I tried all the Olaplex dupes from Aldi to Superdrug and a four-step bundle was the best – but one left my scalp squeaky

IS your hair feeling dry, frizzy, brittle and in a dire need of some TLC?

Well, mine definitely is. As someone who's been religiously bleaching her hair for close to a decade - as well as styling the short hairdo in a fun bob using heat - I know what it's like to desperately try to get some life back into it.

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Of course, the first option I, like many, think of is Olaplex - but although the cult favourite brand claims to offer long-lasting effects and the haircare smells amazing, the products are relatively pricey, with their shampoo and conditioner bundle selling for an eye-watering £56.

But Olaplex are not the only ones in the bond-repairing haircare industry, and the market is full of more budget-friendly alternatives, with some beauty fans even calling them ''dupes''.

How do bond-repairing shampoos work?

So, what's all the science behind bond-repairing haircare - and is it just a marketing ploy?

Chatting exclusively to Fabulous, Fabian Martinez, trichologist at The London Hair Clinic, explained more.

''Repair hair bonding treatments, like Olaplex, operate on a molecular level to address structural damage incurred during chemical processes.

''These treatments, featuring key compounds such as bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate, facilitate the reformation of disrupted disulfide bonds within the hair cortex.''

By reinstating these bonds, the treatment will reinforce the hair's internal structure, ''bolstering its mechanical strength and resilience''.

Using such haircare, in turn, will make your locks less prone to breakage, as well as enhance elasticity, and an overall improvement in hair health.

''Consistent application of these treatments not only rectifies existing damage but also serves as a preventative measure against future structural compromise, contributing to the long-term integrity of the hair.''

Background on my hair

Before I reveal my top picks, it's worth noting what my hair is like for a fair assessment and a better idea of the process.

Born a natural blonde, my hair turned darker as I got older, and at around 18, I started bleaching it - first, at home using drugstore-bought kits, then at salons, which I visit three to four times a year for a root touch-up.

This may also make some people cry and shout in sheer horror, but I wash my hair every other day - and although it may seem like a crime to many, I simply cannot stand the idea of going to bed with a sweaty feeling in my head after a gym session.

Although my bleached locks could definitely feel - and look - way worse, they certainly far from Rapunzel's blonde hair and couldn't go wrong with some TLC.

Here are the products I tested - and how they performed...

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L’Oreal Paris Elvive Bond Repair Full Routine Set

The L’Oréal Paris Elvive Bond Repair Full Routine Bundle for Damaged Hair, which retails for £34 at Boots, comes with four items - a pre-shampoo treatment, a shampoo, a conditioner, as well as a leave-in serum that ''boosts shine''.

The formula claims to ''target damaged hair & rebuild broken bonds from the inside out'' thanks to its Citric Acid Complex, and the products have already become a major hit, with shoppers giving them a positive 4.5-star rating.

But although the range has been branded a ''dupe'' by OK! Magazine, what did my hair think of it?

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Verdict

First, I applied the pre-shampoo treatment, the application of which was pretty straightforward, and let it do its magic for the recommended five minutes.

Then, I went in with the shampoo and the conditioner like you would and finished the process with adding a tiny amount of the leave-in serum on slightly damp locks.

It seems that the key here is really to use all the products at once and not mix and match, as some have claimed they didn't see much difference by using just one of the haircare items, The Style Life reported.

Needless to say, my guinea pig hair can definitely see why the bundle has found itself a devoted fanbase all over the world - my typically-dry locks felt as if they'd just visited a fancy salon.

Although I can't really comment on whether or not my hair bonds have actually been repaired, it certainly feels softer to touch and there was also a nice shine to it.

Would I recommended buying it? Absolutely, especially the pre-shampoo, shampoo and conditioner.

The leave-in serum, however, didn't really blow me away - and I felt my locks were a little greasy by the end of the day, despite not having applied the product onto my roots.

Lacura Bonded Shampoo & Conditioner

Unless you've been living under the rock for the last few years, you will have seen beauty lovers comparing Aldi's very own Lacura haircare range to high-end Olaplex.

Similarly to its posh twin, Lacura's collection, too, comes with a pre-wash treatment, a shampoo, as well as a conditioner, all three of which are selling for under £5.

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Although I didn't get my hands on the pre-wash treatment, the ingredients list looks very similar to Olaplex's No.3, which is priced at an eye-watering £28.

However, as pointed out by the Independent, what the formula does not contain is Olaplex's key ingredient- bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate, which is the patent bond-builder technology the brand is known for.

Verdict

After I jumped into the shower and started rinsing my hair after the shampoo, my scalp - though feeling clean - also felt incredibly squeaky and even dry; something I'm definitely not after.

Despite the initial scepticism and worries that my bleached locks will look drier than Sahara desert, the bonding conditioner came to rescue.

There's also another added bonus - the scent. Not only did my hair feel soft and silky to touch, and even had a lovely shine to it, I couldn't get over the luxurious aroma.

However, one thing to note is that if your hair is more on the thick side, you will run out of the products rather quickly.

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Jerome Russell Bblonde JPLEX bundle

Another cult favourite Olaplex alternative shoppers have been raving about it Bblone JPLEX by Jerome Russell, which has received a positive four-star rating on Amazon.

According to reviews on Superdrug, where the conditioner retails for £5, is ''suitable for all hair types'' - however, those with bleached hair, like mine, appear to be enjoying it the most.

But despite the raving reviews, what did my hair think of it? And is the range worth spending your money on?

To find out, I put to test all of the four products - the Bond Primer (Step 1), Bond Building Shampoo (Step 2), Bond Building Conditioner (Step 3), as well as Bond Maintainer Spray (Step 4).

Verdict

Similarly to L'Oreal's pre-shampoo treatment, it's difficult to judge whether not my bonds are actually stronger - but my hair certainly felt softer after the range.

One minus point to be aware of is that the application of the Bond Primer was rather messy - and I'd rather the product came in a spray bottle to avoid the liquid going all over my floors.

Out of the three brands I put to test, the JPLEX bundle had the least amount of scent - so if having your hair smell nice is a must, this range is probably not for you.

That being said, I'm a big fan of the collection - and the fact the Bond Maintainer Spray comes with an in-built heat protection is a major plus.

Comparing how my locks felt before and after the full treatment, I'm pleasantly surprised, especially given the affordable price.

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