Olaplex vs Curlsmith: Don't Choose Without Reading This!

Hair damage is everywhere, and it’s a growing problem—or a not-growing problem, in some instances—as the use of dyes continues to grow and many of those suffering from it seeks to deal with environmental damage as well.

A growing cluster of companies are seeking to solve it, though, and of course, they’re also looking to make boatloads of money in the process.

One of the most intriguing battles is Olaplex vs Curlsmith, so let’s take a look at what they do and how they work, then pick a winner in this showdown.

The Hair Bonds Damages

Usually, hair bonds are a collection of keratin structures that are held together by bonds. These bonds are usually either disulfide bonds, salt bonds, or hydrogen bonds.

The first one, disulfide bonds, when exposed to bleach and chemical treatments are easily damaged.

This is why bonding products like Olaplex and Curlsmith target only disulfide bonds since that’s where the damage occurs the most.

Salt bonds, on the other hand, are damaged only when the pH balance in the hair is disrupted.

So, if the amount of protein or moisture in the hair reduces below the right level or above, it may cause these bonds to become imbalanced or damaged.

Hydrogen bonds damages are caused by the presence of excess moisture in the hair, i.e. overloading the hair with moisture.

Adding a bonding treatment to your regimen is something you want to do. And if you’re reading this, you’re on already on the right path.

If you’re suffering from color damage or heat damage or want your curls to be extra lively, then you want to consider an effective bonding treatment.

Both Olaplex and Curlsmith have a lot of positive reviews and praises but which one is better? Let’s find out:

Olaplex vs Curlsmith: Which Is Better?

Let’s look at each brand in turn. You should be able to decide which one is great and most suitable for you. Let’s start with Olaplex:

Olaplex

Olaplex #3 Hair Perfector and Curlsmith, aka Bond Curl Rehab Salve, may compete in the same basic market, but they’re very different products.

Simply put, Curlsmith is more of beauty treatment for flagging or overloaded curls, while Olaplex takes more of a medical approach to the issues at hand.

A simple look at the ingredients reveals the differences in spades. Both products are pre-shampoo treatments, but Olaplex claims to have a patented system, with the key ingredient being Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate.

That’s quite a tongue-twister, and the company also claims that it works on the molecular level.

It’s strongly recommended especially for those who have suffered color damage from years of salon visits, and it’s also supposed to work for those trying to rehabilitate fine hair and give it more strength in the process.

The product is popular for a reason—to be direct it does work, but there’s also an important caveat.

The cost difference between Olaplaex #3 and Curlsmith Bond Salve is significant—you get 3.3 ounces of the former for $28, while Curlsmith gives you eight ounces of products for just a dollar more at $29.

Curlsmith Bond Salve

Given the strength of the reviews for Olaplex and its scientific formulation, it’s fair to ask why would you go with Curlsmith at all?

The lower price is one reason, but there are others. Curlsmith is rich in proteins, and it does claim to be able to repair hair from the inside out, although some users thought this to be a dubious claim.

Others love the smell of Curlsmith, not to mention the results they get despite the absence of a medical approach.

The touted ingredients include extracts from superfoods like chia and pumpkin seeds, shitake, and so on, so if you’re getting a holistic whiff there, you’re on the right track.

Keep in mind, though that if you go with Curlsmith the company recommends more wash days per week depending on the porosity of the hair being treated.

The one area where Curlsmith does seem to shine compared to Olaplex is when it comes to tightening curls.

The Decision

This one’s fairly easy, as there are enough differences between the product to simplify the call considerably.

If your hair damage is minimal and you’re just looking for a product to deal with some mild hair damage issues, Curlsmith represents a solid choice, although there are other products in this space you may want to consider.

If you’re looking for a serious hair-damage product, though, Olaplex #3 is the clear-cut winner.

It’s basically just a better product, with the caveat that you need to have a decent budget if you’re going to make a serious commitment to a tryout.

Related Posts:

We earn commissions if you purchase thru our link. Majority of products aren’t tested by the site owner (except a few). Content is from the research and feedback of users.