Olaplex No. 3 made “bond repair” a household phrase. If your hair is bleached, colored or heat-styled, it’s probably been recommended to you. It’s also pricey.
L’Oréal Paris now sells its own pre-shampoo bond treatment for a fraction of the price, and it’s very popular. Here’s how the two compare, and which one makes sense for your hair.
Prices change often, so check the current price before you buy.
Short answer: For colored, lightly damaged or heat-styled hair, the L’Oréal Bond Repair+ Pre-Shampoo is a great budget pick, at about a fifth of Olaplex’s price per ounce.
Splurge on Olaplex No. 3 if your hair is heavily bleached, breaking, or you’ve gone blonde from dark. Its patented bond-building technology has the longest track record.
Quick list
| Product | Best for | Price range | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olaplex No. 3PLUS Hair Repair Pre-Shampoo Treatment | Bleached, very damaged or breaking hair | Mid-range (3.3 oz) | Buy on Amazon |
| L’Oréal Paris EverPure Bond Repair+ Pre-Shampoo Concentrate | Colored or lightly damaged hair on a budget | Budget (5.1 oz) | Buy on Amazon |
Side-by-side comparison
| Olaplex No. 3PLUS | L’Oréal Bond Repair+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Price range | Mid-range | Budget |
| Size | 3.3 oz (100 ml) | 5.1 oz (150 ml) |
| Cost per ounce | Much higher | Much lower |
| How you use it | On damp hair before shampoo | On damp hair before shampoo, 5 to 10 minutes |
| Key technology | Olaplex’s patented bond builder | 22% bond + amino acid complex |
| Best for | Bleached, very damaged hair | Colored or lightly damaged hair |
The two treatments, compared
1. Olaplex No. 3PLUS Hair Repair Pre-Shampoo Treatment
Keep in mind: It needs at least 10 minutes on damp hair before you shampoo, and no bond treatment fixes split ends; only a trim does.
Check price on Amazon2. L’Oréal Paris EverPure Bond Repair+ Pre-Shampoo Concentrate
Keep in mind: It’s newer and less proven than Olaplex, and it needs about 10 minutes on damp hair before you shampoo.
Check price on AmazonIs L’Oréal Bond Repair a true Olaplex dupe?
Not exactly. A dupe usually means a similar result for less money, not the same formula. Olaplex’s bond builder is patented, so no one else can copy it directly. In practice, the L’Oréal treatment gives most people softer, stronger-feeling hair for a fraction of the price. If you’ve bleached your hair a lot and it’s breaking, though, Olaplex is worth the extra money.How to get the most from a bond treatment
- Apply to damp, not soaking, hair so the product isn’t diluted.
- Focus on the lengths and ends, where the damage is.
- Be consistent. Once a week for a month tells you more than one use.
- Cut back on heat while your hair recovers, and always use a heat protectant.
FAQ
What is the best Olaplex dupe on Amazon?
L’Oréal Paris EverPure Bond Repair+ Pre-Shampoo is one of the best budget options. It’s used the same way as Olaplex No. 3 and costs about a third as much per bottle.Can I use Olaplex and L’Oréal Bond Repair together?
You can, but there’s little reason to. Pick one and use it consistently once a week.Is Olaplex No. 3PLUS different from the original No. 3?
No. 3PLUS is Olaplex’s newer version of its No. 3 treatment. Follow the directions on the bottle you buy.Does bond repair fix split ends?
No treatment can glue split ends back together. A trim removes them, and a bond treatment helps stop new breakage.Price ranges are a rough guide. Check the current price on Amazon. This article is general information, not professional advice. If your hair is severely damaged, talk to a hairdresser. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
