Bargain vs Bougie: We Compare Our Top 4 Bond Repair Hair Products for Damaged Hair
Sadaf Razi is Adore Beauty's Senior Beauty Editor.
She's a former fashion editor (who worked at various glossy mags) and stylist-turned digital beauty and lifestyle writer. She has been in the lifestyle/media industry for over 10 years and her work has also been featured on international covers like Elle France and Vanity Fair Mexico.
Some of her fave Adore Beauty products include Cicaplast B5, CeraVe Cleansing Oil and Lancôme Renergie Triple Serum.
Raise your hand if you’ve coloured or bleached your hair so much it’s completely damaged and in need of more than just a hydrating mask.
Raise your hand if your holiday season consisted of excessive blow-drying, lots of swims and lots of UV exposure and now your hair feels brittle, fried and straw-like.
If you’ve raised your hand even once, then you’ve landed on the right article damaged-hair pals.
Until now, you’ve probably relied on hydrating and nourishing shampoos and conditioners to bring your damaged hair back to life.
But if you're still not having any luck then it’s time to revive your damaged tresses by enlisting the help of some heavy-duty haircare.
That heavy-duty haircare is going to come in the form of bond repair hair products/treatments.
These workhorses penetrate deep into your hair strands to repair your hair from the inside out.
You used to only be able to access these kinds of bond-building hair products in salons when getting a professional treatment, but not anymore friends.
Brands like K18, Olaplex and L'Oreal have created some of the best hair bonding products that you can use at home.
Did I mention that we happen to stock some of the best bond haircare products at Adore Beauty?
Silly me.
Keep scrolling for some of our best bond-repairing haircare products to bring your damaged strands back to life.
But first...
What Are Hair Bonding Products?
What are hair bonding treatments or bond-building haircare products you ask?
First, let’s start with the actual hair.
Our hair is made from a protein called keratin which is held together by bonds.
This is what makes your hair look and feel healthy!
When those bonds are broken thanks to the usual suspects like colouring and bleaching or chemical, UV and excessive heat-styling damage, hair becomes damaged, dry and prone to breakage.
This can also lead to your once shiny hair looking dull and lacklustre (this is not the energy we want to be taking into 2023).
That’s where bond building hair products come in.
They really do the most to restore (and rescue) broken bonds by rebuilding them and as a result strengthening your hair to avoid further damage.
Your colour will regain its vibrancy, and your brittle hair will return to its previous shine and health.
Here are just four of our best bonding products for hair…
1. L'Oreal Professionnel Metal Detox Mask, $49.50.
What:
Fast facts:
- The L'oreal metal detox mask is a rich, protective treatment for coloured hair to make it stronger and softer.
- Is suited to all hair types and textures.
- Has been specifically designed to be used after any colour service to offer strength and protection to hair that's been weakened by hair dye and bleach.
- Also helps maintain your existing colour, keeping it vibrant as well as adding shine.
- Has a rich and hydrating feel.
- Has clarifying ingredients like salicylic acid and nourishing ingredients like glycerin and vitamin E.
- $49.50 for a 250ml tub.
How to use:
Once hair is washed, squeeze out as much water as possible and work this mask through from root to tip.
Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse.
Best for:
This mask is suited to hair that’s been coloured, balayaged or lightened especially if it’s in need of some extra TLC.
If you’re looking for a more affordable option in the bond repair haircare category, give this mask a go.
It’s also great for lazy hair mask users like me who are only willing to wait a few minutes before rinsing out.
You may have also spotted the L'oreal metal detox range in some professional hair salons too!
Pop this one in your cart if your damaged hair also needs an extra hydration boost.
Here are a couple of our fave L'oreal metal detox reviews:
“I enjoy using the L'Oreal Metal Detox Shampoo and followed up with the Metal Detox Mask. I have colour treated blonde hair. This product has a pleasant scent and is rich and creamy in texture. I apply the mask, leave it for 5 minutes and then wash it off. After blow drying my hair, my hair feels nourished and hydrated. Overall, my hair appears brighter and less brassy. After a week of using the shampoo and mask together, I have noticed that my hair looks refreshed, brighter and shinier. I would definitely recommend this product to those seeking a brightening and hydrating hair mask.” - Tarryn.
“I don't remember the last time my hair has felt and looked this good aside from coming home from the salon.” - Holly.
2. L'Oreal Professionnel Metal Detox Shampoo, $49.50.
What:
Fast facts:
- A creamy, gentle shampoo to detoxify lightened or coloured hair.
- Helps maintain your colour and adds shine.
- Suited to all hair types and textures.
- Also has clarifying ingredients like salicylic acid and nourishing ingredients like glycerin and vitamin E.
- $49.50 for a 300ml bottle.
How to use:
Use the L'oreal metal detox shampoo like you would any other shampoo.
Simply lather it in wet hair then rinse!
Follow with the L'Oreal Professionnel Metal Detox Mask.
Best for:
Those who want something they can use regularly during the week.
My mum has dry, coloured hair and is currently using this shampoo. I can totally vouch that her colour looks more vibrant and her hair also feels softer!
For those who aren’t in the position to splurge on anything above $50, this 300ml shampoo bottle is a more cost-effective solution than one of the pricier bond repairing treatments.
AB customer Fiona who has bleached highlights says:
“I have fine dark blonde hair with bleach blonde highlights.”
“Who knew metal accumulation in your hair was a thing?! After only 4 days of use, my hair looks refreshed and the metal detox shampoo has actually made my hair colour more vibrant.
Hopefully this means I can keep my colour for longer and space hair colouring appointments further apart to keep my hair healthier.
