Beauty Olaplex No.6 vs No.7: Smoother or Oil, Which Do You Need?
No.6 Bond Smoother and No.7 Bonding Oil are Olaplex's two leave in heroes. One is a cream, the other an oil. We compared smoothing, shine, repair and how they layer together.
| Factor | Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother, 3.3 oz | Olaplex No.9 Bond Protector Nourishing H |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Concentrated styling cream | Concentrated bonding oil |
| Main job | Smooth, repair, speed drying | Shine, protect, de frizz |
| Frizz control | Up to 72 hours | Up to 72 hours |
| Best step | First on damp hair | Last as finisher |
| Repair | Leave in bond repair | Surface bond support |
| Shine | Healthy natural shine | High gloss shine |
| Price | Check price | Check price |
| Overall winner | Best styler base | Best finisher |
Our Verdict
No.6 wins as the styling base with repair and faster drying. No.7 wins as the finisher with gloss and heat protection. Most routines benefit from both layered together. Start with No.6 if you style daily. Add No.7 for the polished finish.
More Top Picks in This Category
Not sold on either of these two? Here are more bestselling options worth considering.
Best for: Blondes using No.6 who need toning.
Olaplex No.4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo, 8.5 oz
- Purple toning shampoo
- Bond building technology
- Keeps blonde bright
- Sulfate free
Pros
- Tones plus repairs
- Less drying than rivals
- Bright blonde results
Cons
- Expensive purple shampoo
- Can overtone
- Needs care with timing
Best for: Curly routines built around No.6 smoothing.
Olaplex No.10 Bond Shaper Curl Defining Gel, 5.9 oz
- Curl defining gel
- Bond building formula
- Frizz free definition
- No crunch finish
Pros
- Defines curls beautifully
- Bond repair built in
- Soft touchable hold
Cons
- Premium price
- Newer product
- Not for straight styling
Best for: Leave in moisture in the No.6 routine.
Olaplex No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner, Leave-In, 5.9 oz
- Leave in conditioner
- Bond maintenance technology
- Detangles and hydrates
- Heat protection
Pros
- Easy leave in step
- Great detangling
- Maintains bonds
Cons
- Premium price
- Can weigh down fine hair
- Newer formulation
Want the Full Picture?
Purple Shampoo vs Conditioner vs Mask: The Format Decision
The Olaplex system scatters toning across formats, and buyers need a decision framework. Purple shampoo, like the No.4P Blonde Enhancer in the recommended products, tones during cleansing and suits weekly maintenance for regular washers. Purple conditioner tones more gently while conditioning, ideal for dry or damaged blondes who need moisture with their tone. Purple masks deliver the strongest pigment hit in one session, best for monthly intensive toning or pre-event brightening.
Choose by porosity and wash frequency. High-porosity, damaged blonde grabs pigment fast: a purple conditioner or short-contact shampoo prevents over-toning, while a mask risks the lavender tinge. Low-porosity, resistant blonde needs the stronger formats: shampoo with full contact time, or the mask, since gentle conditioners barely register. Wash daily and the shampoo format keeps tone topped up effortlessly; wash weekly and the mask format makes each session count. Most blondes need only one toning format, not all three; adding a second format is how over-toning happens. For the complete toning landscape, our best purple shampoo guide maps every option.
Hard Water: When Purple Shampoo Cannot Fix Brass
There is a specific brass that purple shampoo will never fix: mineral brass. In hard-water households, calcium, magnesium, and iron deposit on the hair with every wash, creating a dull, brassy cast that sits on top of the hair rather than in the color. Purple pigment cannot neutralize minerals; it just layers violet over the dullness, which is why some blondes report their purple shampoo "stopped working" after a move.
The diagnostic is simple: if brass appeared or worsened after moving, or if clarifying shampoo temporarily brightens what purple shampoo cannot, minerals are the problem. The fix is chelating first, then toning. Use a chelating or swimmers shampoo to strip the mineral layer, then follow with the purple shampoo on clean hair. In hard-water areas, make chelating a monthly habit and consider a shower filter for the long term. No.4P and every other purple shampoo perform dramatically better on mineral-free hair; the product was never broken, the water was. For gentler toning alternatives, our Amika purple guide covers toning plus strengthening for blonde.
Diagnosing When Purple Stops Working
Brass that resists toning has three possible causes, and the fix depends on which one you have. Cause one: the underlying level shifted, meaning your blonde darkened or warmed past what purple can correct; purple only neutralizes yellow tones, and orange brass needs blue shampoo or a salon toner. Cause two: mineral buildup, covered above, which blocks pigment from reaching the hair. Cause three: product buildup from silicones and styling products, creating a film that keeps toner off the shaft.
Test in order. First, clarify: if a clarifying wash restores brightness, buildup was the issue. Second, assess the brass color: yellow responds to purple, orange needs blue or a glaze. Third, consider timing: if your last salon toner was months ago, the toner itself faded and no shampoo replaces it. The mistake is reaching for a stronger purple shampoo when the answer is a different treatment entirely. A salon glaze every eight to twelve weeks plus consistent at-home purple maintenance beats an endless search for a stronger bottle. Diagnose first, then treat, and the brass stays away far longer.