow the directions noted above when using with No. 0 Intensive Bond Building Treatment. If using it alone, apply to damp, towel-dried 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 they see great results when No. 3 is left on the hair from 30 to 90 minutes. After rinsing, shampoo, condition, and style as usual.
No matter your hair type, whether it is color-treated, natural, curly, straight, textured, or heat-styled, this product is suitable for you.
This Olaplex treatment comes in a 3.3oz bottle and can be used once a week or up to two to three times a week if your hair is damaged.
Additional Olaplex Products
For best results, you can follow Olaplex No0 and No3 with Olaplex’s signature shampoo and conditioner: Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo and Olaplex No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner. (These products are a staple in my haircare routine).
The shampoo and conditioner use Olaplex’s Bond Repair Technology to repair split ends, frizz, and damage by relinking disulfide bonds in your hair.
The shampoo is very concentrated, so a little goes a long way. The conditioner is very thick but rinses cleanly, leaving hair soft and smooth. The pair does a great job of reducing frizz!
Olaplex also offers more specialized shampoos: Olaplex No.4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo is an intensely pigmented purple shampoo for blonde hair that really brightens your tresses.
Olaplex No.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo removes product build-up and environmental impurities without stripping away moisture or color.
When it comes to hair styling products, Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother (now available in a convenient pump bottle) is a leave-in styling cream that moisturizes, smoothes, and reduces frizz for up to 72 hours.
The styling creme also hydrates and moisturizes while repairing damaged hair.
Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil is a super-lightweight, highly concentrated styling oil that repairs and strengthens damaged hair while adding shine and color vibrancy.
It reduces frizz and flyaways and leaves you with the softest hair.
If your hair is dry, dull, or in need of added moisture, Olaplex No.8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask is an intensive weekly treatment to add body, shine, and sleekness to all hair types.
The hair mask is a 10-minute treatment that intensely hydrates and leaves your hair looking and feeling healthier.
My favorite Olaplex styling product, Olaplex No.9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum, is a weightless leave-in hair serum that is anti-tangle and anti-static and leaves your hair feeling shiny and soft.
The silicone-free hair serum protects hair from pollution for 48 hours and provides heat protection up to 450°F (232°C).
In addition to Olaplex Bond Building Technology, the serum contains red algae extract, a potent antioxidant.
Olaplex Bond Bond Building Treatment System
Olaplex is a multi-step bonding building treatment that works on a molecular level to repair damage and prevent further damage from occurring.
The Olaplex patented system targets the disulfide bonds in our hair that give it its strength and structure.
When these bonds are broken during chemical processes like coloring, bleaching, and straightening, or from heat damage or environmental factors, our hair becomes weakened and susceptible to further damage.
Olaplex works on all hair types by rebuilding these disulfide bonds with their patented ingredient Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate.
This molecule (silicone-free and oil-free) is found in all Olaplex products and works to repair our hair and give our hair strength and protection from further damage.
The result is stronger, healthier hair that is less likely to break or become damaged.
Currently, Olaplex has several at-home products that can be used together to repair and protect your hair. These Olaplex products are:
- Olaplex No. 0 Intensive Bond Building Treatment
- Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector
- Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
- Olaplex No. 4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo
- Olaplex No. 4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo
- Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner
- Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother
- Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil
- Olaplex No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask
- Olaplex No. 9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum
You might notice that Olaplex No. 1 and No. 2 are not listed. That’s because they are in-salon treatments.
No.1 Bond Multiplier is used as an additive during chemical processing and as the first step of an in-salon stand-alone hair repair treatment that rebuilds broken disulfide bonds.
No.2 Bond Perfector is the second step of the in-salon stand-alone treatment and is also used to repair bonds after chemical services in the salon.
Using Olaplex 0 and 3 Together
While Olaplex No. 3 gets all the attention, its benefits can be boosted if combined with Olaplex No. 0.
This powerful duo can help to repair your damaged hair. When used together, they boost each other’s performance and help make your hair look and feel healthier.
Not only will the duo help to repair your hair, but it will also make it look and feel softer, smoother, and shinier.
Of course, Olaplex products are not cheap, but if you have damaged hair, they might be worth the investment if they can give you back healthy hair.
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!