There are few brands one can credit with having changed the beauty game, but the launch of\u00a0Olaplex just over a decade ago invalidated the assertion that the only way to fix damaged hair is to cut it.<\/p>\n
The Guardian\u2019s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link.\u00a0Learn more<\/a>.<\/p>\n It used a patented ingredient (the unpronounceable bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate) to strengthen and rebuild all types of hair bonds ravaged by bleach, colour and other chemical or heat treatments.<\/p>\n Having looked at bonds under a microscope, I think it\u2019s easiest to think of them as tiles on a roof: when they\u2019re in good nick, they\u2019re even, smooth and\u00a0regular; when not, more jagged, missing and letting in rain.<\/p>\n Hairdressers raved about Olaplex, clinical and consumer trials agreed, rival and new brands jumped on the bonding trend and launched countless \u2013 sometimes inferior, occasionally credible \u2013 variations on the theme. And yet for me, even the promise of stronger, healthier hair could never quite tempt me to undertake with any regularity the unholy faff of using Olaplex\u2019s hero product, No3.<\/p>\n double quotation markFor those with damaged hair but zero shower time to spare, Living Proof is the lowest effort bond repair treatment<\/p>\n This pre-wash repair cream went on\u00a0wet un-shampooed hair and then one had to amuse oneself \u2013 grubby, dripping and rapidly cooling \u2013 for 20-30 minutes while it went to work, before re-entering the shower to shampoo. I\u2019d\u00a0rather my hair snapped.<\/p>\n Clearly I wasn\u2019t the only one who needed Olaplex to fix more than damage. Enter the new No3 Plus<\/a> (\u00a332) and its drastically improved method of use, that, in my case, makes all the difference between compliance and neglect. My very fine, bleach-damaged hair now gets the same proven results in three minutes.<\/p>\n I shampoo, gently wring, apply No3 Plus, tend to leg shaving and ablutions, then shampoo again and condition as normal. Painless. I\u2019ve used it for three months and it works.<\/p>\n If you actually enjoy the self-care ceremony of slower-acting, intensive masks, 98 Beauty\u2019s Hydra Bond Hydrating Masque<\/a> (\u00a335) feels reassuringly luxurious and hard working. British formulated and independent, it treats hair with bond strengthening proteins, natural oils and a beautiful fragrance that lingers long after drying. It\u2019s very easy, but takes 20 minutes to work, so I save it for bath nights and settle into a podcast.<\/p>\n