Olaplex vs Kérastase: They're not competitors. They treat different problems.

Both are trusted by professional colourists worldwide. But they do fundamentally different things. One rebuilds broken bonds. The other delivers targeted clinical treatment across every hair concern. Understanding the difference stops you from buying the wrong one — or missing out on the fact that you may need both.

SHOP OLAPLEX

SHOP KERASTASE

SHOP OLAPLEX

SHOP Kérastase

How Each Brand Works

Title

OLAPLEX

One molecule. One job. Done better than anyone else.

Olaplex was built around a single patented discovery: Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate, a molecule that seeks out broken disulfide bonds in the hair and rebuilds them. Disulfide bonds are the cross-links that hold hair's keratin structure in alignment. Bleach, oxidative colour, and chemical processing break these bonds — leaving hair brittle, frizzy, and prone to breakage.

 

Olaplex's bond-building technology was originally developed for use during colour services. It has since expanded into a full at-home system (No.0 through No.9) that allows clients to continue bond maintenance between salon visits.

Primary use: Bond repair during and after chemical services

Kérastase

Twelve collections. One goal: solve the problem your current routine can't.

Kérastase is not a single-technology brand. It is a clinical system built around the principle that different hair concerns require different pharmaceutical-grade solutions. Each of its 12+ collections is built for a specific diagnosis: Blond Absolu for chemically lightened hair, Résistance for severe damage, Spécifique for scalp and density, Chronologiste for aging hair.

 

The depth of each collection is what separates Kérastase from other luxury brands. Where Olaplex goes deep in one area, Kérastase goes deep across many — with bespoke active ingredients per concern rather than a general-purpose formula.

Primary use: Targeted clinical treatment by hair concern

Title

✔ No.1 Bond Multiplier — in-salon, used during colour or bleach

Title

✔ No.2 Bond Perfector — in-salon, post-service rebuilding

Title

✔ No.3 Hair Perfector — at-home weekly bond maintenance treatment

Title

✔ No.4, No.5 — bonding shampoo and conditioner

Title

✔ No.6, No.7, No.8, No.9 — stylers, serums, and scalp treatments

✔ Blond Absolu — hyaluronic acid + patented tech for bleached hair

Title

✔ Résistance Thérapiste — severe structural damage reconstruction

Title

✔ Spécifique Stimuliste — Aminexil for scalp and density support

Title

✔ Chronologiste — biomimetic care for aging and hormonally-affected hair

Title

✔ Discipline — the professional benchmark for frizz management

COMPARISON

Title

OLAPLEX

Kérastase

PRIMARY MECHANISM

Disulfide bond repair via patented molecule

SPECIALIST

Targeted clinical actives per concern (12+ collections)

COMPREHENSIVE

BEST USE CASE

Bond maintenance before, during, and after chemical colour services

Treating persistent specific concerns: damage, thinning, aging, blonde hair

RANGE BREADTH

No.0–No.9 — focused bond repair system

SINGLE SYSTEM

12+ specialized collections — bespoke per concern

MULTI-CONCERN

PRICE RANGE

$$ Accessible professional pricing

BETTER VALUE

$$$ Premium professional pricing

HIGHER INVESTMENT

BLEACHED HAIR

Exceptional — specifically designed to prevent and repair bleach damage

CORE STRENGTH

Exceptional — Blond Absolu is clinically engineered for lightened fibres

CORE STRENGTH

HAIR DENSITY / THINNING

Not specifically targeted

NOT THE FOCUS

Spécifique Stimuliste — clinically studied with Aminexil

SPECIALIST

AGING HAIR

Bond repair supports overall hair health

GENERAL BENEFITS

Chronologiste — targeted biomimetic care for aging hair

SPECIALIST

USED TOGETHER

Yes — Olaplex No.3 pre-shampoo + Kérastase shampoo, conditioner, masque is a professional-grade combination routine.

COMPLEMENTARY

WHO SHOULD YOU CHOOSE

Title

CHOOSE OLAPLEX IF YOU...

Colour or bleach your hair and want the best bond protection available.

CHOOSE Kérastase IF YOU...

Have a specific concern that general bond repair hasn't resolved.

✔ Bleach, highlight, or use oxidative colour regularly

✔ Are experiencing noticeable density loss, thinning, or scalp-related hair concerns
Title

✔ Want a pre/during/post colour treatment system your stylist can also use

✔ Notice your hair changing with age, hormones, or medication
Title

✔ Are experiencing breakage, stretch, or elasticity loss after chemical processing

✔ Have severely bleached hair that needs both bond repair and intensive hydration
Title

✔ Want a consistent at-home bond maintenance routine between appointments

✔ Want targeted frizz management at a clinical level (Discipline collection)
Title

✔ Want professional bond repair at an accessible price point

✔ Are willing to invest in a complete clinical system for compound, progressive results
Title

✔ Prefer a streamlined, focused system over a complex multi-collection approach

✔ Have used Olaplex consistently and want to add a targeted concern treatment on top
Title

THE ZENNKAI PERSPECTIVE

One is a precision instrument. The other is a full clinical tool kit.

olaplex solves the bond problem better than anything else on the market. kérastase solves the problem olaplex wasn't built for. after 40 years in professional hair retail, our honest view: if you colour your hair, you should have olaplex in your routine. if your hair has a concern beyond what bond repair can fix, kérastase is where to look next.

WHY BUY AT ZENNKAI

1

CANADA'S LOWEST PRICES

Guaranteed. We price every product at Canada's lowest professional price — full stop.

2

100% AUTHENTICATED

Authorized Olaplex & Kérastase retailer since 1984. Every product through official Canadian distributor channels only.

3

40+ YEARS OF EXPERTISE

Professional hair care expertise & expert guidance in every location and online

4

6 VANCOUVER LOCATIONS

South Granville, Metrotown, Coquitlam, Guildford, Willowbrook, Pitt Meadows. Or ship Canada-wide.

Olaplex vs Kérastase for Metro Vancouver Hair

The Olaplex vs Kérastase question is relevant for Metro Vancouver clients who have experienced cumulative structural damage from Vancouver's hard water mineral deposits combined with regular colour services. Vancouver's calcium and magnesium raise the hair's pH at every wash — compounding the cuticle-opening effect of bleach and colour, accelerating the bond breakdown that Olaplex's Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate addresses. Kérastase Première specifically targets mineral buildup as a damage source with decalcifying technology — the most relevant Kérastase collection for Vancouver's water chemistry. Many Metro Vancouver clients use both: Olaplex No.3 weekly for bond repair and Kérastase Résistance or Chroma Absolu as the daily foundation.

6 METRO VANCOUVER LOCATIONS

A Note from our Founder

"Olaplex and Kérastase aren't actually the same category — but clients ask me to compare them constantly because they're both positioned as the answer to damaged hair. The honest answer is they solve different problems. Olaplex is targeted bond chemistry: Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate reconnects broken disulfide bonds, and that's what it does — exceptionally well, but narrowly. Kérastase Résistance and Première do something Olaplex doesn't — they address the visible signs of damage at the cuticle level (fragility, breakage patterns, dullness) using a system of complementary products: shampoo, conditioner, masque, leave-in. After 40 years, my recommendation for severely damaged colour-treated clients: use both. Olaplex No.3 weekly to rebuild the broken disulfide bonds, Kérastase Résistance or Première as the daily system that smooths the cuticle and prevents future breakage. They work on different layers, that's why layering them works."

— Milajne Soligo, President & Founder, Zennkai (Professional Hair Care Since 1984)

K18 vs Olaplex

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is Olaplex or Kérastase better?

Olaplex and Kérastase address hair damage differently. Olaplex uses its patented molecule to rebuild broken disulfide bonds — the structural cross-links damaged by bleach and chemical processing. Kérastase uses targeted clinical formulations across 12+ collections to treat specific concerns including damage, density, colour protection, and aging. Olaplex is the better choice for bond repair after chemical services. Kérastase is the better choice when you need targeted clinical treatment for a persistent specific concern. Many professional clients use both.

Can I use Olaplex and Kérastase together?

Yes — and this is a popular professional combination. A common approach: use Olaplex No.3 as a pre-shampoo bond repair treatment weekly, then follow with a Kérastase shampoo and conditioner suited to your specific concern. On treatment days, add a Kérastase masque as a finishing step. The brands target different aspects of hair health and complement each other well.

Which is better for bleached hair?

Both brands are specifically built for chemically-processed hair. Olaplex rebuilds the disulfide bonds that bleach breaks — making it particularly effective for post-bleach repair and bond maintenance between colour services. Kérastase Blond Absolu uses hyaluronic acid and its patented Chroma-Captive technology to protect, hydrate, and reconstruct bleached fibres. For severe bond damage after bleaching: Olaplex. For ongoing colour brightness, tone, and fibre health: Kérastase Blond Absolu. For the best results on frequently bleached hair: use both.

Is Kérastase worth more than Olaplex?

Kérastase costs more, but addresses a broader range of concerns across its 12+ specialized collections. If your primary concern is bond repair after chemical services, Olaplex is highly effective and excellent value. If you have a more specific or complex concern — density loss, scalp health, aging hair, or the need for a complete clinical system — Kérastase's targeted formulations are worth the investment.

Where can I buy Olaplex and Kérastase in Canada?

Both Olaplex and Kérastase are available at Zennkai — Canada's professional hair care retailer since 1984. Shop online at zennkai.com with fast Canada-wide delivery or visit one of our six Metro Vancouver locations. All products are authenticated professional stock at Canada's lowest prices.
Title

SHOP OLAPLEX & Kérastase AT ZENNKAI

✦ Beauty with Benefits members earn points on every purchase. Professional litre sizes available — final sale.

SHOP OLAPLEX

SHOP Kérastase

Authenticated professional products • Six Metro Vancouver locations • Fast Canada-wide shipping • 40 years of expertise

Authenticated professional products • Six Metro Vancouver locations • Fast Canada-wide shipping • 40 years of expertise