Ever wondered who the winner is between Olaplex vs Ouai? Well I tried both of their shampoos. And we found the winner. Keep reading to find out 😉.
When I first heard about the Olaplex vs Ouai debate, I was knee-deep in TikTok beauty reviews, Reddit threads, but look, I was determined to test it out for myself.
So I decided to test both brands properly, not just on myself, but also my friend with totally different hair type. Here’s everything we learned about Olaplex vs Ouai products.
Meet the Hair Types in This Experiment
My Hair: Type 1 Hair, occasional bleaching & dying & heat styling.
Over four weeks, we alternated between Olaplex and Ouai routines and tracked how our hair looked, felt, and behaved. Pictures were taken. Notes were made. Hair was judged mercilessly.
The Best 3 Olaplex Products We Tried
Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector A cult-favourite for a reason. It’s a pre-wash treatment that targets broken bonds in the hair.
Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo Hydrating, sulphate-free, and great for colour-treated strands.
Olaplex No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner Thick and creamy without being greasy. It left my hair feeling stronger over time.
My Honest Experience with Olaplex:
This was my review after using the Olaplex bond shampoo, conditioner and the hair perfecter (no. 3, 4 & 5)
Me: “Olaplex feels like a science experiment on your head… but like, a good one. After two weeks, my curls had bounce again. The breakage I used to see on my hairbrush? Almost gone.”
Amara: “I used Olaplex trio on my hair & my scalp felt very clean but dry… my waves were softer, but a little weighed down by the conditioner. The hair perfector really defined my curls esp because I have a bit of heat damage from straightening!”
The Best Ouai Products We Tried
Ouai Detox Shampoo A weekly clarifying shampoo with apple cider vinegar, cleanses deeply without stripping.
Ouai Fine Hair Shampoo Adds volume, feels lightweight, and keeps oily roots in check.
Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner Hydrating but light – perfect for softening ends without weighing hair down.
My Experience with Ouai:
“Ouai makes you feel expensive. From the packaging to the scent to the results. My hair felt softer and looked shinier especially on day two.
I will say tho: make sure you smell Ouai before you buy it. The scent is intense in the shower, but it doesn’t linger too much after drying.”
Amara tried the Ouai detox shampoo, the Ouai leave-in conditioner, and the fine hair shampoo, which surprisingly gives VOLUME.
Amara: “Ok so.. the detox shampoo was a game changer for my scalp. The fine hair shampoo actually gave me a bit of volume where I used to have thinning from stress and alopecia. The conditioner was extremely hydrating, my hair had so much shine to it for weeks!”
Olaplex vs Ouai: Which Is Better?
Here is my honest comparison between Ouai vs Olaplex, and what you should consider before buying.
Texture & Feel:
Brand
Pros
Cons
Olaplex
– Excellent for damaged/bleached hair – Bond-building tech backed by science – Great long-term results
– Heavier formulas – Some report protein sensitivity – Not hydrating enough on its own
Ouai
– Tailored to hair type – Smells divine – Lightweight and easy to use – Helps manage oily scalps and dry ends
– Not as strengthening as Olaplex – Might not be rich enough for thick/coily hair – Strong scent in the shower (test before buying!)
Results & Honest Thoughts from using Olaplex & Ouai:
Olaplex: it strengthens hair, reduces breakage, takes longer for shine
Ouai: Softer hair immediately, smells amazing, less focused on repair
TikTok Talk & Reddit Reviews, Here are what more real people had to say about Olaplex vs Ouai
“Olaplex saved my bleached hair but the buildup is real unless I clarify weekly.” – /u/curlobsessed
“Ouai gives salon-level softness and I’m OBSESSED with the scent. I’d use it just for that.” – /u/glowgurrl
“Ouai fine hair shampoo and conditioner gave me volume and softness. My hair felt moisturized without getting greasy too fast. I used to have a lot more hair but stress caused thinning and a small alopecia patch — Ouai helps fluff it up so it’s easier to hide.”
“Olaplex is extremely drying. I have balayage hair and have tried everything from Aveda to Biolage and Drunk Elephant, but Ouai still wins for me.”
“If you’re using Olaplex, rotate in a more hydrating shampoo or conditioner. It’s not moisturizing in the least.”
Our Final Picks Between My Friend & I For Olaplex vs Ouai
Me: I’m Team Olaplex No.3, 4 and 5 for repair and deep detox. I also enjoy styling my hair so Olaplex gives me a clean slate.
Amara: She’s loyal to Ouai’s Detox Shampoo and Leave-In. Simple, effective, smells amazing. Her hair feels light and clean without dryness.
What we both agreed:
“Olaplex is more science focused, and bond-building. Ouai is more lightweight, very fragranced and gives luxury salon feel. Honestly, the real win was combining both Olaplex & Ouai. It really depends on you & your hair”.
Shop the Ouai I recommend (for fine hair)
Both the shampoo + conditioner work like magic, £56
Get 25% off sale right now on BeautyBay(it’s currently £65)
FAQs: Olaplex vs Ouai
Can I use both Olaplex and Ouai together?
Yes! In fact, that’s what we recommend. Use Olaplex for treatment/repair, and Ouai for cleansing and lightweight moisture.
Which is better for damaged hair?
Olaplex. No question. The bond-building tech is designed for real repair.
Which smells better?
Ouai. It’s giving Parisian salon in a bottle. Just smell it before you buy it — it’s strong in the shower.
Can Ouai replace Olaplex?
Not exactly. Ouai is better for maintenance and styling.Olaplex is for targeted damage control.
Will Ouai weigh down fine hair?
No, it’s one of the most fine-hair-friendly brands we’ve used.
The Bottom Line
If you’re wondering who wins the Olaplex vs Ouai debate, the answer is: it depends on what your hair needs. If you’ve got heat or bleach damage, start with Olaplex No.3. If you want your hair to feel soft, smell amazing, and look glossy ASAP, grab Ouai Detox Shampoo and Leave-In.
Or do what we did: mix and match. Your best hair might come from both worlds.
Written by Annabelle Williams, Hair & Beauty Editor at Surge of Style Email our team: marketing@surgeofstyle.com
This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through my links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices correct at time of publication.
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