A Guide to Cureplex
Does your hair suffer from bleaching or lightening services? There is nothing worse than having your hair turn into lifeless hay-like strands after bleaching, colouring and styling services. There is a science as to why this damage occurs, but luckily, there is also a solution!
You may have heard of many 'plex' treatments like Olaplex, Cureplex and Fanola's own recent introduction Fiber Fix.
Cureplex was introduced to the salon world in 2015 with its revolutionary technology and ground-breaking science.
How Hair Gets Damaged
When you bleach or colour your hair, you are basically opening up your hair cuticle, or the outer layer, changing the structure of the hair. In this process, the hair can become damaged as the bonds in your hair are broken while pigment is removed.
The 'plex' treatment is applied during the service to help protect and restructure your hair simultaneously, improving the quality of your hair while lifting or colouring, which leaves your hair silkier and softer in the process. This is such an essential step to protecting the health of your hair.
Cureplex is your insurance with hair colouring, bleaching, highlighting, straightening, perming, balayage and even ombre!
What is Cureplex?
Cureplex is an easy-to-use 3-part synergistic system designed to protect the hair during chemical services, maintaining the health and quality of your hair. It prevents any damage before the damage can start.
Cureplex is perfect for damaged or over-processed hair, also excellent with extensions and preventing breakage. The Cureplex System incorporates a revolutionary proprietary complex of naturally derived actives, encapsulated in niosomes:
- Soybean IsoFlavones - Impart added nourishment improving hair's health
- N-acetyl-L-cycteine - Bond creator and protector
- Phytocermide - Rice derived, provides protection around the hair shaft
An innovative amino acid combination supports the noisome actives to link in the disulphide bonds.
How Cureplex Works
The Cureplex System incorporates naturally derived active ingredients with innovative technology to ensure it penetrates the cortex. This dual action creates new bonds and buffers the existing ones, which enhances the elasticity, strength, condition and softness of the hair.
This should make you feel confident when colouring your hair; rest assured that your hair is not going to be overly damaged during a chemical service when Cureplex is involved.
No 1. Bond Creator
When mixed with powder lightener, tint, demi-permanent or direct dye, the Bond Creator links broken bonds and creates new bonds, improving the internal structure of the hair, and resulting in healthier and stronger hair. This boosts the hair's elasticity and makes it more manageable.
No 2. Bond Fortifier
Secures the bonds that have been created and repaired by the No 1. Bond Creator. Containing hydrating and conditioning ingredients, this product nourishes the hair and smooths the cuticle.
No 3. Bond Sustainer
This step is a take-home treatment to be used twice a week. It helps to maintain the bonds created and repaired in the salon service. It contains emollients to make the hair supple, soft and shiny.
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Using Cureplex
When using the range of Cureplex products (No.1 Bond Creator, No.2 Bond Fortifier, and No.3 Bond Sustainer) for different colouring and hairstyling techniques, it's important to pay attention to the mixture you apply.
The application is pretty straightforward as long as you consider individual client requirements and give your client advice about how to apply Cureplex No.3 Bond Sustainer at home.
Here is how to properly use Cureplex for a variety of applications:
Toning/ Demi-permanent Colouring
No 1 Bond Creator- Apply 1ml for every 10 grams/ml of hair colour.
- Apply, rinse, wash with a Cureplex shampoo, and towel dry.
- Apply on towel-dried hair, leave for at least 5 minutes, and rinse well.
- Use Cureplex Conditioner to detangle hair.
- Use twice per week
- Apply on shampooed, rinsed, and towel-dried hair from roots to ends
- Leave it for a minimum of 5 minutes.
- Rinse and style.
Ultra-high Colour Lifting
No 1 Bond Creator- Apply 7.5ml for every 50 grams/ml of hair colour.
- Rinse, wash with a Cureplex shampoo, and towel dry.
- Apply on towel-dried hair, leave for at least 5 minutes, and rinse well.
- Use Cureplex Conditioner to detangle hair.
- Use twice per week
- Apply on shampooed, rinsed, and towel-dried hair from roots to ends
- Leave it for a minimum of 5 minutes.
- Rinse and style.
Bleaching, including Highlights, Balayage, Direct Colours, and Ombre
No 1 Bond Creator- Apply 2ml for every 10 grams/ml of bleach powder/highlighter.
- Rinse, wash with a Cureplex shampoo, and towel dry.
- Apply on towel-dried hair, leave for at least 5 minutes, and rinse well.
- Use Cureplex Conditioner to detangle hair.
- Use twice per week
- Apply on shampooed, rinsed, and towel-dried hair from roots to ends
- Leave it for a minimum of 5 minutes.
- Rinse and style.
An important tip for using Cureplex for bleaching - use Cureplex products before you apply toner - toning comes after No 2 Bond Fortifier but before Cureplex conditioner. When using Cureplex with direct colours, apply 1 ml to every 10 grams/ml of colour.
How to Use Cureplex for Perms and Keratin Treatment
No 1 Bond Creator- Apply 25-30ml for every 10 grams/ml of bleach powder/highlighter.
- Leave for 10 minutes.
- Rinse, wash with a Cureplex shampoo, and towel dry.
- Apply on towel-dried hair, leave for at least 5 minutes, and rinse well.
- Use Cureplex Conditioner to detangle hair.
- Use twice per week
- Apply on shampooed, rinsed, and towel-dried hair from roots to ends
- Leave it for a minimum of 5 minutes.
- Rinse and style.
Important note for using Cureplex with Keratin treatment - check if your favourite keratin brand supports using 'plex' treatments simultaneously.
Using Cureplex Kits for a Standalone Treatment
Sometimes, clients need to strengthen and repair hair without previous hairdressing procedures. For example, if the hair is excessively damaged, it is worth repeating the Cureplex procedure a month after the initial application that accompanied bleaching or colouring. In this case, follow the directions below:- Use a deep-cleansing shampoo to clean the scalp and enable Cureplex products to penetrate.
- Towel-dry hair.
- Apply 10ml of No 1 Bond Creator with 15ml of No 2 Bond Fortifier from roots to ends.
- Leave under a hair processor for 15 minutes and rinse well.
- Repeat No 2 Bond Fortifier application.
- Leave on for 2-3 minutes.
- Rinse well and style as desired.
Cureplex doesn't interact with hair colours, so you don't have to worry about changes in colour shades.
FAQ: Is Cureplex a colour?
No, it is not a colour. Cureplex is an additive you can mix with powder lightener or colour.
Will Cureplex affect the desired colour result?
No. Cureplex will not affect the desired result, however, can alter the processing time to be a bit longer than usual.
What do you need to know about your client before using Cureplex?
- The condition of your client's hair
- Your client's desired end result (e.g. how many levels lighter)
- The strength and elasticity of the hair
- Your client's hair length
- Your client's hair texture (thickness of individual strands)
- Your client's hair density (amount of hair on their head)
- Existing artificial and natural hair colour levels
- Contraindications to chemical services such as allergies, scalp sensitivity, existing chemical services (whether hair has been coloured with box colour or henna dye), condition of hair, presence of metallic and vegetable compounds
- Whether your clients desired result is achievable
- If your clients are aware of the extra costs involved
How do you test if this service is right for your client's hair?
It is recommended you do a strand test prior to your client's appointment based on their desired result.
How do you teach clients about the No 3. Bond Sustainer and how to use it at home?
Explain to your client what each of the steps achieves and the importance of at-home treatment so that your work in the salon is further maintained by the client in their home. Recommend the client use No 3. bi-weekly at minimum.
Away from the salon, the client may experience further hair damage as a result of thermal styling such as blow drying, straightening or curling, as well as mechanical stresses and environmental factors. Advise your clients that they need to have that added protection on their hair to prevent future damage and keep the hair in optimum condition. It is an added insurance policy they should not forsake.
Make sure your clients return when they run out of bond sustainer as this should be continued use for further results. This is a great selling point.
Should I be offering Cureplex to every client?
Yes. Cureplex is an add-on service suitable for any colour client to help achieve the best colour result possible, leaving the hair in the best condition. Every client should at least try it once to notice the difference it makes to their hair after a service.
Can you use Cureplex on damaged hair?
Yes, Cureplex is perfect for damaged hair as it helps create and repair bonds in the hair. It will help improve the condition of your client's hair. This can be determined after a proper consultation and strand test declaring hair suitable to be coloured. If not, a Cureplex stand-alone treatment may be the option until the hair condition improves.
Can I use Cureplex on hair extensions?
Yes, given that they are 100% human hair.
How much extra should I charge my client for a Cureplex service?
This entirely depends on your location and overhead fees. Different salons charge different prices based on the socio-economic background of the clientele in that area. On average, the additional charge of 'plex' treatments ranges from $50 - $80 including the take-home.
Can Cureplex be used on top of Keratin smoothing treatment?
It is best to consult with the manufacturer of the keratin smoothing system for advice on whether Cureplex is compatible with their treatments.
