Ouai Hair Oil Is My Secret to Long Hair—Here’s Why

January 28, 2025

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Ouai Hair Oil Is My Secret to Long Hair—Here's Why

My long hair has become such a part of my identity that the thought of ever cutting it into a bob (no matter how chic some of the short trends look) fills me with intense fear. I have spent my entire adult life utilising the best hair oils and having regular trims in a bid to prevent hair breakage and keep my lengths as healthy as possible—and I’m not about to undo all of that work.

In fact, while the rest of the beauty world appears to be chopping off their hair in favour of a bob, I am taking this time to lean into my lengths, meaning I’m receiving more interest in my routine than ever before. You see, because my long hair has become a sort of trademark for me as a beauty director, in recent months I have been bombarded with questions in relation to my lengths: How do I grow my hair so long? How do I keep my hair knot free? How do I stop my fine, thin hair from breaking? And while I don’t have a definitive answer on how to get the long hair of your dreams, I do know this: if my long hair is my comfort blanket, then Ouai Hair Oil is my go-to fabric softener.

Before using Ouai Hair Oil.

While I typically hate using really nourishing products in my hair (its fine, straight nature means I avoid additional weight where possible and opt for volumising hair products, instead), I do appreciate that the length of it means some extra TLC is required. For years I battled breakage, split ends and general dryness (my long hair is also bleached—so that doesn’t help things), but when a hair stylist recommended I try Ouai Hair Oil (along with the brand’s Ouai Detox Shampoo) as a means to give my hair the nourishment it requires without weighing things down, I decided to give it a go.

And, genuinely, I’ve never looked back—I have been through countless bottles of the stuff. Not only is it lightweight enough that it doesn’t weigh my already very flat hair down any further, but it also provides ample nourishment, can be used in a multitude of ways and generally makes my hair look (and feel) so much healthier. “Hair Oil is such a versatile product and really focuses on maintaining and improving the health of your strands,” says celebrity hair stylist and founder of Ouai, Jen Atkin. “It creates a UV barrier to protect from sun damage, is formulated to provide incredible hydration and includes heat protectant which is a must when heat styling. You can apply it on wet or dry hair, plus it doubles as both a styling product and as an overnight hair mask.”

Since incorporating into my daily hair routine 18 months ago, not a day has gone by where I haven’t used Ouai Hair Oil in one way or another. Here’s why I think it might just be the most versatile and effective product for long hair.

The Formula

Shannon Lawlor using Ouai Hair Oil

While there seems to be a bit of a trend at the moment to use one specific type of oil to “cure” all of your hair woes, I don’t buy it. There are heaps of different oils that deliver different benefits, and there is absolutely no reason they shouldn’t all be formulated together in one does-it-all product. Ouai Hair Oil is formulated with a whole bunch of hardworking oils, including African galanga, ama and Asian borage oils—so I like to think of this as a hair equivalent to a really hardworking, all-in-one moisturiser. As Atkin mentions, it also contains heat protectant, so you don’t have to worry about using another spray or cream in your routine.

The formula has been purposefully designed to be used in a variety of ways. If you have thin or fine hair, like me, you can use it on wet hair after washing to deliver a boost of strengthening nourishment. If your hair is thicker and/or curly, it can also be applied to dry hair for extra sleekness and an added shine boost. When my hair is feeling particularly dry and damaged, I also use it as a deep treatment—applying it all over in the morning, popping it into a slicked bun for the day and washing my hair in the evening.

The Texture

Shannon Lawlor using Ouai Hair Oil

Beyond how efficacious the formula is, I also think there is a lot to be said for how lightweight the texture is. For finer hair types, it is not often you come across a really hardworking and nourishing treatment that doesn’t leave your hair feeling weighty and looking greasy, but the silky texture of this stuff really does get soaked up in a matter of seconds.

However, this does lead me onto my only caveat. While it is marketed as a product for all hair types (and I do think it has a place in every routine)—if you have coarse or coily hair and are used to using thicker oils and butters, you’ll find yourself having to use a lot of product to get your desired results. That’s not to say I can’t see you using it as a daily nourisher and styling product (it’s great for curl definition), but it probably isn’t going to be your main port of call for deep hydration and moisture.

The Scent

It’s not a Ouai product if it doesn’t smell great, so it’s almost needless to say that this hair oil leaves your lengths smelling exceptional. Combining notes of violet, gardenia, ylang ylang and white musk, it truly does smell like an expensive fresh, floral perfume.

The Results

Shannon Lawlor after using Ouai Hair Oil

After using Ouai Hair Oil.

Personally, I use Ouai Hair Oil most after washing. I apply it to towel-dried hair, warming a couple of pumps up in the palms of my hands and distributing it evenly through my mid-lengths and ends. Then, depending on how much time I have, I will either leave my hair to air dry (it makes for a great air dry product due to its sleek results) or blow dry. What I am left with is smooth, sleek hair that looks healthy, feels stronger and possesses a truly unparalleled sheen.