I’m sure you’ve seen Olaplex Hair Oil everywhere from TikTok to Instagram but is it actually worth it? I’ve been using this hair oil since 2023, and it is one thing I use both for me and my daughter all the time.
Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil is used for a variety of ways – everything from frizz control to heat protection to bond repair. It’s great for anyone who uses heat on their hair (hair dryers, curling irons, etc) or anyone who deals with flyaways. It’s also fantastic at adding a bit of shine and softness to your hair!
There’s even an unsolicited reader testimony included below.
Let’s get to it!
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Why Olaplex No. 7 Is So Popular
If you’ve spent any time looking up hair products, chances are you’ve heard people rave about Olaplex No. 7. It’s one of those products that keeps popping up in conversations, salon recommendations, and “holy grail” lists because it doesn’t feel like a typical hair oil.
After years of research, a key chemical compound was invented and patented that has become the core of Olaplex’s product line. This means what Olaplex offers is unique versus other hair care products.
The whole Olaplex line is built around the idea of repairing and strengthening hair that’s been damaged from heat styling, coloring, and everyday wear and tear. No. 7 takes that same concept and puts it into a lightweight leave-in oil that’s designed to smooth, protect, and add shine without weighing hair down.
It’s also one of Olaplex’s most hyped leave-ins because it multitasks. Instead of needing a separate heat protectant, shine serum, and smoothing oil, this is meant to do a little bit of everything in just a few drops. That combination of treatment plus styling product is what makes it feel different from a lot of other hair oils that are purely cosmetic. It’s not just about the finish — it’s about helping your hair look better and stay healthier over time.
What It’s Supposed to Do (According to Olaplex)
As it says on Olaplex’s website:
“The Nº.7 Bond Building Oil, infused with patented OLAPLEX Bond Building Technology, is a weightless, reparative styling oil that dramatically increases shine, softness and color vibrancy while providing heat protection of up to 450º F (232º C).”
The main things that it does is help tame frizz, strengthen and protect your hair, add shine and serves as a heat protectant. I personally use it for all of the things. I use it on my daughter’s hair to strengthen and protect it since we are so often doing hairstyles that can be tight and cause damage.
How I Use Olaplex No. 7
First, it helps to know our hair types since both my daughter and I use this. I have medium-length, color-treated blonde hair that’s on the finer side. I wash it about 2–3 times a week and almost always blow dry it, then use a curling iron or flat iron most days.
My daughter (who is 8) has incredibly long, wavy dark brown hair. We never use heat on her hair and always let it air dry. I cut it every 3–6 months and we do a lot of braids, high buns, and ponytails. She also has fine hair.
The biggest thing to know is that you only need a tiny amount — usually just a drop or two. A little goes a very long way especially if you’re someone with fine hair like us. And always start in the length of your hair before moving to the top.
For my daughter, I mainly use Olaplex bonding oil on dry hair before styling. I’ll rub a small drop between my hands and smooth it over her hair before doing bubble ponytails, braids, or top knots to add a little protection and help with flyaways. I also lightly smooth it near the top of her head when I’m doing double French braids to keep flyaways down. Her long hair instantly looks smoother and healthier.
For my own hair, I use it mostly on damp hair right after washing before I blow dry. I love knowing it’s giving some heat protection while also helping strengthen my hair. I’ll also sometimes add the tiniest bit to dry hair after styling, especially on split ends, if they’re looking a little rough or frizzy. It works especially well for blowouts, curls, and just smoothing everything out at the end to give the appearance of healthy hair.
What I Noticed After Using It
After using Olaplex No. 7 consistently, the biggest difference I noticed was how my hair felt just as much as how it looked. I can run my fingers through it and immediately tell it is softer and smoother, not just shinier. The shine is there, but it never looks oily or heavy. It just is healthy-looking.
What really stands out is how lightweight it is. A lot of hair oils can make fine hair feel greasy or weighed down, but this one does not. As long as I stick to a drop or two, my hair still has movement and volume. It smooths dry ends, breakage and flyaways without making my hair look flat or coated.
Over time my hair also seemed healthier overall, not just like I was having a good hair day. My ends looked less dry, I had less flyaways, and everything felt easier to manage. With my daughter’s hair the difference is even more obvious. Her hair looks smoother and shinier right away, especially before braids or ponytails.
I have also had readers message me saying how soft their hair felt after using it and how it gave shine without the greasy feel they usually expect from oils. That feedback mirrors my experience almost exactly. It improves both the look and the feel of your hair, which is not always the case with styling products.
And clearly I am not the only one who noticed a difference. I have had readers message me saying how surprised they were by how soft their hair felt after using it and how it gave shine without the greasy feel they usually expect from oils. That feedback mirrors my experience almost exactly. It improves both the look and the feel of your hair, which is not always the case with styling products.
The Ingredients (And Why They Matter)
Ok time for a little science less (thanks to the Olaplex website!). Your hair contains millions of disulfide bonds which work to give our hair its structure, strength and stability. When your hair is damaged from using heat, coloring it or putting it in too tight hairstyles for example, your disulfide bonds are now broken.
The patented active ingredient Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate helps to restore the broken bonds of your damaged hair and bring it back to it’s strong, beautiful state. And yes, this works for all hair types!
The key ingredient is their patented Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate which can literally repair damage in as little as 3 minutes.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Lightweight
- Adds shine
- Good heat-styling companion
- Noticeable effects within minutes
- Light scent that doesn’t linger
- Easy to use
- Doesn’t make your hair greasy or feel oily
Cons
- Application can be confusing
- Price can be a factor because of how small the bottle is (but once you realize how long it lasts it this isn’t really a con)
- Not a deep treatment
Where to Buy
You can buy the Olaplex Nº.7 Bond Building Oil a variety of places!
FAQs
It will not magically fix severe damage overnight, but it absolutely improves the look and feel of damaged hair. It smooths dry ends, adds shine, reduces frizz, and helps hair feel softer and healthier over time.
Use it every time you style your hair. I apply it on damp hair before blow drying or heat styling, and sometimes add a tiny bit to dry hair after styling for extra smoothness and shine. You only need a drop or two each time.
Most reviews are very positive. People commonly mention added shine, smoother ends, and less frizz without a greasy feel. Many also say a tiny amount goes a long way and that it works well for fine hair.
Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil Reviews: Is It Worth It?
I think Olaplex No. 7 is a great fit for anyone who heat styles regularly, deals with frizz or dry ends, or just wants a little extra shine without weighing their hair down. It fits really easily into a normal routine since you only need a drop or two and can use it on damp hair before styling or on dry hair to smooth the ends.
If you already love lightweight oils or have fine hair that gets greasy easily, this is one I think you will really appreciate. On the flip side, if you rarely use heat, prefer heavier moisturizing oils, or are looking for a deep repair treatment instead of a styling oil, it might not feel as necessary.
For me, it works best as a small everyday add on rather than a miracle product. It is one of those simple extras that makes hair look a little smoother, a little shinier, and a little healthier without much effort.
My hair was extremely dry, use Olaplex 7, my hair is soft and shiny, I both t for my daughter, I recommend it 💯 percent.