12 best bond builders to help repair your hair from the inside
We inflict a lot on our hair. Heat styling, colouring and even just brushing can all weaken each strand, but bond builders have emerged as an antidote that allow us to play and experiment without completely destroying its condition.
The maths is simple: bond builders (or bond repair treatments) + hair processing = healthier, longer, stronger hair.
As someone who likes to experiment with colour (a lot), I've learned the hard way that even if your hairdresser uses salon-grade treatments and premium products at the time of your appointment, your hair still needs lots of regular at-home TLC. I've tried nearly every colour in a book, from platinum blonde and fiery red to rose gold and caramel balayage, so I'm very accustomed to “reviving” my hair from critical hay-like condition (note to self: never go platinum blonde in one sitting) – and one product that's helped me the most? Yep, bond builders.
SKIP TO: What are bond builders and how do they work? | How do I know if my hair needs a bond repairing treatment? | How often should I use bond builders?
Best bond builders at a glance – our top picks:
- Best bond builder overall: Coco & Eve Bond Building Hair Treatment, £23, Coco & Eve
- Best bond builder runner up: Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector, £28, LookFantastic
- Best bond builder with peptides: K18 Leave-in Molecular Repair Hair Mask, £25, Cult Beauty
- Best bond builder for all hair types: Living Proof Triple Bond Complex, £42, LookFantastic
- Best multi-tasking bond builder: Amika The Kure Multi-Task Repair Treatment, £27, Space NK
Ever since Olaplex launched in 2014, bond builders have slowly become the worst-kept secret in beauty. They started out at the backwash and in the stash of celebrity stylists, trying to revive their client's hair, and they've reached the rest of us, so we can all get in on the action.
Case in point? It's no secret that Kim Kardashian's hair has gone through its fair share of transformations, from platinum and honey blonde to black, brown and even pink. On top of that, the SKKN founder regularly gets her hair styled in almost every way possible. But despite all that, her hair still manages to look healthy and glossy. Sorcery? Nope, turns out Kim's secret lies in bond repairing treatments, and she spilled exactly the ones that she prefers…
In a Q&A with Allure, the reality star was asked about how she manages to keep her hair healthy after so much processing, dyeing and styling, and she revealed that among other hair products and treatments, she uses “a lot of Olaplex and a lot of K18.” She revealed: “I have surprisingly healthy hair for getting my hair done a lot and styling it, especially when it's blonde, it's still really healthy.”
Before we dig into the products, let's break down everything there is to know about bond builders and see what the experts had to say about the science behind the treatments.
Meet the experts:
- Mark Coates, senior international education manager at Olaplex
- Meagan Schlapp, R&D chemist and global education lead at K18
- Jordan Alexander, senior director global education at K18
What are bond builders and how do they work?
Bond builders are designed to repair broken hair bonds, thanks to amino acids and other high-grade ingredients that allow for a deeper penetration into the hair.
Meagan Schlapp, R&D chemist and global education lead at K18 shared with GLAMOUR that “hair’s protein structure is the key to maintaining strong, healthy hair." Meagan also notes that there are different types of bonds: “disulfide bonds, hydrogen bonds and the lesser-known but hugely important peptide bonds", all of which work together to contribute towards our hair's strength and elasticity.
In the past, many bond builder products addressed and restored only one type of bond. Nowadays, however, we're lucky enough that more advanced hair treatments work more holistically by forming numerous types of bonds with broken hair proteins.
How do I know if my hair needs a bond repairing treatment?
Despite popular belief, hair damage does not necessarily have to be caused by chemical processing. Heat styling tools and external factors such as lifestyle and environment can also often damage hair cuticles and cause breakage.
“Damage is a universal issue that everyone experiences to varying degrees,” explains Jordan Alexander, senior director global education at K18. “Keratin chains and disulfide bonds are broken in-salon or at home via chemical services as well as thermal styling such as flat irons, curling irons and blow dryers. Even for someone who may not use heat or chemically process their hair, they will still experience environmental damage from the sun and water.”
How often should I use bond builders?
“No matter where or how you live, daily life damages hair,” says Mark Coates, senior international education manager at Olaplex. Because of this, he notes that it's important to always include some from of bond builder as part of your regular haircare routine.
What does that mean in practice? Well, Jordan recommends using a bond builder regularly for the first 4-6 shampoos after heavy processing (like bleaching) to help repair the hair and get it to an optimal level. After this, you can switch to maintenance mode and reduce bond builder use to once every 3rd or 4th shampoo in order to keep your hair in top shape.
The good news is that bond builders have come a long way since they were limited to in-salon use only. Nowadays, they come in all sorts of formulations – all of which are safe to use from the comfort of your own bathroom. From overnight masks to shampoos, conditioners and serums, the options are limitless. To help you choose the right product for you, we've put together a comprehensive guide on all the best bond builders – all you need to do is scroll down and enjoy.
