Any hairdressers? Does my hair need protein or moisture? Olaplex treatments related

[Wingingonastar]

I have tried olaplex at home and did not understand the hype. It left my hair dry, horrible to comb through, hated it. I only used the one product, perhaps number 3 I can’t remember but I have so much colour on my hair, it’s long and over processed and I have had to put some bleach high lights through it (long story). I have been googling snd can see a smaller pack of 4 products of the olaplex thinking maybe I need more of them for it to work, then I came across the pureplex one you can get in boots that is loads cheaper but there are still some comments that say the same about their hair as I have said above about after olaplex?

The ‘plex’ products are to do with bonding, this seems to be what I need on paper. I have had problems with my hair holding colour which hairdresser told me is to do with the cuticle being ‘open’ etc etc.

What do I actually need? I do use heat but I look after my hair I’m terms of using heat protector all the time and also use deep mask once a week. Nothing seems to keep it looking silky, shiny and healthy anymore. I have tried LOADS of different deep conditioners snd that also hasn’t helped. Also use hair oil in it every day which helps to a degree. Any help??

Do you have to style your hair

Washing hair with shampoo and drying it with hairdryers and then straightening it take the life out of it.

You have to change the way you look after it

Yes it’s a nightmare. It is naturally quite curly, some ringlets some random straight bits and I have tried curly girl method and that does nothing for it. I blow dry and straighten most days and is not negotiable to not do it. I use a ‘wet’ heat protector when drying and then use a ‘dry’ heat protector when I straighten it. This is better than before I did thay

Has anyone tried the pureplex one?

I know it's hard, but no product is going to fix your hair whilst you are blow drying and straightening it most days. It's causing mechanical damage and eventually the hair just can't take it anymore. This is even more true if you are working against your hair type and no heat protector is really going to help with this.
You say it's not something you want to give up, but would you consider laying off the heat styling and maybe figure out some kind of gentle updos for days when you would usually dry and straighten your hair? Far better to do this now than wait until your hair starts snapping off etc. It's a hard habit to break though I know. My hair completely turned around however once I gave these things up, and the different buns etc would also give the hair proper wave texture or curls when I let it down. (Like you mine is naturally a bit straight and also curly)
I do use olaplex once every 2 weeks or so and like it. I've also tried pureplex was wasn't impressed. It's important to remember though that these aren't conditioning or protein treatments and won't give you instant results.

I’d love to leave it most days but I can’t I have tried, it’s so Frizzy and awful. I can’t put it up and leave it either as i have a side fringe and if I don’t straighten it it looks awful, even scrapped back I get stupid kinks sticking up at the front!

Could you go to the hairdressers for a blow dry and ask? The olaplex at home treatments are still very expensive

I had nightmare damaged hair at one point but had been over bleaching it for years. Nowadays I’ve cut down to washing it every 7-10 days (sounds gross but works), and only getting it coloured every 6 months (baby lights - grows out very nicely), I get the olaplex done with the colour treatment. My hair is in its best condition and is growing at top speed, so much so that I’m considering donating to the little princess trust just before I next get it done (December/January).

Also, if you have days off work / days when you aren’t doing much can you give your hair a break from all the heat treatments ? I use heat maybe every two months now and it’s so much better for it.

Cheap but effective treatments I found were coconut oil left overnight and leaving the conditioner on the ends for twenty minutes when washing

Hi OP I have very dry hair and found olaplex absolutely useless! There is another brand called BoldPlex and I found their conditioner reduced to £15 from £20 (eye watering I know) on Amazon but it did wonders for me. Their leave in mask is amazing.

Olaplex - I'm not a fan. As I have dry curly hair it doesn't give me what I need, moisture.

I'm very keen on Kevin Murphy Angel Wash, Angel Rinse, and Angel Mask. I've also learnt the hard way I need to use a spray in conditioner and heat protector spray every single day.

The biggest improvement for my hair was investing in a Dyson Airwrap and throwing out my GHD. With the Airwrap while I only use the straightening brush, my hair curls really well, looks like a 70s inspired blow out every day. My hairdresser cannot believe the changes to my hair quality.

And giving up my GHD was hard, but 6 weeks later the frizz is gone.

@YellowMonday the air wrap is £££££ and I have wasted so much money on useless hair appliances that do nothing for me (apart from my ghds) that I’m far too reluctant to waste money on the air wrap. Does the brush part actually straighten? My fringe/section right at the front is the main issue, I can’t even explain it! The curl/kink is right at the base on my hair line and the only thing that keeps it down is straightners…. Blow drying straight does not hold it for long. I would love to embrace my curls in an ideal world but they are just so uneven and frizzy i just can’t. As I said I have tried curly girl and it was even worse so that isn’t an option!! I have tried clipping back my fringe but I have a massive fuck off forehead it just highlighted it (hence the side fringe )

You know that episode of Friends that Monica's hair gets out of control in Barbados? That's my natural curl.

I also have tried curly girl method, no success. Dyson was a big investment, but I couldn't be happier. My hair isn't straight, but I'm ok with that. Top is smooth and from ears down big bouncy curls. I've literally never had so many compliments/asks if I've been for a blow out. From wet to dry takes all of 13 minutes (heaven).

Only other tip is to make sure your hot tools are never higher than 150 degrees celsius.

@YellowMonday my DC always say I have my Monica hair when we go on holiday as there is literally no point trying to straighten it in humidity or different water types! That sounds amazing, smooth on top curly at the bottom, any tips on what to do? How do you smooth on top yet curl on bottom? I have just ordered some shampoo and conditioner for curly hair as that is one thing I have never tried…