Does Your Hair Need Olaplex’s No. 7 Bonding Oil?
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I’ve been a huge fan of Olaplex since first trying their No.3 Hair Perfector.
Because, as someone with naturally dry, frizzy hair (that is then hugely worsened by bleaching), I’m always looking for products that will repair and add shine.
Enter Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil, a silicone and oil-based serum which also contains the active ingredient used in the brand’s repairing treatments- bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate- to fix broken hair bonds, while corn, moringa and pomegranate oils moisturise.
But does this serum live up to the hype of the No. 3 Hair Perfector? Read on to find out.
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This is new, up-to-date information. We updated this article in July 2023 to add our further thoughts on the serum, complete with updated prices.
Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil review
A silicone-based serum, this product acts more like a traditional hair serum than an oil- but with the added benefits of Olaplex’s patented hair bond builder, which the company says helps to rebuild disulphide bonds (the bonds which hold hair’s structure together).
Designed to add shine and offer UV and heat protection up to 450 degrees, No. 7 is a lightweight product which is easy to work through hair and can be used on both wet and dry strands.
On my own (frizzy, dry) locks though, does it have much of an impact?
The answer is not all that much sadly. While the serum definitely does add shine- and it also helps to reduce some of my frizz- I can’t say that I’ve noticed much repairing from this serum.
That’s possibly because what my hair generally needs most is moisture and that’s not what this product is specifically designed to offer.
Instead, if I were heat styling my hair every day I’m sure I would enjoy its abilities to heat protect while adding shine.
Oilier hair types in particular would probably also appreciate that No. 7 doesn’t feel too heavy on the hair (and also smells pretty gorgeous).
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How to use Olaplex’s No. 7 Bonding Oil
Designed to be used on either wet or dry hair, No. 7 is simply combed through the hair on its own or combined with Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother for an added shot of moisture.
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The full list of ingredients
Dimethicone, Isohexadecane, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Coco-Caprylate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate, Propanediol, Zea Mays (Corn) Oil, Beta-Carotene, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Water (Aqua), Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Powder, Fragrance (Parfum), Hexyl Cinnamal, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Limonene, Tocopherol, Citral, Linalool, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Citronellol, Pseudozyma Epicola/Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil Ferment Extract Filtrate
The takeaway
The results on my hair are an immediate shine and softening effect, as well as some seriously tamed flyaways.
Do I think it’s a necessity…? No. But if you are someone who likes a hair product for taming frizz while heat protecting then choosing one which contains damage-repairing ingredients is probably not a bad option.
And while I think the real magic lies in the in-salon treatment and No. 3 (a genuinely hair-changing product for me), I’ll personally take any softening, de-frizzing help I can get so I’m really enjoying this product.
I also think this will work well for any oil fans, frizzy types and anyone who wants the full Olaplex experience (since the in-salon Olaplex and No. 3 treatments aren’t meant for moisture- just repair- this adds a small shot of hydration to hair to go alongside the rest of the line)
As much as I do like the de-fluffing results, like the No. 3 this comes in about the teeniest bottle you can imagine (30 ml).
Since I really don’t need to use a lot to get some shine it’s not a big deal, but it’s a bit of a surprise when you first see it (on the plus side though, it’s great for travel).
Overall though, there are so many other great serums on the market (IGK’s Mistress is a particular favourite) that this probably isn’t a necessity unless you really like to keep all your products in one brand family.
Great for: Adding shine and de-frizzing hair.
Not-so-great for: Those who don’t like silicone in their hair products.
Olaplex’s No. 7 Bonding Oil is £28 for 30 ml, Cult Beauty UK and $30 for 1 oz/ 30 ml, Sephora US
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