Olaplex No.5Curl Bond Shaper Hydrating Curl Conditioner

Curly and coily hair is structurally different from straight hair at the bond level — more disulfide bonds, more bends in the fibre, and significantly more points of potential breakage per strand. Standard conditioners address the surface of that structure. OLAPLEX Nº.5 CURL Bond Shaper™ works inside it — a silicone-free, butter-soft cream conditioner that rebuilds the disulfide bond network that gives curly hair its strength and definition, while sealing in hydration that lasts up to seven wash days. Not a standard conditioner. A molecular-level repair treatment that happens to rinse out.

Nº.5 CURL Bond Shaper™ is powered by two proprietary OLAPLEX technologies that work at different levels of the hair structure simultaneously.

Patented 3D Bond Shaper™ Technology centres on sh-Oligopeptide-281 SP — OLAPLEX's bond-building peptide for the CURL line, which builds and reinforces disulfide bonds from six points in multiple directions rather than linearly. Disulfide bonds are the primary structural bonds in keratin — the ones responsible for curl pattern shape, fibre strength, and resilience to breakage. Curly hair, with its asymmetric disulfide bond distribution, is structurally more vulnerable to damage at each bend and twist. The multi-directional bond building of 3D Bond Shaper™ addresses this specific vulnerability — strengthening curl-forming bonds at the points where the hair is most prone to snap — delivering instantly stronger hair with less breakage in a single use.

Hydra-Define Technology™ uses Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate — a positively charged derivative of hyaluronic acid that is attracted to the negatively charged surface of damaged hair. This charge-differential causes it to deposit specifically at points of cuticle damage, sealing them with hydration while also forming a humidity-blocking film that prevents the atmospheric moisture exchange that causes frizz to expand. This is how the formula cuts frizz by 50% even in high humidity: it addresses the structural root of frizz rather than simply coating the surface.

The Natural Oil Blend — Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, and Crambe Abyssinica (Abyssinian) Seed Oil — provides the curl definition, moisture, and softness that make the formula's texture butter-soft and genuinely nourishing. Oil Mesh Network Polymers (Polyester-37 and associated film-formers) bind these oils to the hair cuticle rather than allowing them to rinse away — the mechanism behind the 7-day hydration result. Jojoba Esters and Sunflower Seed Wax provide additional cuticle-smoothing and definition support.

Salvia Hispanica (Chia) Seed Extract and Ilex Paraguariensis (Yerba Mate) Leaf Extract contribute antioxidant protection and additional moisture-binding. Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Extract provides Omega-3 fatty acids that reinforce the hair's natural lipid barrier.

The Natural Silicone Alternative — Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate and Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables — provides the slip, protection, and surface smoothing that silicone typically delivers, without the buildup that silicones cause on the porous surface of curly and coily hair. Acacia Senegal Gum provides lightweight curl-memory support and definition.

The formula contains no protein — intentional for curl types prone to protein sensitivity — and is silicone-free, sulfate-free, paraben-free, and phthalate-free.

When used as a system with Nº.4CURL Bond Shaper™ Shampoo:

• Instantly strong hair and less breakage in one use
• Infinitely defined curls
• 7 days of hydrated curls
• 50% less frizz, even in high humidity
• 96% agree hair was easier to detangle

Dermatologist tested. Vegan. Colour-safe.

Metro Vancouver note: Coastal humidity is the primary driver of frizz rebound on curly and coily hair locally. Hydra-Define Technology™'s positively charged hyaluronic acid film was specifically designed to block the humidity-driven moisture exchange that causes frizz — making it particularly effective for curl patterns worn through Metro Vancouver's damp coastal climate.*

Who It's For Coily (4A–4C), curly (3A–3C), and wavy (2A–2C) hair of all densities. Works across all porosity levels. The protein-free formula is appropriate for curl types that experience stiffness or brittleness from protein overload — a common concern for tight curl and coil patterns. The silicone-free formula is appropriate for high-porosity curly hair where silicone buildup impedes moisture uptake over time. Colour-safe and suitable for chemically treated hair.

Pair with OLAPLEX Nº.4 CURL Bond Shaper™ Shampoo → for the full system

Key Ingredients

• sh-Oligopeptide-281 SP (3D Bond Shaper™ Technology, Patented) — Rebuilds disulfide bonds from six points in multiple directions, targeting the specific structural vulnerability of curly hair at each bend and twist
• Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate (Hydra-Define Technology™) — Positively charged hyaluronic acid deposits at points of cuticle damage, sealing with hydration and blocking humidity-driven frizz formation
• Natural Oil Blend (Sunflower, Avocado, Safflower, Abyssinian) — Imparts moisture, softness, and definition to curl patterns
• Oil Mesh Network Polymers (Polyester-37) — Binds the oil blend to the hair cuticle so moisture and definition last up to 7 wash days
• Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate (Natural Silicone Alternative) — Olive-derived slip and surface protection without silicone buildup on porous curl patterns
• Acacia Senegal Gum — Lightweight curl-memory support and definition
• Panthenol — Penetrates the cortex and binds moisture structurally for lasting elasticity and softness
• Glycerin — Humectant; draws and retains moisture at the hair surface

HOW TO USE: After shampooing with Nº.4CURL Bond Shaper™ Shampoo, apply generously to mid-lengths and ends. Leave on for 1–3 minutes. Rinse thoroughly. Avoid contact with eyes. Follow with OLAPLEX treatments and stylers for a complete curl routine. Achieved when Nº.4CURL and Nº.5CURL are used together as a system