Embracing My Natural Curls with Olaplex
Over my 26 years on this planet, my hair has seen a whirlwind of transformations. I’ve gone from the playful innocence of a two-year-old sporting a perm to the bold move of a big chop at 16. Highlights at 22 added a sprinkle of flair, followed by a daring dye job at 23. At 24, I decided to smooth things out with a keratin treatment, and just this year, I once again went for the big chop. In between all these radical changes, I often turned to protective styles to keep my hair safe and manageable. Despite this toll, my hair has remained surprisingly resilient. However, I noticed it losing some of its usual shine and bounce, which got me pondering my hair’s future. After removing yet another set of box braids, I stumbled upon the Olaplex Bond Shaper Curl Rebuilding Treatment—an intriguing three-step treatment marketed as a way to “repair, rebuild, and redefine natural curls.”
The Olaplex system consists of three distinct steps: Repair, a bond-building solution; Enhance, a curl-boosting spray; and Define, a curl-shaping gel. Unlike other treatments that often rely on heat to transform the hair, this one is meant to respect and preserve your natural texture. It’s exclusive to salons, commanding a price ranging from $100 to $400 depending on location, and is often offered as an add-on to services like haircuts. This means that it’s not a quick DIY fix; you’ll need to visit a professional salon to experience its benefits. As I looked forward to revitalizing my curls, I felt a glimmer of hope, especially keen on making strides toward loving my natural texture.
Truth be told, I’ve had a complicated relationship with my natural curls. My kinky 4C pattern can be a handful to manage, often leading me to tuck it away into protective styles instead of embracing it. Yet, after welcoming my daughter into the world and witnessing her own lovely curls come to life, I felt compelled to change my perspective. I realized that I owe it to both of us to embrace our hair and learn to love it. The Olaplex treatment appeared to be the ideal first step in celebrating my natural curls rather than hiding them away.
To make this hair journey a reality, I booked an appointment at Rëzo, a chic curly hair salon in New York City. The experience was a revelation, and to be completely transparent, my treatment was complimentary. While Olaplex salons can be tricky to find, their website offers a salon locator to simplify the search. In addition, many Ulta Salons provide this service, but it’s wise to check if your stylist specializes in curly hair. I was eager to see if this treatment could finally help me reconnect with my curls.
When I arrived at Rëzo, the atmosphere was inviting; the combination of bright white lighting and glossy floors created a welcoming vibe. My hair was still slightly weighed down with product buildup from my protective styles. Stylist Iandra Regalado wasted no time taking me to the shampoo bowl for an essential first step: a clarifying wash. She emphasized the importance of thoroughly cleansing my hair and scalp to ensure the Olaplex treatment could deeply penetrate and achieve the desired outcome of shiny, lively curls. As the cool water cascaded over my hair, I felt a sense of anticipation wash over me.
After the enlightening cleansing stage, I was ready for the treatment itself. I witnessed firsthand how each of the three steps worked harmoniously to revitalize my hair. The Repair solution worked to mend the broken bonds in my hair, while the Enhance spray infused a burst of hydration, bringing my curls back to life. Finally, the Define gel sculpted each curl into shape, giving them a sense of bounce and vibrancy that I hadn’t seen in years. This multifaceted approach made me realize that the journey to loving my natural hair was not just a solitary event but a process, one that requires patience and care. Walking out of the salon that day, I felt a renewed sense of connection to my curls, ready to embrace this new chapter in my hair story.