After 4 months of testing, let’s dig into my épres bond repair treatment review. Last year I spent 10 days in the Maldives and basically lived in the ocean the entire trip. Snorkeling every day, sitting in the sun for hours, UV index hitting NINE at one point. It was incredible. But it did a number on my hair.
I have long, color-treated red hair and I normally don’t use heat on it (I’m a sock curls girl), but the UV and saltwater damage from that trip wrecked my hair and no amount of hair masks were making a dent.
So I went on a deep dive researching the best hair treatments out there and that’s when I found the épres Bond Repair Treatment Starter Kit.
Four months later, I’ve used it consistently on my hair AND tested their nail treatment on my very sad, gel-damaged nails. So this épres review covers everything I actually know from real testing the whole product line, not just one or two uses.
What Is Épres and Who Is It For?
Épres was created by Eric Pressly, a material scientist with a Ph.D. who is literally the person who invented the bond-building category in hair care.
So when you see words like “patented Biodiffusion™ bond repair technology,” it’s only a tiny bit of marketing fluff.
The brand is for anyone with damaged or dry hair. Chemical damage, heat damage, color damage, environmental damage from sun or wind or salt water (hi, it’s me), or even just years of mechanical damage from brushing and styling. It works on all hair types and textures.
My Épres Bond Repair Treatment Review
OK let’s start with the star of the show: the épres Bond Repair Treatment Starter Kit is $50 for roughly a four-week supply and it is the one product in this whole lineup that I will absolutely keep buying.
Here’s how it works: Each kit comes with concentrate vials. You pour one vial into the épres spray bottle, fill it with water, shake it, and spray it all over dry, unwashed hair until your hair is fully saturated.
Leave it on for at least 10 minutes. You can sleep in it if you want (I have done this, 10/10 would recommend). Then wash your hair as normal. That’s it. One step.
I noticed a difference after my very first treatment. My hair felt softer. Not dramatically, but noticeably. After three months of using épres once a week, I have gone through about three full bottles and my hair is so soft and healthy again.
It’s the kind of repair that builds over time, but you get a little win right away, which is really motivating when your hair has been struggling.
What To Know Before You Try the Épres Bond Repair Treatment
- It does not impact hair color at all. I color my hair and have had zero issues. No color stripping, no weird interactions.
- The formula is oil-based, so if you leave it on for a long time or don’t wash it out fully, your hair might feel a little weighed down. Just shampoo well.
- Each bottle lasts about 3 to 4 treatments, so the $50 starter kit gets you around a month of weekly use. Is that expensive? Yes. Is it worth it? Also yes, if your hair is actually damaged.
If your hair is perfectly healthy and you’re just looking for a little maintenance, this might be overkill. But if you’ve had sun damage, wind damage, color damage, or you accidentally took a dip in the blue lagoon and wrecked your hair with mineral water, this is your thing.
Compared to something like Olaplex, which I’ve also used, épres feels more straightforward and easier to use at home. The spray bottle application is way less messy than a mask you have to apply by hand.
Is Épres Worth the Price?
For the epres bond repair treatment specifically, yes. Absolutely. I was hesitant at $50 for a four-week supply but I have bought it multiple times now and I’m not stopping. For the shampoo and conditioner, my answer is different (more on that below).
Épres Healthy Hair Shampoo Review
I also tested the épres Healthy Hair Shampoo because I figured if I was going all in on the bond repair treatment, I might as well try the full system.
It’s fine, but it’s not my favorite shampoo I’ve ever used and I don’t think you need it to get great results from the bond repair treatment.
The shampoo is quat-free, which means it doesn’t have the sticky molecules that coat your hair and weigh it down over time. Because of that, the formula is more of a liquid texture and doesn’t lather up the way you’re used to.
The brand is upfront about this and says to expect a different washing experience. I appreciate the transparency, but I will say it took me a while to get used to it.
It’s just not as satisfying as a thick, foamy shampoo, even if I know rationally that suds don’t equal clean.
It does leave your hair feeling clean and lighter. I’ll give it that.
But at this price point, if I’m being choosy about where to spend, I’d rather put my money toward the bond repair treatment and use something like Colleen Rothschild’s Cleanse & Shine Hair Duo if I want a bougie shampoo experience, or honestly just grab a Pantene if I want something that works without overthinking it.
Épres Healthy Hair Conditioner Review
The épres Healthy Hair Conditioner is also a quat-free formula, so it’s much less creamy than a traditional conditioner. The brand says it emulsifies when you add water and it does, but the consistency straight out of the bottle is a little unexpected.
Almost a weird tinted look (it’s slightly brownish), and it can separate in the bottle if you don’t shake it.
I have red hair so I wasn’t worried about any potential tinting, but if you have very light blonde or gray hair, I’d want you to know that the formula has a slight tint to it. I don’t think it’ll actually stain your hair but it’s worth being aware of.
Does it work? Sure. My hair felt smooth and detangled after using it. But again, it’s not something I’d go out of my way to buy when there are conditioners I love more at multiple price points.
Do You Need the Shampoo and Conditioner to See Results from Épres?
No. The bond repair treatment is the hero product here and it works regardless of what shampoo and conditioner you’re using.
The shampoo and conditioner are designed to protect your hair as you wash and extend the benefits, but I’ve gotten incredible results from the treatment alone while using other shampoos.
So if the budget is a concern, get the Bond Repair Treatment Starter Kit and use whatever shampoo and conditioner you already love.
If you do want to go all-in on the full system, the épres Healthy Hair 3-Step System Starter Kit bundles all three together at $112 (down from $126), which is a decent saving if you want to try everything at once.
Épres ePhD Bond Repair Nail Treatment Review
OK now for the part of this review I did NOT expect to love as much as I do.
About a year ago I stopped getting gel manicures because years of gel treatments had completely wrecked my nail beds. My nails were thin, brittle, and they’d just bend and peel instead of actually growing.
It was sad. I was on the hunt for something that would actually strengthen them without having to keep them short forever, and that’s how I ended up trying the épres ePhD Bond Repair Nail Treatment.
The nail treatment uses the same Biodiffusion technology as the hair products, but specifically formulated to penetrate the tightly cross-linked bonds in your nail.
It’s a two-ingredient, oil-based formula. You apply it, let it dry, and that’s it. You can put polish right on top of it once it’s dry, so it works as a strengthening base coat if you still like having your nails done.
I have been using it consistently for about four months alongside just letting my nails breathe from gel, and my nails are healthier and longer than they’ve been in years.
Are they perfect? No. But they’re not bending and breaking the way they were, and they’re actually growing now, which feels like a miracle honestly.
One bottle at $20 for a single pack gives you about 30 applications if you’re only doing fingernails. That’s a solid value compared to the hair products.
Who Is the Épres Nail Treatment For?
If you have damaged, brittle, or thin nails from gel manicures, acrylics, or just general nail trauma, this is worth trying. At $20 it’s an easy one to try and I’ve been impressed with how much stronger my nails feel after four months.
If your nails are already healthy and strong, you probably don’t need it. But if you’re where I was a year ago, get the single pack and try it.
Does Épres Work for the Abbey Yung Hair Method?
If you’ve been down the Abbey Yung rabbit hole lately, you already know épres bond repair treatment is a key part of her routine. Abbey uses it as a pre-shampoo bond-building step, which is exactly how I’ve been using it too.
The Abbey Yung method is focuses on reversing damage through pre-shampoo treatments, intentional washing, and scalp care. The épres Bond Repair Treatment fits right into that first step.
The reason épres has blown up is partly because of Abbey’s content, so if you’re coming from her content to my post to see if it’s worth it or not, I’m happy to help.
Frequently Asked Questions About Épres
How often should I use the épres bond repair treatment?
The brand recommends 1 to 2 times a week depending on how damaged your hair is. I use it once a week and have gotten great results. If your hair is really struggling, start with twice a week.
Can I use épres on color-treated hair?
Yes. I have color-treated red hair and the épres bond repair treatment has had zero effect on my color. No stripping, no fading, nothing weird.
The brand actually recommends having your colorist use their professional formula in your color service for added protection.
How long does one bottle of épres last?
Each concentrate vial makes one full treatment. A starter kit gives you enough for about 3 to 4 weeks of once-weekly use. I’ve gone through about three bottles over four months of consistent use.
Is épres like Olaplex?
They’re both bond repair treatments but the application is different. Épres is a spray-on formula you apply to dry, unwashed hair and leave on for 10 minutes. Olaplex No. 3 is a mask you apply before washing.
I’ve used both and I find épres easier and less messy to use at home, though both deliver real results for damaged hair.
Any tips for using épres to get healthier hair faster?
Consistency is the big one. Once a week minimum, and make sure your hair is fully saturated when you spray it on.
Don’t rush the 10 minutes either. I like to apply it, throw my hair up, and go about my morning routine.
And if your hair is in really rough shape, twice a week for the first month makes a noticeable difference.
Can I use the épres nail treatment under nail polish?
Yes! Once the formula dries, you can apply polish, gel, or any other nail enhancement right on top. It works as a strengthening base.
Do I need to buy the épres shampoo and conditioner too?
You don’t have to. The bond repair treatment works on its own. The shampoo and conditioner extend the benefits and protect your hair as you wash, but I’ve seen great results from the treatment alone while using other shampoos and conditioners.
All that to say, if you’re battling major hair damage I recommend starting with the Bond Repair Treatment Starter Kit. It literally saved my hair.
The shampoo and conditioner are fine but not a must, so put your budget toward the treatment first and use whatever shampoo you already love. And the ePhD Bond Repair Nail Treatment is cheap enough that it’s low stakes, so worth trying to see if it works for you.
If you’ve tried épres I’d love to hear what you thought! Drop a comment below and let me know which products you’ve used and how they worked for you.
