Good Housekeeping's beauty writer on why Olaplex's new hair serum saved her hair this summer (2024)

I can't remember a summer when my hair didn't protest.

My hair – coarse and thick, with a slight wave - does not like humid temperatures. How do I know? There are a few telltale signs. My coarse strands become seriously dry, and more prone to tangles; my waves lose their shape, becoming frizzy and fuzzed; no amount of product keeps the flyaway hairs down. If I want to keep my hair feeling soft, I can wave goodbye to a dip in the pool or sea; naturally, the salt and chlorine make my hair lose moisture.

I've tried many lotions and potions to remedy this. Serums, leave-in conditioners, masks, oils; there are few formulas and textures I haven't taken a chance on. A name that kept cropping up that I was yet to try, though? Olaplex.

I'd heard of the brand before; mostly for their shampoos and conditioners. I also knew they had big business in hair salons, and that they're valued by the pros. They came to prominence after patenting an impressive technology that does more than makes your hair just feel soft. Put simply, our hair is made up of tiny bonds that give it strength, structure and shine. When hair is damaged, these bonds break. Olaplex's technology enters these broken bonds to repair them from the inside, out, resulting in shinier, softer, healthier hair.

Consider my interest piqued. Instead of opting for the shampoo and conditioner, I chose to try the No.9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum, £26. Why? I find the hydration from a shampoo and conditioner only lasts so long. A serum – more lightweight, penetrable and something that doesn’t require rinsing out – boasts benefits that last between wash days.

The product is a lightweight serum that, they say, 'protects from pollution and heat damage; adds shine, bounce and moisture; helps hair keep style.'

While I have thick hair, fine hair types will enjoy this texture. It's silicone free, so doesn't feel like it weighs the hair down (the opposite is true - it absorbs with ease). I like to both blow and air dry my hair, but I noticed a particular difference after drying it with heat. Not only was my coarse hair markedly softer after use, but flyaways were diminished and I could see a satiny shine (a rarity). It's thought that it's harder for blonde hair to achieve shine, but the as the bond-building technology (and a whole host of other benefits) sit front and centre of this formula, I have high hopes for them, too.

My favourite benefit? The smoothness. Not only does the serum repair hair, but also protects it through the use of antioxidants, so damage doesn't happen in the first place. I like to think of it as a shield for my hair, stopping the impacts of humidity and pollution right in their tracks.

I only use half a pump on my mid-length, thick hair, so trust it'll last a long time. Shorter or cropped hair will find that a quarter of a pump will be ample; the texture is one that stretches and goes a long way. If your hair is short and particularly dry, try half a pump on damp hair; it’ll thank you for the extra nourishment, and won’t weigh it down.

You can shop the new serum – my new summer haircare saviour - here.

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