Aug. 20, 2024, 9:12 PM UTC

By Rylee Johnston

Great hair can make you feel confident and ready to tackle the day. But when your strands get dry and damaged from dyes and heat tools, those perfect hair days can be hard to come by.

However, sometimes a great hair treatment can be the trick to getting your locks back on track (better hair days? Yes, please!). In fact, our Shop TODAY team came across a product that has changed the way we maintain my hair. Cue in the Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3 Repairing Treatment: A split end-fighting and frizz-smoothing treatment for every hair type.

Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3 Repairing Treatment

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Hair Perfector No. 3 Repairing Treatment

"Olaplex is a lifesaver for my hair," wrote a verified reviewer.

$21.99

$30.00

What we like

Repairs damaged hair
Brings back shine
Works for all hair types

Something to note

A little goes a long way

Size: 3.3 oz | Key ingredients: Bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate | Great for: All hair types, especially damaged hair

What is the Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3 Repairing Treatment?

According to the brand, their hair perfector is the third step (hence the 'No. 3' in its name) in the Olaplex system. Numbers zero to three are your first steps, which consist of their once or every few days (whenever your hair needs it!) treatments. Numbers four and five are you shampoo and conditioner, and the rest, up to number 10, are your styling products.

But what makes the hair perfector stand out amongst others on the brand's lineup is that it is both a preventative and healing treatment for damaged hair. If your hair has been processed by permanent dye, chemical treatments, heat tools or all of the above, the hair perfector is designed to seal your ends and bring your hair back to health.

“It’s very popular and it’s a really great treatment to use after color,” Edward Tricomi, co-founder of Warren Tricomi Salon, told Shop TODAY. “It holds (color) in, rebuilds and hydrates the hair.”

Other benefits of the hair perfector include strengthening strands, enhancing shine and improving texture. It does all this with the aid of Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate: A bond builder that, according to Olaplex, is proven to repair broken bonds within the hair strand, even if hair is currently dyed and/or bleached.

For best results, the brand suggests applying it to wet hair for at least 10 minutes, then shampooing and conditioning as usual. It’s meant to be used once weekly, but those with more damaged strands can use it up to three times per week.

Our experience

Shop TODAY's vice president of commerce Jennifer Birkhofer has recently been swearing by the Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector to combat frizziness after her hair dresser introduced her to the product, and now it has become a staple in her routine.

“My hair gets really frizzy in the summer and is prone to damage, and I’m always looking for a new treatment,” Birkhofer said. “I bought this and instantly loved it. Once a week, I wet my hair and put a good dollop of this mask on before I shower and leave it in for 10 minutes or so. Then you just shampoo and condition as you normally would and your hair is so soft and shiny!”

The results are instant — and work for every hair type

NBC News Select's editorial operations associate, Rebecca Rodriguez, has also been stocking up on this Olaplex favorite for years. "Before I shaved my head, my hair was so damaged and processed that the Olaplex No. 3 felt like the only thing saving it from falling out. My hair never felt softer after a wash," she said. "Now it's helped maintain and nourish my grown-out curls."

It improves the look of damaged ends

Amazon reviewers have been getting the hype, too. As of late, the product has over 98,000 five-star reviews on the site, with many praising how it has helped improve their hair health.

"I love this stuff!" praised a verified reviewer. "I've got over-processed hair and wish I had started using this stuff sooner. It brought my curls back to life after just one use. I'll be purchasing this product again and using it a couple of times a month."

Tricomi told us the special blend of polymers, alcohols and salts is what gives the treatment these hydrating effects.

No.3 can help with maintaining color

Since the treatment is safe enough to use on color-treated hair, reviewers have noticed it has extended the life of their color.

"I’ve gone from my natural color to blonde and now to red," said another customer. "My hairstylist said this product would both help lock up the red and also protect from the chemical processing. If you’re a red head you know what I mean, very tough color to maintain. This product has been tremendously helpful in maintaining my red."

What to consider

Other reviewers have had success with leaving the product in overnight, too, for better results. But if you have fine and/or thin hair, it can be heavy on the strands.

“Love, love, love this product,” raved another verified customer. “I put it in my hair a couple of hours before bed and my coarse dry hair just drinks it up. By the time I go to bed, although it feels heavy, it’s not messy and going to ruin a pillowcase. I wash it out in the morning and my generally crispy hair feels super soft.”

Who is the Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3 best for?

Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector is designed to bring hair back to health. Anyone who is looking to improve the overall look of the strands, seal split ends, reduce frizz, among other concerns, will love incorporating this weekly treatment in their routine.

Why trust Shop TODAY?

The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources and use our own personal experiences with the product and brand to make shopping easier for our readers.

Rylee Johnston is an E-commerce writer who previously worked for the TODAY Show.

Meet the expert

Edward Tricomi is a celebrity hair stylist and the co-founder of Warren Tricomi Salon.

More Olaplex hair products to shop

Olaplex No. 0 Intensive Bond Building Hair Treatment

No. 0 Intensive Bond Building Hair Treatment

$30.00

What we like

Primes hair for No. 3
Bond-building
Color-safe

Something to note

Some don't love the applicator

Size: 5.2 oz | Key ingredients: Bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate | Great for: All hair types, especially damaged hair

If you suffer from hair thinning or damage, use this treatment to help repair and strengthen your locks. The brand says it uses bond-building technology to repair hair and restore its shine.

Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo

No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo

$30.00

What we like

Doesn't dry strands
Gently cleanses
Smells great

Something to note

Some say it left scalp oily

Size: 8.5 oz | Key ingredients: Coconut oil-derived surfactant, glycerin, behntrimonium methosulfate and cetearyl alcohol | Great for: All hair types, especially damaged hair

Maintain those repaired bonds by adding this restorative shampoo to your hair care routine. The formula is said to be highly moisturizing and suitable for all hair types.

Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil

No.7 Bonding Oil

$30.00

What we like

Enhances shine
Lightweight

Something to note

A little goes a long way

Size: 1 oz | Key ingredients: Bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate | Great for: All hair types, especially damaged hair

One Shop TODAY contributor tried Olaplex's Bonding Oil and said it gave her "fresh-from-the-salon" shine and vibrancy. A little goes a long way — just add a few drops to tame pesky flyaways, smooth strands and eliminate frizz.

Olaplex No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask

No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask

$30.00

What we like

Bond-building
Offers lots of moisture

Something to note

Some noticed some hair loss

Size: 3.3 oz | Key ingredients: Bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate | Great for: All hair types, especially damaged hair

After a sunshine-filled summer, you might be looking for ways to nourish your dry hair. Bring your locks back to life with this moisture mask, which is designed to double the shine, boost moisture and keep hair "six-times smoother."

Olaplex No. 9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum

No. 9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum

$30.00

What we like

Lightweight
Prevents future damage
Protects against heat

Something to note

Some found it drying

Size: 3 oz | Key ingredients: Bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate and red algae extract | Great for: All hair types, especially damaged hair

After trying Olaplex's first-ever serum, editor Jillian Ortiz noticed a "huge" difference to her hair texture. Her curls felt softer, looked healthier and were given instant definition.

Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother Reparative Styling Creme

No. 6 Bond Smoother Reparative Styling Creme

$30.00

What we like

Enhances curls
Offers 72 hour frizz control
Protects from damage

Something to note

A little goes a long way

Size: 3.3 oz | Key ingredients: Bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate | Great for: All hair types, especially damaged hair

If you're interested in faster blow dries or frizz-free air dries, add this styling creme to your cart ASAP. According to the brand, the leave-in treatment offers up to 72 hours of frizz control and can protect your hair from everyday damage.