'I tried the new OLAPLEX product that promises to fix damaged hair. Here's my verdict.'

Mamamia’s Tried and Tested series is your review of the latest to hit our desks in beauty, health and wellbeing. You won’t find any #sponsored content here, just honest, relatable and independent advice. This week, Mamamia's Beauty Editor trials Olaplex's new No.5 Leave-In Conditioner.

If there's one thing I'm really very good at, it's damaging my hair. I have lots of it — and I'll often resort to blow drying it and using numerous heat tools to calm the fluff and frizz of my disobedient curls (before adding them back in, like the crazed fool I am).

I am very diligent with heat protectant, but mighty neglectful with regular hair appointments, which means my hair is drier than a cat's tongue and my split ends have cute little baby split ends, and their split ends have split ends...

Watch: You know what else I've tried before? Lube. On my face. Post continues below.

For this reason, I'm a big fan of any kind of hair treatment that promises hydrated, glossy and healthy-looking hair. And there is an awful lot getting around right now. (In fact, I've recently trialled this viral $21 gloss and bloody loved it).

So, when something shimmies its way across my desk with the words 'conditioning' or 'repair', I'm quick to introduce myself and slather it all over my mop.

The latest treatment getting around? Olaplex No. 5 Leave-In Conditioner, $58.

Yes! Olaplex has dropped a new hair product. Which is usually just a very happy time for the hairs on our heads.

But is this just as good as one dry-haired girl would hope? I put it to the test to find out.

What is Olaplex No.5 Leave-In Conditioner?

As you can probably... guess from the name, Olaplex No. 5 Leave-In Conditioner is a leave-in conditioning treatment that's designed to be used post-shower to treat damaged hair.

The difference between this and the (many) other leave-in conditioners on the market? While most leave-in shampoos typically focus on moisture and manageability, Olaplex promises to offer a fancy dual action — treating damaged hair from the inside out. Using its signature bond-building formula, it's meant to target structural repair, while still providing all those moisturising and hydrating benefit you'd get from a typical leave-in product.

In fact, it claims to prevent further damage from styling and give your hair 12 times more moisture after just one use. Huge.

Here's what it looks like:

New! Image: Supplied.

Suitable for all hair types, this specific formulation targets those with damage from heat, colour, or chemical treatments, making it particularly beneficial for users with significantly compromised hair.

How did you go with it?

Good! Really good. I've been using it over the past couple of weeks, applying it to clean, damp hair after washing. 

The formula comes in a handy pump pack (which I prefer over squeezy bottles and those annoying tubs you need to stick your hands in). It has a gel-creme texture and a really subtle barely there scent, like most other Olaplex products.

Here's what it looks like on my hand:

Creamy! Image: Supplied.

You apply one to two pumps to clean, damp hair and add more as needed (I'm loose with the rules and always apply more). It can also be used in between washes on dry ends to seal ends — so I slicked my hair back in a ponytail and bun a few times and let it do its thing before washing my hair.

The verdict.

I'm a sucker for instant results. This guy is all about future-proofing your hair against everyday damage, and locking in benefits for the long haul. While some benefits are immediate, the full effects of the product is supposed to become more apparent with consistent use over an extended period.

My hair felt hydrated, less frizzy and more manageable from the first use, and I particularly loved using it as a top up treatment between washes when my hair started looking a bit thirsty and gross. 

Obviously, the duration of long-term results will vary depending on individual hair condition and damage level, but it's one product that'll I'll keep using on a weekly basis to up the long-term health of my hair — especially as someone who still uses heat tools regularly.

All in all, I do think that Olaplex No. 5 Leave-In Conditioner stands out from others because of its signature, science-backed formulation and the focus on repairing hair bonds while providing hydration.

Ideal for dry and dehydrated hair, if you're looking for a specialised treatment to work into your regular hair care routine, this might be up your alley. Just make sure you stick around for the long-term results.

Want more tried and tested goodness? Click below: 

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Want to hear more from Erin Docherty? Oh, thank god! Follow her on Instagram or read more of her stories here.

Would you try Olaplex's new leave-in conditioner? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Feature image: Supplied.