Shopping for more haircare products? We’ve got buying guides for the best dry shampoos, best hair serums and the best soothing shampoo for itchy scalps and dandruff. For more wellness, skincare and makeup content from GLAMOUR UK Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Twitter @deniseprimbet and Instagram @deniseprimbet.
Discover Kim K's favourite bond builder picks, plus other options available on the market…
Coco & Eve Bond Building Hair Treatment, £23, Coco & Eve
Why we love it: Made with a vegan, cruelty-free formula, this hair treatment product rebuilds disulfide bonds, ionic bonds and hydrogen bonds all at the same time for a more complete restoration process. Clinically proven to help your hair feel stronger and healthier in no time at all.
Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector, £28, LookFantastic
Kim K's pick #1
Why we love it: One of the best hair products around, this at-home solution is designed to help restore a healthy shine and softness to damaged, dry hair. All you need to do it apply it to damp hair, leave it to work its reparative magic for 10 minutes before rinsing and following it up with your usual hair products. Seriously, healthy hair is easier to achieve than you'd think.
Save big when shopping for the best bond builders using these LookFantastic discount codes.
K18 Leave-in Molecular Repair Hair Mask, £25, Cult Beauty
Kim K's pick #2
Why we love it: This peptide-fuelled leave-in treatment comes with a blend of amino acids that penetrates your hair to reconnect broken bonds while restoring split ends. Ideal for achieving salon-like results within just 4 minutes, leaving your hair more voluminous and elastic than ever before.
Pantene Molecular Bond Repair, WAS £10, NOW £5, Boots
Why we love it: It took the experts at Pantene seven years to perfect this formula. The treatment contains thousands of tiny Pro-V Nutri pearls that release millions of hair-boosting nutrients as you massage it through strands. They infuse the hair with lipids that help to reconstruct bonds at a molecular level, which in practice, results in hair that looks and feels ultra healthy, nourished and shiny (all for under a tenner).
Living Proof Triple Bond Complex, £42, LookFantastic
Why we love it: This nourishing hair product is ‘living proof’ that bond building technology works (sorry). Thanks to a combination of peptides and lipids, this hair complex conditions and softens your hair in an instant in preparation for styling and a good old-fashioned blow dry.
Save big when shopping for the best bond builders using these LookFantastic discount codes.
Bumble and bumble Bond-Building Repair Treatment, £29, Boots
Why we love it: Formulated for course, medium and fine hair, this bond-repairing treatment is not only ideal for reversing damage – it's also made to protect your locks from any potential risks such as excessive heat by boosting your hair strength. Did we mention that it's colour-safe too?
Enjoy more savings when you shop for bond builders using these Boots discount codes.
Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Intensive Pre-Treatment, WAS £24.10 NOW £21.69, LookFantastic
Why we love it: Looking for a quick 5-minute bond builder? Say no more. With ingredients such as citric acid and glycerin, this intensive treatment is perfect for minimising hair breakage caused by colour and chemical treatments. Suitable for all hair types and textures.
Save big when shopping for the best bond builders using these LookFantastic discount codes.
Amika The Kure Multi-Task Repair Treatment, £27, Space NK
Why we love it: A fast-acting hair mask that's safe to use on colour- and keratin-treated hair is something we can definitely get on board with. Filled to the brim with vegan proteins, vitamins, antioxidants and omega fatty acids, it provides the heat protection your hair deserves while also delivering a healthy, shiny finish.
Make sure to bookmark these Space NK discount codes.
The INKEY List PCA Bond Repair Hair Treatment, £13.99, LookFantastic
Why we love it: Not a fan of bond maintenance products with shampoo-like consistencies? Not to worry – this spray-on treatment can be applied on damp, towel-dried hair to help treat split ends and damaged hair. Just 4-6 spritzes for short, thin hair and 6-10 sprays for thicker hair will do.
Save big when shopping for the best bond builders using these LookFantastic discount codes.
Philip Kingsley Bond Builder Restructuring Treatment, WAS £28 NOW £22.40, LookFantastic
Why we love it: Thanks to panthenol, a pro-vitamin of B5, this bond builder is just the thing if you're looking to hydrate hair that's been damaged by brushing, heat and/or colour treatment. It's also great for detangling your locks and making sure they're easy to comb regardless of whether they're wet or dry.
Save big when shopping for the best bond builders using these LookFantastic discount codes.
Why we love it: This 3-step routine bundle features a trio of citric-acid-fuelled shampoo, conditioner and pre-shampoo treatments. Perfect for nourishing, cleansing and detangling damaged hair while helping restore its natural shine.
Save big when shopping for the best bond builders using these LookFantastic discount codes.
Color Wow Dream Cocktail, £25, LookFantastic
Why we love it: Strengthen your hair shaft and give it the elasticity it craves by reinforcing its natural bonds with this nutrient-rich formula. Made with sea kale, amino acids and vitamin B, it's ideal for vulnerable, colour-treated hair that's in need of an extra boost.
Save big when shopping for the best bond builders using these LookFantastic discount codes.
