I’m Calling It, Olaplex's New No.9 Detangling Hair Serum Is Their Best Product Yet
Amy Clark is Adore Beauty's former Senior Editor and co-host of Skincare School the podcast (and self-appointed beauty road-tester!). Amy's worked as a journalist, beauty editor and podcaster for several years, previously writing and talking about all things beauty at Mamamia and You Beauty. When she's not writing honest, no BS product reviews and taking selfies 'for work', you'll find Amy eating halloumi in a hair towel turban and... taking more selfies.
My name is Amy and I have a controversial opinion.
Despite being a beauty editor with a decent understanding of hair science, and reading countless raving OLAPLEX reviews, I've never really bought into the OLAPLEX hype.
It's not OLAPLEX. It's me and my never-before-dyed virgin hair.
Sure, my hair sees some damage from daily life and using hair tools, but overall, it's pretty healthy.
Hence why I've never considered keeping an OLAPLEX product, like the cult OLAPLEX No.3 at-home treatment everyone's obsessed with, into my regular haircare routine.
Until now.
I'm calling it. OLAPLEX's new hair serum, OLAPLEX No.9, is the brand's best product yet.
Don't come for me, fans of Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector Pre-Shampoo Strengthening and Reparative Hair Treatment - just hear me out.
Keep scrolling for everything you need to know about the new OLAPLEX 9 hair serum, including my OLAPLEX review and why it's my new favourite hair product.
What Is OLAPLEX No.9 Serum?
Olaplex No. 9 Bond Protector Heat Protection & Frizz Reduction Nourishing Hair Serum is a hydrating, radiance-boosting, antioxidant protecting serum - for your hair, not your face.
The promise? Hair that looks instantly shiny, full of volume, detangled and smooth, all while being protected from hot tools and environmental damage.
Here are some other OLAPLEX 9 hair serum fast facts:
- OLAPLEX 9 is a weightless, leave-in hair serum shields hair from pollution for 48 hours and provides heat protection up to 232°C.
- Unique formula contains the signature OLAPLEX Bond Building Technology™ to repair extreme damage.
- Antioxidant-rich Red Algae Extract also bonds to hair like an invisible damage shield, smoothes hair cuticles to seal out harmful particles, and neutralises free radicals before they cause static, tangles, and breakage.
- It's anti-tangle, anti-static, plus style memory helps your hairstyles hold longer, and gives bounce to natural curls.
- Suited to all hair types and textures, and 100% vegan and cruelty-free. Also paraben, silicone and sulphate-free.
How to Use OLAPLEX 9.
Wondering... what is OLAPLEX? And is OLAPLEX worth it?
I highly recommend you watch our OLAPLEX YouTube video above to learn exactly how to use the OLAPLEX hair range.
As for how to use the new OLAPLEX hair serum, it actually couldn't be easier.
Apply one pump to damp, towel-dried hair, starting at the ends and working your way up to the roots.
Hot tip: I actually found using too much of the OLAPLEX product made my hair feel more straw-like, so less is more!
Style as you would with your hair dryer and prepare to spend several hours obsessively touching your hair.
My OLAPLEX 9 Review.
Fact: This hair serum is unlike anything I've tried before.
My love of hair oils is well-documented, so when I got the OLAPLEX 9 hair serum home and realised it legitimately looks and feels like a hydrating face serum, I thought:
Nup. No way that's going to be hydrating enough for my hair.
The OLAPLEX hair serum is completely clear and has the usual fresh, slightly floral scent the brand's products are known for.
But the texture is so hard to describe.
Let's go with a silky, ultra lightweight serum-jelly hybrid that isn't sticky in the slightest and even foams a little bit when you pump it into your hand.
After washing my hair and letting it sit in a hair towel wrap for around 30 minutes, I worked one pump, maybe even less, into my mid-lengths and ends. My roots got any leftover.
It honestly felt like applying hyaluronic acid to my hair.
And I didn't really know... how to feel about that.
Then, I started blow drying my hair and everything made sense.
Probably the biggest thing I noticed straight away is how my hair wasn't snagging, tangling or snapping through my fingers while blow drying.
Usually, I have to get knots and tangles out mid-blow dry using my fingers (even after brushing it).
None of that here.
While the serum was initially underwhelming when applied to my damp hair, I could see and feel my hair becoming softer, shinier and smoother as it dried.
The end result? No weight or heavy residue. Just slinky, soft, glossy, ultra-shiny hair.
Here's a before and after photo of my hair after using the serum!
Aside from the fact I'm in desperate need of a hair cut, I didn't find this product made a difference to frizz and smoothing flyaways, despite the anti-static claim.
But the reason I think the OLAPLEX hair serum is the brand's best product yet is because it gives me everything my fine hair needs.
Lightweight hydration. Protection from the elements. More days out of my blow dry.
And that silky, soft, shiny clean hair look and feel I'm OBSESSED with.
The only thing that would make it better?
Olaplex No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Damage Repair Hair Mask Treatment used in place of conditioner before applying this serum for a frizz-smoothing, hair-softening double whammy.
Which OLAPLEX Should I Use?
Finally, a lot of people ask if you have to use OLAPLEX products together for best results.
You absolutely can pick and choose your products and mix and match them with other brands, depending on your hair needs and budget.
OLAPLEX No.9 is basically Miss Congeniality - it'll get along well with all your other hair products.
Of course, OLAPLEX products are designed to work together in an OLAPLEX routine.
If you have the means and want to use a full OLAPLEX routine, here's how:
Step 1: Saturate each strand with Olaplex No.0 Intense Bond Building Treatment 155ml - this product is a primer and can be used to get the best results from the original OLAPLEX treatment, you can read our full OLAPLEX No.0 review here.
Step 2: Apply Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector Pre-Shampoo Strengthening and Reparative Hair Treatment and leave on for 20-30 minutes.
Hot tip: You only need a tiny amount of this product. Too much of a protein-based hair treatment can make hair feel dried out.
Step 3: Shampoo using Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Strengthening and Reparative Hair Shampoo or Olaplex No.4P Blonde Hair Hydrating & Brightening Purple Toning Shampoo if you have blonde hair.
Hot tip: Don't want to shampoo twice with your spendy OLAPLEX shampoo? Use a different one first and this one second.
Step 4: Condition with Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance Strengthening and Reparative Hair Conditioner or Olaplex No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Damage Repair Hair Mask Treatment (you could also use the mask once a week as a treatment).
Step 5: For the smoothest blow dry ever, apply a pump of Olaplex No. 9 Bond Protector Heat Protection & Frizz Reduction Nourishing Hair Serum and either wrap the hair in a hair towel to absorb excess water, or blow dry straight away.
Step 6: If we're going the whole hog, or if you have thicker hair prone to frizz, work a small amount of the Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother Frizz Control Styling Hair Cream leave-in styling cream into damp mid-lengths and ends before blow drying.
You can even apply a tiny amount of Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Frizz Reduction & Heat Protection Hair Oil for extra shine.
If you're bougie like that.
Want to read more OLAPLEX hair reviews? Check out these articles below:
