Review - Toni & Guy StrengthPlex
This post is a quick follow up on my previous review on Olaplex No.3. That review, in short, there was lesser breakage but overall I was pretty unimpressed for $50, which lasted about 3 and a half uses.
I stumbled across this article on Beautyheaven website, a lovely community that I am proud to be part of. The review on Toni & Guy's Strengthplex mask looked very promising. It is so affordable that there was really nothing to lose, so I bought the Strengthplex oil while I was there too (RRP $16 each. I bought them at half price in Woolies).
The complete Strengthplex line includes a shampoo and a conditioner. I did not purchase either of these because I use purple shampoo & conditioner to preserve the tone of my hair.
Claims
Strengthplex Bond Repair Mask: "Toni & Guy StrengthPlex Bond Repair Mask is a hair mask that is formulated to tame frizzy, flyaway hair while adding smoothness and shine. Harnessing the latest patented Plex technology, the range works to reverse the damage caused by colouring, blow drying and straightening hair as well as exposure to tough environmental elements. It reconstructs broken bonds in the hair fibre by using a combination of fibre actives and polymer 6 molecules which penetrate the hair fibre to visibly repair, strengthen and hydrate all hair types. Locally formulated and designed specifically for Australian hair, the StrengthPlex range is a bonding solution enriched with kakadu plum, which boasts the highest concentration of vitamin C for strong, healthy and hydrated hair."
Strengthplex Oil: "Toni & Guy Strength Plex Oil Treatment is an oil treatment that visibly repairs, strengthens and helps protect the hair from damage during styling. Its lightweight formula leaves a silky yet lightweight finish without weighing the hair down. It increases smoothness and manageability, while also minimising frizz, for smooth, silky and manageable hair. The unique premium, salon formula is infused with jojoba oil and kakadu plum from Northern Australia. It is colour safe and suitable for all hair types. Designed and made in Australia."
- from Beautyheaven website.
What is plex?
Put in the simplest terms, plex is a collective term of different technologies that developed to re-construct the bonds within hair strands to preserve or strengthen the integrity of the hair. Plex has been around for about 8 years and there are different ways of how plex can work.
Can non-coloured hair use plex?
Absolutely. The plex marketing generally targets hair that is coloured because colouring is extremely damaging to the integrity of hair structure. However, things like blow-dry, heat styling, straightening can also damage hair integrity.
Experience & results
Strengthplex mask: I often mix my purple conditioner with Strengthplex Mask in a roughly 50/50 ratio to achieve both anti-yellow and repairing effects. Sometimes I use the Strengthplex mask only if I feel I need more repair than usual. I leave it in my hair for 3 minutes before rinsing.
Strengthplex oil: After rinsing off the mask, I apply Strengthplex oil (approximately 6-7 pumps each time) on wet hair. The oil is completely absorbed once hair is dried without heaviness or stickiness.
So they say a picture says a thousand words. In this case I'll show a couple of photos :)
The first picture was taken after using Olaplex No.3 for the fourth time. I had just finished the bottle. My hair was left to dry naturally after using shampoo and conditioner.
The following picture was taken 2 months after. By that time I had used Strengthplex about 6-8 times (I was not even half way through my products - there were plenty left). I left my hair to dry naturally after using Strengthplex without any blow dry or iron.
Pros:
less breakage
hair is a lot more manageable, visibly smoother, softer and healthier
not necessary to heat style my hair to make it look good, further preserving the integrity of my hair structure
very affordable
Cons:
none
Overall impression
I am not sure if it is too early to call but I really think Toni & Guy Strengthplex is my best beauty find this year.
Ingredients
All products have been purchased by me. My opinion is honest.
About me
Makeup artist and hair stylist based in Sydney. Founder of the well-known award-winning bridal specialist team Faces Makeup & Hair. Beauty junkie with an obsession for skincare.