We Try Out Olaplex No.4C Clarifying Shampoo

We Try Out Olaplex No.4C Clarifying Shampoo
I have a confession to make, and I don’t think Olaplex fans are going to approve. I don’t use Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo or No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner. It wasn’t until earlier this year when I was on route to a wedding and panic bought No.7 Bonding Oil that I finally understood the hype around the brand. Used on dry or damp hair, Olaplex’s hair oil has the ability smooth, soften and boost shine without weighing my hair down. Since then, I’ve embraced the No.8 Bond Intense Moisturise Mask and can recommend No.9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum to anyone who can’t live without hair dryers and straighteners.

The popularity around the shampoo and conditioner remains a mystery to me. That’s not to say they’re bad; I think they’re great formulas for cleaning and hydrating hair. They’re just not my favourites. That said, they are both, along with the iconic No.3 Hair Perfector, firmly within the top 11 bestselling beauty products at Space NK, so it’s safe to say that while I might not buy them in bulk, a lot of people do. That’s why I was so intrigued to try the brand’s new clarifying shampoo…

Top Line On Olaplex 4C Clarifying Shampoo

Designed to be used weekly, Olaplex No. 4C Clarifying Shampoo, $30.00 promises to give your hair and scalp a deep cleanse, ridding it of excess oil, dirt and pollution. In keeping with every product within the Olaplex range, the clarifying shampoo contains the brand’s patented and scientifically proven Bond Building Technology, which helps to strengthen and repair hair.

Everything You Need To Know About Olaplex’s Clarifying Shampoo

Clarifying shampoos have a reputation for stripping away everything in their path, including precious colour and every drop of moisture. As a result, most of us approach them with caution. The best clarifying shampoos give your hair and scalp a deep cleanse, removing the build-up of excess oil, dirt, pollution and leftover product. Olaplex has spent years perfecting this formula to ensure it rinses away the stuff you don’t want without leaving hair feeling dry and brittle.

The shampoo has a similar consistency and feel to the OG and it lathers up quickly. Olaplex recommends you leave it on for five minutes. On the basis of full transparency, I used this in the shower and didn’t leave it on for more than two- or three-minutes max. However, I can say with absolute authority, my hair felt lighter and softer afterwards, particularly around the roots. I followed up with Olaplex No.8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask, $30.00 and Olaplex No.9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum, $30.00.

Most experts recommend using a clarifying on a weekly or monthly basis depending on your hair type and lifestyle. Olaplex has designed its formula to ensure its effective but still gentle enough to be used weekly. I have thick, frizzy hair that’s constantly thirsty and I rarely use styling products in and around my roots, so I plan on using this monthly. Not sure how often to use it on your hair? If you get through a bottle of dry shampoo quicker than any other product in your stash, regularly swim, live in a hard water area or battle with an oily scalp, you’ll reap the rewards of weekly to fortnightly use. However, if you colour your hair regularly or use a toner, use your clarifying shampoo sparingly.

The Verdict On Olaplex 4C Shampoo

Olaplex No. 4C Clarifying Shampoo, $30.00 isn’t one of those must-have, need-it-now products that everyone rushes out to buy. It’s a slow burner that you might purchase if your hair is feeling a bit out of sorts, or if your hairstylist recommends it. Use it once and you’ll make sure you always have a bottle in your bathroom cabinet – I’d put money on it. Especially if you live in a hard water area as it washes out the metals that you didn’t realise were clinging onto your strands and hindering your shine. My hair feels softer and lighter without feeling squeaky clean or dry after using this.

More From Olaplex

Olaplex has created a system that works for all hair types and recommends we use the products to maximise the benefits of the Bond Building Technology. If you’re new to the brand, try – it’s the pre-shampoo hair treatment that everyone swears by. For those with dry, frizzy hair, I highly recommend tapping up the Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil, $30.00. Keen to find out more? Read our roundup of the best Olaplex products.

Read More

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Best Routine for Textured Hair
A Guide to Hair Oils
How to Achieve the Glass Hair Look
The Best Shampoos for Every Hair Type
Posted: Thursday, 30 June 2022

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