Brand Spotlight: Ouai Haircare

For the longest time, I had no idea how to pronounce the name of this brand: Ouai Haircare. I was saying, “Oh-ey,” like the Netflix sci-fi
show, The O/A. LOL! The proper pronunciation is “whey,” like the protein powder, and it’s a casual way to say “Yes” in French.

Ouai is a pretty new American line that was started in 2016 by celebrity hair stylist Jen Atkin. She’s worked on Gwen Stefani, Jessica Alba and many other locks of the A-listers. The products are cruelty-free and paraben-free, and they range from $24-32, so they’re in the Bumble and Bumble/R+Co/IGK price range. You can find the brand’s shampoos, conditioners, hair supplements and styling products (and a couple of body products thrown in for fun) at Sephora.

There are about 30-something products, give or take, so it’s a pretty streamlined brand. Jen’s aim was to make products that make it seem like you spent two hours styling your hair, when in reality you spent 15 minutes. And girl, when you’re chasing down a rambunctious toddler who is currently into everything, you don’t EVEN KNOW how much that speaks to my soul!

The line isn’t just about getting sh*t done in minimal time. The tubes and bottles also look lovely perched on a bathroom shelf (you know me and those sans serif fonts, man!), and everything — seriously, every product — smells like perfume from a hard-to-find fragrance boutique in Paris. Like, sometimes I spray the Dry Shampoo, which smells like violets, roses, musk and lemons, into my roots as an improv perfume. All of the products look and smell expensive and indulgent, but they’re also price-wise accessible.

I never thought I could have wash-and-wear hair, because it always seems like I have to do something significant to my mop to keep it from looking unkempt and cray, but with the five Ouai products I’ve been using, gasp! — I’ve been liking this whole minimalist hair thang. My hair is kind of wavy and slightly wild, but it hasn’t been out of control. It’s like I’ve been riding a bike through the streets of Paris! I feel like it looks like I tried, ya know? But I didn’t try too hard. Yes, my inner French girl is squealing with delight. 🙂

I’ve been using the Repair Shampoo ($28) and Repair Conditioner ($26) before towel drying. Then I work in a few drops of the Rose Hair & Body Oil ($32) onto the ends, let it air dry overnight. Then, in the morning, I scrunch in a touch of Finishing Creme ($24) for s’more lightweight moisture and frizz-taming.

On the mornings when I don’t wash my hair, I’ll spray the Dry Shampoo ($24, and there’s no white cast or crunchy strands, yay!) on my roots the night before.

I’d say that you definitely can’t miss the Rose Hair & Body Oil, which is now one of my must-haves. You guys, it’s the real deal! The oil is rich and deeply moisturizing, but it isn’t hella greasy or heavy, and it smells like a Byredo perfume (my nose gets roses, lemons, lychee, cedar and white musk). I use it on the ends of my hair and all over my body — even on my Fred Flintstone feet. It’s all good.

I wish this came in a smaller travel-sized bottle, because I want to take it with me everywhere. When Sephora does the next VIB sale, I’m getting a couple!

Repair Shampoo ingredients
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Cocamide MEA, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Acrylates Copolymer, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Water, Panthenol, Glycerin, Phyllostachis Bambusoides Juice, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Flower Extract, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Extract, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract, Pisum Sativum (Pea) Extract, Cynara Scolymus (Artichoke) Leaf Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Alanine, Arginine, Glycine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Valine, Aspartic Acid, Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Rice Oil Glycereth-8 Esters, Jojoba Oil Glycereth-8 Esters, Coconut Oil Glycereth-8 Esters, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Amodimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Silicone Quaternium-22, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Decyl Glucoside, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate, Glycol Disterate, Fragrance, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein PG-Propyl Silanetriol, Cystine Bis-PG-Propyl Silanetriol, Sodium PCA, PCA, Polyquaternium-7, Diisostearyl Malate, Laureth-23, Laureth-4, Trideceth-12, C12-13 Pareth-23, C12-13 Pareth-3, Polyglyceryl-3 Caprate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Palmitamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Polysilicone-15, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Lactate, Pentylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Disteareth-75 IPDI, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal

