Olaplex vs Bondi Boost (The Definitive Guide)

Bondi Boost and Olaplex are two leading haircare brands, each offering their own solutions to dry, damaged hair.

Today, we will be comparing their best-selling shampoos, conditioners, and mask treatments, before providing a final verdict as to which products we believe are best for you and your hair.

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Olaplex vs Bondi Boost Shampoo

When you have damaged hair, it’s important that you are addressing it with every step of your hair care routine. You shouldn’t rely on just a single treatment to do all the heavy lifting - your shampoo and conditioner should be pulling their weight, too.

That’s why we love that so many brands - such as Olaplex and Bondi Boost - boast multi-step systems that make it incredibly easy to *fully* address your hair-care concerns. Speaking of which, the next steps of their bond-repair ranges are the Olaplex No. 4 and the Bondi Boost Rapid Repair Shampoo.

First up is the Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo. Online reviewers have praised the shampoo for its moisturizing and restorative results, which can be seen after only a few uses. This shampoo is the first step in Olaplex’s three-step haircare routine.

The shampoo uses Olaplex’s famous technology (featuring their patented ingredient: bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate) which strengthens the hair follicles and reduces dullness and frizziness. The shampoo is also formulated to improve all hair types and textures.

As well as Olaplex’s bond-repairing technology, the shampoo also features natural hair remedies such as Apricot Oil, Rosemary Leaf Extract, and Sunflower Seed Oil. Users have commented that the shampoo has a luxurious, clean scent that feels relaxing to use in the shower. We can more than confirm this to be true—it smells fantastic!

Next up is the Bondi Boost Rapid Repair Shampoo. This can be used on all hair types and is designed for dry, split ends that need to be brought back to life. Through Bondi Boost’s patented Natural Functional Complex (it's not quite clear *what* this is, but inspection of the ingredients list implies that it is a blend of a lot of plant extracts), the shampoo repairs the hair follicles and seals the cuticles to reveal healthier locks.

The formula features Macadamia Oil for deep conditioning and Chamomile Extract which strengthens the hair. It also includes other natural goodness such as Jojoba, Coconut Oil, and Davidson Plum Extract, all of which inject moisture and shine into the hair.

The formula is also non-sticky, silicone-free, and completely vegan. You can purchase a 10.14oz bottle for $24. Meanwhile, an 8.5oz bottle of Olaplex's No. 4 is available for $30.

Olaplex vs Bondi Boost Conditioner

No good hair care system is complete without a conditioner. I'm personally a fan of mixing and matching my shampoos and conditioners to address multiple different needs. For example, when using a clarifying shampoo, you don’t necessarily also need a clarifying conditioner. *But* when it comes to damaged hair, it is definitely wise to complete the full multi-step routine to ensure you get the expected results.

Let’s compare the Olaplex No. 5 and the Bondi Boost Rapid Repair Conditioner.

The Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner works by providing deep moisture that mends broken hair bonds. This conditioner is particularly popular amongst the online beauty community because of how quickly it transforms users’ hair, not to mention the fact that the product won Allure’s 2023 Best Conditioner for Damaged Hair.

This conditioner should be used after their No. 4 Shampoo and left to sit in the hair for three minutes before being rinsed away.

The formula features Avocado Oil, which is high in minerals and fatty acids which heal the hair follicles. The conditioner also includes Grape Seed Oil, a powerful antioxidant and moisturizer.

Our second conditioner is the Bondi Boost Rapid Repair Conditioner. This Australian-made product targets damaged hair cuticles to reduce the appearance of split ends. The conditioner is designed to suit all hair types and textures, providing softness and shine after every use. This conditioner also arrives with a handy pump for ease of use.

The botanical-based formula includes Aloe Vera and Pro Vitamin B5 which both soothe and treat broken hair bonds. The conditioner also includes deep reparative oils like Argan Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, and Macadamia Seed Oil.

A 10.14oz bottle retails for $24. You can instead pick up a 8.5oz bottle of Olaplex No.5 for $30.

Olaplex vs Bondi Boost Treatment

For anyone with damaged locks (that’s most of us), it’s a good idea to address the damage every once in a while with a hair treatment. Even better, though, would be to stay on top of it by treating your hair regularly.

For a simple at-home treatment, you have loads of options. Some products you put in your hair multiple times a week, and some products you only use once a month, sometimes less. Two great treatments to address damage are the Olaplex No. 8 and the Bondi Boost Rapid Repair Mask.

First up is Olaplex No.8. This restorative mask provides layers of deep moisture and is designed for heat-damaged or dyed hair. Thanks to its impressive results, Olaplex No.8 was Glamour’s 2022 Beauty Award Winner.

The treatment includes Olaplex’s patented bond-building technology, which restores broken hair bonds and increases shine, softness, and body. The formula also features natural oils like Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Rosehip Oil, and Hemp Seed Oil.

The ingredients list is also vegan and cruelty-free and doesn’t contain parabens, nuts, gluten, or sulfates (which can all cause hair breakage over time).

To use, apply to shampooed hair and leave it to work its magic for ten minutes before washing away. No.8 can be used weekly for the best results.

Finally, we have the Bondi Boost Rapid Repair Mask. This universally-effective mask caters to straight, wavy, and curly hair, and all types of hair thickness. The mask uses a range of organic, plant-based ingredients that detoxifies the hair and brings it back to life.

To use this mask, apply a generous amount to dry or wet hair and leave it to sit for 10 minutes before rinsing. The treatment can be used once a week, either as a standalone mask or in replacement of your conditioner.

The formula features Macadamia Nut Oil, which is rich in fatty acids that condition the hair. Some other vital ingredients are Panthenol, which boosts elasticity, as well as Aloe Vera, Shea Butter, Vitamin B5, and Rosemary Leaf Extract which all aid in healing the hair.

The Rapid Repair Mask costs $30 for a 250ml tub. This means you are getting 2.5x as much product for the same price, compared with Olaplex No.8 which retails at $30 for a 100ml bottle.

Olaplex vs Bondi Boost Conclusion

In conclusion, we feel that for a hair treatment mask, you should opt for the Bondi Boost Rapid Repair Mask. Compared with the Olaplex No. 8 mask, the formula has a more clean, natural ingredients list. Also, with the Bondi Boost mask, you get more than double the amount of product for the same price point as Olaplex No. 8.

However, when it comes to shampoo and conditioner, you can trust Olaplex No.4 and No. 5. The brand has won multiple awards for its hair repair technology and the shampoo and conditioner have become fail-safe products in the beauty community. Although you don’t get as much product as the Bondi Boost options, ultimately the formula is just better.

To round off our review, here are our recommendations for the best-selling ranges and products that Olaplex and Bondi Boost offer.

Olaplex Best-Sellers

Step 1:
Try the No.3 Treatment

Step 2:
Try the No.4 Shampoo

Step 3:
Try the No.5 Conditioner

Bondi Boost Best-Sellers

For thinning hair:
Try HG

For heat protection:
Try Heat Protect

For damaged hair:
Try Rapid Repair

This article was originally published on December 5th 2022, but it has been reviewed and updated with the latest available information on February 26th 2024 by Sara Mckay, MA.