It seems that every manufacturer is coming out with “bond repair” products for hair these days. This is great, as it means there is way more selection than ever to help you achieve your healthiest curls. The downside is that this means trying to figure out which one is best for you and your needs.
What are hair bonds?
Hair is made of a protein called keratin which forms fibrils. These are held together by Hydrogen (elasticity) and Disulphide (shape) bonds.
These bonds provide shape, strength and elasticity. When they are damaged or broken, so is our hair. Water, heat, chemicals, colouring, etc. can all affect our hair bonds.
Do I need a bond repairer / rebuilder?
If you use colour and/or highlights, the answer is yes. I would say this is true in all cases, even going with a shade darker than your natural colour or no bleach is involved. You can use these products on untreated hair as well, as they will help it with strength. This usually results in better wave/curl/coils. Because water affects the bonds, and we are all washing our hair, anyone can use - and benefit from - bond rebuilders.
If you regularly colour/highlight your curls, these treatments and products can be used more often. For example, a lot of damage may require weekly treatments but less damage could mean just scheduling your treatments around the same as your colour appointments
As a general note the majority of the newest products are protein treatments. Most use a combination of hydrolyzed and amino level ingredients, but they are still designed to penetrate the hair and help to repair the broken bonds.
The only product(s) that I don’t put in the protein category is Olaplex. They have a patented ingredient called Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate. I don’t know what makes up this ingredient - no one does. It is protected by their patent. Having said that, it works extremely well for repairing damaged hair.
Olaplex have been in the business of bond repair for a long time. Olaplex No. 1 and No. 2 (which you won’t find at Curl Warehouse) are available in salons only and are done at the same time as your chemical service. The first product out for retail was Olaplex No. 3 which was sold by the salon as a take-home, lighter version of Olaplex No. 2 to be used weekly. Since that time, Olaplex has released many other products that all contain their patented ingredient. We currently only offer Olaplex in store.
Recently K18 stormed onto the scene with their line of bond-repairing products. It's still early days but we have many customers who have switched from their beloved Olaplex to K18 because their hero mask is applied like a leave-in, which is really convenient compared to having to set time aside to do a treatment. Will they win you over?
If your hair is particularly damaged or you colour frequently, using Olaplex or K18 is one of the best options to maintain healthy hair due to the variety of products and the power of their patented ingredients.
If You Want or Need Protein:
-
Inahsi's Rescue and Repair Bond Strengthening Shampoo contains proteins that deeply penetrate the cortex of your hair to help it form new bonds. This line can be used regularly without worry of overuse of any ingredients.
- Curlsmith Bond Curl Rehab Salve is a “pre-poo” product has a lot of protein that will help in the repair of hair bonds. It is able to target the cortex and can encourage moisture retention. You apply the product to damp hair and comb/brush it in to get each hair saturated. Leave it on for 15-30 minutes. Rinse fully and then shampoo/cleanse and condition as per usual.
If You Want Shampoo & Conditioner:
If you don't want to use extra products in your routine, consider a bond repairing shampoo and/or conditioner. You'll be using these products anyway! We'd recommend K18 or Ouidad for finer hair types or hair that is bleached, and As I Am for coarser, drier, curls, coils, and kinky hair.
- As I Am Bond Shampoo & Conditioner
- K18 Damage Shield pH Protective Shampoo & Conditioner
- Ouidad Unbreakable Bonds Bond-Building Shampoo & Conditioner
If You Want A Styling Product:
- As I Am Bond Water can be used as a leave-in, refresher, and all-around bond-repairing moisturizer on wet or dry hair.
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Inahsi's Rescue and Repair Bond Strengthening Leave-in Conditioner can be used as a lighter regular rinse out conditioner if you prefer. It also provides UVB protection and is an excellent detangler.
If You Want A Finishing Touch:
Bond repairing oils are a pretty new concept and add a little dose of repair over your styling products, usually with the added benefit of shine and smoothness.
- Curlsmith Bonding Oil was designed to outperform silicones and to feel lighter than oil. It is Curly Girl / Hair Method approved and has protein. This will make your hair feel softer and smoother. Just use it on dry hair as needed, gently layered over the strands to scrunch out the crunch and seal in the moisture.
- K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil can be applied to wet or dry hair.
- Ouidad Unbreakable Bonds Weightless Bonding Oil is dermatologist tested and great for sensitive skin and scalps.
If You Want a Mask:
Masks are a great choice because your hair benefits greatly from the time you leave them on. This allows the active ingredients to penetrate into the strands for better results.
- Inahsi Naturals Rescue & Repair Bond Strengthening Hair Masque is a a ten-minute treatment designed to penetrate the hair's cortex and repair from the inside out. It contains quinoa protein.
- Innersense Organic Beauty Repair Mask brings our most popular brand, Innersense Organic Beauty, into the conversation. This restorative mask smells like a spa in a tube!
- KITSCH Strengthening Bond Repair Solid Hair Mask is a solid (see what I did there) option for anyone trying to reduce the plastic in their lives.
If You Don't Want to Change Your Routine or Current Products:
If you have always been trying to find the allusive protein drops that have never been available in Canada - here are absolutely excellent (if not better!) alternatives. Both of these products allow you to decide how much to add to your existing products.
- Boucleme Protein Booster Drops are specifically protein drops to optimize hair health and strength.
- Ouidad Unbreakable Bonds Mixing Drops contain their bond-building technology as their other Unbreakable Bonds products but you can choose what product to add them to.
I recommend starting with your Conditioner if you haven't used something like this before. Start small with a couple of drops and see how our routine goes before increasing the amount up to the recommended drops on the bottle. You may only need it here and there, and you probably won’t need it in every single product in your routine. It can go in anything, any time!
Healthy curls are happy curls. We offer lots of options with lots of uses and fun products to try with your naturally wavy, curly and coily hair! Need some help deciding what's for you? Send us an email at help@curlwarehouse.com.
Updated for 2026 by Curl Warehouse.
