Sure, Olaplex has a ton of hype. It is literally all over Instagram and Sephora. But depending on your hair (and scalp!) needs, it might not be right for you. My favorite alternative? Act+Acre's BRAND NEW Hair Oil.
Here is my own comparison between Act+Acre's Hair oil and Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Hair Oil.
Why Act+Acre Hair Oil Beats Olaplex Bonding Oil:
1. Act+Acre is scalp-oriented and wellness-focused.
Act+Acre believes that a healthy scalp means healthy (and beautiful) hair too. And their recently launched Hair Oil is just the type of versatile and hair-health-focused formula I have come to expect from this brand. This is their very first styling product (though you can also use it for overall hair health!) and it took them 2+ years to develop the perfect oil with thoughtfully chosen ingredients. This formula is vegan, silicone-free, paraben-free, phthalates-free, and pregnancy-safe.
Olaplex is a treatment designed to benefit hair appearance but less the hair's overall health. And, sure, that might be enough for you. But if you are looking for a product that offers more, well, Act+Acre is going to be the choice for you.
2. Act+Acre is powered by ethically sourced botanicals instead of silicones.
The Act+Acre Hair Oil ingredient list is short and very easy to read and understand. It is powered by Meadowfoam seed oil, squalane, and argan oil. It also has a soft unisex scent that is clean and very subtle. It arrives in a glass bottle with an easy-to-use dropper.
Olaplex boasts some goodies: sunflower seed oil, moringa oil, and vitamin E. But the main ingredients here are dimethicone (a silicone), isohexadecane (commonly used with silicones to add slip and shine), and isoparaffin (a petroleum derivative). And, sure, these ingredients work incredibly well and are safe to use, but if you are looking for a more holistic/natural solution, the ethically-sourced ingredients of the Act+Acre Hair Oil are hard to beat and are geared towards improving the health and shine of your hair both in the short and long term.
3. Olaplex Bonding Oil might not be ideal for platinum blondes.
Olaplex is highly recognizable by that gorgeous golden glow in the cute little bottle. But if you have cooler blonde hair or you have white hair, it might leave a slightly warm cast to your tresses depending on how often you use it. Act+Acre is a clear oil and doesn't leave any extra warmth. This is going to depend a lot on the shade of your hair and how porous it is, but it is worth a heads up!
4. Act+Acre Hair Oil is versatile!
You can use this oil on wet or dry hair, pre or post-styling, overnight (I recommend putting your hair in a bun or braiding it), or even as a booster to your fave hair mask. It is lightweight and nourishing enough to be used whenever you want without fear of greasy or weighed-down hair. Which, for me, adds a ton of versatility and value to my hair routine. And as a some-what haircare minimalist, it just rounds out the whole package!
Here is a before and after peek:
Before: Frizzy. I sleep on my hair wet most nights.
After: My waves are intact and my hair is shiny but not oily!
It just took a pea-sized amount and a minute to finger comb it though. It an instant upgrade to polished hair that looks like you gave more effort than you probably did. It also makes for a super chic and slick ponytail!
