Olaplex and Verb have both made a name for themselves as top hair repairing and protecting treatments. But what exactly sets these brands apart?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll analyze the key differences between Olaplex and Verb to help you determine which option is better for your hair needs and goals.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Factor | Olaplex | Verb |
| Key Active Ingredient | Patented bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate | Pro-Keratin |
| Repairing Ability | Unparalleled bond rebuilding | Strengthens and conditions |
| At-Home Use | No. 0 and 3 treatments | Ghost Oil and Mask |
| Cost | $28 – $38 per treatment | $17 – $25 per product |
| Ingredients | Clean, minimal formula | Free of harsh additives |
| Best For | Severely damaged hair | Supplemental conditioning |
Overview of Olaplex
Olaplex skyrocketed to popularity after launching in 2014 thanks to its revolutionary ability to “re-bond” and repair broken hair bonds caused by chemical, thermal, and mechanical damage.
Some quick facts about Olaplex:
- Contains a patented active ingredient (bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate) that works on a molecular level to seek out and mend damage within the hair.
- Available as an in-salon service (No. 1-3), at-home treatments (No. 0, 3-8), and everyday bonding maintenance (No. 4-7). Most popular is No. 3 Hair Perfector treatment.
- Salons need special certification to offer Olaplex treatments. At-home products can be purchased by anyone.
- Demonstrates proven abilities to increase hair strength, boost moisture, improve texture, reduce breakage, and minimize color fade.
- Prices range from $28 for at-home products to $50-100+ for salon services. High-end pricing but matches luxury brand status.
Now let’s explore how Verb products compare.
Also Read: Comparison Between Oribe And Shu Uemura
Overview of Verb
Verb is a newer hair care brand that launched in 2019 with a collection focused on damage repair and thermal protection.
Some Verb key facts:
- Uses a proprietary compound called Pro-Keratin in its products. Pro-Keratin is intended to reinforce and rebuild keratin within the hair for strength and protection.
- Product lineup includes Ghost Oil (its hero product), Ghost Mask, Ghost Shampoo, Ghost Conditioner, Ghost Cream, and Ghost Prep spray. Offerings cater both to salon use and at-home maintenance.
- ghost oil made without silicones, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and gluten. Brand positions as high-performance but without harsh ingredients.
- Products can be purchased by any customer rather than requiring a salon like Olaplex. Price range is $17 – $24 for most items.
- Known for its pleasant scents and lightweight feel that won’t weigh hair down. Still provides ample conditioning, smoothing, and thermal defense.
Comparison Between Olaplex And Verb
Repairing Ability Comparison
The most important consideration for most is how well each brand actually repairs hair damage and protects against future breakage.
- Olaplex has proven repair power thanks to decades of scientific research perfecting its patented active ingredient. Dramatically increases hair strength and minimizes split ends.
- Verb does provide notable nourishing and strengthening effects due to the Pro-Keratin and other ingredients. But can’t “re-bond” hair on a molecular level like Olaplex. More surface-level repair versus deep damage reversal.
- Heat/color protection – Both add protection against thermal styling and color fading although Olaplex has demonstrated slightly better damage blocking abilities.
For dramatically overprocessed or compromised hair, Olaplex pulls ahead in repairing performance and rehabilitating the most severe damage.
But Verb still excels in providing conditioning, strengthening, and general damage control for all hair types.
Also Read: Comparison Between Native And Primally Pure.
At-Home Use Comparison
Both brands offer at-home treatment options in addition to in-salon services:
- Olaplex No. 0 Intensive Bond Building Hair treatment – Use 1-2x per week to restore bonds damaged by chemical, thermal, and mechanical stressors.
- Verb Ghost Mask – Apply weekly or bi-weekly and leave on for 10+ minutes. Reconstructs hair from within for strength and manageability.
For continual protection:
- Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector – Iconic bond-building treatment for use 1-2x per week. Also No. 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.
- Verb Ghost Oil, Ghost Conditioner, Ghost Cream, Ghost Prep – Daily protective products.
Olaplex holds a performance edge again but Verb offers much greater versatility and convenience for home use. No need to purchase multiple systems – Ghost Oil and Mask provide easy routine strengthening.
Cost Comparison
Olaplex commands luxury brand prices while Verb offers salon-quality performance at more affordable pricing:
- Olaplex at-home treatments range from $28-$38 per bottle. Salon services $50+.
- Verb at-home products priced at $17-$24. Ghost Mask priced very reasonably at $25 for 5 oz. Same performance at lower costs.
If budget is a significant factor, Verb provides the best value and cost-efficiency. Olaplex is a major investment but does deliver medical-grade repairing power unmatched by any other brand.
Ingredient Quality Comparison
When it comes to what’s actually in the bottles, both brands utilize high standards:
- Olaplex – Clean formula focused solely on bond-building. No silicones, sulfates, phthalates, or harsh additives. Vegan and cruelty-free.
- Verb – Also free of silicones, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and gluten. Emphasis on cold-pressed natural oils for nourishment. Vegan and cruelty-free.
No hazardous or sketchy ingredients with either option. Olaplex keeps it simple and pure while Verb infuses nourishing botanical elements.
For those with sensitivities, we’d suggest performing a patch test when introducing any new hair product. But both are formulated well for most hair types.
Also Read: Comparison Between Vitality Extracts And doTERRA Essential Oils.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
No other brand or product is as effective as Olaplex at actually reversing chemical damage down to the molecular level. The patented active ingredient is exclusive to Olaplex. Some come close, but nothing fully matches Olaplex’s proven repairing power.
No other hair products contain the exact same patented active ingredient used in Olaplex, bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate. Some bond-building alternatives like Brazilian Bond Builder, Curlsmith Bond Curl Rehab Salve, or Redken pH Bonder contain similar bonding agents but not an identical match.
Olaplex is incredibly effective because of its patented active ingredient that works on a molecular level to find broken disulfide bonds in the hair and rebuild those bonds. This allows Olaplex to actually re-bond and repair hair from the inside out rather than just coat the surface. It stands alone in damage-reversing capabilities.
K18 is the brand most often compared to Olaplex, but it is not an identical treatment. Like Olaplex, it does claim to repair hair bonds using amino acids. However, K18 doesn’t actually contain a patented active the way Olaplex does. Performance seems to be solid but not quite as dramatic as Olaplex for severe damage. It’s a pricier alternative with similar strengthening benefits.
The Verdict
When weighing all the factors, Olaplex takes the lead in repairing power and dramatic damage reversal. The in-salon services and No. 0 and 3 at-home treatments outperform any other option when it comes to rehabilitating compromised hair.
However, Verb offers exceptional strengthening, protection, and manageability at more accessible price points. For supplemental conditioning and maintenance between Olaplex treatments, Verb is a great choice that maximizes performance without the premium cost.
Ultimately, using Olaplex and Verb together provides the ideal damage-fighting combination – Olaplex to fully restore broken bonds and Verb to maintain and safeguard the repairs between salon visits.
If choosing just one, those on a budget or with non-critical damage will find incredible value and performance in Verb’s offerings. For severely damaged or overprocessed hair, the premium price of Olaplex pays for itself in repaired, healthy hair.
