My enthusiasm for trying this duo was palpable, and I immediately noted the minimalist packaging of Olaplex, which evokes a medicinal aesthetic with its simple plastic bottles featuring black and white labels. In a world dominated by visually appealing packaging, it feels refreshing to encounter brands that prioritize the product itself over flashy designs. The scent of both the shampoo and conditioner is subtly pleasant, with a hint of citrus that adds to the overall experience. I opted not to showcase the texture of these products as there was nothing particularly unique about it. The shampoo lathered effectively and can be used on its own or to cleanse after using No.3. While it left my scalp feeling clean, I noticed some dryness at the ends and an unexpected heaviness at the roots.

Let’s talk about No.5, the conditioner. Despite my best efforts, this product did not mesh well with my hair!

First Attempt

During my initial use of No.4 and No.5, I applied a small amount of conditioner to the top of my hair as I often struggle with dryness and flyaways, particularly around my roots. However, after blow-drying, I was dismayed to find my roots lacked volume, giving me a “helmet head” look. I contemplated whether I needed to rinse more thoroughly next time, even though my scalp felt impeccably clean, as it seemed to leave behind a slight residue.

Second Attempt

I decided to use No.4 and No.5 on their own this time, rinsing thoroughly, yet my hair remained flat even after blowdrying and applying the Olaplex Volumizing Dry Mist at the roots, which typically provides lift!

Third Attempt

In my last trial, I applied No.4 and No.5 exclusively to the ends of my hair. This yielded better results post-blowdrying, but by morning, despite securing my hair in a loose bun overnight, the root volume had diminished again. I persisted with this combination for several weeks, accepting the lack of volume at the roots even while using a thickening cream from root to tip. Recently, I instinctively used a leftover bit of No.5 on my roots, and to my dismay, I was right back to the issues experienced in my first attempt!

Additionally, I noticed that using No.4 and No.5 left my hair feeling tangled and somewhat rough, contrary to my expectations for this highly regarded duo! I was genuinely disappointed that they didn’t work for me. Just last night, I returned to a different shampoo and conditioner (JVN Embody), and the transformation was immediate. I didn’t even need to blow-dry my hair, as the volume at the roots was restored, and I could easily comb through it without tangles.