Repair Conditioner ingredients
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Amodimethicone, Cetyl Esters, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Jojoba Esters, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Panthenol, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Water, Glycerin, Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Phyllostachis Bambusoides Juice, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Flower Extract, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Extract, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract, Pisum Sativum (Pea) Extract, Cynara Scolymus (Artichoke) Leaf Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Alanine, Arginine, Glycine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Valine, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Isododecane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Fragrance, C11-15 Pareth-7, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein PG-Propyl Silanetriol, Cystine Bis-PG-Propyl Silanetriol, Sodium PCA, PCA, Diisostearyl Malate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Laureth-9, Trideceth-12, Polysilicone-15,Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Lactate, Aspartic Acid, Polysorbate 60, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric Acid, BHT, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Benzoic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Sorbic Acid, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene

Rose Hair & Body Oil ingredients
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, C15-19 Alkane, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Oil, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Rosa Moschata Seed Oil, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Vegetable Oil, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Parfum (Fragrance), Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl p-Cresol, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, CI 26100 (Red 17)

Finishing Creme ingredients
Water, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Propanediol, Propanediol Dicaprylate/Caprate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Jojoba Esters, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Water, Panthenol, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Phyllostachis Bambusoides Juice, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Flower Extract, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Extract, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract, Pisum Sativum (Pea) Extract, Cynara Scolymus (Artichoke) Leaf Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Alanine, Arginine, Glycine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Valine, Aspartic Acid, Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, PEG-8 Beeswax, Bis-Cetearyl Amodimethicone, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein PG-Propyl Silanetriol, Cystine Bis-PG-Propyl Silanetriol, Steareth-21, C32-36 Isoalkyl Stearate, Stearyl Behenate, Behenyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-25, Ceteareth-7, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Polyquaternium-11, Parfum (Fragrance), Sodium PCA, PCA, Diisostearyl Malate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Polysilicone-15, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Phytic Acid, Sodium Lactate, Polysorbate 60, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Citric Acid, Aminomethyl Propanol, BHT, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Benzoic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Methyl 2-Octynoate, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Citronellol, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Hydroxycitronellal

Dry Shampoo ingredients
Hydrofluorocarbon 152A, Dimethyl Ether, Alcohol Denat., Zeolite, VP/VA Copolymer, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Actinidia Chinensis (Kiwi) Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Extract, Hedychium Coronarium (Ginger) Root Extract, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Fruit Extract, Passiflora Incarnata (Passion Flower) Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Extract, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Water, Fragrance, Acetyl Triethyl Citrate, PEG/PPG-17/18 Dimethicone, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool, Citronellol

If you have color-treated or damaged hair, add the Repair Shampoo and Conditioner to your wish list. They’re great for chemically treated, colored and heat-damaged hair. Both products could be kissing cousins to Oribe’s Shampoo and Conditioner for Beautiful Color, which are legit, but sooo expensive at $44 a bottle.

Ouai Repair is just as effective but half the price. Repair Shampoo and Conditioner has tamarind seed extract for moisture and keratin to smooth the hair cuticle, and they clean and moisturize without leaving behind a heavy coating. My strands seem to break less, and my roots and scalp? Ah… So good. No oil or buildup. Just clean, fresh-feeling, fresh-smelling hair. Mine smells like I’m wearing a flower crown of roses, jasmine and irises and lilies. 🙂

Yes, I’m saying, “oui” to Ouai!

Yay for doing laundry on vacation!

My parents are going with us on vacation to Hawaii next week (we’re all staying at their timeshare), and my mom emailed me this morning to tell me that there’s a washer and dryer in the apartment. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m so excited about that. It means that I can bring less clothing, which will hopefully help me on my mission to lighten my luggage load.

Is three pairs of shorts enough for a week-long trip…? Or should I bring a fourth? Or maybe I can get away with two.

Oooh, STREAMLINING!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen