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Side by side

Olaplex Nº.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo vs Wella Professionals Ultimate Color Sulfate-Free Shampoo

94% function match · 11 of the 13 functions we compared match Formula overlap 17%. Olaplex Nº.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo and Wella Professionals Ultimate Color Sulfate-Free Shampoo share 4 ingredients among each other's most prominent.

Based on your consultation

Which of these fits your hair?

We check your pattern, moisture need, scalp, fragrance tolerance, weight sensitivity and more against each formula — and say which one lines up.

Your profile at a glance

  • Your answers appear here
  • Your answers appear here
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When each one is the right call

What each formula is built for, from its own ingredient list.

  • Nº.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo — colour-treated hair
  • Ultimate Color Sulfate-Free Shampoo — colour-treated hair

Side by side

Every trait, aligned

One row per trait, read from each product’s own ingredient list and record. A dash means we have not researched that field for that product — it is not a “no”.

Trait
Olaplex Nº.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo — 8.5 oz container Olaplex

Nº.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo

  • Shampoo
  • Salon
  • Sulfate-free
  • Silicone-free
Wella Professionals Ultimate Color Sulfate-Free Shampoo — 8.4 oz container Wella Professionals

Ultimate Color Sulfate-Free Shampoo

  • Shampoo
  • Salon
  • Sulfate-free
  • Silicone-free
Price, size & price per ounce
$29–34 8.5 oz · $3.70/oz
$5.24 8.45 oz · $0.62/oz
Value / price positioning
Same job for less elsewhere $$$$$ Salon tier · costs more than 83% of the 817 shampoos we’ve priced
Lower cost than most shampoos $$$$$ Salon tier · costs less than 84% of the 817 shampoos we’ve priced
Best for hair types
All types Nothing in the formula or the claims narrows this to one pattern. Your hair
All types Nothing in the formula or the claims narrows this to one pattern. Your hair
Moisture level Differs
Low Humectants appear, but low enough to be a minor part. Your hair
Moderate Humectants in the working part of the formula. Your hair
Cleansing strength Same
Strong Removes oil, buildup, and most residue — a reset wash. Your hair
Strong Removes oil, buildup, and most residue — a reset wash. Your hair
Slip / detangling Same
Moderate Conditioning agents are present, lower in the list. Your hair
Moderate Conditioning agents are present, lower in the list. Your hair
Weight on hair
Light Water-first and light: unlikely to flatten fine hair. Your hair
Light Water-first and light: unlikely to flatten fine hair. Your hair
Fragrance
Present Fragrance is listed; it sits below the working ingredients. Your hair
Prominent Fragrance sits in the first eight ingredients — a larger share of the formula. Your hair
Protein Same
None No protein or amino acids in the list. Your hair
None No protein or amino acids in the list. Your hair
Silicone / wax buildup Same
None Nothing here needs a detergent wash to remove. Your hair
None Nothing here needs a detergent wash to remove. Your hair
Clarifying wash needed
Low Your hair
Low Your hair
Expected lather Same
Moderate An ordinary shampoo lather. Your hair
Moderate An ordinary shampoo lather. Your hair
Scalp active Same
None No over-the-counter scalp active. Your hair
None No over-the-counter scalp active. Your hair
Hard-water defence Same
Chelators present Chelators are present — they bind hard-water and pool minerals. Your hair
Chelators present Chelators are present — they bind hard-water and pool minerals. Your hair
Formula completeness
out of 10
Complete for its job
out of 10
Complete for its job
Who should choose this
  • Colour-treated hairthat fades faster in a sulfate wash
  • Protein-sensitive hairthat stiffens when protein is added
  • Fast-oiling scalpsthat need a real reset wash
  • Curly-method routinesno sulfates and no water-insoluble silicones
  • Colour-treated hairthat fades faster in a sulfate wash
  • Protein-sensitive hairthat stiffens when protein is added
  • Fast-oiling scalpsthat need a real reset wash
  • Curly-method routinesno sulfates and no water-insoluble silicones
Why you might skip it
  • Scents bother youthis product carries a scent
  • Dry or damaged haira strong detergent system strips as it cleans
  • Hair that needs proteinthere is none in this list
  • Scents bother youthis product carries a scent
  • Dry or damaged haira strong detergent system strips as it cleans
  • Hair that needs proteinthere is none in this list
from the formula stated by the brand reported by reviewers Scale: 1 dot low · 5 dots high, within this product type.
More facts about each one
Type
Shampoocream
Shampoo
Line
—
Ultimate Color
Where to buy
Brand website · Specialty beauty · Grocery / mass
Salons
Free of
  • sulfate-free
  • silicone-free
  • protein-free
  • curly-method compatible
  • sulfate-free
  • silicone-free
  • protein-free
  • curly-method compatible
Vegan
Vegan · label states
—
Cruelty-free
—
Not cruelty-free · PETA-listed
Scent
Scented, not described
Scented, not described
How often
weekly
—

