Best Olaplex Products For Curly Hair [Review] in 2022

It so turns out the Olaplex is not straight hair exclusive; you don’t need to have straight hair to join the Olaplex gang and reap the benefits of their products; they use curl-friendly and healthy hair products that work on all hair types.

The thing we curly girls suffer from the most is dryness; curly hair is the driest and most fragile hair type of them all, you need countless products and heat protection for curly hair to help define and protect your curls, and luckily the Olaplex range will offer everything you need.

But in this guide, I am going to run through everything you need to know about Olaplex for curly hair and why you need it in your routine. I am going to go through my top recommended products to use in the routine and how to incorporate them with the CGM.

So let’s delve in, my friends; our nourished curls await.

So what is Olaplex, and is it good for curly hair?

Olaplex is a well-known brand in the beauty industry, known to revolutionize the hair care game. Its proven technology is known to repair damaged hair from the inside out.

Olaplex’s Patented Bond Building Technology works on a molecular level. Their main ingredient, “Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate,” is a single molecule that dramatically improves hair strength, protecting and repairing from the inside out.

Our hair is made up of millions of disulfide bonds that make up the structure, giving your hair its strength and stability. When these bonds are broken, that is when damaged hair occurs.

These bonds are responsible for holding together the keratin fibers that make up your hair. So for fragile curly hair, it is extremely beneficial to use Olaplex, especially for those who have suffered from chemical and heat styling damage.

When our hair is damaged, it connects to three oxygen molecules which result in damage and breakage. Olaplex works by helping the hair pair the single sulfur hydrogen faster so the three oxygen cannot pair with this molecule to prevent damage.

The Olaplex treatments work together to repair bonds and damage caused by chemical treatments, thermal damage from heat styling, environmental factors, and mechanical damage. It works to strengthen hair and repair broken bonds within the hair follicle.

While some Olaplex products contain silicones, not all do. All silicones are not good on the curly girl method, but the silicones used in Olaplex products are water-soluble silicones, so they rinse out with water, so you don’t need sulfates to get rid of them.

 There are some benefits of water soluble silicones for curly hair, but I’ll go over this in a full guide of everything you need to know about silicones, so be sure to check that out for more details!

Plus, all the ingredients within Olaplex are sulfate-free, so they are ideal for curly hair. So while silicones are forbidden in the CGM, water-soluble silicones are still good for curly hair as they help with moisture retention, which is important for curly hair.

If you are strictly doing the Curly Girl Method and don’t want to use any form of silicones, then the Olaplex No. 0 and 3 is your best bet; it should help repair damage and strengthen the curl, which will help promote the natural curl shape.

I run through a full guide on how to use Olaplex on curly hair. 

However, that being said, all products are still perfect for curly hair as they don’t use the no-no silicones (non-water soluble silicones), and all silicones used can be washed out with water and don’t cause buildup.

If you want the treatment side of Olaplex, then I would highly recommend getting the No. 3, No. 6, and No. 8. The Olaplex No. 3 will help repair damaged ends and repair broken bonds within the hair strand. Plus, if your hair is extremely damaged, you can use it alongside the Olaplex No. 0 for the ultimate repair.

This combo offers 68% more repair and 3x more strengthening when used together. Plus, both of these treatments are free of silicones, so they are Curly Girl Method approved if you have damaged hair.

Olaplex No. 6 is an ideal choice for my curlies and coilies out there with thick, frizzy, porous hair or just frizzy hair in general that needs taming. Olaplex No.6 offers superior frizz control; it tames frizz and flyaways for up to 72 hours!

Many curly girls love this leave-in conditioning product when styling their curls, it provides a lot of slip and manageability, and it is known to reduce frizz massively. It uses Olaplex’s patented bond-building technology to help protect strands when blow drying (or diffusing).

Olaplex No. 8 is revolutionary for curls; it is deeply hydrating and helps to boost the body, moisture, shine, and smoothness within your hair. It is also known to define curls as it provides a mega hydration kick which is key to curl definition.

