Ouai Shampoo and Conditioner Review
It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of Ouai. Their conditioner is what finally converted me back to being a conditioner fan, after years of exclusively using hair masks.
What makes their conditioners (and shampoos) different from others you may fine at Sephora or online is that Ouai offers separate shampoo and conditioner formulas for fine, medium and thick hair.
In theory, that makes choosing the right product easier, since each formula is designed around different hair needs, but it can also be a barrier for you, especially if you’re not sure what your hair type actually is.
As such, I decided to buy the full line and test everything; I also recruited my mom and friend to help me out since we have different hair types. How does the Thick formula perform on fine hair? Can those with medium hair use anything? What if you mix and match?
Below, I share everything, breaking the Fine, Medium and Thick Shampoo and Conditioner formulas, how they compare, how they perform on my hair, and which one I'd recommend. I'll also cover the texture, scent, lather, conditioning, results and whether I think it's actually worth choosing your formula based on hair thickness.
ouai shampoo and conditioner review: my honest results
Ouai’s signature shampoo and conditioner line comes in three different formulas: Fine, Medium and Thick. The idea is to choose the formula that best matches your hair's strand thickness, as each version is specifically formulated to provide a different balance of cleansing, hydration and volume.
While the formulas aren't identical, I didn't find the difference between Fine and Thick to be as dramatic as I expected. I personally preferred the lighter options and wouldn't choose the Thick formula for my hair, but you don't necessarily have to be perfectly matched to your category in order to experience good results.
ouai shampoo and conditioner pros and cons
pros
Three formulas to choose from to adequately address all hair types (fine, medium, and thick)
Also: you have a little wiggle room if you are unsure. I didn't notice a dramatic difference between Fine and Thick, so you don't necessarily have to be perfectly certain about your hair category to find a usable option.
Medium is a pretty universal formula that worked on my hair, my mom’s, and friend’s with great results
Great for everyday; lightweight, hydrating, and does not cause damage or breakage
Shampoo doesn’t dry out hair
Conditioner doesn’t leave a film or make hair feel weighed down
Lightweight floral scent; luxurious without being overpowering or too powdery (even if you hate floral scents like me)
Color- and keratin-treatment safe
Vegan and cruelty free
cons
The difference between the three formulas isn’t super dramatic, so if you have ultra-thick hair, Thick may not be as effective as you need it
May be too strong if you are sensitive to fragrance
Pricey for everyday shampoo and conditioner ($32 each)
Not a substitute for targeted treatment (ex: bond repair treatment or clarifying)
ouai shampoo review
Overall, I found Ouai shampoo easy to use and effective as an everyday shampoo. The biggest difference between the three formulas was how they felt rather than a dramatic difference in the final results.
ouai fine hair shampoo
The Fine Hair Shampoo is the Ouai formula I'd choose for my fine hair, even though I feel like I can go between Fine and Medium for the conditioner. It has a lightweight feel and cleanses well. I like that my hair feels soft, manageable, and clean without that squeaky, stripped feel. If you have fine hair and tend to avoid moisturizing shampoos because they leave your hair flat, this is the Ouai formula I'd try first.
ouai medium hair shampoo
The Medium Hair Shampoo sits somewhere between the lightweight Fine formula and the richer Thick formula. It's a good middle-ground option if your hair isn't particularly fine or coarse or if you're looking for a little more moisture without a heavy feeling.
As someone with fine hair, the difference between the formulas wasn't dramatic enough that I feel like you need to choose perfectly. My hair is easily weighed down and I can use Medium without having to adjust the rest of my haircare routine. That said, if you're between Fine and Medium, I'd lean toward Fine if your hair is easily weighed down and Medium if you want a little more hydration.
ouai thick hair shampoo
The Thick Hair Shampoo is designed for thicker strands. It provides a richer experience than the Fine formula; my mom absolutely loved it and noticed a difference with her hair. There was less frizz, it felt nourished without being coated, and still had a good amount of bounce/ volume.
While I didn’t feel like the Thick version weighed down my hair, it isn’t something I’d repurchase for myself; if you are on the fence and need something ultra-hydrating, get a different shampoo rather than jumping from Fine to Thick, if that makes sense.
If your hair is thick or coarse and needs more moisture while still actually cleansing your hair, Ouai’s Thick Hair Shampoo is worth trying.
One note: if you feel like your scalp gets especially greasy, you have hard water or product build-up, or you use lots of dry shampoo, you may want to incorporate a clarifying shampoo into your haircare routine. Ouai’s Detox Shampoo is one of my favorites! Check out my Ouai Detox Shampoo Review for more information.
ouai conditioner review
As I mentioned, Ouai’s Medium Conditioner is what got me back to using conditioner regularly, instead of just a hair mask. I love that it provides lightweight hydration; it also makes my hair SO soft and manageable. Comparing it to a mask, I’d say that Ouai Conditioner also makes my color pop and last longer. Hair masks made my hair warm up quicker; you can tell a difference with Ouai Conditioner, which is specifically formulated to be color-safe and great for frequent/ regular usage.
ouai fine hair conditioner
I started out with the Medium, but after trying the Fine Hair Conditioner, it’s my preferred Ouai conditioner when I want softness without sacrificing volume. It provides enough moisture and nourishment to make my hair easy to detangle without weighing my hair down.
