Lawsuit Alleges Olaplex Hair Product Misled Consumers

You may be eligible for a settlement voucher if you bought Olaplex hair care products between 2019 and 2024.

The popular hair care brand recently agreed to pay $4 million to resolve a class action lawsuit claiming it falsely marketed its products as "Made in USA" when they actually contained foreign ingredients.

According to the complaint, Olaplex violated several state consumer protection laws by deceptively labeling and advertising its products.

Legal Claims Against Olaplex

California law states that it's illegal to label or advertise a product as "Made in USA" if the manufacturer makes any of its components entirely or substantially outside the US.

This class action lawsuit claims Olaplex violated the following statutes:

• California's Consumer Legal Remedies Act (CLRA)
• California's Unfair Competition Law (UCL)
• California's False Advertising Law (FAL)
• California's Made in USA Statute

According to the lawsuit, Olaplex's origin representations deceived reasonable consumers who might have made different purchasing decisions if they had known that the manufacturer produced many ingredients in Olaplex products outside the United States.​​​​​​​​​​

Affected Olaplex Products in the Settlement

Settlement vouchers cover a variety of Olaplex hair care products purchased between February 7, 2019, and September 6, 2024, that included "Made in USA" or similar language on the labeling or packaging. 

Popular items named in the settlement include:

• No.0 Intensive Bond Building Hair Treatment
• No.3 Hair Perfector
• No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo (all sizes and variations)
• No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner (all sizes and variations)
• No.6 Bond Smoother
• No.7 Bonding Oil

You can find a complete list of covered products on the official settlement website.

If you purchased any of these hair products during the specified timeframe, you may have a valid claim for a settlement voucher.

Olaplex's Response to the Allegations

In agreeing to settle the class action lawsuit, Olaplex maintains it has done nothing wrong and continues to stand behind the quality and integrity of its products. 

Admits forgiven outsourcing 

Olaplex has emphasized that its contract manufacturers are based in the United States, but some ingredients are foreign-sourced.

After the settlement announcement, a company spokesperson said: "We pride ourselves on providing best-in-class products and services to our customers. This resolution allows us to stay focused on delivering the innovative hair care solutions they've come to expect from Olaplex."

No-fault settlement 

Rather than admitting fault, Olaplex describes the settlement as a business decision to avoid the costs and risks of drawn-out litigation.

The settlement agreement also states that claimants release Olaplex from liability for the legal claims asserted in the lawsuit upon final approval. 

This disclosure means that class members who do not opt out will give up their right to pursue further legal action against Olaplex over its "Made in USA" representations during the settlement period.

Compensation Available to Claimants

Customers can receive a $5 Olaplex voucher valid for any purchase on the Olaplex website. 

Each voucher is good for a single transaction, has no minimum purchase requirement, and can be combined with other promotions or discounts.

However, consumers cannot use their vouchers with other coupon codes, and they are not redeemable for cash. Vouchers will also expire 12 months after issuance.

Class members should receive their vouchers within 60 days of the settlement's final approval, which the courts have scheduled for September 12, 2025.

So why is the settlement offering vouchers instead of cash?

Coupon disbursement is a common remedy in false advertising cases, as it provides value to consumers while incentivizing them to give the brand another chance.

Eligibility Requirements for the Settlement

To see if you're eligible for an Olaplex settlement voucher, visit the official settlement website, which includes the following criteria:

• You purchased one or more Olaplex products between February 7, 2019, and September 6, 2024.
• The Olaplex product(s) you bought included a "Made in USA" or similar country of origin representation on the label or packaging.
• You are a legal US resident.

Importantly, you do not need proof of purchase to submit a claim.

However, you will need to provide a sworn statement attesting to the fact that you bought a covered Olaplex product during the relevant period and that it bore a "Made in USA" designation.

No matter how many qualifying Olaplex products you may have purchased, only one settlement claim is allowed per household.

So, even if you bought multiple bottles of Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector over the years, you can only receive one $5 voucher through this settlement.

How to File an Olaplex Claim

To receive your settlement voucher, you must submit a valid Claim Form by the May 12, 2025, deadline. 

There are two ways to file a claim:

1. Online via the settlement website: Visit the official settlement website and complete the electronic Claim Form. You'll need to provide your contact information and affirm under penalty of perjury that you meet the settlement's eligibility requirements.
2. By mail: If you prefer to submit a hard copy of the Claim Form, you can print one from the settlement website or request one from the settlement administrator. Mail your completed form to the address provided.

Claims will then go through a verification process. Once approved, expect to receive your voucher via email or mail within 60 days of the settlement's final approval.

Important Deadlines and Timeline

Here are the key dates to know for the Olaplex class action settlement:

• May 12, 2025: Deadline to submit Claim Forms, opt out of the settlement, or file objections.
• July 11, 2025, at 9:30 am: Final approval hearing before the court.
• September 12, 2025 (estimated): Effective settlement date, if approved.
• 60 days after the effective date: Deadline for the settlement administrator to distribute vouchers to eligible class members.

These dates are subject to change, so check the settlement website for the latest updates. The courts will review the settlement terms and consider any objections before deciding whether to grant final approval.

The Olaplex class action sets a precedent for companies to be transparent about the origin of their products and directs consumers to evaluate marketing claims carefully. 

By participating in the settlement process, Olaplex customers can have their voices heard and encourage companies to adopt more transparent advertising practices that benefit all consumers. Visit the settlement website to understand the legal implications of accepting the settlement and your other options, including opting out of or objecting to the settlement.