Both brands promise to repair damaged curls. Both use bond-building technology as their main selling point. Both are significantly pricier than your average drugstore option. But Olaplex and Curlsmith are actually very different products built on very different philosophies - and choosing the wrong one for your hair goals is an easy and expensive mistake to make.
Olaplex is the original bond repair brand - pure treatment, no styling, proven science. Curlsmith is the newer challenger that combines bond repair with curl-specific styling in one step. Knowing the difference can save you a lot of money and frustration. Here is the full breakdown.
In This Guide
Brand Overview
| Olaplex | Curlsmith | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2014 | 2018 |
| Approach | Pure bond repair treatment | Bond repair + curl styling |
| Price Range | ~$28-$38 | ~$14-$36 |
| Best For | All hair types, severely damaged | Type 2B-4A, repair + define |
| Hero Product | No. 3 Hair Perfector | Bond Curl Rehab Salve |
| Curl-Specific? | No - works on all hair types | Yes - formulated for curls |
| Available At | Sephora, Ulta, Amazon, salons | Ulta, Target, Amazon |
Olaplex: The Highlights
Olaplex launched in 2014 and changed the hair industry by introducing the concept of bond repair to the mainstream. The science is straightforward: chemical processing, heat styling, and mechanical damage break the disulfide bonds in your hair. Olaplex uses its patented Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate ingredient to reconnect those broken bonds. It was originally developed for use during salon color services - a way to bleach without destroying your hair.
For curly hair specifically, bond damage shows up as loss of curl pattern, increased frizz, reduced elasticity, and breakage. Olaplex addresses the root cause rather than just coating the problem. The Olaplex lawsuit made headlines in recent years due to a controversial ingredient called lilial, but the brand reformulated and removed it - current products are considered safe.
No. 3+ Hair Perfector (~$28)
Olaplex No. 3+ Hair Perfector
The brand's at-home hero product. Apply to damp hair before shampooing, leave on for at least 10 minutes (or overnight for severe damage), then wash out. This is a treatment only - no hold, no styling benefit. Think of it as a weekly repair session for your bonds. Results are cumulative, so consistency matters. Read the full Olaplex No. 3 review for a deeper breakdown.
Get It Here →No. 6 Bond Smoother (~$30)
Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother
One of the few Olaplex products that bridges treatment and styling. It is a leave-in smoothing cream that reduces frizz and adds moisture while continuing to reinforce bonds. Works well as a primer before your curl cream or gel. Lighter than a traditional leave-in conditioner but more conditioning than a serum.
Get It Here →Olaplex Strengths
- The most scientifically backed bond repair technology on the market
- Works on all hair types - not just curly - so it is versatile if multiple people in your household use it
- Results on severely damaged hair are dramatic and well-documented
- Fragrance-free options and straightforward formulas without unnecessary additives
Olaplex Weaknesses
- Pure treatment products provide zero styling benefit - you still need separate curl products
- Not curl-specific, so it does not address definition, clumping, or frizz from humidity
- The lawsuit and reformulation created some lingering trust issues for long-time users
- Expensive for a product that is a treatment step, not an all-in-one
Curlsmith: The Highlights
Curlsmith launched in 2018 and was built specifically for curly and wavy hair. The brand took the bond repair concept pioneered by Olaplex and embedded it into curl-specific styling products. The idea: instead of doing a separate treatment step, your styling products also repair your bonds as you wear them. It went viral on TikTok for restoring curl patterns that years of heat damage had destroyed.
Unlike Olaplex, Curlsmith offers a full product range - shampoos, conditioners, gels, creams, and treatments - all designed to work together within the Curly Girl Method or any curl-focused routine.
Bond Curl Rehab Salve (~$32)
Curlsmith Bond Curl Rehab Salve
The brand's hero product and the closest direct comparison to Olaplex. This is a bond-building treatment that also styles - you apply it like a leave-in or curl cream and it repairs as it defines. Best for curls that have lost their pattern from heat or chemical damage. Unlike Olaplex No. 3, you do not wash this out - it stays in and provides hold and moisture throughout the day. See how it stacks up against the competition in our Ouidad vs Curlsmith comparison.
