Some questions about Olaplex, hair oil and straightening permed, highlighted hair - help me work out how to get swishy, voluminous hair

[theyearofgoodhair]

I've decided to make 2021 and what's left of 2020 the year where I finally sort my hair out through experimentation with anything and everything that might make it look less awful. Until I started experimenting and although I've been getting it highlighted for decades, it was always in good condition (hence why they said they could perm it although they wouldn't usually with highlighted hair). It's just that I can't style it to save my life other than with straighteners and that look just doesn't suit me. So I always just rough dry it, look like a tramp and feel a bit shit (although weirdly it looks a lot worse when I'm wearing glasses - reckon the heavy eye makeup I usually wear with contacts distracts from the awfulness!).

I got a perm a few weeks ago as my first venture into experimentation - seemed like the perfect time in case it didn't work out given I won't be going anywhere or seeing anyone other than my close family for a while! It was partly to add volume which I always feel my hair is missing and partly to see if it meant I could get away with washing it less. It has come up trumps on both of these things but I don't feel the curl really suits me (I was hoping for loose waves but it's actually curlier than I'd hoped) so I've been trying out straightening it with my Revlon One Step in the hope of getting glossy, swishy hair but with loads of volume (I've watched a few Youtube videos of curly-haired women using the Revlon One step to straighten their hair and they got the most amazing results). I'm still trying to make the curls look like a decent hairstyle from time to time too - plenty of time to try anything and everything at the moment, although I realise they will go if I keep straightening it although I'm only doing that once a week at the moment).

While the roots were bloody amazing the first time I tried straightening with the one step, the ends were absolutely awful, although the only change I'd made to my pre-perming product use was applying vastly more conditioner than normal and going for no silicones and sulphates in my shampoos and conditioners. Before the next attempt, I put coconut oil all over the ends the night before washing it and that really helped and using some oils and leave in conditioners made a difference too, although the ends still weren't soft and swishy.

I recently also bought an Olaplex trial kit and had a session with that last night - it created the same effect as the Coconut oil - massive improvement but ends still looked pretty dry and damaged on day 1 (although they are looking quite decent today now it's day 2). So my next experiments include continuing with Olaplex regularly (maybe just no.3 from what I've read on here), trying the coconut oil and Olaplex together somehow, trying Elasticizer or the superdrug dupe and also possibly trying Olaplex 1 and 2.

So I have a good many questions - feel free to answer as few or as many as you can, all input is hugely appreciated!

If your hair was still dry and damaged looking after your first Olaplex 3 application, how many applications did it take for things to improve? And would it be worth my while trying to get my hands on Olaplex 1 and 2 to use at home? I know it's supposed to be a salon treatment exclusively but it seems you can buy it online (although can I be sure I'm not buying counterfeits?). I obviously won't be getting to the hairdressers' for a while as we are in near full lockdown where I am. And also, is Superdrug Pureplex worth trying as a cheaper alternative to Olaplex? I had assumed that as Olaplex is patented, Pureplex couldn't possibly offer anything worth buying but I've read quite a lot of positive opinions on it on here and elsewhere. Has anyone with damaged hair tried both though to get a proper comparison?

And, having bought Ogx Argon oil of Morocco, am I wasting my money trying out other oils or will they all do much the same thing? Similarly with palmers olive oil leave in conditioner (can't say the Olaplex one did anything different)?

Finally, if anyone fancies an ongoing thread for trying to achieve voluminous but swishy hair, I'd very much be up for it - this is this year's big vanity project for me, having solved a few other problems this year and given myself a massive confidence boost!

[MorrisBonsson]

I dont mean this in a snarky way but have you ever had good hair that is volumious and swishy? If yes what changed?

[theyearofgoodhair]

Not really ever had voluminous swishy hair to be honest although I've got the kind of hair that can do either at one time but not both at once iyswim. If I keep it a little bit dry it's quite voluminous but doesn't look great style wise. If I get rid of the dryness (which I find quite easy) then this kills the volume completely and while I can do a lot of sleek styles that would look nice on someone else's head, they just don't suit mine! Not having a fringe was good for giving the appearance of more volume too but I have a massive forehead so ultimately felt I really had to go down the fringe route.

