The Bond Builder For Better Hair
I’LL HAVE WHAT SHE’S HAVING:
THE BOND BUILDER FOR BETTER HAIR
How celebrity colorist Tracey Cunningham discovered the treatment that repairs, restores, and transforms her client's strands.
- Photography By
- ANNA PALMA
- Written By
- TRACEY CUNNINGHAM
Three years ago, I didn’t even know what Olaplex was. Now, my clients and I can’t live without it. Before the brand launched its in-salon treatment in 2015, I was their first tester. It actually came to me at the perfect time, because I was dealing with a really difficult client whose hair was naturally blonde. She dyed it red, and then shortly after wanted to go back to blonde. Needless to say, her hair was fried and her ends were a mess. I was just sort of managing the issue, but once I had Olaplex in hand, my client came back to the salon and it completely saved her strands. Basically, it allowed me to keep her hair intact.
Which is why, Olaplex has become my client’s’ drug of choice. There is not one person in my salon (Mèche, which I co-founded with stylist Neil Weisberg) that I don’t use it on. Someone’s hair could be perfectly healthy, but I would still use Olaplex during that appointment—it makes a huge difference in maintaining hair’s health. Even now, my clients specifically ask for the treatment and if we forget to do it, they remind us. The proof is in the pudding. Below is everything you need to know about these breakthrough hair repairers, including a breakdown of the science.
OLAPLEX 101
The brand was created by two scientists, Dr. Craig Hawker and Dr. Eric Pressly. Together they formulated a protective blend with bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate, a strengthening molecule, which acts as a bond builder on a molecular level to mend broken strands.
AT THE SALON
Before Olaplex formulated its at-home hair essentials, they crafted two products exclusively for the salon. Dubbed No. 1 Bond Multiplier and No. 2 Bond Perfector, both were created to relink bonds together and make your hair stronger. No. 1 is mixed with either a lightener, dye, or chemical treatment and applied while getting your hair colored. No. 2 is used when you’re back at the sink. After shampooing, it sits on hair for 20 minutes and is then rinsed out. Think of it as a hyper-effective deep conditioning mask.
AT HOME
Olaplex also has a three-step at-home system you can use to keep your hair healthy on your own. No. 3 is a treatment that you use once a week to reduce breakage, visibly strengthen hair, and improve its look and feel. No. 4, a reparative shampoo, and No. 5, a highly moisturizing conditioner, are your every day (or every five days, depending on your needs) cleanser and moisturizer to manage stress, frizz, and damaged hair.
CONTRIBUTOR STATS
Name: Tracey Cunningham | @traceycunningham1
Job Description: Celebrity Colorist
Where to Find Her: Los Angeles
Beauty Essential: Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector