When it comes to the best haircare, most notably the best shampoos, conditioners, hair oils and hair masks, you’ll always find me recommending cool-girl approved haircare brand, Ouai. Founded in 2016 by top celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin, this brand not only looks chic but delivers impeccable results every single time.
Known for its sleek, minimal packaging, sophisticated scents and effective formulations, I guarantee that you will spot Ouai in every fashion insider’s bathroom. As a beauty editor, I have personally used the brand for years, and I always find myself coming back to certain products that are impossible to beat.
Intrigued? Below, I’ve rounded up the best Ouai hair products, tried and tested by yours truly. If you’ve been thinking about giving the brand a go, take this as your sign and keep on scrolling for my recommendations.
The Best Ouai Hair Products, Tried & Tested
1. Ouai Detox Shampoo
This is, hands down, the best Ouai product of all time. I’ve written a whole feature on the Ouai Detox Shampoo as I love it that much. I don’t wash my hair that often (maybe once or twice a week), which means I can get a lot of product build-up, but this makes light work of cleansing my roots without stripping the hair. It’s formulated with apple cider vinegar to help remove excess oils and impurities, leaving your hair feeling oh-so-fresh.
In my opinion, it may be a little too drying to use daily, but once a week should do the trick. I like to follow up with a nourishing conditioner or hair mask and my strands are always left feeling great.
Pros
- Removes product build-up
- Smells great
Cons
- Might be too powerful to use every single day
2. Ouai St Barts Hair and Body Mist
Ouai
St Barts Hair and Body Mist
One thing Ouai is loved for is its range of delicious scents, and this hair and body mist is no exception. Possibly the most perfect summer fragrance I have come across, it smells just like a tropical island, thanks to notes of dragon fruit, orange blossom, tuberose and musk. I always get compliments when I spritz this.
The formula itself is gentle enough to be used on both the body and hair, and although it’s not super long-lasting, the spray bottle is easy to throw in your handbag to top up your scent throughout the day.
Pros
- Smells amazing
- Can be used on both the body and hair
3. Ouai Curl Crème
As someone with naturally wavy hair, I find it hard to find creams that help to define my texture without leaving my hair feeling heavy or sticky. However, since adding this to my routine, I’ve pretty much fallen head over heels for this product.
Although the formula itself does have quite a creamy, thick texture, a small amount goes a long way, so you don’t need to use a lot in order to see results. My ends always feel so hydrated when I use this, and I am left with beautifully beachy waves that I have found so hard to achieve in the past.
Pros
- Hydrating formula
- Helps to define hair texture
Cons
- A little goes a long way, so be careful not to use too much
4. Ouai Hair Oil
Best for: Salon-worthy shine
If shiny ends are what you’re after, then let me introduce you to Ouai’s hair oil. I’m a big fan of hair oils in general and have tried hundreds over the years, but this is easily one of my favourites. My ends are quite frazzled from heat styling and bleach, but this makes them feel silky soft and always adds salon-worthy shine that I otherwise struggle to achieve.
You can actually also get the hair oil in the brand’s iconic St Barts scent, and I love layering this product with the body mist for endless compliments.
Pros
- Adds shine
- Leaves ends feeling soft
Cons
- Might weigh down finer hair types
5. Ouai Thick Hair Treatment Masque
Best for: A nourishing treatment
Ouai
Thick Hair Treatment Masque
I have the kind of hair where you can run a comb through it, and then two seconds later it will be knotty again. If you can relate, then you need to try this nourishing hair mask from Ouai. I always opt for the one for thick hair, but you can also purchase a fine to medium version of the mask, depending on your hair type.
Use this product as you would any other hair mask (leave on for five minutes after cleansing the hair), and watch your ends become so soft and manageable before your very eyes. How, I hear you ask? It’s all down to a nourishing blend of almond oil, macadamia oil, olive oil and shea butter.
Pros
- Super nourishing
- Chic packaging
Cons
- Finer hair types will want to opt for the fine to medium option
6. Ouai Wave Spray
Best for: Beachy waves
Another product that my wavy hair can’t get enough of is Ouai’s Wave Spray. I like to think of this as a chic, grown-up version of a salt spray, without any of that dreaded crunchiness. It delivers the most perfect, tousled, beachy wave and can be used on both damp and dry hair to revive your style.
I love this as not only do I use it on hair-wash day to help enhance my texture, but I know I can rely on it on the days in between when my hair starts feeling a little lacklustre and flat.
Pros
- Can be used on damp and dry hair
- Creates beachy waves
Cons
- Struggling to think of any!
7. Ouai Cape Town Super Dry Shampoo
Ouai
Cape Town Super Dry Shampoo
A dry shampoo is a must-have product for me, but I’m very fussy when it comes to which one I use. I don’t want one that leaves loads of residue on my hair and I also want to ensure that whichever one I do use makes my hair smell as if it’s just been freshly washed. Enter, Ouai’s Cape Town Super Dry Shampoo.
Formulated with rice starch, this product absorbs any signs of oil, sweat and dirt. Although it does need to be worked into the roots with a brush or your fingers, once it is absorbed, there’s practically no trace of it in the hair. All you’re left with is the brand’s dreamy Cape Town scent, with notes of ginger, basil and green fig.
Pros
- Smells fresh
- Revives hair between washes
Cons
- Has to be worked into the roots to avoid any residue
How We Tested
As a beauty editor with thick, dry and wavy hair, I have tried so many products over the years to help bring my strands back to life. Ouai has been a part of my hair care routine for years now, so I have put these products through their paces long enough to know which ones are worth investing in.
I’ve also recently got my hands on some new launches from the brand, and have tested them on hair wash days, hair maintenance days and so on to ensure that I can give my honest opinion on whether they really work.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products over the years—spanning skincare, makeup, hair and nails—and work closely with trusted experts including dermatologists, makeup artists and leading industry insiders to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
