Curlsmith Bond Curl vs. Olaplex

Curlsmith Bond Curl vs. Olaplex No. 3 Compared + GIVEAWAY!

This video is sponsored post, however all opinions are my own.

How does the NEW Curlsmith Bond Curl Rehab Salve Compare to Olaplex No. 3?! In this video, I will be doing a full comparison where I replicate the same routine, but switch out the 2 treatments to compare my results side-by-side.

Curlsmith’s Bond Curl Rehab Salve

Curlsmith Bond Curl Rehab Salve is a protein-rich intense pre-shampoo treatment that targets hair bonds to strengthen and repair from the inside out.” It contains natural ingredients such as chia seed extract, creatine, shiitake extract, prickly pear fruit extract, pumpkin seed extract and more.

How does it work?

  • Re-links broken hair bonds, including disulfide bonds, salt bonds, and hydrogen bonds
  • Repairs damage
  • Strengthens
  • Prevents breakage
  • Enhances curl pattern

How often do you use it?

Any hair type can use it, but those with damaged, high porosity hair can use it more frequently.
High porosity: Every 2-3 washes for at least 30 minutes
Medium porosity: Every 3-4 washes for at least 20 minutes
Low porosity: Every 4-5 washes for at least 15 minutes

How do you use it?

  1. Apply Bond Curl to damp hair in sections. Let sit for 15-30 minutes (see above).
  2. Shampoo
  3. Condition and/or deep condition for 10-30 minutes & rinse
  4. Apply stylers. I prefer to use protein-free stylers for protein & moisture balance. I used the Hold Me Softly Style Balm & Curl Defining Styling Souffle

Bond Curl is 8 fl. oz. and retails for $29 on Curlsmith.com

Bond Curl Results

I was impressed with the amount of curl definition and shrinkage that I had after using Bond Curl. As you can see in the photos above, my curl pattern definitely looks tighter. My curls are also shiny and feel healthy.

One thing I noticed after shampooing is that I definitely felt the need to deep condition to re-balance my hair with moisture. I also felt like I needed to use a curl cream as a base before my gel to help moisturize my curls. Just using a leave-in was not enough moisture to re-balance my hair. Using the Curlsmith Moisture Recipe stylers was perfect because they are protein-free.

Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector

“A concentrated treatment that strengthens the hair from within, reducing breakage and improving its look and feel.” It contains a patented ingredient, Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate, that works on a molecular level. Olaplex No. 3 is also silicone-free.

How does it work?

  • Re-links broken disulfide bonds
  • Repairs damage
  • Strengthens
  • Prevents breakage
  • Enhances curl pattern

How often do you use it?

Any hair type can use it once a week. It can be used 2-3 per week for damaged hair.

How do you use it?

  1. Apply Olaplex No. 3 to damp hair in sections. Let sit for 15-30 minutes (see above).
  2. Shampoo
  3. Condition and/or deep condition for 10-30 minutes & rinse
  4. Apply stylers. I prefer to use protein-free stylers for protein & moisture balance. I used the Hold Me Softly Style Balm & Curl Defining Styling Souffle

Olaplex is 3.3 fl. oz. and retails for $28 on Sephora or LookFantastic

Olaplex No. 3 Results

I’m never disappointed in my results when I use Olaplex No. 3. My curls look defined, feel soft and healthy, and are shiny. With Olaplex, and even with Bond Curl, results will improve over time the more you use them.

How do they compare?

It’s honestly hard to tell a difference because they both work great! I was happy to see the Curlsmith Bond Curl work just as well as Olaplex No. 3, because there is not much out on the market that has been proven to work just as well.

If I had to nit-pick, I would say my curls look tighter with the Bond Curl results, and I had more shrinkage. I think it’s a bit more potent after one use.

One of the main difference is the size of the bottle. You get more product with the Curlsmith Bond Curl so it will last longer.

The other biggest differences is the ingredients and how they work. Both products have the same objective and both repair broken bonds, they just achieve it in a different way. Olaplex No. 3 has a patented ingredient that works on a molecular level, whereas Curlsmith contains natural protein ingredients to strengthen.

Because Bond Curl is a protein treatment, there is a risk of protein overload if you use it too frequently and/or leave it on too long. Always use both products as directed. With Olaplex, I think you’re less likely to get protein overload because the directions say it can be used up to 3 times weekly. However, with any strengthening product, balance is key. Always follow up with deep conditioner and style with protein-free stylers.

Products Used:

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8 Responses

  1. Love the way the curlsmith looked on your style and curls. I didn’t see the shrinkage u say you had more than olaplex. Actually I liked the way your curls were better with curlsmith than the olaplex. u had better volume. I have never used curlsmith but would love to try their product. I have used olaplex 3 with a kerestase dose treatment and made it very soft, however afterwards I think olaplex made my hair dry and im already battling with frizz and dryness. Hope to try samples of curlsmith for hydration needed if I can before investing on first time use!!

  2. Love the way the curlsmith looked on your style and curls. I didn’t see the shrinkage u say you had more than olaplex. Actually I liked the way your curls were better with curlsmith than the olaplex. u had better volume. I have never used curlsmith but would love to try their product. I have used olaplex 3 with a kerestase dose treatment and made it very soft, however afterwards I think olaplex made my hair dry and im already battling with frizz and dryness. Hope to try samples of curlsmith for hydration needed if I can before investing on first time use!!

  3. Thanks for doing this review. I appreciate that you used the products on your whole head rather than both at the same time on each half. Honestly I can’t tell that much difference in the results, they both look great. I have only tried the Olaplex once and have been interested in the Curlsmith products. Now I’m really eager to try them. My hair is wavy, not curly, so I’m guessing it would still be good for my hair?

  4. Hi,
    I have a question on the curlsmith. What ingredients make it a protein treatment? I’m learning about ingredients and I don’t recognize any so I’m curious.

    1. It’s also a bond-builder, but the ingredients that act as a protein are creatine and chia seed extract. They don’t say the word “protein” so I know it can be confusing.

  5. I’m new on my curly journey so I haven’t used Olaplex yet but now I’m thinking that perhaps Curlsmith would be a more affordable option since that big bottle goes a long way.

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