Olaplex or K18? Find Your Repair Routine

Choosing between Olaplex and K18? Start with the product, not just the brand. Olaplex No.3 and K18 Molecular Repair Mask treat damaged hair lengths. K18 FutureIQ is a scalp serum with a different role, not a replacement for either repair treatment.

Which one suits your routine?

Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector Treatment 100ml

Role: A rinse-out, pre-shampoo bond-building treatment to help strengthen damaged hair and reduce breakage. Olaplex describes its technology as rebuilding bonds within the hair.

Routine: Apply to damp hair from roots to ends, leave for at least 10 minutes, then rinse, shampoo and condition. Follow the directions on your bottle.

Choose it if: You want a dedicated treatment before your usual wash and conditioning routine. It is not a conditioner or a hydrating mask.

Shop Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector 100ml

K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Mask 50ml

Role: A leave-in treatment for hair damaged by bleach, colour, chemical services and heat. K18 describes its peptide technology as reconnecting damaged keratin chains and disulfide bonds to help restore strength and elasticity.

Routine: Shampoo, skip conditioner and towel-dry thoroughly. Apply 1 to 3 pumps of the 50ml mask according to hair length and density. Wait 4 minutes before combing or adding styling products. Do not rinse. Use for the first 4 to 6 washes, then as needed, following the label.

Choose it if: You prefer a post-shampoo repair step that stays in your hair rather than a pre-wash treatment.

Shop K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Mask 50ml

K18 FutureIQ™ Biomimetic Hair Longevity Serum 90ml

Role: A lightweight, water-based scalp serum for a consistent scalp-care routine. Unlike No.3 and the K18 mask, it is not a hair-length damage-repair treatment.

Routine: Once nightly, apply 4 droppers, each filled to the marked line, directly to damp or dry scalp. Distribute evenly, massage in and do not rinse. It can be used on wash days or between washes.

Choose it if: Your priority is a leave-in scalp-care step rather than repairing chemically or heat-damaged lengths.

Shop K18 FutureIQ™ Serum 90ml

Can you layer Olaplex and K18?

This guide does not recommend mixing the formulas or stacking the repair treatments in one wash. We have not verified a combined protocol endorsed by both brands. Choose one repair routine and follow its directions, or ask your stylist for a personalised plan. FutureIQ has a separate scalp-focused role, but that does not establish a cross-brand layering protocol.

Shop a complete routine

Olaplex No.4 + No.5 + No.3 Bundle: pairs the pre-shampoo treatment with shampoo and conditioner.

K18 Damage Shield Protective Bundle & K18: includes the 50ml repair mask, Damage Shield shampoo 250ml and conditioner 250ml. On mask days, do not condition before the mask. If extra conditioning is needed, K18 allows conditioner after the full 4-minute wait, then rinsing thoroughly. FutureIQ is sold separately.

Not sure where to start? Ask the H&L Salon team to match your routine to your hair history and styling habits.