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The new $ 12.99 Olaplex Dupe transformed my hair
Whether you’re interested in DIY colors or desperately need a cut, there’s no denying that the restrictions on COVID-19 have affected our hair. Dry wires, split ends and excessively processed lengths are just some of the problems for which we seek solutions and, with salons in some areas still closed, maintaining healthy hair is the responsibility of home treatments. From Coco & Eve Like A Virgin Supernutritive Mask for Coconut and Fig Hair to the Common Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density, there are a handful of game-changing hair products every minute, but one in particular is making waves among beauty lovers. Enter: The Inkey PCA Bond Repair Hair Treatment List. You have probably heard of The Inkey List, best known for its affordable line of skin care products filled with dermatologist-approved ingredients such as salicylic acid, retinol and vitamin C. The brand has recently expanded into hair care products and more recent product is getting numerous five star ratings. In fact, buyers are comparing it to the cult’s favorite hair product, Olaplex, which is more than double the price. When it comes to repairing bleached, dyed or heat-damaged hair, Olaplex is considered the gold standard, a treatment that all hairdressers repeatedly recommend. Previously only available in beauty salons, the brand has become a mainstay of many hair care routines at home, from Hair Perfector No.3 that started everything to No.6 Bond Smoother. The remarkable results are all thanks to the star ingredient, bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate, which is as effective as it is difficult to pronounce. The ingredient featured in The Inkey List’s Bond Repair is a little different: 10% bis-PCA dimethicone. “Why it hasn’t been used anymore is surprising,” Mark Curry, co-founder of The Inkey List, told me. He adds that while many bonding products appear to work only on straight, white hair, PCA Bond Repair promises to work on all types of hair, including thick, curly hair – and it all comes down to the compound itself. Without sounding too much like a chemistry class, the product works on all hair bonds, specifically disulfide bonds – which are damaged by bleach and color – and ionic bonds, which can be easily damaged and cause split ends. In other words, dimethicone bis-PCA fuses the hair strands back, repairing the damage. “You have an instant impact, which means a lot less shaggy, curly pieces of hair,” said Colette Laxton, co-founder of The Inkey List, “but it also repairs over time and strengthens your hair.” In fact, the team touts the product as one of the most concentrated hair repair treatments that exist today. I am currently leaving some thick blonde highlights. I recently painted on them with brown paint, so my hair is drier than normal. Cold weather means that I won’t let my hair dry in the air anymore, so using a hairdryer is taking its toll a bit, and I also need a cut. My hair is not in bad shape, but I will accept anything that minimizes fluffy ends, keeps frizz stuck and makes my hair look less soft. What’s more, the formula also offers protection against heat to prevent fraying during styling. I usually use Olaplex No.3, so is PCA Bond Repair worth the hype? In the first spray, the texture is very similar to Olaplex No.0 – it looks like water. Following the instructions, I sprayed the product on dry hair with a towel (I use the Aquis Lisse Luxe hair towel or a cotton T-shirt to absorb moisture as gently as possible) and used a wide tooth comb to make sure I distributed it evenly. root to tip. I applied the product more strongly in areas that needed a little more TLC, focusing mainly on my tips. The pump was difficult to use, which Curry and Laxton recognize, but it gains sustainability points for being completely recyclable. (They told me that there is only one worldwide supplier that makes pumps like these.) I started drying my hair as if it were normal, over medium heat so as not to exacerbate the split ends. The first thing I noticed was how thick and strong my hair looked: it was like I had a blunt cut or a professional blow dryer. Although my hair didn’t look softer, it was shiny, and the next morning, when I went to straighten it, my flat iron slid easily. Comparing the photos, which were taken right after rough drying and before any styling or straightening, my hair also looks a little longer. Curry and Laxton said that continued use is the key, as the product acts as a scaffold for brittle hair, so it works not only instantly, but cumulatively. This makes the impossibility of reserving a cut for the near future a little more bearable. Laxton says he uses PCA Bond Repair every time he washes his hair, so I continued to use it during the week (I wash my hair three or four times a week). Again, my hair was not super soft, but it looked sturdy and fuller. Cult Beauty’s analysis also speaks for itself: “Some sprays of it and my hair is soft, but strong, and the shine is unreal! I will definitely buy it back, ”wrote one user, while another advocated the product to transform curly frizzy hair into straight hair. Would I use it again? When my hair is soft, this will be my choice, but I love the feeling of ultra-soft lengths. For this, I count on the Kérastase Elixir Ultime Oil Serum – it is more than four times the price of PCA Bond Repair, but it is an indispensable product. That said, they are completely different products, so there is nothing to stop you mixing the two for great results or using PCA Bond Repair on wet hair and straightening it with a finishing oil. What I would say is that when it comes to hair products, less is more: it’s easier to add than to remove, so if you’re using multiple after-wash products, keep in mind the length and thickness of your hair to not to weigh. For me, six to 10 sprays of PCA Bond Repair is enough, and I like a pea-sized amount of hair oil for extra softness. Overall, I think PCA Bond Repair gives Olaplex a run for its money, both in terms of price and results. It is currently exclusive to The Inkey List’s direct-to-consumer website, so be sure to grab a bottle before it inevitably runs out. At Refinery29, we are here to help you navigate this oppressive world of things. All of our market choices are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something with a link on our website, Refinery29 can receive commission. This story was originally published on Refinery29 UK. Like what you’re seeing? How about a little more kindness R29, right here? 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