Not sure if it the metal detox shampoo is meant to but my hair definitely feels more voluminous/thicker and less fragile.
I followed up with the L'Oreal Metal Detox hair mask and will continue with this as a weekly routine. Definitely worth the investment.”
3. Olaplex Hair Perfector No.3 Home Treatment, $54.00.
What:
Fast facts:
- Olaplex no 3 is an at-home hair treatment that restores strength, resilience and elasticity to damaged hair.
- Can work both with and without the first two steps of the Olaplex process to restore broken bonds of the hair.
- This Olaplex hair treatment works to rebuild hair from its core, reduce breakage and strengthen all hair types.
- Olaplex no.3 also helps to smooth and de-frizz over-processed and damaged hair.
- Uses salon-quality ingredients to provide professional results at home.
- One of the first brands to create bond-building technology that could be used at-home.
- Is known for and powered by its patented ingredient - aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate.
- Is often recommended by hairstylists for lasting hair repair.
How to Use:
Before your shampoo/cleansing step apply on damp hair, applying from roots to ends.
Leave on for 10 minutes then rinse.
Continue with your shampoo and conditioning step.
If you want to keep a streamlined Olaplex treatment routine, then you can use the Olaplex 3 with the Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Strengthening and Reparative Hair Shampoo and Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance Strengthening and Reparative Hair Conditioner
Olaplex no 3 can be used 2-3 times a week for best results.
Tip: The longer you leave Olaplex 3 in your hair, the longer it can find damaged areas to rebuild the structure of broken bonds.
You can even apply it on dry hair and slick it back in a bun for a full-day treatment (the perfect way to get another day out of dirty hair before washing).
Best for:
Those who have damaged hair from colouring, heat styling and bleaching.
The Olaplex hair perfector no 3 can be used by all ages, genders and hair types.
Also a great one to add to cart for repairing and reducing breakage.
Does Olaplex no 3 work?
We’ll let these Olaplex reviews do the talking:
“I love this and it's one of my staples. I have dry bleached hair and this has helped to keep it healthy and damage free! I get compliments from my hairdresser each time I visit on the health of it.” - Marns.
“I am 75 and I get foils every 3 months so my hair was constantly dry and I needed to use daily hair oil to combat the dryness. Since using this, and the number 0 pretreatment solution, I have not had to use oil at all. The effect seems to last for several weeks, so even though it is expensive I only need to use it about once per month.” - Kate.
Shop Olaplex 3, 4 and 5 here:
4. K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Mask, $99.50.
What:
Fast facts:
- What is k18? The k18 hair treatment is a no-rinse, leave-in treatment that’s clinically proven to reverse hair damage caused by colouring, heat and styling.
- The k18 leave-in molecular repair mask works in just 4 minutes.
- Is made with a patented bioactive peptide and works by repairing the keratin within each strand.
- Is known for making hair stronger, softer and more manageable.
- Is vegan as well as sulphate, cruelty and paraben-free.
- You can read our full K18 hair treatment review here.
How to use:
Unlike other treatments, the famous k18 hair mask doesn’t have to be rinsed out which already makes it a winner.
Just shampoo your hair as normal, skip conditioner (this is important as conditioner leaves a film that blocks the k18’s peptide from penetrating properly), towel dry your hair, then spread one pump of the k18 mask through your hands and evenly distribute it from ends to roots.
Let the treatment sit for four minutes before combing and continuing with your other styling products.
If you have longer hair, you may want to work a bit more than a pump through.
Initially, use k18 four washes in a row and then continue to use it every four to six washes after that.
Best for:
Is K18 worth it?
If your hair is really damaged from colouring in particular, this treatment is worth the splurge.
We know it’s spendy, but it’s hugely popular for a reason.
It even blew up on TikTok after people were experiencing softer and shinier hair.
The k18 hair treatment is also used (and loved) by professional hairstylists because it’s that good.
I asked Sophie Butson, professional hairstylist and owner of South Australian hair salon @socoh_salon why she uses the k18 hair treatment on her clients.
She says, “We absolutely love using the k18 hair mask at Socoh Salon because not only does it strengthen and repair hair in the salon and at home but it only takes 4 minutes.”
“It is super easy to use and helps bring the hair back to its most healthiest, youthful state.”
Want to read some k18 reviews?
Adore Beauty has over 60 five star k18 leave-in molecular repair hair mask reviews alone.
Here are just a few…
“Such an amazing product! My hair has never looked better. It feels strong and always has a beautiful shine to it when I used k18.” - Nik.
“I have bleach-blonde, frizzy hair and up until using K18, I have NEVER in my life washed my hair and left the house to let it air-dry - it's just gross. But this is an absolute game-changer. I have been using it for a year now and have not heat-styled my hair once. When left to air-dry, my hair is soft, wavy and (almost) completely frizz-free. The best part? Because I no longer use a hair drier or straightener, my hair is finally growing. Honestly a godsend. Worth every penny. I will be purchasing again and again (and again)” - Bella.
“This was fantastic for my hair. At first I was very skeptical of not using conditioner. However this has healed my hair. I have less breakage and it looks softer and healthier overall.” - Maddifio.
If you don’t want to commit to the 50ml just yet, k18 also comes in a 5ml size (and for existing K18 mask fans, this is great for travel).
Shop k18 50ml and 5ml here:
And there you have it!
If you’re looking to level up your damaged hair routine add one of these bond-repairing haircare products to your cart immediately.
Want some more haircare content? Check out some of our recent Beauty IQ hair articles and reviews below:
