Davines OI All in One Milk Review
It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of Davines products. I use at least one daily, whether it’s the Minu Shampoo, NouNou Conditioner, or Heart of Glass Rich Conditioner. I love that Davines products are sustainably made, usually vegan (there are a few exceptions), and cruelty-free. That being said, they can be more expensive than I’d like to spend on hair products, so I’m really picky about what I think is worth using or repurchasing. I’ve bought all of my own hair stuff for years, and one of the products I get asked about the most is the Davines Oi All in One Milk. A hydrating leave-in conditioner that also doubles as a heat protectant (and one of Davines’ best-selling products), I’ve used it for years and have really come to figure out who this product works best for and whether or not I’d recommend it.
For my full review of the Davines Oi All in One Milk, tips for using it, and a few dupes that give you similar results for less, keep reading.
davines oi all in one milk review
Overall, I really do like Davines Oi All in One Milk. It does exactly what it promises - works as a leave-in conditioner and heat protectant, makes your hair silky soft, reduces frizz, adds shine, and gives you a polished, salon-like finish. My biggest critique is the scent. I love masculine scents, but this is really sharp, and it’s also extremely strong, which is sometimes difficult to manage as my migraines make me sensitive to strong scents. It’s also a little pricey compared to other leave-in conditioning products (I share quite a few dupes below), but the price is pretty on par for all Davines products.
I like the Davines Oi All in One Milk but because of the scent and price, I don’t love it. There are better-scented alternatives on the market, but if you love the Oi scent, I’d definitely recommend this! The Davines Oi All in One Milk is what convinced me to incorporate a leave-in conditioner into my daily routine; I just wish there was a way to make it a little less scented.
how to use the davines oi all in one milk
Apply 10-15 sprays of the Davines Oi All in One Milk to freshly washed, towel-dried but still damp hair. In my experience, making sure your hair is still damp is key. If it’s too wet, the product doesn’t hold as well, and if your hair is too dry, you can end up with a crunchy texture.
I personally recommend spraying the Oi All in One Milk into your hands and then working it through your hair. This made for an easier application for me, but you can also spray directly.
Let your hair air dry, or you can also blow dry it.
Style as desired. You can skip additional heat protectant as the Davines Oi All in One Milk protects your hair from temperatures up to 466°F.
For extra hydration, you can also apply 1-2 sprays into your hands, then apply to the ends (or mid-length to ends) of your hair for a more polished, sealed-in finish.
pros
Hydrates and makes your hair very soft.
Tames frizz.
Adds salon-like shine.
Also works as a heat protectant.
Infused with roucou oi, which protects hair with beta-carotene and antioxidants.
Works on all hair types.
Better than the Oi Oil (which is a bit thick and can sit on the hair versus deeply moisturizing).
Vegan and cruelty-free.
cons
The scent is very strong and also polarizing; it’s much more masculine than any other hair product I’ve used before, and definitely lingers for a while. You’ll either love it or hate it.
Pricey at $45 (which comes out to X per ounce).
If you use too much or use it on dry hair, it’ll make your hair crunchy/ sticky.
Using too much will also weigh down fine hair.
The nozzle isn’t functional for everyone. It’s a thicker leave-in, so I’ve found better to spray into your hands and then work the product in, versus spraying directly into your hair (unless you’ve just gotten out of the shower and your hair is still wet).
is the davines oi all in one milk worth the price?
Overall, yes, the Davines Oi All in One Milk is worth the price. The caveat to this is obviously the scent. It’s strong and very specific; some say it’s similar to a dryer sheet. I’d describe it as masculine and sharp. I love a good smoky, earthy cologne-like scent, but the Davines Oi line doesn’t really fit that bill and is hard to describe. I recommend going into Sephora, Nordstrom, or your local salon to smell it prior to buying, because the scent is the deal breaker that turns some away from this product.
As far as functionality, results, and value, I do recommend Davines Oi All in One Milk and think it’s worth the price. Davines is a higher-priced brand, but this product fulfills its promises and does what it says. If you want a heat-protectant that doubles as a leave-in conditioner that hydrates your hair, smooths frizz, and makes your hair silky-smooth, you’ll love the Davines Oi All in One Milk.
davines oi all in one milk vs oi oil
Another question I get asked often is the difference between the Davines Oi All in One Milk and Oi Oil. Here’s my breakdown and mini review for you:
Both the Davines Oi All in One Milk and Oi Oil have the signature Oi scent.
The Oi Oil is a thicker consistency than most hair oils, and will weigh fine hair down more than the All in One Milk.
Both Oi products tame frizz, provide shine, and make your hair look like you had it freshly styled at a salon.
If you have thin or fine hair, the All in One Milk will work better, as it’s less likely to weigh your hair down.
If you have medium or thick hair and prefer the consistency of an oil to creamy leave-in, get the Oi Oil.
If you struggle with extreme breakage or dryness, I’d recommend the Oi All in One Milk for regular usage post-washing and the Oi Oil as a pre-wash treatment (you’ll want to let it soak in for an hour or two prior).
Price wise, Oi All in One Milk is cheaper. Both products give you 4.56 oz of product, but the Oi All in One Milk retails for $45 and Oi Oil retails for $56.
If you’re on a budget and can only get one, get the Oi All in One Milk.
davines oi all in one milk dupes
While the Davines Oi All in One Milk is cheaper than the Oi Oil, $45 is still pricey for a hair product! If you’re looking for similar results at a cheaper cost, there are a few dupes that I also own and love to use and would recommend.
Just for reference, I mention the retail price but also share the price per ounce to give you the most straightforward comparison. Davines Oi All in One Milk retails for $45 for a 4.56 oz bottle, or $9.87 per ounce.
It’s a 10 Haircare Miracle Leave-In Product - The cheapest drugstore dupe, although it’s more expensive than I remember it being back in middle school when I first started using this product. It’s a very similar consistency, but a much milder scent. It’s also cruelty-free like the All in One Milk, but it does contain behentrimonium chloride, which can cause build-up over time, so if you use this, make sure to incorporate a clarifying shampoo every few weeks.
Price breakdown: $16.99 for 4oz, or $4.25 per ounce
Ceremonia Guava Hydrating Leave-In Conditioner - Lightweight but intensely hydrating, this works well on all hair types (including curly and coily) and provides heat protection without weighing your hair down. The scent is more of an herbal guava than sugary-sweet, which I enjoy. It makes your hair shine without feeling greasy, and my mom loves to use this on her wiry grey hair.
Price breakdown: $29 for 6.7oz, or $4.33 per ounce
Dae Mirage Mist Leave-In Conditioner - Honestly, this is my personal favorite dupe out of all the options I’ve shared here. The scent is fruity; it’s strong, but not overpowering. It is slightly thinner than the Oi Milk, but almost more hydrating, and also works as a heat protectant and detangler. I love to use this in the summer before I swim; it really seems to protect my color-treated hair from damage and it makes your hair so soft and silky-smooth. If you have little kids and want something that they’ll enjoy too, this is a great option.
Price breakdown: $30 for 5oz, or $6 per ounce
Ouai Detangling and Frizz Fighting Leave In Conditioner - Ouai products are consistently good, and this is no different. It is one of the more expensive dupes I’ve shared, so I’d recommend one of the others over this as the results are all pretty similar. I do love that you can get this anywhere - Ulta, Target, Sephora, Amazon, etc. and that convenience makes it worth mentioning. The scent is lightly floral, but if you are sensitive to fragrance, I’d say this is the most subtle out of all the dupes I’ve shared.
Price breakdown: $32 for 4.7oz, or $6.81 per ounce
Crown Affair The Leave-In Conditioner Cream - Yes, this is more expensive off the bat, but you get more per ounce and that makes it a worthy dupe in my opinion. If you like the masculine scent of Oi but want something a little more subtle, get the Crown Affair The Leave-In Conditioner Cream. It’s a little thinner than the Oi Milk, but you get very similar results. I use this on the baby hairs around my face when I need to take up-close pictures, and love the results.
Price breakdown: $48 for 5.1oz, or $9.41 per ounce