Ouai vs Dae Shampoo and Conditioner: Which is Better?

If you're deciding between Dae and Ouai shampoo and conditioner, the choice isn't quite as simple as picking the brand you like best. Both have signature shampoo and conditioner options, as well as a detox shampoo, but they perform differently on the hair.

I'm a fan of both brands, and have used all of their shampoos and conditioners over the years. Below, I’ve created a side-by-side comparison that explains how well their signature shampoos and conditioners actually perform, including their scent profile, how well they cleanse, how soft they leave my hair, how they affect dryness and frizz, and how my hair feels after using them. I also compare the two brands' clarifying shampoos to see which one does a better job of removing build-up without leaving your hair feeling stripped.

Spoiler alert, but I have a clear preference between the two! Keep reading to see how Dae and Ouai compare, which products are worth buying, and which to skip.

ouai vs dae shampoo and conditioner: which is better?

Ouai and Dae both offer shampoos and conditioners designed for regular use, along with a detox option for when your hair needs a deeper cleanse. However, the overall experience and results are quite different.

Ouai has a wider range of hair products and tends to focus on targeted formulas for different hair types. Its signature shampoo and conditioner are designed for everyday cleansing and conditioning, and I like that they provide different options for Fine, Medium, and Thick Hair. Their Detox Shampoo is an award-winner for a reason; it provides a deeper cleanse when you need to remove build-up, but doesn’t leave your hair feeling stripped or dry like many other clarifying shampoos do.

Dae takes a more simplified, sensorial approach; they’re known for their bright packaging, appealing scents, and lightweight formulas. The brand's signature shampoo and conditioner are intended to leave all hair types clean, soft and healthy-looking. They also have a detox clarifying shampoo, which is meant to give your hair a deeper reset.

One note: Dae is the clear winner when it comes to purple toning shampoo. For one, Ouai doesn’t sell one, but more than that, it is actually an amazing formula worth repurchasing. For more information plus before and after results, check out my Dae Violet Hour Purple Shampoo Review.

ouai vs dae signature shampoo

ouai signature shampoo

The Ouai Shampoo comes in three different formulas (Fine, Medium, and Thick), each catered to your specific hair type. Truthfully, I haven’t noticed the biggest difference between them, so if you aren’t sure if you have fine or more medium hair, you can get either and don’t need to worry about getting it “wrong.” That said, I wouldn’t necessarily make a big leap and get the fine shampoo if you have thick hair (or vice versa).

Ouai Shampoo lathers well, is easy to rinse out, and leaves your hair feeling clean but not stripped. With other shampoos, it seems like I cannot get conditioner on my hair quick enough, but my hair (and scalp) feel balanced after using Ouai’s Shampoos. Some shampoos also tangle my hair for some reason, but I don’t have that issue with Ouai’s.

The scent of their shampoos (and conditioners) is Mercer Street, which is a light mix of floral and citrus. I typically hate floral fragrances, but don’t mind theirs. It’s also not too strong, so if you are sensitive to fragrance like me, it isn’t overpowering.

Lastly, a little goes a long way! I can get a standard bottle to last a good 3-4 months, which helps save money over time.

dae signature shampoo

The Dae Signature Shampoo is meant for all hair types; it has their bright citrus scent that many know and love! It is on the stronger side, but not so overpowering that it triggers a headache for me.

The shampoo lathers beautifully, and I rarely need a full pump, even with long hair. Packaging isn’t a deal-breaker for me, but I will say that you will either love or hate the square bottles. They’re ideal if you have narrow shelving in your shower, but they also take up more horizontal space compared to rounded bottles.

As far as performance goes, the shampoo also lathers really well, and is easy to rinse out. Sadly, my hair does feel a little dry after I use this shampoo; I can never skip conditioner (or a mask) anytime I use it. This is common with this product; I’ve seen other reviews mention it, and my mom and friend (with different hair types than mine) experienced the same result.

which signature shampoo is better?

Ouai is the clear winner. Shampoo should be a no-fuss product, and Dae’s is just too likely to dry out your hair for me to go back to it.

ouai vs dae signature conditioner

ouai signature conditioner

Ouai’s Conditioner also comes in a Fine, Medium, and Thick version, so my same notes with the variation apply here (I have fine hair but can use the Medium version, but wouldn’t try the Thick, etc.). The scent is also the same. It’s creamy yet lightweight, and not so rich that you can’t use it every day (key during summer months when you are swimming/ in the sun a lot).

What I love about this conditioner is that you don’t need much at all and it does a great job of detangling. You can leave it in for 20 seconds and notice softer, smoother hair, or let it sit for 2-3 minutes without worrying about weighing your hair down as it dries. The conditioner makes my hair softer, less frizzy, and easier to manage. I also notice that my stick-straight hair curls easily with this conditioner, whereas other formulas can make it harder.

dae signature conditioner

I do not love the Dae Signature Conditioner. While it has that wonderful citrus scent and is creamy in consistency. It blends into the hair easily, also helps detangle, and makes your hair feel softer as you wash it out. That said, once your hair dries, your hair doesn’t feel ultra-nourished; I also didn’t notice a difference in frizz control or manageability. If anything, my hair felt drier and like I skipped conditioner altogether.

which conditioner is better?

