Reviewed by Nicky Spochter, Senior Hair Revival & Smoothing Expert, Partners Hair V&A Waterfront · September 2026
Olaplex No.7 is the product I hand to almost every client walking out after a smoothing treatment, and the one most of them are already using wrong. It's a finishing oil with Olaplex's bond-building chemistry and heat protection built in — not a treatment, not a mask, and not something you need a palmful of. Here's what it does, exactly how much to use, and where it fits in the range.
Key takeaways
- No.7 is a lightweight finishing oil with heat protection. It smooths, adds shine and protects — it doesn't repair the way No.3 does.
- One to two drops. Rubbed between the palms, mid-lengths to ends. Three is too many for most people.
- On damp hair before heat for protection, on dry hair for shine and frizz control. Either or both.
- Suits every hair type including fine hair — fine hair just uses less and keeps it off the roots.
- No.3 repairs, No.6 smooths and detangles, No.7 finishes and protects. Different jobs; most damaged hair uses all three.
What does Olaplex No.7 actually do?
Three things. It adds slip and shine to the surface of the hair, which is what makes frizz lie down and lengths look glossy. It carries a small amount of Olaplex's bond-building active, so it supports the repair the treatments do rather than undoing it. And it offers heat protection, which is the reason it belongs on the hair before the straightener, not just after.
What it doesn't do is repair broken bonds in any meaningful way. That's No.3's job, and the reason people say No.7 "did nothing for the damage" is that they expected an oil to do a treatment's work.
How much, and how
- Start with one drop. Two for long or thick hair. That's the whole dose — it's a concentrated oil, and the bottle is small for a reason.
- Rub it between your palms until it's almost invisible.
- Smooth through the mid-lengths and ends. Keep it away from the roots.
- For heat protection, apply to damp, towel-dried hair before blow-drying or straightening. For shine and flyaways, apply to dry, styled hair as the last step.
If your hair looks greasy or heavy by the afternoon, you used too much. Halve the dose before you blame the product.
Who is it for?
Anyone with frizz, dull lengths, dry ends or heat-styled hair — which is most people. It's especially good for colour-treated and lightened hair that's lost its shine, and for hair after a smoothing service, where a light oil keeps the cuticle sealed and the result lasting longer. Fine hair can use it too: one drop, ends only, and it adds gloss without weight. The only hair that doesn't need it is hair that's already oily to the ends.
No.3, No.6, No.7 or No.9?
No.3 Hair Perfector — the treatment. Ten minutes before shampoo, once a week. Repairs.
No.6 Bond Smoother — a leave-in cream. Detangles, smooths, cuts frizz for up to 72 hours. Heavier than No.7.
No.7 Bonding Oil — the finishing oil. Shine, frizz control, heat protection. Lightest.
No.9 Bond Protector Serum — a leave-in serum for pollution and heat protection, more about protection than shine.
A damaged-hair routine that actually works uses No.3 weekly and No.7 daily, with No.6 on days you're blow-drying. If you only buy one, buy No.3 — it's the one that changes the hair. No.7 is what makes it look finished.
After a smoothing treatment
This is where I use it most. Keratin, Brazilian and QiQi treatments seal the cuticle and it stays sealed as long as you don't rough it up — so the aftercare is about gentleness. Sulphate-free shampoo, a good conditioner, and one drop of No.7 on the ends after styling. The oil keeps the surface smooth and the treatment looks new for longer. Skip the heavy oils and butters; they coat the treatment and dull it.
The Cape Town factor
Sun, wind and dry indoor air in winter all strip the surface of the hair, which is exactly what No.7 replaces. In summer, one drop on dry hair before you go out does more against the South-Easter than any hairspray. In winter, apply it to damp hair before drying so the heat doesn't finish what the weather started.
The full range is in our Olaplex collection, and if you're new to it, start with the beginner's guide to bond building.
'No.7 is the one Olaplex product I send home with every smoothing client, and I always say the same thing: two drops. Everyone uses ten, tells me it's greasy, and goes back to a heavy oil that ruins the treatment. Two drops, ends only, and it'll keep the hair looking like it did when you left the chair.' — Nicky Spochter, Senior Hair Revival & Smoothing Expert, Partners Hair V&A Waterfront
Personal consultations with Nicky. Damaged or dull hair that isn't responding to products, or thinking about a smoothing treatment? Book a one-on-one with Nicky at our V&A Waterfront salon.
Book a hair revival consultation with Nicky · Shop Olaplex
Frequently asked questions
Is Olaplex No.7 a treatment?
No. It's a finishing oil with bond-building actives and heat protection. The treatment in the range is No.3.
How many drops of No.7 should I use?
One for fine or shoulder-length hair, two for long or thick. More than that goes greasy.
Wet or dry hair?
Damp before heat for protection; dry after styling for shine. Both is fine — one drop each time.
Can I use it on fine hair?
Yes. One drop, ends only, nowhere near the roots.
Does it replace heat protectant spray?
It provides heat protection on its own. If you use very high heat or a lot of it, a dedicated spray underneath doesn't hurt.
Can I use it after a keratin or QiQi treatment?
Yes — it's one of the best aftercare oils for smoothing treatments because it's light and doesn't coat the hair.
Advice from salon-trained professionals. Partners Hair — 24 salons across Cape Town, since 1984.
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