Davines Oi All in One Milk vs Oi Hair Oil
I’m a huge Davines fan, and have loved incorporating their products into my haircare routine over the years. Their products are definitely more expensive though, so it’s important that they earn their keep in my line-up and deliver on their promises, especially since there are so many dupes and drugstore finds that work just as good. Two Davines products my stylist uses on my every time I get my hair done are the Davines Oi All in One Milk and Oi Hair Oil. They always seemed really similar to me, but after buying them and playing with them over the last few months, I’ve really gotten to know their strengths and weaknesses and figured out which product works better for what, and who they’re best for.
Both the Davines Oi All in One Milk and Oi Hair Oil are designed to add softness and shine, work for all hair types, reduce frizz, protect your hair against damage, and give your hair a salon-worthy look. Each bottle is the same size, yet the Oi Hair Oil is significantly expensive. For their pros, cons, key differences and similarities, as well as a full breakdown to help figure out which one is ultimately better, keep reading.
davines oi all in one milk vs oi hair oil
davines oi all in one milk review
I have a full review of the Davines Oi All in One Milk, but for a cheat sheet: I like the Davines Oi All in One Milk but because of the scent and price, I don’t love it. This product delivers on everything it promises - reduces frizz, adds shine and softness, doubles as a detangler/ heat protectant, and makes your hair look like you just got it done at a salon. The biggest downside for me is the scent; the entire Davines Oi line is definitely specific. It’s a sharp, masculine scent that you’ll love or hate; I love masculine scents typically, but recommend testing this out in person before you blind-buy.
The Davines Oi All in One Milk is also a little pricey; I think there are similar leave-in conditioning products on the market that work just as well but are a little cheaper. However, if you have dry, damaged hair, get it highlighted or bleached regularly, or struggle with lots of frizz and split ends, it’s absolutely worth it and you’ll notice a difference in your hair health immediately as well as in the long-term.
how to use 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. It’s a heat protectant, so that saves you an extra product/ step if you heat style your hair.
pros
Works well and just as described - makes your hair soft, hydrated, and shiny.
Doubles as a heat protectant and detangler.
Tames frizz.
Color-safe.
Vegan and cruelty-free.
cons
Scent - it’s a love it or hate it fragrance. It's not my favorite, and I tend to really love masculine, musky scents. I’m extra-sensitive to fragrance on migraine days, and it’s a bummer I can’t really use this product on those days.
If you use too much or use it on dry hair, it can make your hair crunchy/ sticky.
The nozzle isn’t super functional; I recommend spraying into your hands rather than directly onto hair.
davines oi all in one milk dupes
I go into a lot of detail breaking down price per ounce on my OG Davines Oi All in One Milk Review post, but my top two dupes would have to be:
It’s a 10 Haircare Miracle Leave-In Product - A cheaper 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.
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 also loves how this tames her wiry grey hair without weighing it down.
davines oi hair oil review
The Davines Oi Hair Oil definitely took a few uses to win me over. It’s a thicker hair oil, so I find that it works better as a finishing product for my fine hair than a pre-styling product. It adds tons of shine - truly makes your hair glow in the sun, and I get compliments anytime I use it. If you have frizzy hair, this does a great job of taming that while also adding hydration to restore hair health and reduce damage long-term.
Unlike the Oi All in One Milk, this doesn’t double as a heat protectant, yet it’s $12 (more same size bottle). I will say, though, that a little goes a long way and the bottle will last you forever! I wish it had a different scent, but anytime I have a special event or want to look put together and feel good, I reach for the Oi Hair Oil.
how to use davines oi hair oil
Start small! Apply 1 pump if you have thin or fine hair; maybe 2-3 if you have thick, coarse hair. A little goes a LONG way, and too much product can make your hair greasy and weigh it down.
Apply to freshly washed, towel-dried hair, focusing mostly on mid-lengths to ends. This doesn’t work as a heat protectant, so add a pump of that, but you can then blow-dry your hair or let it air dry.
You can also apply this as a finishing product to the lengths and ends of your hair (what I prefer to do).
pros
Reduces frizz.
Adds shine - truly a beautiful glossy look that elevates your look.
Love this as a finishing touch for special events, especially on my ends.
Great for dry or coarse hair, as well as medium to thick hair.
Vegan and cruelty-free.
cons
Pricey and more expensive per ounce than the Oi All in One Milk (same size bottle, but Oi Hair Oil is $12 more).
Scent (same as the Oi All in One Milk).
Thicker, heavier oil that can weigh down fine or thin hair.
Marketed to also work as a detangler, but it’s a little too oily for that; I recommend the Oi All in One Milk instead.
davines oi hair oil dupes
Moroccanoil Treatment Hair Oil - Okay, this oil is slightly more expensive when you break down the price per ounce, but a little goes a LONG way and you can sometimes find it at QVC or Macy’s during the holidays for a better value. If you have dry, frizzy hair but don’t love the Oi scent or want something more cost-effective, the Moroccanoil Treatment Hair Oil is a true dupe. The smell is a mild vanilla (a little earthy, not too sweet), it works for all hair types, and also doubles as a heat protectant, whereas the Oi Hair Oil doesn’t. I love this as a pre-shampoo deep conditioning treatment, and it also provides ton of shine after styling. Maybe a little more expensive per ounce, but you’ll stretch it farther and get that added heat-protectant use, too. Math: $50 for a 3.4 ounce bottle, which is then $14.7 per ounce (Oi Hair Oil is $12.5 per ounce).
Verb Ghost Weightless Oil to Fight Frizz and Enhance Shine - If we’re breaking down price per ounce, this is the best valued dupe ($9 per ounce compared to $12.5 per ounce for Davines). The formulas are super similar, as the Ghost Oil is thicker as well. The scent is much milder; I can use this daily without triggering a headache. This also does a great job at reducing frizz, adding shine, and providing that finishing touch to your hairstyle. I’ve repurchased it many times over the years.
which is better: davines oi all in one milk vs oi hair oil?
Another question I get asked often is the difference between the Davines Oi All in One Milk and Oi Hair Oil. Here’s my breakdown and mini review for you:
Both the Davines Oi All in One Milk and Oi Hair Oil have the signature Oi scent.
Both products are vegan.
Both Oi products tame frizz, make your hair super soft, provide shine, and make your hair look like you had it freshly styled at a salon.
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 Hair Oil retails for $56.
If you’re on a budget and can only get one, get the Oi All in One Milk. Not just saying that because of the price breakdown; I think Oi All in One Milk is more versatile, easier to use, and also provides heat protection.
The Oi Hair Oil is a thicker consistency than most hair oils, and will weigh fine hair down more than the All in One Milk. If your hair is stick straight, it might also cause curls to fall quicker.
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, thick, or coarse hair and prefer the consistency of an oil to creamy leave-in, get the Oi Hair 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 Hair Oil as a pre-wash treatment (you’ll want to let it soak in for an hour or two prior).
If you want a product that also works as a heat protectant, get Oi All in One Milk.
If you want a product that adds shine and polish (like a finishing step), get Oi Hair Oil. I love using this for special events to really make my hair glow and pop, especially since I don’t pay for a stylist to do my hair or get blowouts.
If you’re more low maintenance and want a product that is easy to incorporate into your routine, get Oi All in One Milk. Oi Hair Oil is little more finicky.
Ultimate recommendation for you: get Oi All in One Milk as it really is that good; I think there are plenty of other high quality hair oils that are slightly cheaper and aren’t as strongly scented.