My Hair Used to Shed Like Crazy Until I Started Using This Unique Olaplex Alternative (2024)


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When I was a kid, I used to envy anyone I knew who had pin-straight, shiny hair. Although I’m Filipino, and have cousins whose hair can barely hold a curl, my hair has always been a thick, frizzy mess. Because of that, it’s definitely been through its share of damage. For instance, all throughout high school, there wasn’t a day where I didn’t flat iron it straight. Once I hit college, I also wasn’t happy with the color, so I bleached and dyed it like every other month. Truthfully, I didn’t really appreciate my hair like I should’ve until I got sick in my mid-20s, which caused my hair to thin significantly. Now that I’m in my early 30s and much wiser about hair care than I was before, I’m constantly on the lookout for products that can help my hair be in the healthiest shape it can be.

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So, when I was given the opportunity to try a newly revamped hair bond repair treatment from one of the original developers of Olaplex, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Like so, so many beauty lovers out there, I’ve tried most of Olaplex’s products, including the famous No. 3 Hair Perfector. I remember liking it when I first tried it and definitely went through the entire bottle. But for whatever reason, I never bought it again.


With that said, I was excited to try the Epres Bond Repair Treatment, which numerous TikTokers have called a better alternative to Olaplex.

Epres Bond Repair Treatment

$50

Buy Now

The Epres Bond Repair Treatment features a patented formula that repairs “chemical, mechanical, and environmental damage” for all hair types and textures. It does so through an easy-to-use spray that repairs broken bonds and restores your hair’s structure in as little as 10 minutes. Not only that, the brand’s Biodiffusion Technology works at repairing each strand long after your hair has been dry.


How the Epres Bond Repair Treatment Works

My Hair Used to Shed Like Crazy Until I Started Using This Unique Olaplex Alternative (2)


The photo above shows exactly what you get with the Starter Kit. For one, there’s the bottle that sprays out continuous fine mist and seems to cover a lot of area. It was also recently upgraded to include a locking mechanism so you can take your Epres treatment on-the-go. Depending on which kit you choose, you either get two Bond Repair Concentrates (4-6 week supply for $50) or four (8-12 week supply for $75).


While the thought of having to mix the product was a bit intimidating (I didn’t want to mess anything up despite how easy it seemed), putting everything together was a total breeze. All you have to do is pour one vial in into the spray bottle, fill it with water (tap, distilled, or bottled — your choice), attach the sprayer, and shake. Super, super easy. It’s worth noting that once the product is mixed, it can be used for up to two months.


When you’re ready to use the product, spray it all over your dry, unwashed hair until it’s fully saturated. Then, leave it on for at least 10 minutes. I was getting ready for an event, so I left it on for about 30 minutes while I did what I needed to do. Per the brand, you can even sleep in it if you’d like and use it as an overnight hair treatment. Once you’ve left it on for some time, just shampoo and condition as usual.


Epres recommends using the Bond Repair Treatment about one to two times per week to see results i.e. softer, stronger, and healthier hair.


The Results

My Hair Used to Shed Like Crazy Until I Started Using This Unique Olaplex Alternative (3)


I followed the instructions and put the product all over my hair, with a little extra on the ends. Afterwards, I kept the product in my hair for about 30 minutes before hopping in the shower. I kid you not, I swear I could feel an immediate difference in my hair while I was rinsing off my shampoo and conditioner. You know when you use a really good conditioner or hair mask and your hair just feels super smooth as you rinse? That’s exactly how it felt after using the Epres Bond Repair Treatment.


My hair tends to get super tangled to the point that it’s such a struggle to run a comb through it, but that wasn’t an issue at all post-Epres. I blow-dried my hair with ease and absolutely loved how soft and smooth my hair felt. I really liked that my ends didn’t feel crunchy or over-fried. Not only that, ever since using the treatment, the amount of hair fallout I see on my pillow or in the shower has greatly reduced. After using it a few times, I really feel like it made my hair stronger and healthier overall. I can’t wait to see what it does for my hair in the long-run.


If you want to learn more about the Bond Repair Treatment, be sure to check them out on Epres today.


Before you go, check out the slideshow below.

My Hair Used to Shed Like Crazy Until I Started Using This Unique Olaplex Alternative (4)

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My Hair Used to Shed Like Crazy Until I Started Using This Unique Olaplex Alternative (2024)

FAQs

Is there a better product than Olaplex? ›

Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Intensive Treatment

Valcin frequently uses this pre-shampoo rinse-out treatment before clients' chemical services to preserve the integrity of their hair — and a number of reviewers insist that they actually had better results with this than Olaplex.