Facts as we recorded them. A dash means we have not researched that field for that product — it is not a "no".

The bottom line

The bottom line depends on your hair

Which of these two suits you is a question about your hair, not about them. The consultation answers it — and tells you what your routine needs around it.

Take the consultation

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The detail behind the table

Where the readings above come from: the ingredient lists themselves, each brand’s claims checked against them, what owners report, and cost per ounce in context.

Shared and distinct ingredients

Shared and distinct ingredients

Computed from the ingredient lists as printed. "Shared" means both lists carry it; where it sits on each label is stated, because position is what tells you how much.

What both formulas carry

IngredientNº.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying ShampooUltimate Color Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Water
Neutral
#1Leading
#1Leading
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleanses
#8Supporting
#3Leading
Sodium Benzoate
Stabilizes
#21Below the 1% line
#8Below the 1% line
Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate
Cleanses
#10Secondary
#4Supporting
Fragrance
Fragrance
#40Below the 1% line
#6Below the 1% line
Panthenol
Detangles
#18Below the 1% line
#7Below the 1% line
Limonene
Fragrance
#43Below the 1% line
#23Below the 1% line

What only one of them carries

Nº.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo

Ultimate Color Sulfate-Free Shampoo

Full ingredient list — Nº.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo (43)
Full ingredient list — Ultimate Color Sulfate-Free Shampoo (39)

Claims check

What each brand says, against what each formula shows

Claims are quoted from each brand. We only mark one supported, partly supported, or conflicting when that product’s ingredient list actually speaks to it.

VerdictsNº.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying ShampooUltimate Color Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Supported
1
2
Partly supported
0
0
Stated by brand
3
2
Potential conflict
0
0

Nº.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo

  • Deeply cleanses buildup, restoring color vibrancy, shine, and softnessStated by brandCan’t be confirmed from label.
  • Clinically proven to remove chlorine, metals & minerals from hard water, excess oil, product buildup, and pollutionStated by brandOnly the brand’s testing shows this.
  • Free of sulfates, silicones, phthalates, parabens, MIC/MIT, proteinSupportedGentler on colour and coils.
  • Color safe, stylist & dermatologist tested, vegan, extension safeStated by brandOnly the brand’s testing shows this.

Ultimate Color Sulfate-Free Shampoo

  • Gentle cleansing to minimize color fade versus non-conditioning alternativesSupportedLess fade per wash.
  • Color vibrancy support for up to 10 weeks with complete regimen useStated by brandCan’t be confirmed from label.
  • Scalp-soothing formula with detoxifying properties targeting metal residueSupportedResets a coated scalp.
  • 73% consumer agreement on improved scalp comfort after first applicationStated by brandOnly the brand’s testing shows this.

What owners say

What people report

Recurring themes our researchers wrote in their own words from sourced reviews. We do not store or scrape star ratings, and we never balance one product’s themes against another’s by inventing them.

Both praised for a clean rinse-out and how it cleanses. Olaplex Nº.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo draws complaints about tangling and dryness; Wella Professionals Ultimate Color Sulfate-Free Shampoo draws complaints about the scent.

