I've been dying parts of my hair since I was 16, but it wasn't until recently that I dedicated to becoming a bottle blonde. I love how my platinum locks make me feel and look, however it was not without its downside – dry, brittle strands that break easily. Enter Olaplex No. 3.

Not only must i spend 4 hours in the salon chair every eight weeks, but I've also wasted a lot of money on products proclaiming to melt and repair my bleach-damaged hair. (You should begin to see the graveyard of half-used bottles in my shower.) But following a large amount of trial and error, I finally found something which actually works – and is effective!

After lamenting to my colorist about my hair feeling particularly crispy and dry, she suggested Olaplex's No. 3 Hair Perfector (Buy at Sephora, $28). It's a treatment are applying before your favorite shampoo and conditioner that repairs, restores, and strengthens damaged hair. At first, I hemmed and hawed about what I figured was an outrageously high cost, but after I saw the results I knew it was worth it. Whether you dye your hair or not – but particularly if you do – it is a must-have addition to your beauty regimen.

Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector

Buy at Sephora ($28)

  • Transforms damaged, brittle strands into glossy, shiny locks
  • Free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates
  • Leaves hair smelling fresh and fantastic

Not a conditioner, but rather an at-home treatment created by chemists, Olaplex No. 3 strengthens tresses from inside, reducing breakage and restoring your hair's healthy, shiny appearance. Designed to focus on all kinds of hair, including wavy, curly, straight, and tightly coiled locks, it's easy to use and smells amazing.

Promising reviews:

  • “Can't say enough relating to this product. My hair feels 100 times better after using this – soft, healthy, and refreshed.”
  • “This product is a game changer for me. My hair feels amazing – I usually allow it to set for 10-15 minutes before rinsing and washing my hair. I suggest this to everyone who asks me things i use!”
  • “This left my hair soft, also it smells so good! I have damaged hair from highlighting and coloring, and this has made my hair feel softer simply by utilizing it for 2 weeks.”

How do you use Olaplex No. 3?

Simply use the treatment to damp, unwashed hair, allow it to sit for roughly 10 minutes, then shampoo and condition. When I first tried it out one evening, I could tell that my hair felt softer in the shower, however I wasn't sure if that was since i had just conditioned it. However when I woke up the following morning, not just did my hair not seem like straw, it was silky and smooth again. When I looked down after my strands, I did not see tumbleweeds, my mane was shiny, sleek, and bonus, it smelled so nice. Now, I definitely notice a difference when I utilize it versus after i don't.

Can you utilize Olaplex No. 3 overnight?

The only hiccup I've experienced is when I decided to use Olaplex No. 3 overnight. I thought I would end up getting the sleekest, glossiest hair ever, but it just made my scalp super itchy – similar to the way it feels post bleaching. Plus, sleeping having a shower cap onto protect my pillows was so uncomfortable. Suffice it to say, I will not be trying that again.

But that one teeny tiny mishap aside, I can only say advantages to this product. Whether hair is damaged from dye or frequently using extreme heat tools, I can not recommend Olaplex No. 3 enough. Your locks will drink up this magic potion, and the result is salon-worthy strands.