Plus, if you have finer hair, the No. 8 is a weightless hair mask. It will provide your hair with the body it needs without weighing it down. One small pump will be enough to do shoulder-length hair, a little goes a long way, so if you use it correctly, it’ll last for months!!

Here are the steps to using these products in your routine:

Step One: Weekly Treatment

There are two ways you can do this step, and you can either use one or two products– this all depends on the condition your hair is in. You can either use Olaplex No. 0 and 3 (if your hair is very damaged) for this step or Olaplex No. 3 alone (if a little dry and damaged).

Step One- Option A: The first option is recommended if you have extremely damaged hair that is in need of some reviving. You should use both Olaplex 0 and 3 together as it will help repair hair by up to 68% and strengthen curls by up to 3x.

But enough of me rambling. Start by saturating your dry hair using Olaplex No. 0, you’ll want your hair to be damp and the product to be evenly distributed from the roots to the ends. I tend to work in sections and comb through after applying with a wide-tooth comb.

Leave for 10 minutes and then apply Olaplex No. 3. Olaplex No. 0 will prime the hair so the Olaplex No. 3 can work more efficiently, and Olaplex No. 3 will keep the hair damp so both products can work their magic to offer ultimate repair and restoration.

It is recommended that you leave it for at least 10 minutes, but the longer you leave it, the better. Olaplex states that it stop working efficiently once the hair is completely dry, which is roughly after 30-45 minutes.

Want to know more details on how to use Olaplex no 0 and 3 together? I made a full guide! You can use this treatment once, twice, or even three times a week, depending on the state of your hair, but for most extremely damaged curls, twice is plenty.

Step One- Option B: Alternatively, if your hair is a little bit damaged and your curls need some TLC, you can use Olaplex No. 3 on its own. While the Olaplex No. 0 is brilliant and works wonders, for those who don’t have extremely damaged hair, then the No. 3 will be enough.

The best way to know how to apply Olaplex No. 3 on curly hair as a stand-alone treatment is to dampen down your hair. So hop in the shower and give your hair a rinse under the showerhead; I usually use this time to spend 5 minutes doing a scalp massage.

This should help open up the cuticle and promote blood flow to the scalp, which helps to promote healthy hair. I will then hop out of the shower and dry my hair using my microfiber towel to towel dry my curls and comb through using a wet brush or detangling brush.

Remember to be gentle when combing through wet curls, as your curls are most fragile while wet. I then apply a pea-sized amount of Olaplex No. 3 all over, and if I need any more, then I will add more. All Olaplex products are extremely concentrated, so a little goes a long way.

I will then leave it on my hair for at least 30-45 minutes, and if I’m feeling lazy, I will tie it up in a protective hairstyle and leave it overnight, remember you need to protect curly hair at night. To prevent mechanical damage!

Doing this treatment once a week will massively transform your hair.

Step Two: Wash and Condition:

When using Olaplex No. 0 or 3, it is recommended that you do a shampoo and condition afterward. Since you only really need to use Olaplex No. 3 once a week, unless you’re doing an intensive restorative treatment, you can do it on your wash day.

You can use any sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner when rinsing out this treatment, but Olaplex’s shampoo and conditioner are both sulfate-free and free of harsh chemicals such as non-soluble silicones.

So on your wash day, wash your curls as you usually would with two sulfate-free shampoos or one sulfate-free shampoo and one co-wash shampoo and then condition.

Hair Mask Alternative To Conditioner:

In replacement of your conditioner, you can use the Olaplex No. 8 as a hair mask. So when you have your once-a-week shampoo, you can do a hair mask treatment after your No.3 treatment to help hydrate your curls even more and offer more bounce and body.

So use one to two pumps Olaplex No. 8 (depending on your hair length and thickness) after shampooing, rinse out excess water before applying so the treatment can penetrate more deeply into the hair strand, plus you don’t want it to be dripping wet when you leave it on.

It is recommended that you leave the treatment on for at least 5-10 minutes, but the longer you leave it on, the more benefits you will get. I tend to set Sunday as my wash day, so I have time for treatments like this. I tend to leave it on for an hour or two, then rinse it out.