Get It Here →Weightless Air Dry Cream (~$24)
Curlsmith Weightless Air Dry Cream
A lightweight styling cream for wash-and-go routines. Defines curls, fights frizz, and dries soft without crunch - great for types 2B through 3B who want definition without weight. Can be layered under a gel for extra hold or used alone for a more natural finish. Works well for air drying or refreshing second-day curls.
Get It Here →Curlsmith Strengths
- Repair and styling in one step - fewer products to buy and fewer steps in your routine
- Curl-specific formulas address definition, clumping, and frizz - not just bond damage
- Wider product range means you can build a full routine within one brand
- Widely available at Target alongside Ulta and Amazon
Curlsmith Weaknesses
- Bond repair is not as deep or as scientifically validated as Olaplex for severe damage
- Some products have strong fragrance that may bother sensitive scalps
- More expensive per ounce than most drugstore curl brands
- The multi-benefit approach means it may not be the best at any single thing
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Category | Olaplex | Curlsmith | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bond Repair Depth | Excellent (purpose-built) | Good (secondary benefit) | Olaplex |
| Curl Definition | None | Excellent | Curlsmith |
| Styling Benefit | Minimal (No. 6 only) | Yes - core feature | Curlsmith |
| Scientific Backing | Patented, extensively tested | Less rigorous | Olaplex |
| Routine Steps | Extra treatment step | Treatment built into styling | Curlsmith |
| Price Value | Fair (~$28 treatment only) | Better (treatment + styling) | Curlsmith |
| Curl-Specific Range | No - all hair types | Yes - built for curls | Curlsmith |
| Severe Damage Recovery | Best in class | Good, not best | Olaplex |
The Verdict
Choose Olaplex if: your hair is severely damaged from bleach, color, or chemical treatments and you need deep repair above all else. Olaplex No. 3 is the gold standard for bond reconstruction - nothing else has the same level of scientific backing or the same track record for restoring seriously compromised hair. Just remember you will still need separate styling products for curl definition.
Choose Curlsmith if: you want bond repair and curl styling in one step. If your damage is moderate - from heat or occasional coloring - the Bond Curl Rehab Salve delivers real repair results while also defining and moisturizing your curls. Fewer steps, fewer products, and a routine that is built for curly hair from the ground up.
Use both if budget allows: the ideal routine for color-treated or heat-damaged curls is Olaplex No. 3 as a weekly pre-wash treatment (for deep repair) and Curlsmith products for your everyday wash day styling. They work at different stages and do not conflict. Think of Olaplex as maintenance for your bonds and Curlsmith as your daily driver. If budget is tight, check out our picks for curly hair products under $10 while you save up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use Olaplex and Curlsmith together?
Yes, and it is a great combination. Use Olaplex No. 3 as a weekly pre-wash treatment to repair bonds, then use Curlsmith products for your wash day styling routine. The two brands work at different stages of your routine so there is no conflict.
Is Olaplex actually good for curly hair?
Yes - Olaplex was not designed specifically for curly hair, but it works extremely well for curls that are damaged from heat, color, or chemical treatments. The No. 3 Hair Perfector repairs broken disulfide bonds, which can restore elasticity and reduce frizz. However, it does not provide curl definition or hold - you will still need styling products.
Which is better for color-treated curly hair - Olaplex or Curlsmith?
Olaplex is the stronger choice for color-treated hair. It was originally developed for use during salon color services and has the deepest scientific backing for bond repair. If safety is a concern, read our explainer on whether Olaplex is safe - the brand reformulated after the lawsuit and removed the controversial ingredient. Use Olaplex No. 3 as your weekly treatment, then follow with Curlsmith styling products for definition and hold.
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