Can Olaplex dry your hair out? ›

But it's important to remember that it's not a hydrating treatment - so it won't necessarily make your hair feel extremely soft and shiny. A lot of people will use bond treatments and say their hair feels worse - dry and strawy.

How long does it take Olaplex to fix hair? ›

Olaplex 3 at-home experience

She explained that all I needed to do was simply apply the stuff to damp hair, put it in a bun, and let it sit. I could get great results in only 10 minutes, but she told me the longer, the better.

Will Olaplex 3 fix damaged hair? ›

3, a pre-shampoo bonding treatment (not to be confused with a deep conditioner—more on that later). “You can expect Olaplex to repair and add moisture to compromised hair, but no product at this point can bring dead hair back to life.

What is the closest thing to Olaplex? ›

Shop Products Similar To Olaplex

Here are the products similar to Olaplex: This Drugstore Shampoo: L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Bond Strengthening Shampoo. A Prestige Shampoo: Amika The Kure Bond Repair Shampoo. This Hair Repair System: Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Kit.

What works like Olaplex but is cheaper? ›

L'Oréal Paris EverPure Bond Repair Pre Shampoo Treatment

Instead of Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector, opt for this $10 L'Oréal formula that's half the cost. The EverPure Pre-Shampoo Treatment repairs weak hair bonds on all color-treated hair. It's a great addition if you're looking to strengthen your hair in just one use.

Can Olaplex cause shedding? ›

Olaplex has released a statement on its website strongly denying these accusations: “OLAPLEX products do not cause hair loss or hair breakage.

What happens if you use Olaplex too often? ›

Some treatments, such as protein or keratin, can have adverse effects on the hair used too often. They should be reserved only when needed. The beauty of OLAPLEX, is it's safe to use as often as possible because all hair can benefit from being healthier at any time.

Can overuse of Olaplex damage hair? ›

You cannot over use Olaplex, so the more often you treat the hair, the healthier it will be. We know, the good news just keeps on coming. Use No. 3 at least twice a week until your hair begins to feel better.

What are the cons of Olaplex? ›

Olaplex Pros & Cons
PROSCONS
Reduces frizzRequires more than one product to see effective results
Adds shine and smoothness to hairCan cause irritation to scalp
Restores and strengthens hairTakes more time to use in a single use
Suitable for all hair typesDepending on budget, can be costly
1 more row
Feb 1, 2022

Can Olaplex fix gummy hair? ›

Conclusion. In conclusion, while Olaplex can help mend gummy hair, the extent of its effect depends on the severity of the damage. It's a valuable tool in the arsenal against hair damage, but in severe cases, a haircut might be the best solution.

Is Ouai better than Olaplex? ›

Ouai products are expensive but better than Olaplex. The Body and Scalp Scrub smells phenomenal and makes the body feel clean and smooth. The Ouai Hair Mask is better than Olaplex, lasts long, and smells amazing. Ouai products not only make hair look great but also have amazing fragrances.

Is Olaplex or K18 better? ›

The main difference between K18 and Olaplex is that K18 repairs both the keratin chains and sulphur bonds in the hair, while Olaplex repairs only the sulphur bonds. This means K18 is a more complete and durable treatment, renewing the hair from the inside out, rather than just repairing it on the surface.

What works just as well as Olaplex? ›

Curly Girl Approved Bond Repair Treatments here!
  • Glycolic Acid – my cheapest Olaplex alternative of all. ...
  • K18 leave-in molecular repair hair mask – fastest acting Olaplex alternative for me. ...
  • Mane Method Mask. ...
  • Curlsmith Bond Salve – Olaplex Alternative with protein. ...
  • Hair Therapie Mask – Olaplex Alternative with protein.
Mar 21, 2022

Who is Olaplex's main competitor? ›

The main competitors of Olaplex include Waldencast (WALD), Yatsen (YSG), Edgewell Personal Care (EPC), Westrock Coffee (WEST), B&G Foods (BGS), Duckhorn Portfolio (NAPA), BRC (BRCC), Scholastic (SCHL), Mission Produce (AVO), and Bioceres Crop Solutions (BIOX).

Does Olaplex actually make hair healthier? ›

In theory it should be, it avoids all the processes that would lead to damage; coloring, lifting, texture changes. However, though these chemical processes have been known to damage hair in the past, Olaplex has helped even the most processed of manes look unicorn worthy.

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