Step Three: Styling:

Right so fast forward to you hopping out of the shower and applying all your leave-in products. If you want to use Olaplex as a leave-in conditioner, then their No. 6 Bond Smoother is brilliant at taming frizz and promoting the natural curl shape.

For curly hair, you can either apply to soaking wet hair or towel-dried hair, but I personally prefer to apply all my gels, creams, heat protectants while my hair is dripping wet as it helps prevent frizz. So I use Olaplex No 6 and apply a pea-sized amount straight out the shower.

Since I tend to comb through my hair while the conditioner is on, I don’t tend to comb through my hair until I am sitting in front of the mirror. I will soak down each section of hair and apply my styling products– Olaplex No. 6, my favorite hair gel, and heat protectant (of course!)

Some curly girls actually use Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil as it will provide heat protection up to 450ºF when heat styling while taming frizz. Making it ideal for protecting your curls when diffusing, but any heat protectant will do just fine.

You can either leave your hair to air dry or use a diffuser if you’d prefer.

But for those with extreme frizz, I would highly recommend giving the Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother a go; you’ll be shocked by how well it will define your curls and calm down frizz. It is now a staple in my routine!!

For those unsure of what the Curly Girl Method is, then it is a set of guidelines for caring for curly hair. It is a list of step-by-step instructions along with ingredients to avoid and how to care for curls. But don’t worry, I broke it down in a full guide, so be sure to check that out.

So can you use Olaplex on the Curly Girl Method?

Yes and no. If you are strictly doing the Curly Girl Method, then you can only really use Olaplex products from No. 0 to No. 3, and all the rest of them contain silicones, so you cannot use the rest. That being said, all silicones are water-soluble, so they will wash out with water.

So if you’re a strict follower of the CGM, then no, but who is nowadays? The CGM is a rough guide so you can learn more about your curls. Water-soluble silicones help with moisture retention, which is really important for curly hair as it tends to be the driest hair type.

If you ask me, I don’t see any faults with the Olaplex range when it comes down to benefitting curly hair. All hair types can get a kick out of using Olaplex. Their range is extremely hydrating, restoring, moisturizing, and repairs individual hair strands from within.

Here are some of the top frequently asked questions around Olaplex for curly hair:

Does olaplex work on curly hair?

Absolutely, the Olaplex range is extremely beneficial for fragile curls. It works on a molecular level to repair broken disulfide bonds within the hair strand. Plus, healthier curls are happier curls, so it will leave curls looking more defined and less frizzy.

Plus, their range works to hydrate and combat frizz from the root. Using at least Olaplex 3 and 8 is recommended for curly hair.

Olaplex 3 helps to repair damage from within, and it can be used as a weekly treatment, while Olaplex 8 will hydrate and moisturize curls while adding body and shine. It is a lightweight formula that will help tame frizz without weighing your hair down.

Is olaplex worth it for curly hair?

Yes!!! Their treatments are a must for healthy curls, a little goes a long way, and they’re worth the investment as they will last you for months. Just using Olaplex 3 and 8 will transform the condition of your hair and help promote healthy, hydrated curls.

I use Olaplex No. 3 and 8 once or twice a week to strengthen my hair before my shampoo and then the Olaplex no. 8 as a hydrating treatment afterward to help define curls. I leave each treatment on for at least 10 minutes but more if my hair needs it, and my curls have never looked so good.

So there you have it, you don’t need to have straight hair to reap the benefits of Olaplex; my coilies, curlies, and wavies out there can seriously benefit from a bit of Olaplex in their life. Even if you buy the basic No. 3 treatment and use the rest of your ordinary curly hair products, you will notice a difference.

You don’t need to buy the entire range, but if you have damaged hair, then the two-step treatment with No. 0 and 3 is recommended, and for healthy curls, No. 3 and 8 will do you nicely. If you want a restorative sulfate-free shampoo, then the No. 4 is brilliant.

Whatever you decide and pick, you will love the way your curls look and feel after using Olaplex, especially if your hair is chemically treated or you love to use thermal heat from time to time. Olaplex changes the game!

 But want to know more about Olaplex? Check out my full Olaplex Review.