If you’re fighting damage, dryness and sideshow-style frizz, selecting the right shampoo can feel like a daunt — but, yes, today we are comparing two cult favorites so you can decide: Olaplex No. 4 vs Kérastase Discipline.
Achieving healthy-looking, sleek locks can feel like an impossible feat, especially when damage and frizz always seem to get in the way. If your ragged, frizzy hair leaves you snapping up whatever product might repair–even manage–it, you’re not alone. In this article, we’re giving a deep dive into two of the most powerful shampoos to address these issues — Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo and Kérastase Discipline Bain Fluidealiste Shampoo.
Bot are cult favorites within the beauty community, but each one tackles frizz and adds smoothness in its own way. Olaplex No. 4 concentrates on bond repair — so, it goes to work inside of your hair structure in order to heal and rebuild strength, especially if you have chemically or heat-styled hair. At the same time, Kérastase Discipline purports to smooth the hair’s cuticle and combat frizz while also moisturizing — for smooth, soft strands that won’t wilt in humidity.
In this post, I’ll offer up an honest friend-to-friend comparison of these two shampoos Olaplex No. 4 vs Kérastase Discipline from their main ingredients and texture to how they feel on your hair. I also rounded out the post with user reviews and my own experience in case you luxury-rod yourself, so you can figure out what’s best for your damaged, frizzy hair. Ready to unravel the mystery? Let’s jump in!
Did You Know?
One of the active ingredients in Olaplex’s solution, Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate, was invented to protect astronauts’ hair from damage while in space. This bad boy works by reconnecting broken disulfide bonds in hair, one of the major causes of damage and brittleness!
Quick Comparison Table: Olaplex No. 4 vs Kérastase Discipline
| Feature | Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo | Kérastase Discipline Bain Fluidealiste Shampoo |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | Bond Repair & Damage Protection | Frizz Control & Smoothing |
| Best for | Damaged, over-processed, chemically treated hair | Frizzy, unruly hair needing moisture and smoothness |
| Texture & Feel | Creamy, rich lather | Light, gel-like lather |
| Key Ingredients | Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate (bond builder), mild surfactants | Moroccan Smooth Complex, Iris Rhizome Extract, Glycerin |
| Scent | Fresh, clean, slightly medicinal | Light, floral, fresh |
| Price Range | Premium | Premium |
| Cruelty-Free | Yes | No |
1. Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
A Overview:
The Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo is a game changer for anyone who’s struggling with damaged or chemically treated hair.
Ready to try it yourself? Get the Bond Maintenance Shampoo here and find out what all the fuss is!
Key benefits:
- Restores damaged hair bonds for healthy hair strength.
- Another Writes Not greasy and makes my hair so soft.
- Enhances the texture and manageability of hair.
- Safe for color-treated hair, helps appear vibrant.
- Curbs frizz by increasing the integrity of hair.
Texture, Feel & Suitability
This shampoo is creamy and decadent, it lathers up really well and it doesn’t strip your hair. It is gentle and moisturizing as you wash. It’s great for all hair types but is particularly great if your hair has been damaged by bleach, heat tools or harsh chemical processes. It’s made to be sulfate-free, meaning it cleanses without sapping the life out of your hair.
Battle Outcome: Pros and Cons
Pros
- High-performance bond repairing technology
- Safe for color-treated hairs
- Fewer breaks and more healthful hair over time
- Pleasant fresh scent
- Cruelty-free brand
Cons
- Premium price point
- May feel heavy on fine hair
2. Kérastase Discipline Bain Fluidealiste Shampoo
A Overview:
Kérastase Discipline Bain Fluidealiste Shampoo is formulated mainly to control frizz and smooth unruly hair. It’s formulated with the brand’s Moroccan Smooth Complex, intended to condition hair while reducing frizz and adding smoothness.
Curious about the results? Order the Discipline Shampoo here and test it out for yourself.
Key Ingredients:
- Control frizz and softness in humid or dry conditions
- Hydrates hair & seals the cuticle
- Helps to strengthen & improve manageability and shine
- Shields hair from environmental aggressors
- Improves hair elasticity and protects against breakage from styling
Texture, Feel & Suitability
The shampoo is a gel like texture and lathers into a mild foam. It’s easy to rinse out and doesn’t make hair feel stripped, but rather soft and smooth. It’s best for minor damage, not formulated to do intensive repair.
Battle Outcome: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Great for fighting against frizz and humidity
- Soft hair without feeling weighed down
- Luxury scent and experience
- Excellent for thick, coarse, and curly hair types
- No silicones or heavy residues
Cons
- Expensive
- Brand not fully cruelty-free
Ingredient Spotlight: How They Stack Up
| Ingredient | Olaplex No. 4 | Kérastase Discipline | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate | Yes | No | Repairs and reconnects broken hair bonds |
| Moroccan Smooth Complex (Argan Oil, Ceramides, etc.) | No | Yes | Hydrates, smooths hair cuticle, tames frizz |
| Iris Rhizome Extract | No | Yes | Helps protect and smooth hair fibers |
| Glycerin | Minimal | Yes | Natural humectant for moisture retention |
| Sulfate-free Surfactants | Yes | Mostly Yes | Gentle cleansing without stripping hair |
Real Results: How They Perform Side by Side
Olaplex No. 4 is a game changer for anybody with really damaged hair, when it comes to damage control. Its bond-building technology ensures that you’re not just covering up damage with conditioners or silicones — the lovely things work to fix hair from the inside-out, every time you use it. Hair feels stronger, looks healthier and becomes more resistant to breakage after 4-6 weeks with regular use.
Kérastase Discipline is a standout if frizz is your top priority, especially if you live in a humid area or have thick, coarse strands. It flattens the hair cuticle resulting in hair looking silky, shiny, and more manageable. But it doesn’t address damage at a molecular level, so if your hair is very damaged, it may not have enough restorative power on its own.
The two shampoos moisturize effectively without adding too much weight or heaviness — at the end of the day, hair is left clean, but not brittle. Olaplex might feel a little richer and just a bit more moisturizing, and Kérastase Discipline imparts some level of smoothness and detangling help.
My Pro Tip: For the best results, top Olaplex No. 4 with the No. 3 Hair Perfector treatment weekly to get the most bond repair. If frizz is your primary issue, after Kérastase Discipline, apply its corresponding Leave-In Smoothing Cream for extra humidity protection and shine.
What Users Are Saying: Real Experiences
I began with Olaplex No. 4 myself when my hair was feeling brittle and breaking post-months of color treatments. After a few weeks, shed hair became less and strands looked considerably stronger and thicker. The shampoo’s fragrance has grown on me — clean and mild, not too perfumey.
I’d switched to Kérastase Discipline for a little while after the summer months (in order to work with the nasty humidity, it made my hair felt silkier and more manageable when humidity was in the air). It was easier to style and felt leaner and lighter than the crunchy or weighted-down feel that some anti-frizz products can set in. My curls certainly loved the gentle moisture.
I had alchemized my hair into a mess after years of coloring and heat styling. Olaplex No. 4 has made all the difference! I can’t even believe how much stronger and healthier it feels.– Helen
This Kérastase Discipline shampoo was a life saver for my frizzy locks. It leaves my curls defined and smooth without any heaviness.– Roy
Wrapping Up: Which Shampoo Do You Need?
The one to choose between Olaplex No. 4 vs Kérastase Discipline will be based on your hair priorities. If you have very damaged hair as a result of bleaching or too much heat and you’re looking for product that can help you build your hair’s strength, Olaplex No. 4 is the obvious choice — the product’s patented bond repair technology really can’t be beat.
But if serious frizz control, particularly in humid conditions or on thick hair, is your primary concern and you also want smooth strands with just a touch of hydration, Kérastase Discipline provides luxurious smoothing care that leaves behind gorgeously soft hair that actually has movement.
So if you have ever wished you could use some sort of shampoo crystal ball to peer into your locks’ deepest conditioner desires, I’d have you consider what it is that your hair craves and go for it with confidence!
FAQs
Which of the two, Olaplex No. 4 or Kérastase Discipline, is better in repairing damaged hair?
If your hair has been significantly damaged by bleach or heat styling, Olaplex No. 4 could be more beneficial with its bond-repair technology. But if you’re concerned with smoothing frizz while keeping softness and movement, Kérastase Discipline is the way to go.
Can you use olaplex No. 4 and Kérastase Discipline side each other?
Reach for Olaplex No. 4 when your hair is in need of some serious repair and Kérastase Discipline on humid days or when frizz control is what you’re after.
Which is better to control frizz from sulfate-free shampoo, Olaplex or Kérastase?
Both Kérastase Discipline and Olaplex are great in keeping frizz and flyaways at bay, but the Kérastase Discipline is designed for this, so it is a little better for immediate smoothness. Olaplex No. 4 is all about helping with internal hair strength and bond repair over time.