If your hair is fine and easily weighed down by rich conditioners, this would be my top recommendation for you out of the three formulas.
ouai medium hair conditioner
The Medium Hair Conditioner is a good middle-ground option. It provides more conditioning than Fine’s very lightweight formula but doesn't feel as rich as something designed specifically for thick hair. I find that Medium is in stock (or easier to find in-store) than Fine, which is why I repurchase it regularly. If you are unsure between the three, Medium is the way to go. My mom, who has thick hair, says it feels very much like a conditioner and while it won’t replace her hair mask, it’s a nice, lightweight option for regular wash days.
ouai thick hair conditioner
The Thick Hair Conditioner is the richest of the three options and is intended for thicker strands that need more moisture and smoothing. You may think that it would provide mask-like benefits on finer hair, but it isn’t so dramatically different of a formula that it will do that; just get a hair mask instead.
On my mom’s thick hair, this conditioner tamed frizz, made her hair more manageable, and added softness and shine. She noticed a difference comparing it to the “one-size-fits-all” conditioners, so it’s not a different label just for marketing; it actually is intended for thick hair.
fine vs. medium vs. thick: which ouai formula should you buy?
It’s funny; I think having three different formulas for different hair types is part of what sets Ouai ahead of competitors, but it can also prevent people from purchasing if they are unsure which one would be right for them. I’ve tested them all, and here is my best advice!
PS: want to know your hair type? This isn’t about the hair as a whole; you can have a big ponytail but still have fine hair (like me). In order to find out, you want to focus on one strand. If it feels very thin/ barely noticeable, it is fine. If it is rigid and strong, you have thick hair. Those in the middle likely have medium hair.
choose ouai fine if:
You have fine hair
Your hair gets weighed down easily
You want volume
You prefer a lightweight finish
choose ouai medium if:
Your strands aren't particularly fine or coarse (somewhat in the middle)
You want a balance of moisture and volume
You're unsure between Fine and Thick
You want something slightly more conditioning
choose ouai thick if:
You have thick/coarse strands
Your hair needs more moisture
You prefer richer formulas
You don't mind a heavier conditioning feel
what if you're between hair types?
If you're between categories, I wouldn't stress too much about choosing the "perfect" formula. I tested the Fine and Thick versions and found the difference much less noticeable than I expected. There is some wiggle room, so I'd choose based on what your hair typically needs: Fine if you're worried about weight, Medium for a balance, and Thick if your hair tends to need more nourishment.
That said, stick to the fine-medium or medium-thick range. I wouldn’t repurchase the Thick formula for my hair, but can alternate between Fine and Medium.
ouai shampoo vs conditioner: do you need both?
If you're trying to decide whether to buy both, I do think both are worth the money, and it’s nice that you can buy them together as a set to save money.
The shampoo cleans your hair without drying it out, and it keeps my hair color fresh. The conditioner compliments the shampoo well, adding the softness and manageability that you don't necessarily get from shampoo alone.
However, if you can only get one, I recommend the shampoo. In my experience, it’s easier to find a nourishing conditioner at a budget-friendly price, whereas some of the cheaper shampoos tend to strip your hair, cause breakage, or damage your color.
who is ouai shampoo and conditioner best for?
Ouai's shampoo and conditioner are a good option if you:
Want to choose a formula based on your specific hair type (fine, medium, or thick). OUAI specifically designed the Fine, Medium and Thick formulas around different hair types and concerns.
Have fine hair and want lightweight volume.
Have medium hair and want a balance of hydration and cleansing.
Want a shampoo and conditioner that can work as your everyday routine, rather than a specialized treatment.
Like fragranced hair products.
Want a formula that's safe for color-treated or keratin-treated hair.
who should skip ouai shampoo and conditioner?
Honestly, the formulas are genuinely great, but you may want to skip it if you want:
A completely fragrance-free shampoo and conditioner.
Dramatic repair or a treatment-style product. These are everyday shampoo and conditioner formulas, not a replacement for a bond-building treatment, hair mask or other targeted repair product.
Budget-friendly priced shampoo and conditioner.
frequently asked questions
what is the difference between ouai fine, medium and thick shampoo?
The main difference between Ouai Fine, Medium and Thick Shampoo is the level of cleansing, hydration and weight each formula provides. Fine is the lightest and is designed to add body without weighing hair down, Medium offers a balance of hydration and volume, and Thick is richer and designed to provide more moisture and smoothing. In my testing, though, I didn't notice a huge difference between the Fine and Thick formulas, so there's some wiggle room when choosing between them if you feel like you aren’t sure if you are fine/ medium or medium/ thick.
can you use ouai fine shampoo on medium or thick hair?
Yes to medium; if you have thick hair, I would get the Thick version (or Medium).
can you use ouai thick shampoo on fine hair?
You can, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Get Fine or Medium instead.
which ouai conditioner is best for fine hair?
If you hair is ultra-fine, get Fine. If you have fine to medium hair, you can use Fine or Medium.
is ouai shampoo good for dry hair?
Yes; it cleanses well but isn’t drying.
is ouai shampoo safe for color-treated hair?
Yes.
does ouai shampoo dry out hair?
Not in my experience.
is ouai shampoo worth it?
Yes, in my experience, they are some of my favorite shampoo formulas.
can you mix and match ouai shampoo and conditioner formulas?
Yes you can, though I would not get Fine if you have thick hair (or vice versa).