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Side by side

Olaplex No.5LEAVE-IN Moisturize & Mend Leave-In Conditioner vs Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother

45% function match · 3 of the 10 functions we compared match Formula overlap 46%. Olaplex No.5LEAVE-IN Moisturize & Mend Leave-In Conditioner and Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother 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
  • Your answers appear here
  • Your answers appear here

When each one is the right call

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

  • No.5LEAVE-IN Moisturize & Mend Leave-In Conditioner — heat styling
  • No.6 Bond Smoother — heat styling

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.5LEAVE-IN Moisturize & Mend Leave-In Conditioner — 3.4 oz container Olaplex

No.5LEAVE-IN Moisturize & Mend Leave-In Conditioner

  • Leave-in
  • Prestige
  • Sulfate-free
  • Silicone-free
Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother — 3.3 oz container Olaplex

No.6 Bond Smoother

  • Leave-in
  • Prestige
  • Sulfate-free
Price, size & price per ounce
$26.99 3.3 oz · $8.48/oz
$25–38 3.3 oz · $8.18/oz
Value / price positioning
Same job for less elsewhere $$$$$ Prestige tier · costs more than 91% of the 553 leave-ins we’ve priced
Priced above most leave-ins $$$$$ Prestige tier · costs more than 90% of the 553 leave-ins we’ve priced
Best for hair types
Curly–Coily A heavy formula: coarse, curlier strands carry it without flattening. Your hair
All types Nothing in the formula or the claims narrows this to one pattern. Your hair
Moisture level Differs
High Humectants near the top — water-binding is a headline mechanism here. Your hair
Moderate Humectants in the working part of the formula. Your hair
Oils and butters Differs
High Butters near the top: a heavy, softening formula. Your hair
Low Oils are present, but low enough to be a finishing touch. Your hair
Slip / detangling Same
High Conditioning agents sit high in the list — this is a detangling formula. Your hair
High Conditioning agents sit high in the list — this is a detangling formula. Your hair
Weight on hair Differs
Rich Heavy butters and waxes in the first eight ingredients. Your hair
Medium Middle of the range — noticeable on fine hair, light on coarse hair. Your hair
Fragrance
Present Fragrance is listed; it sits below the working ingredients. Your hair
Present Fragrance is listed; it sits below the working ingredients. Your hair
Protein Differs
None No protein or amino acids in the list. Your hair
Minor Protein appears, low enough to be a supporting ingredient. Your hair
Silicone / wax buildup Same
High Water-insoluble silicones or waxes: a detergent wash is what removes them. Your hair
High Water-insoluble silicones or waxes: a detergent wash is what removes them. Your hair
Clarifying wash needed
Moderate Your hair
Moderate Your hair
Heat protection
Stated to 450°F The brand states a protection temperature — a label claim, not a measurement. Your hair
Stated to 450°F The brand states a protection temperature — a label claim, not a measurement. Your hair
Formula completeness
out of 10
Complete for its job
out of 10
Complete for its job
Who should choose this
  • Heat stylingthe brand states protection to 450°F
  • Protein-sensitive hairthat stiffens when protein is added
  • Maximum slipfor hair that tangles the moment it is wet
  • Dry, thirsty hairhumectants and emollients both sit up front
  • Heat stylingthe brand states protection to 450°F
  • Maximum slipfor hair that tangles the moment it is wet
  • Curl definitionfilm formers hold a clump together
  • Cuticle-smoothing pHa pH adjuster brings it to the acidic range hair prefers
Why you might skip it
  • Scents bother youthis product carries a scent
  • Oily scalp or fine hairthat gets weighed down
  • Stretching wash dayswaxes stay until a detergent wash removes them
  • Scents bother youthis product carries a scent
  • Curly-method routinesthese silicones need a detergent to remove
  • Very dry or damaged hairit contains fast-drying alcohol
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
Leave-inlotion
Leave-incream
Where to buy
Brand website
Brand website
Free of
  • sulfate-free
  • silicone-free
  • protein-free
  • curly-method compatible
  • sulfate-free
Scent
Scented, not described
Scented, not described
Heat protection
up to 450°F
up to 450°F

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.5LEAVE-IN Moisturize & Mend Leave-In ConditionerNo.6 Bond Smoother
Water
Neutral
#1Leading
#1Leading
Cetearyl Alcohol
Softens
#2Leading
#2Leading
Propanediol
Moisturizes
#4Supporting
#10Secondary
Behentrimonium Chloride
Detangles
#5Supporting
#7Supporting
Fragrance
Fragrance
#80Below the 1% line
#40Below the 1% line
Hexyl Cinnamal
Fragrance
#81Below the 1% line
#41Below the 1% line

What only one of them carries

No.5LEAVE-IN Moisturize & Mend Leave-In Conditioner

No.6 Bond Smoother

Full ingredient list — No.5LEAVE-IN Moisturize & Mend Leave-In Conditioner (85)
Full ingredient list — No.6 Bond Smoother (45)

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.5LEAVE-IN Moisturize & Mend Leave-In ConditionerNo.6 Bond Smoother
Supported
1
2
Partly supported
1
1
Stated by brand
3
2
Potential conflict
0
0
450F/232C heat protection
Partly supportedSold for hot tools; untestable here.
Partly supportedSold for hot tools; untestable here.

No.5LEAVE-IN Moisturize & Mend Leave-In Conditioner

  • Reparative leave-in to moisturize, seal split ends, and protect hairSupportedHelps hair feel hydrated.
  • Immediately seals split endsStated by brandCan’t be confirmed from label.
  • Continuously repairs and prevents styling damageStated by brandCan’t be confirmed from label.
  • Up to 88% split-end sealing after one useStated by brandOnly the brand’s testing shows this.

No.6 Bond Smoother

  • Controls frizz and protects for smooth, defined stylesSupportedSmoother strands, less frizz.
  • 72 Hr frizz control and humidity resistanceStated by brandMay help, but not measurable here.
  • Create smoother, softer blow-dries and more defined air-dried styles without weighing hair downSupportedSmoother strands, less frizz.
  • 91% easier detanglingStated 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 moisture and frizz control. Olaplex No.5LEAVE-IN Moisturize & Mend Leave-In Conditioner draws complaints about weight and how it cleanses; Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother draws complaints about the packaging.

No.5LEAVE-IN Moisturize & Mend Leave-In Conditioner

Hydrates and defines curls while reducing halo frizz

Ulta reviewers

Creamy non-greasy formula works in small amounts

Ulta reviewer

Some straight-hair users find the formula heavy or unclean

Ulta reviewer

No.6 Bond Smoother

Effective at taming and smoothing thick, hard-to-manage hair during blow-drying

Restores moisture and improves shine with a small amount

Ulta reviewers

Reduces frizz and drying time while leaving hair smoother

Ulta reviewers

Packaging leaks and some users report excess shedding

Ulta reviewers

Considered somewhat expensive for the product size despite liking the performance

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.

$8.18/oz vs $8.48/oz — within about the same cost per ounce.

$0.01/oz median $2.46/oz $76.00/oz $8.48/oz No.5LEAVE-IN Moisturize & $8.18/oz No.6 Bond Smoother

Every mark sits on one distribution because these are compared against the same set: 553 leave-ins with a computable unit price.

Value readNo.5LEAVE-IN Moisturize & Mend Leave-In ConditionerNo.6 Bond Smoother
Label
Same job for less elsewhereYou are paying above the range for a formula close to several lower-priced options.
Priced above most leave-insCosts more per ounce than most leave-ins; nothing in our library matches it closely for less.

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.5LEAVE-IN Moisturize & Mend Leave-In Conditioner vs Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration & Care Leave-In ConditionerSheaMoisture · 89% function matchNo.6 Bond Smoother vs Extreme Length Leave-In ConditionerRedken · 93% function matchNo.5LEAVE-IN Moisturize & Mend Leave-In Conditioner vs Transform! Hydrating Leave-in ConditionerAunt Jackie's · 89% function matchNo.6 Bond Smoother vs Strength Recovery Repairing & Strengthening SprayBiolage · 86% function matchNo.5LEAVE-IN Moisturize & Mend Leave-In Conditioner vs Curl La La Thirst Trap Curl MilkAunt Jackie's · 88% function matchNo.6 Bond Smoother vs Healthy Seal the Deal Split End Mender LotionSexy Hair · 86% function matchNo.5LEAVE-IN Moisturize & Mend Leave-In Conditioner vs Raw Shea Butter Deep Moisturizing Leave-In ConditionerSheaMoisture · 85% function matchNo.6 Bond Smoother vs Gold Lust Dry Heat Protection SprayOribe · 84% function match

No.5LEAVE-IN Moisturize & Mend Leave-In Conditioner · No.6 Bond Smoother · All leave-ins 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.

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