Again, the Ouai Conditioner is the better product. I’ve never really struggled with conditioner before, but Dae’s just did not work for me.

PS: Curious about hair masks, not just conditioner? Check out my Ouai Hair Masque vs Dae Monsoon Moisture Mask comparison post for a full breakdown with pros, cons, and which is best for your hair type.

ouai vs dae detox shampoo

Both Ouai and Dae have created a clarifying detox shampoo that is designed to give your hair a deeper cleanse than their everyday shampoos. I've used both for a while now, and though they serve a similar purpose, the real difference between the two comes down to how much clarifying your hair needs.

The Ouai Detox Shampoo is one of my favorites; you can’t beat the results for the price, and it’s going to give you a heavy-duty reset without drying out your hair. I’ve shared my Ouai Detox Shampoo Review on this site already, but for a short recap: your scalp feels refreshed, balanced, and your hair looks shinier thanks to the apple cider vinegar. The scent isn’t my favorite, though the results make it worth it.

The Dae Desert Detox Shampoo surprised me! I don’t love their signature shampoo, which made my hair feel dry, so I was very nervous to see how a clarifying shampoo would perform since they tend to be drying by nature. That said, it’s a genuinely good clarifying shampoo. One of the gentler formulas I’ve tried, it still effectively removes build-up and doesn’t strip your hair. It has their signature citrus scent. Dae Detox Shampoo — 2–3 sentence summary + Read my full Dae Desert Detox Clarifying Shampoo Review for more details.

which detox shampoo is better?

I wouldn’t say one is clear-cut better than the other; they both are pretty different and thus serve different hair types. There’s a time and place to use each one, but you do not need both in your haircare routine.

The biggest difference between the Dae and Ouai clarifying shampoos comes down to cleansing power. Get Ouai Detox Shampoo for the deep clean that addresses everything; Dae Desert Detox Shampoo has a gentler formula that is best if your hair feels dry or damaged easily.

For a more detailed comparison, see: Dae vs Ouai Detox Shampoo Review

ouai vs dae: which brand has better shampoo and conditioner?

The biggest difference for me came down to how my hair actually felt after using the products. While I liked aspects of Dae's formulas, its signature shampoo and conditioner left my hair feeling noticeably drier, frizzier, and harder to manage than Ouai. I’ve also had my mom and friend try the Dae Signature Shampoo and Conditioner to see if maybe it worked better on medium/ thick hair types, but they both experienced a similar dryness, despite one having thicker hair and the other having non-color-treated hair.

Because of that, I will say that Ouai is overall the better choice when it comes to shampoo and conditioner. That doesn't necessarily mean Dae won't work for you, but if you're choosing between the two and want more of a sure bet, I'd personally recommend Ouai.

best for…

• Dry or damaged hair - Ouai.

• Fine hair - Ouai.

• Cleansing - Ouai.

• Softness - Ouai.

• Everyday use - Ouai.

• Detox shampoo - Dae, unless you need something heavy-duty.

best scent

This really comes down to your personal preference: floral vs citrus. Both Ouai and Dae are obsessed with fragrance and it’s one of the core pillars of each of their brands, so you won’t really find a bad-smelling product in either of their line-ups.

Ouai is known for their floral scents. I am typically not a fan, but theirs are fresh, high-end, and luxurious; no need to worry about old, stale, powdery scents! I am also prone to migraines and floral scents trigger them, but I’ve never had a bad reaction with any of Ouai’s products. The fragrance in their shampoos and conditioners is somewhat strong, but doesn’t linger; you won’t be overpowered by it all day long.

Dae is all about desert-inspired citrus scents, often with notes of orange or prickly pear. Dae’s Signature Shampoo and Conditioner (as well as their other shampoos) have a bright, fresh citrus scent reminiscent of a creamsicle. The fragrance is strong, but also doesn’t trigger my migraines. When you use both the shampoo and conditioner together, you will still be able to smell the citrus scent on your hair after it dries, but it isn’t overdone.

buy ouai if...

• You want noticeable softness and manageability.

• Your hair tends to be dry, damaged or frizzy.

• You want a shampoo/conditioner combination that gives you more noticeable results.

• You want a detox shampoo option in the same brand.

buy dae if...

• You primarily care about the sensory experience/scent.

• You already know Dae products work well for your hair.

• You prefer the feel/packaging of Dae and aren’t worrying about experiencing the dryness that I did.

frequently asked questions

is ouai better than dae shampoo?

Yes, in my experience.

is dae shampoo good for dry hair?

Not in my experience.

is ouai shampoo drying?

Not at all, in my experience. You may notice it with the Detox Shampoo; use just a little and only once a week at most.

can you use ouai and dae shampoo and conditioner together?

Yes; you could mix the two easily. The pairing I would best recommend is the Dae Shampoo with the Ouai Conditioner, because it will add the hydration back that the Dae shampoo takes out.

which is better for damaged hair, ouai or dae?

Ouai.

is dae shampoo worth it?

The only Dae shampoos that are worth it are the Desert Detox Clarifying Shampoo and Violet Hour Purple Shampoo. Skip their signature shampoo.

For more on Dae and Ouai products, check out my brand reviews: The Ultimate Ouai Haircare Guide and Dae Hair Review.

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