How Stylists are Using Olaplex No. 2 for Healthier Haircuts
Routine haircuts are a constant when it comes to healthy haircare. You know the drill, haircuts every few months to chop off split ends and a beauty routine to keep your mane on point in between salon visits. For those with healthy hair, the cut is about maintenance, for those with compromised hair, the cut is about getting the hair to a healthier state. But what they both have in common is the desire to have the healthiest hair possible– something we can all relate to.
How many times have you avoided cutting off an extra inch or two to save some length and steer clear of the dreaded "grow out phase"? Same. Which is why stylists around the globe are proving Olaplex is not just a popular add on for color– it's so much more. Now with Olaplex, stylists are able to cut hair and rebuild broken disulfide bonds simultaneously. It's no surprise to see haircuts with Olaplex growing in popularity for clients of all hair types– from compromised to straight, virgin to curly. Everyone can benefit from healthier hair!
This "mini-treatment" in no way replaces the Olaplex Stand Alone treatment (which includes No. 1 and No. 2). Rather, it's a fabulous way to experience a treatment on-the-go or an opportunity to be introduced to the product– with only a few minutes added onto the service. Whether you're a client on the journey to healthy hair or a stylist looking for ways to give your guests an even greater experience– you're going to love this!
Stylist Colleen Duffy (@cleencuts on Instagram) invited us into her space at the Benjamin Salon to see how she uses Olaplex No. 2 as a cutting lotion.
Before.
Step 1: Start at the bowl. If the hair is clean, dampen, towel dry, and apply Olaplex No. 2. Comb through to evenly distribute the product. If the hair is dirty with buildup from product, oils, or minerals– give it a light shampoo, rinse, and towel dry. Lastly, apply Olaplex No. 2 and comb through thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
Step 2: This is the part that doesn’t change at all! Section the hair as you normally would to prepare for a cut, then work your magic! For this model’s hair in particular, Colleen did all solid lines while cutting, without any texturizing. She removed some weight in the hair simply by layering slightly at the top.
Step 3: Once the cut is complete, rinse and shampoo out the No. 2. It's important to remember Olaplex is by no means a conditioning treatment or a leave in– so remember to condition after shampooing based on the hair's needs (dryness, frizz, volume).
Step 4: Style!
For Colleen, her haircuts are typically timed by 30 minutes cutting, 30 minutes styling. That means Olaplex No. 2 sits on her clients' hair for 30 minutes, creating stronger, healthier, more resilient hair– without the extra time it takes for a treatment.
Colleen’s Tips for Healthy Haircuts
Cut straight lines, it will make the hair feel fuller and healthier.
Try not to texturize too much as it may make already weak hair feel worse and tangle easier. Instead, take out weight by layering whenever possible.
Avoid razors and thinning shears as much as possible.
If you need to texturize, it’s best to point cut. Keep it only on the ends, so that it will be gone by the next haircut, if it does not work well with their hair.
Colleen Duffy is a stylist at the Benjamin Salon located in the Arts District of DTLA. You can follow her work on Instagram @cleencuts.
