There’s nothing like a hair mask if your hair’s feeling particularly dry, brittle, or dull, and OLAPLEX have made one of the best with their No.8 Bond Intense Moisture Damage Repair Hair Mask Treatment. Here we cover everything you need to know about, what OLAPLEX No.8 does, how to use No.8 and why it’s one of the most beloved hair masks on the market. For more info on the OLAPLEX range, explore our guide on finding the right OLAPLEX treatment for you, too.
What Does OLAPLEX No.8 Do?
OLAPLEX No.8 is an intensive repair hair mask, designed to deeply moisturise and smooth hair, it’ll leave your hair boosting the kind of body and shine you usually only walk out of the hairdresser with. If you struggle with hair that always feels dry, or undernourished – No.8 is going to be your new fave.
The OLAPLEX hair mask uses their patented bond repair technology – the Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate molecule – to quickly and effectively repair the hair’s damaged or broken bonds to restore hair to full health. Thanks to the highly concentrated formula of the mask it requires only ten minutes to work its magic on every type and texture of hair, whether it’s coloured or not.
Transform your damaged hair without any harsh ingredients—OLAPLEX products are free from sulphates, parabens, phthalates, and phosphates. The key to effectively treating dry, brittle, and damaged hair is by repairing bonds and rehydrating hair on a deep, molecular level, and that’s exactly what OLAPLEX No.8 does. It makes your hair softer, shinier, and more resilient.
How to Use OLAPLEX 8
Using OLAPLEX No.8 couldn’t be simpler.
Step 1: You’ll need to shampoo your hair first. For those beginning their hair restoration journey, we’d recommend using OLAPLEX shampoos & conditioners – like the No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo and the No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner, which work in tandem to tackle split ends and frizz by re-linking broken bonds to reveal stronger, healthier hair. Just remember that No.8 shouldn’t be applied before shampoo – as you’ll end up washing the treatment out – and you don’t need to condition it when you’re using No.8, either.
Step 2: Begin your No.8 treatment by applying it to clean, damp hair, post-shampoo – avoid the scalp and concentrate on the mid-lengths to ends. Depending on your hair’s length and thickness, you may need to up the amount of product you use. Typically, 2 pumps will be sufficient for shoulder-length hair, but you’ll need more for long, thick hair, and less for fine, short hair.
Step 3: Let the formula work for at least ten minutes, then rinse thoroughly and style as you normally would.
It’s recommended that you use No.8 twice a week, to strengthen and boost your hair’s moisture – whereas a conditioner like No.5 can be used for every wash cycle, to keep your hair hydrated day-to-day.
Can You Use OLAPLEX No.8 Instead of Conditioner?
When you know you’re going to be applying an intensive hair treatment like No.8 post-shower, you don’t need to use conditioner, too. (If you’re not planning a mask, condition.) You’ll always get the best out of your OLAPLEX treatments – and the best results for your hair – by following the usage recommendations closely. When it comes to OLAPLEX No.8, you can be confident that the formula will re-bond, rehydrate, and repair hair at a deep level – so much so, that you needn’t bother with a conditioner beforehand.
Can You Leave OLAPLEX No.8 on Overnight?
You should use OLAPLEX No.8 for the recommended period – which is ten minutes. A little longer won’t hurt, but we wouldn’t recommend leaving the product on overnight. Whilst it might seem logical to extend the treatment time for extremely damaged hair, this doesn’t necessarily help your hair to repair. Leaving a treatment on for longer doesn’t necessarily = better hair, and you’d probably just end up coating your pillow (and face) in the treatment.
An OLAPLEX product you can leave on for longer is the No.3 Hair Perfector. Learn how to use OLAPLEX No.3, so you can add that into your routine too. As treatments for damaged hair go, it doesn’t get much better than OLAPLEX No.3. or No.8.
Can You Use OLAPLEX No.8 on Dry Hair?
OLAPLEX No.8 works best on damp hair. Applying post-shampoo will allow the product to repair damaged and broken hair bonds, and deeply moisturise and strengthen hair. Applying it to dry hair will prevent the mask from working as well as it should. If you’re looking specifically for a product to apply to dry hair, you might want to try OLAPLEX No.0, you can learn more about what OLAPLEX 0 does and how to use it in our guide.
Which Other OLAPLEX Products Can You Use With No.8?
All OLAPLEX products have been designed to work in tandem with each other – which means that you can pick any product from the range to introduce into your OLAPLEX hair care routine and be guaranteed to see incredible results.
One of the best OLAPLEX products you can use with No.8 – including one of the best hair oils available – is the No.7 Bonding Frizz Reduction and Heat Protection Hair Oil. (Check out our how to use bonding oil guide, if you want a little more detail.) Following No.8 with No.7 combines the best of both worlds – a deep repair followed up with a protective product, ensuring your hair’s rejuvenation sticks around.
Whether you’re an OLAPLEX newbie or a long-time lover of the brand – we can guarantee you won’t be disappointed by No.8.