[PirateCatQueen]

With Olaplex I use no 3once a month and no 0 & no 3 together once a month. Find the no 0really helps with the ends.

Before that came out, I did get no1 and no 2for really damaged ends, and a couple of an pil atop s of that combination a couple of weeks apart really saved it, and that effect lasted about a year with regular no 3 applications twice a month.

Had to get it from eBay though, which is a bit iffy. I scoured for hairdressers sample packs at the time so I got stuff in branded packaging rather than decanted, as I wouldn’t really trust the latter.

I was getting round to needing the no 1 and no 2 redone when no 0 came out and that was a relief. It’s an easier process and you can get it from authorised stockists. In my experience, it pretty much does the same thing as nos 1and no 2 did for me. You have to use no 3 along with it though.

To maintain my ends, I use a leave-in spray conditioner with hyaluronic acid in it (I use Urtekram Rose) to hydrate them, then use a little prickly pear oil to seal them. I do that after washing and also as a quick top-up between washes.

[theyearofgoodhair]

Thanks PirateCatQueen - what do you mean by "an pil atop s of that combination" though? Seems like key information!

Really interesting that no. 0 does the same as 1 and 2 for you!

[MrsKingfisher]

I use the no3 between 1 & 2 times per week I have thick, coloured frizzy/wavy hair. I also use no4 & 5 daily and I have found using the whole system has made a big difference to my hair in general.

If I wash my hair at night towel dry it and go to bed I used to wake up with a mad frizzy mess but since using Olaplex it just curly no frizz.

I think to give olaplex a fair shot use the shampoo and cond too.

[PirateCatQueen]

@theyearofgoodhair “an pil atop s of that combination” was meant to read “a couple of applications of that combination”.

[theyearofgoodhair]

Ah, thanks PirateCatQueen!

Not sure whether that's good or bad news MrsKingFisher - sounds pricey but if it works it would be fantastic. I was just a bit disappointed it didn't give me the perfect hair it seems to give some people on the first use. I may try to use no.3 regularly and if I don't get the desired result add the others in too.

[Lorrtay65]

I tried the Olaplex Holiday kit last year containing the shampoo, conditioner, 3 and 4. Was disappointed given the price and the reviews online. Seemed to make my hair flat and a bit greasy but the ends were still dry. I didn't repurchase. I would be tempted to give the Suoerdrug one a go, hadn't realised they did a dupe. I started using Shea Butter as a pre wash treatment a few times a week earlier this year and find that to be good for conditioning without weighing my hair down,

[theyearofgoodhair]

Just coming back to read the thread again now I've got a bit more time.

PirateCatQueen - does prickly pear oil do something other oils don't? I have some argan oil of morocco as I said and it does help but not enough. Not sure whether the key is in the other Olaplex though! And what does the hyaluronic acid in the leave in conditioner do?

Could you just try the Olaplex no 0 and 3 on your ends Lorrtay? Might be worth a shot to use it more often but avoid your routes? I may try that myself as while it didn't make my roots greasy it did take the volume that I get from the perm down a notch or two. Good tip about the Shea butter - may try some of that too!

[PirateCatQueen]

Know what you mean about argan oil doing something but not enough. I’ve tried argan oil and also jojoba oil as before and they were good but not enough oomph. The prickly pear oil just works better for me, it’s a bit richer, makes my ends softer.

The hyaluronic acid helps the hair hold more water (as in skin care), and then the oil over the top of that seals in the water, as the oil makes it more difficult for the water to evaporate out.

So the Olaplex works on the protein sulphur bonds in your hair, makes them stronger. And that lays a good foundation.

But the other things really help too, just in a slightly different way.

I was able to go about a year between treatments with no1 and no2 because of the other things. Now there is no0 easily available I don’t feel the need to go as long between uses, but I will still keep the other stuff up because it does all add up.

[helloxhristmas]

If you're prepared to put that much effort in just get a blow dry once a week. Cost must be comparative if not cheaper

[ImNotReallyAWaitress]

Olaplex is a bonding treatment it doesn’t moisturise you still need a moisturising treatment on top if your hair is dry.

Try Philip Kingsley elasticiser or the Moroccanoil intense hydrating mask.
Use a plastic shower cap over it and wrap a towel around that and leave it on for 30 mins - 1 hour to let the treatment properly penetrate your hair.