Olaplex, the white-and-black, minimally labeled haircare brand, officially launched in 2014 with their bond-repairing products. Now, over a decade later, they have just come out with their first product specifically aimed at their curly-haired base. The No.10 Bond Shaper Curl Defining Gel launched in September, alongside a new No.5 Leave-In cream for split ends, and a new in-salon treatment that promises to shape and rebuild damaged curls. The question is, are these new launches actually curly girl-approved?
Since their initial launch, Olaplex’s products have catapulted them into huge amounts of success, both from customers and experts who have come to rely on their professional-only products in salon services such as bleach jobs. Their patented bond-building technology claims to rebuild broken hair bonds, leaving weak, stringy strands softer and stronger.
Curly hair is prone to damage and dryness because of its structure. While many folks with textured hair use Olaplex–myself included–they have never come out with a product specifically designed for curls. In fact, despite launching sixteen products, which include blonde-enhancing products, a brow serum, and a blow dry mist, Olaplex had insofar failed to launch products that were curly-hair specific, such as a mousse, gel or detangler until now.
As someone who has used Olaplex off and on for the better part of a decade, I was thrilled to hear of this new gel. My hair, which ranges between 2C to 3A–with maybe some 3B ringlets in there on a good day–loves lightweight products. Olaplex’s No. 6 leave-in cream, which they recommend for curly hair customers, is simply too heavy for my strands, weighing them down instead of adding volume. My ideal routine includes a mousse or lightweight leave-in, topped with a hard-cast gel.
Olaplex’s No.10 Bond Shaper Curl Defining Gel promised a flexible hold that reduces frizz, enhances texture in curls and wavy hair, and was humidity resistant, all without “that crunchy feeling.” All the while, the bond-building technology within the gel would strengthen curls from the inside out. This gel is also packed with hydrating oils that would add to the shine and softness of the hair. The Olaplex site recommends applying the gel on top of stylers, then air drying or diffusing, before scrunching out the cast, which is in line with my typical routine.
My curly friends and I agree that there’s a moment–both in salons and at home–when you realize even while your hair is still wet that this wash day won’t lead to a good hair week. Even in my hands, the No.10 gel felt softer and more liquidy than what I’m used to, and my curls did not form clumps with their usual ease. I attempted this routine a few different ways, with my preferred leave-ins and with Olaplex’s own new No.5. The gel’s hold was extremely lightweight, resulting in flat curls that were both underwhelming in definition and volume. Even when used as a product for a slicked-back look, the gel still didn’t have that hold I was looking for.
Where the gel did excel is making my strands incredibly soft. Like many Olaplex products, the gel made my hair silky and touchable, and not at all sticky. Perhaps for wavy hair this would be ideal, but for my texture, it personally felt like a let down.
All curls are different, so it’s entirely possible that someone else will adore this gel. It just didn’t work for me. I still love some Olaplex products, particularly the oil, shampoo and conditioner. I hope that Olaplex returns with some new innovation to address a wider range of textures, particularly because nearly every before and after photo on Olaplex’s site includes a model with some degree of curl. My fingers are crossed for an Olaplex mousse one day.
