Our Verdict on the New Olaplex Shampoo That Promises to Deep Clean Your Hair & Scalp
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.
I'm going to keep this intro really brief, because we *need* to talk about the new Olaplex clarifying scalp shampoo.
It's called the Olaplex No. 4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo.
And if oily roots and an even oilier scalp are your daily struggles, this shampoo was made for you.
Hang on... aren't there, like, 10 different at-home Olaplex products now?
And how is this Olaplex shampoo different from the original Olaplex 4 shampoo?!
Navigating this professional salon-quality haircare brand can be overwhelming, but don't stress, I've got you.
Keep scrolling for my Olaplex shampoo review, including whether it's right for you.
What Is the New Olaplex Clarifying Shampoo?
If you've never heard of Olaplex before or aren't sure how to use Olaplex, our resident hair stylist Millie broke down the science for us in her Olaplex No.8 mask review.
"When the 'disulfide bonds' that hold your hair together are damaged by things like bleaching, colouring, heat styling damage - or all of the above - hair can become fragile, coarse and/or frizzy," she said.
"Olaplex products repair these broken bonds. The result? Stronger, softer, healthier hair that looks swishy and glossy."
Learn more about the science behind Olaplex hair products in this YouTube video below.
Now, back to the new Olaplex shampoo.
Here are main things you need to know about the Olaplex No. 4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo:
- This is a weekly scalp-cleansing shampoo.
- Removes product build up, oil, dirt, impurities, chlorine, hard water and heavy metals.
- Tames frizz and flyaways, nourishes dry, split ends, and cleanses oily scalps.
- Contains Olaplex's patented Bond Building Technology™ to support strong bonds as you cleanse.
- This vegan pH balanced shampoo is cruelty-free, suitable for all hair types and textures, and free from parabens, phosphates, phthalates and sulphates.
How to Use Olaplex Shampoo.
If you've used the original Olaplex shampoo before, Olaplex's clarifying shampoo is a little different.
You can also use it differently depending on how often you wash your hair, the amount of styling product you use, and how oily your scalp gets.
If you don't use a tonne of styling products, or just like washing your hair less frequently (dry shampoo fiends, looking at you), try using the Olaplex shampoo as a weekly clarifying mask.
Lather a coin-sized amount into wet hair, then let it process for up to five minutes while you go about your shower business.
Those with a super oily, unbalanced scalp, or anyone who use styling products daily, you'll want to swap your regular shampoo with this one.
Rinse - and repeat only if you feel like your hair and scalp need a deep clean - then follow with either a hair mask or your usual conditioner.
Side note, you don't have to use this shampoo exclusively with other Olaplex hair products.
But if they're in your budget, they have been designed to work really well together for best results.
My Olaplex Shampoo Review.
I've been using this shampoo for a couple of weeks now, and have tested it out in a bunch of different ways.
But first, let's discuss the packaging, because the powder blue bottle is a vibe in my shower.
The clear thick-ish gel shampoo also has the same fresh, floral scent regular Olaplex users will know and love.
For context, I have fine hair and a dry scalp that loves to overcompensate by producing even more oil.
After some trial and error (more on that in a bit), my favourite way to use Olaplex No. 4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo for my hair and scalp concerns is as a once-weekly treatment.
The lather of this Olaplex shampoo is so luscious and foamy. One wash is all I need for that squeaky clean, fresh scalp feeling.
I follow with the Olaplex No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Damage Repair Hair Mask Treatment in place of my regular conditioner.
If my hair needs it, I'll add a pump of Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother Frizz Control Styling Hair Cream to damp hair, wrap it in a hair towel like Kitsch Eco-Friendly Hair Towel - Black and let it marinate for as long as possible.
Otherwise, I'll do a pump of Olaplex No. 9 Bond Protector Heat Protection & Frizz Reduction Nourishing Hair Serum before blow drying when I'm in a rush.
The result? Super soft, shiny hair that feels clean and airy.
Personally, I've found shampooing twice with this shampoo like I usually would left my hair feeling a little stripped.
This is because even though the Olaplex clarifying shampoo is pH balanced to maintain hydration, it's still a protein-based hair product.
And as anyone who's ever used a big blob of a treatment like Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector Pre-Shampoo Strengthening and Reparative Hair Treatment or K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Mask 50ml thinking it'd get them better results would know, less is more with protein hair products.
I love the feeling of freshly-washed hair and avoid hair styling products at all costs, so it wouldn't make sense for me to use the Olaplex shampoo as a five-minute detox mask.
But if you use a lot of styling products, I guarantee, using it in that way will lift any and all product build-up.
Which Olaplex Shampoo Is Right For Me?
It goes without saying, all of the Olaplex shampoos are excellent...
But given the spenny price tag, you'll get the best bang for buck by using the Olaplex shampoo best suited to your hair needs.
(Kind of like how we choose skincare based on our skin concerns.)
After an all-rounder shampoo to maintain healthy hair and help your colour last longer?
Wanna stop lightened, blonde or grey hair from turning brassy?
Olaplex No.4P Blonde Hair Hydrating & Brightening Purple Toning Shampoo is your go-to purple shampoo!
Have a super oily scalp, use a lot of hair products, and/or find your roots get oily after one wash?
Add the new Olaplex clarifying shampoo to cart ASAP.
Want to read more Olaplex reviews? Check out these Beauty IQ articles here:
