Yeah, it's been two years and I'm still goin' on about my botched hair job. I'm scarred for life!

May 17, 2017 (re-post). It's been almost a year since my traumatic and altogether unsuccessful hair transformation. They all (the many hairstylists) said it will take six months to recover my hair. I've been obsessively treating, cutting and babying my strands - Still, eleven months and counting.. Hair grows (it's a fact), but repairing severely damaged hair takes time - Oh, and lots of products. I'm embarrassed to say how much I've spent on hair repair solutions and vitamins.

Initially, I was skeptical of Olaplex and didn't have great things to say about this preventative treatment. The stylist who took my hair from black to orange to green to greenish-gray-yellow-blonde (YUP, thats what I ended up with), said Olaplex would protect my hair from the bleach and there would be little damage. NOT TRUE! Clearly this stylist overestimated the treatment and was 'possibly' misinformed. I was still under the impression that Olaplex would repair my hair. I used Olaplex one, two and three for a few months after, but didn't feel like my hair was getting better, so I discontinued the treatments.

Some time later my new stylist explained that Olaplex is a preventive treatment, and not a hair repair solution. She said regular applications would keep my hair from being further damaged. I got back on the Olaplex-wagon. Along with intense hydrating masks and vitamins, my hair 'slowly' started to grow. My stylist includes Olaplex step-one in my color solution. After rinsing the color, Olaplex step-two is applied. In between salon visits, I use Olaplex step-three (just once). Admittedly, I've been converted and am a fan of this hair-care product.

I'm sure it was a combination of many hair repair products, but so many people think Olaplex is a miracle treatment, that I'm inclined to give this bond multiplier, bond protector and hair protector credit for my healthy, shiny hair.

I was excited when I saw Olaplex Shampoo & Conditioner at Sephora. I'm a Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil super-fan and have tried a ridiculous number of other shampoos and conditioners, but always go back to Bb. Not this time - Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo and No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner have landed a permanent spot in my haircare routine.

The No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo has a refreshing citrus scent. I think I smell a slight coconut scent in there too - it reminds of Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil shampoo and conditioner. The scent is kinda strong and lingers. The shampoo lathers like crazy. I used my usual dollop and had suds running down my face, neck and back. I suggest starting with a small amount. Typically, if I go three days without washing my hair, I have to shampoo twice, but with Olaplex Bond Maintenance Shampoo, one wash is sufficient.

The No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner has a similar scent, but less intense and kinda creamy (fitting, considering it's nourishing cream for your hair). This stuff is thick and a little goes a long way. I usually use IGK Prenup Instant Spray Hair Mask after Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil, but it's not necessary with Olaplex conditioner. This creamy product is super-nourishing and leaves my hair feeling soft. After using Olaplex shampoo and conditioner, drying and styling, my hair does feel heavier than usual, but knowing that I'm repairing my hair once a week, is worth the weight. I'm a fan!

Olaplex products are kinda pricey, but you don't need a lot of shampoo or conditioner each time you wash. I think these bottles will last me months (washing once a week). I do suggest you alternate shampoo and conditioner brands. This nourishing treatment may be a little heavy for regular use.

You can purchase the Olaplex Salon Intro Kit - it includes the No.1 (step 1) Bond Multiplier, No.2 (step 2) Bond Perfector and No.3 (step 3) Hair Perfector. You an also purchase No.3 in a 100 ml bottle for more frequent use.

If you have damaged hair, or just want to give your hair some extra love once and a while, I highly recommend Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo and No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner. The repairing shampoo and super-moisturizing conditioner will leave your hair feeling soft, shiny and healthy.

High shine is a must if you have natural black or color treated hair. Lacklustre black strands are dull and uninspiring. After my botched hair dye job in 2016, my hair was damaged beyond repair. Any treatments I applied just ensured that there was no further damage, but there was nothing that would bring my hair back to the healthy, shiny black bob it was before my attempt to go blonde. I'm certain my hair is healthier a year and half later, cause it's simply grown out. Now I can focus on maintaining a healthy mane and super shinny strands..

When Bumble and Bumble (my favorite hair product line) launched a line of Bb. Color Gloss in warm blonde, cool blonde, brunette, universal red and clear - I immediately had to have this enhancing hair gloss. I do like some Bumble and Bumble products better than others, but this luxury hair brand rarely disappoints. I purchased the Bb. Color Gloss in clear and had HUGE expectations.

You apply the product to dry hair and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse, and go about your normal hair care routine. The scent is strange to say the least, but it is a color treatment (to all you people hating on the smell). The solution appears to have sparkles in it? Yeah, I had little sparkles on my face, along the hairline. Of course, you're gonna rinse and wash your hair, so the sparkles are useless. The process was easy, but the results lacked lustre. My hair was shiny, but it's always shiny AND I was expecting something miraculous to happen. I was hoping the sun would reflect off my hair and cause people to look away! I'm a little disappointed.

My hair did however feel incredibly soft and clean. As many of you know, super clean hair is not ideal - it's too soft, hard to style and typically lays flat. I didn't do anything else different that day, so I'm going to assume that the Bb. Color Gloss was the culprit.

I should point out that I applied the clear luminous hair gloss to already shiny black hair, so maybe my opinion should be taken with a grain a salt. I would imagine that if you have red hair, this stuff may be life changing. Blonde, red, pink, silver - these are all vibrant shades that require attention. An instant lustre pick-me-up between salons visits may keep your strands looking brilliant.

Another great hair product to keep your strands looking fresh and vibrant is the Bumble and Bumble Bb. Color Stick. This twist-up, crayon-like color stick is the perfect root touch-up product. The formula is water resistant - don't worry about color running down your face, neck and clothes if you get caught in the rain. The stick is compact and takes a little while to cover your roots (or grays), but is great for travel and on-the-go touch ups.

The Bumble and Bumble Bb. Color Stick is available in five natural shades - blonde, dark blonde, brown, red and black. There are four limited edition statement hues - Ballet (pale pink), Lilac (purple-ish-blue), Flamingo (fuchsia), and Pacific (a vibrant blue). The highly-pigmented color sticks are a great temporary solution to roots and grays or just enhancing your color with vibrant streaks. I also have an uneven hairline, and use the Bb. Color Stick to fill-in my fine hair for a full look.