Nº.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo

Many reviewers note it is gentler than typical clarifying shampoos, leaving hair soft and full of body rather than stripped

general users

Reviewers consistently say a small amount cuts through hard-water buildup and chlorine without stripping hair the way other clarifying shampoos do

clarifying-shampoo users comparing it to other brands

Reviewers note the lather leaves little slip, making detangling harder right after rinsing, and recommend always following with conditioner

general users

A recurring minority of reviewers report increased scalp dryness, flaking or sensitivity, especially with more frequent use

sensitive-scalp reviewers

Ultimate Color Sulfate-Free Shampoo

Stylists and colorists specifically call it out as effective for extending vibrancy without weighing hair down

stylists / colorists

Reviewers with hard water report reduced frizz and improved manageability

hard water areas

Mild, gentle lather with no residue noted after rinsing

general reviewers

Reviewers report color vibrancy holds well between salon visits, particularly on vivid/fashion tones like copper and red

color-treated hair, home and salon dye

Some reviewers report scent does not linger and noticed no measurable improvement in color-fade duration

general reviewers

Price check

Cost per ounce, in context

Cost per ounce against every product of this type we have priced, each at the size it is most often sold in. Value labels are computed from that percentile and from how many products that do the same job cost less; they are comparisons, not judgements about a brand.

$0.62/oz vs $3.70/oz — Olaplex Nº.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo costs about 6× more per ounce than Wella Professionals Ultimate Color Sulfate-Free Shampoo.

$0.00/oz median $1.47/oz $17.29/oz $3.70/oz Nº.4C Bond Maintenance Cla $0.62/oz Ultimate Color Sulfate-Fre

Every mark sits on one distribution because these are compared against the same set: 817 shampoos with a computable unit price.

Value readNº.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying ShampooUltimate Color Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Label
Same job for less elsewhereYou are paying above the range for a formula close to several lower-priced options.
Lower cost than most shampoosCosts less per ounce than most shampoos we have researched.

Computed from cost per ounce against every product of this type we have priced, and from how many products that do the same job cost less. It is a comparison, not a judgement about the brand.

Compare with something else

Close formulas to each of these, as their own comparison pages.

Nº.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo vs Full ShampooLiving Proof · 96% function matchUltimate Color Sulfate-Free Shampoo vs Gentle Brightening ShampoodpHUE · 100% function matchNº.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo vs Perfect hair Day ShampooLiving Proof · 96% function matchUltimate Color Sulfate-Free Shampoo vs Color Fresh ShampoodpHUE · 100% function matchNº.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo vs Colour Shield Shampoo with Camu-Camu BerriesChristophe Robin · 96% function matchUltimate Color Sulfate-Free Shampoo vs Illuminating Color Care Biotin Sulfate Free ShampooPantene · 100% function matchNº.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo vs Gentle Brightening ShampoodpHUE · 94% function matchUltimate Color Sulfate-Free Shampoo vs Colour Shield Shampoo with Camu-Camu BerriesChristophe Robin · 98% function match

Nº.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo · Ultimate Color Sulfate-Free Shampoo · All shampoos in the library

How this page was made

  • This page is assembled from the same researched records the individual product pages render: identity, each ingredient list as printed, each brand's own claims, dated price observations, and review themes written in our researchers' own words. Nothing on it is written per comparison.
  • We do not rank these against each other. Which of them suits you depends on your hair, and that is what the consultation works out.
  • The formula similarity percentage is a stored, precomputed number: position-weighted overlap of the two ingredient lists blended with agreement on the attributes we derive. It measures how alike two formulas are, not how well either works.
  • The value band is a fixed label over two stored numbers: this product’s cost per ounce as a percentile of every product of this type we have priced, each at the size it is most often sold in, and how many products we score as doing the same job cost at least a quarter less per ounce.
  • The "Is this right for you?" panel reads only your own consultation answers, and it applies exactly the filters our recommendation engine applies. It is computed when you load the page and is never stored on it.
  • 10 sources were consulted across the products on this page.
  • Ingredient order tells you relative amount only above roughly 1%. Prices are observations on the dates shown and change without notice. We do not sell these products and take no placement fees.
  • This is cosmetic information, not medical advice, and nothing here diagnoses or treats a health condition.
  • This particular combination is not listed in our sitemap: we only submit pairs of comparable products that our similarity data says people would actually weigh against each other.

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