If you're looking to reduce frizz, repair damage, and achieve smoother, healthier hair, you've probably come across Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother and Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil.

At first glance, they seem very similar. Both are leave in styling products that help repair damaged hair, reduce frizz, and protect against heat. So which one is right for you?

The answer comes down to your hair type and the results you're looking for.

In this guide, we'll explain the differences between Olaplex No.6 and No.7, who each product is best suited for, and whether you should use them together.

What Do Olaplex No.6 and No.7 Have in Common?

Although they have different textures and finishes, both products are designed to improve the health and appearance of your hair.

Both No.6 and No.7:

• Help reduce frizz and flyaways
• Strengthen damaged hair using Olaplex Bond Building Technology
• Protect against heat styling
• Leave hair feeling softer and smoother
• Improve manageability
• Are suitable for all hair types, including coloured and chemically treated hair

The biggest difference is how they deliver those benefits.

Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother

Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother is a leave in styling cream that focuses on hydration, smoothing, and frizz control.

Its rich cream formula deeply nourishes the hair while helping to speed up blow drying and create a smoother finish. It provides up to 72 hours of frizz control, making it an excellent choice for anyone who struggles with dry, unruly hair.

Best for:

• Thick hair
• Curly hair
• Coarse hair
• Dry or dehydrated hair
• Hair that's difficult to manage

Why you'll love it

• Deeply hydrates the hair
• Controls frizz for up to 72 hours
• Speeds up blow drying
• Protects against heat styling
• Leaves hair feeling softer and smoother

Because No.6 is highly concentrated, a little goes a long way. If you have fine hair, start with a very small amount to avoid weighing your hair down.

Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil

Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil is an ultra lightweight styling oil that delivers shine, softness, and heat protection without making your hair feel greasy.

It absorbs quickly into the hair, helping smooth flyaways while enhancing colour vibrancy and leaving hair looking healthy and glossy.

It's also perfect for refreshing your hair between washes, instantly reviving dull lengths with just a few drops.

Best for:

• Fine hair
• Medium hair
• Coloured hair
• Dull hair
• Anyone wanting more shine

Why you'll love it

• Adds brilliant shine
• Softens the hair
• Smooths frizz and flyaways
• Enhances colour vibrancy
• Protects against heat styling
• Helps defend against UV damage

Its lightweight formula makes it suitable for virtually every hair type, especially those who prefer products that don't leave any residue.

Olaplex No.6 vs No.7: The Key Differences

Although both products help repair damage, reduce frizz, and protect against heat, they each have a different role in your haircare routine.

Choose Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother if you want:

• Deep hydration for dry or coarse hair
• Long lasting frizz control
• A smoothing cream before blow drying
• Faster blow dry times
• A richer formula for thick or curly hair

Choose Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil if you want:

• Lightweight shine without weighing your hair down
• A silky, soft finish
• To enhance colour vibrancy
• A finishing product to tame flyaways
• A styling oil that's suitable for fine hair

Still Can't Decide?

Here's a simple way to think about it.

Choose Olaplex No.6 if your hair is thick, curly, coarse, or particularly prone to dryness and frizz. Its rich cream formula provides lasting hydration, smooths the hair, and makes styling easier.

Choose Olaplex No.7 if you have fine to medium hair or simply want to boost shine without adding weight. The lightweight oil softens the hair, enhances colour, and leaves your hair looking glossy and healthy.

If you want the benefits of both, you don't have to choose. Apply No.6 to damp hair first to hydrate and smooth, then finish with a few drops of No.7 through your mid lengths and ends for extra shine, softness, and heat protection.

Can You Use Olaplex No.6 and No.7 Together?

Absolutely.

In fact, these products were designed to complement one another and can easily be used in the same styling routine.

Start by applying a small amount of No.6 to damp hair. This helps hydrate the hair, reduce frizz, and improve manageability before blow drying.

Once you've applied No.6, smooth two or three drops of No.7 through your mid lengths and ends. This adds shine, softness, and an extra layer of protection while helping tame any remaining flyaways.

Used together, they create smooth, healthy looking hair that's easier to style and maintain.

Where Do They Fit in Your Olaplex Routine?

Olaplex products are designed to work together as a complete haircare system, with each product playing a different role in maintaining healthy hair.

A simple routine could look like this:

Step 1: Cleanse with Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo.

Step 2: Condition with Olaplex No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner.

Step 3: Once a week, use Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector before shampooing to strengthen and repair damaged hair.

Step 4: Apply Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother to damp hair before styling.

Step 5: Finish with a few drops of Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil for extra shine and softness.

If you're looking for lightweight protection before styling, Olaplex No.9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum is another great addition.

Using products throughout the Olaplex range helps support stronger, healthier hair while addressing your individual concerns, whether that's damage, dryness, frizz, or shine.

Which Olaplex Product Is Right for You?

If your hair is thick, curly, coarse, or particularly dry, Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother is likely to become your styling essential. Its nourishing cream formula provides lasting hydration while helping control frizz and making hair easier to manage.

If your hair is fine to medium, or you're looking for lightweight shine and softness, Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil is an excellent choice. It enhances your hair's natural shine without feeling heavy, making it ideal for everyday use.

And if you're after the ultimate styling combination, you don't have to choose. Together, No.6 and No.7 work beautifully to deliver hydration, frizz control, heat protection, softness, and shine, helping you achieve healthier looking hair with every style.

No matter which product you choose, you'll be giving your hair the benefits of Olaplex Bond Building Technology while creating a routine that leaves your hair looking stronger, smoother, and more manageable every day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Olaplex No.6 and No.7?

Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother is a leave in cream designed to hydrate, smooth and control frizz, while No.7 Bonding Oil is a lightweight oil designed to add shine, softness and heat protection. No.6 is generally better suited to thick, dry or coarse hair, while No.7 is a great choice for fine to medium hair or anyone wanting lightweight shine.

Is Olaplex No.6 or No.7 better for frizzy hair?

Both can help control frizz, but No.6 is usually the better choice for dry, thick or coarse hair that needs extra hydration and longer lasting smoothing. No.7 is better if you have finer hair and want to smooth flyaways without adding weight.

Can you use Olaplex No.6 and No.7 together?

Yes. Apply a small amount of No.6 to damp hair first to hydrate and smooth, then use a few drops of No.7 through the mid lengths and ends for added shine and softness. Using them together can be particularly useful if your hair needs both moisture and a lightweight finishing product.

Which Olaplex product is better for fine hair?

Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil is generally the better choice for fine hair because its lightweight formula adds shine and softness without feeling heavy. If you use No.6 on fine hair, start with a very small amount to avoid weighing the hair down.

Do you put Olaplex No.6 or No.7 on first?

If you're using both products, apply Olaplex No.6 first to damp hair, followed by a few drops of No.7 through the mid lengths and ends. No.6 provides hydration and smoothing, while No.7 can be used as a finishing step for extra shine and softness.