After vowing once again, not to buy any more hair products I jumped right on the bandwagon and bought:
OLAPLEX NO 8 BOND INTENSE MOISTURE MASK
Providing deep conditioning care for damaged hair, the Olaplex No.8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask is an intensive restorative treatment.
Powered by the brand’s signature patented bond-building technology, the hair mask works on all hair types to strengthen fragile bonds. Damage can arise from a variety of stressors including chemical processes, heat and styling, ponytails, brushing, or exposure to harsh environments. Damaged bonds can leave hair feeling dry, dull and unmanageable.
Infused with patented OLAPLEX Bond Building technology, this highly concentrated reparative mask adds shine, smoothness & body while providing intense moisture to treat damaged hair. Hair so visibly healthy, you can skip the styling.
This multi-benefit reparative treatment works to moisturise and smooth whilst adding body and shine, creating visibly healthier-looking hair.
I don’t rate all the members of the Olaplex family and honestly think you only need No 3 Hair Perfector at-home treatment (No1 & No2 are only used in-salon), but No 8 has been a revelation, I’ve already repurchased another two bottles.
HOW TO USE
Apply to clean, damp hair mid-length to ends and work through with fingers. Leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse fully and style as usual. Start with 2 pumps for shoulder-length hair. Use more for longer, thicker hair. Less for fine or short hair.
REVIEW
My hair, which I carefully nurtured and brought back to life with Monpure products and gentle handling has not taken kindly to being highlighted. In fact, I’ve had two ‘full heads’ of highlights since April and I’m due for another full head in two weeks.
My highlights are bright and vibrant on day one, then, a week later (I only wash my hair once a week now) the colour has completely faded.
I don’t know what it is. Is there too much grey silver and it’s fighting the bleach, or is it because my hair grows very fast and the highlights grow out too soon or is it my post-menopausal hormones having one last laugh at my expense? Whatever it is, the colour has done a disappearing act.
While I’m not happy with the colour, the condition is as good as ever. My hair is strong and healthy. There are no split ends, no frizz, no flyaways. In fact, the underneath part – a dark brown blonde (bronde) slightly shot through with grey is shiny and vibrant. The top outer layer of hair, however ie the part everyone sees, is a dull mousey brown. I had enough of that insipid hair shade during lockdown, it has to go.
I bought No 8 as I was stocking up on No3 Hair Perfector and used it for the first time a few weeks ago.
It’s in pump form which makes it marginally easier to dispense than other Olaplex products and has that peculiar Olaplex scent that isn’t really a proper scent and is a tiny bit cloying.
I mentioned the method below in my Olaplex post, and I did this the first time I used the mask. If I don’t have time I’ll just apply it in a steamy shower. The steam treatment amplifies results, but I think this mask needs some sort of heat to activate it, even if it’s just a hot towel.
There are a few variations, but here are the basic instructions:
-
-
- Apply a conditioning treatment to towel-dried hair.
- Soak towel – or a towelling hair turban, in very hot water.
- Use rubber gloves and wring out a towel/turban so it’s not dripping wet.
- Place over hair asap.
- Put a shower cap on over this to keep heat in.
- Wait 10-30 minutes depending on your conditioner instructions.
- Rinse hair in lukewarm water.
-
Despite the instructions, I’m quite generous with the application but keep the mask away from my roots. I find it takes a lot of rinsing to get the product out and even then I always feel a slight residue on my hair.
Combing through is smooth and easy. During lockdown my hair always knotted after I washed it.
Even as I’m drying it I can still feel a slight coating, but my hair never feels weighed down. The end result I’m happy to say is nothing short of phenomenal.
Olaplex No 8, you miracle worker. Suddenly I can see my highlights, glossy and bright. It’s as if they were hiding all along.
The mask is designed to moisturise and restore damaged hair, but on me, it gave me back my colour for a good five days before it faded again.
I have to force myself not to use it every week. I just know my hair would get used to it and it wouldn’t be as effective each time. I’m also using Monpure’s Clarifying Scalp Scrub to prevent build up as it’s a thick, heavy-duty mask.
I absolutely love it, like all of the Olaplex products, it’s ridiculously overpriced, but this and No3 are the star players from the Olaplex line.
My faith in Olaplex is restored after the crushing disappointment that was No0 Intensive Bond Building Hair Treatment. I just hope they don’t bring out any more products, where else can they go?
SHOPPING INFO
Olaplex No.8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask 100ml £26.00. I bought mine for £20.80 at AllBeauty *
*Affiliate link
