Olaplex Hair Products | Bond Building Hair Care South Africa

Shop genuine Olaplex products online in South Africa at Partners Hair Design. As an authorised Olaplex stockist, every product we sell is 100% authentic — sourced directly from the official South African distributor. The world's leading bond-building hair care system — trusted by professional colourists worldwide.

Olaplex Guides from Partners Hair

New to Olaplex? Start with our complete beginner's guide to Olaplex in South Africa — every product explained, how to build a routine, the Cape Town humidity angle, and how to spot counterfeit Olaplex. Trying to decide between Olaplex and K18? Read our Olaplex vs K18 comparison, or our broader Bond Builders Explained: Olaplex vs K18 vs Acidic Bonding guide.

About Olaplex

Olaplex was founded in California in 2014 by Dean Christal, with chemists Dr. Eric Pressly and Dr. Craig Hawker developing the patented active ingredient. The brand launched with a single in-salon treatment and a revolutionary claim: it could repair the disulfide bonds broken during bleaching and colour processing — something no professional hair care product had ever done before.

The active ingredient — bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate — was patented and represented a genuine scientific breakthrough. Within two years, Olaplex was being used in salons across 100 countries. The brand has since expanded to a complete 9-step bond-building system covering in-salon treatments, at-home care, and styling.

The Olaplex System — All 9 Steps Explained

No.0 Intensive Bond Building Hair Treatment: Applied before No.3 for maximum repair. A pre-treatment that primes the hair for deeper bond repair — recommended for severely damaged or bleached hair.

No.1 Bond Multiplier (In-Salon Only): The original Olaplex treatment. Mixed into colour and bleach services in the salon to prevent bond damage during chemical processing. Available to professionals only.

No.2 Bond Perfector (In-Salon Only): Applied after colour and bleach in the salon to continue the bond-repair process before rinsing. Used by professional colourists at every service.

No.3 Hair Perfector: The most iconic at-home Olaplex product. Applied to damp hair before shampooing — a weekly bond-repair treatment that visibly reduces breakage and improves hair strength with regular use. The most recommended at-home treatment by professional colourists globally.

No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo: A gentle, sulfate-free shampoo that continues the bond-building process during cleansing. Suitable for all hair types — particularly recommended for colour-treated, bleached, and chemically processed hair.

No.4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo: A purple-pigmented bond-building shampoo that neutralises brassiness in blonde, highlighted, and grey hair while repairing bonds. A unique dual-function product that tones and repairs simultaneously.

No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner: A lightweight, bond-building conditioner that pairs with No.4. Provides moisture, detangling, and ongoing bond repair after every wash.

No.6 Bond Smoother: A leave-in styling cream that smooths, conditions, and eliminates frizz while continuing to repair bonds. Applied to damp hair before blow-drying — one of Olaplex's most popular styling products.

No.7 Bonding Oil: A lightweight, concentrated bonding oil that provides heat protection up to 450°F while adding shine and reducing frizz. Applied to damp or dry hair — one of the best-selling Olaplex products in South Africa.

No.8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask: A 4-in-1 hair mask that repairs bonds, adds moisture, enhances shine, and smooths the cuticle. Used weekly as a replacement for regular conditioner — particularly effective for dry, damaged, and colour-treated hair.

No.9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum: A lightweight serum that protects against environmental damage, UV rays, and heat styling while providing bond protection and shine.

How to Use Olaplex at Home

The most effective at-home Olaplex routine: apply No.3 to damp hair weekly (or before every wash for severely damaged hair), leave for a minimum of 10 minutes, then wash with No.4 shampoo and condition with No.5. Apply No.6 Bond Smoother before blow-drying and finish with No.7 Bonding Oil for shine and frizz control. Use No.8 mask weekly in place of conditioner for maximum moisture and repair.

The Olaplex Counterfeit Problem in South Africa

Olaplex is one of the most counterfeited professional hair care products in the world — and South Africa is particularly affected. Fake Olaplex products are widely sold on social media, online marketplaces, and through unauthorised retailers at prices significantly below the authentic retail price. Counterfeit Olaplex contains none of the patented active ingredient and can cause serious scalp reactions and hair damage.

Partners Hair Design is a verified, authorised Olaplex stockist. Every product is sourced directly from the official South African distributor. The authentic retail price for Olaplex No.3 in South Africa is a reliable benchmark — anything significantly cheaper is almost certainly counterfeit.

Frequently Asked Questions — Olaplex

How often should I use Olaplex No.3? Weekly for damaged or chemically processed hair. Fortnightly for maintenance once hair has recovered. For severely bleached hair, use before every wash for the first 4–6 weeks then reduce to weekly.

Can I leave Olaplex No.3 on overnight? Yes — leaving No.3 on overnight (covered with a shower cap) delivers more intensive repair than the standard 10-minute application. Particularly recommended for severely damaged or heavily bleached hair.

What is the difference between Olaplex and K18? Both are bond-building treatments but they use different chemistry. Olaplex (bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate) specifically reconnects broken disulfide bonds. K18 uses a biomimetic peptide to reconnect broken alpha and beta keratin chains. Many stylists and colourists recommend using both — Olaplex for ongoing maintenance, K18 for intensive repair sessions.

Is Olaplex No.3 the same as the in-salon treatment? No — No.3 is an at-home maintenance treatment. The in-salon Olaplex treatment (No.1 and No.2) is significantly more concentrated and is applied during and after colour services by a professional. No.3 maintains the results of in-salon treatments between appointments.

Why Buy Olaplex from Partners Hair Design?

Partners Hair Design is an authorised Olaplex stockist — every product is 100% authentic and sourced directly from the official South African distributor. Our colourists and stylists across Cape Town use Olaplex at Canal Walk, V&A Waterfront, Cavendish Square, Tygervalley, Somerset Mall, Gardens Centre, Cape Gate, and Constantia Village. Free delivery on orders over R390 across South Africa. Orders placed before 1pm on weekdays are dispatched same day.