Olaplex vs OUAI: Which Shampoo/Conditioner Is Better?

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If you don’t have the time to go through the whole article, I’ve helped you pick the most suitable one. This one is selected after carefully researching the two. So here it is: 

Olaplex Bond Maintenance Shampoo 

Why did we choose this one? It’s not just because Olaplex is more popular but mostly because it’s very practical.

It’s a salon favorite that is effective in creating shine in hair, repairing, moisturizing, and keeping hair healthy.

It comes with clean ingredients and is suitable for all hair types. 

Everyone loves to show their hair when it’s full, soft, smooth, bouncy, and shiny. But when it becomes messy, dirty, dry, and greasy, it becomes a thing of embarrassment for the owner.

If you’ve ever had your hair damaged as a result of bleaching, you know how degrading it can be. Fortunately, there are plenty of products that can reduce the chances of damaged hair due to coloring.

Olaplex is a popular one for this. Another choice that has been in the limelight is the OUAI fine shampoo. Both have their strengths and weaknesses, so in this article, I’ll be comparing them to be able to see which one is better.

Olaplex vs OUAI: Comparison & Review

Price

In terms of price, both products are pretty close. Olaplex usually retails for around <30 dollars depending on where you’re buying from. The OUAI shampoo price is similar too.

In most cases though, you may likely be spending more when you choose Olaplex. Aside from being cheaper, the OUAI shampoo comes in a slightly bigger bottle than the Olaplex.

Packaging

Why it’s not important, the packaging of both products is another thing worth looking at. The reason I said that is because you’re mostly concerned with what’s inside the container and its effectiveness.

Anyway, given a choice, I’ll go with the OUAI because of its sleek and modern look. Olaplex has maintained the same classic look in all of their shampoos so that even the latest Olaplex product looks exactly like the first one.

You can’t blame them though as long as their product works, they can’t care too much about the looks.

If you go with the Olaplex No.4 or No.5 shampoo, you’ll get a bottle of 250ml (8.5ounce) against the 300ml (10ounce) of the OUAI. This is obvious. It will take you a long time to exhaust the OUAI than Olaplex.

If you value every drop of the liquid (why not, you paid for it), you’ll likely want to go for the OUAI. But before you decide, let’s look at other aspects.

Texture

Another thing to consider is that the Olaplex shampoo/conditioner has a creamy texture as against OUAI, which is thinner.

This means you’ll go through the OUAI shampoo quicker than Olaplex so you’ll need to replace it faster.

Olaplex vs OUAI: Reviews 

Now, on to what the products promise to do.

OUAI Shampoo

If you look at the back of the OUAI shampoo/conditioner, you’ll see that it says it’s a fine shampoo that can bring life into your hair and strengthen the strands, thanks to the keratin and biotin content.

The product actually lists a couple of good ingredients like chia seed oil, keratin, biotin, nourishing hemp extract, etc. The formula is meant to add volume to your hair and leave it feeling bouncy and full.

Biotin is used to treat hair loss. Research has suggested that when the hair takes it in, biotin can improve thinning hair and assist in hair regrowth.

Keratin is usually absorbed by the hair cuticle and will make your hair look full and glossy. Chia seed oil is good for hair growth as it’s filled with fiber, protein, calcium, omega-3 fatty acids that can help in making your hair stronger, smoother, and more hydrated.

Hemp extract does something similar, working mostly on the scalp to promote hair growth. These are some of the explanations of some of the important ingredients in the OUAI shampoo.

Olaplex Shampoo/Conditioner

As you probably know, Olaplex is a concentrated shampoo for professional use which contains bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate and phenoxyethanol which Olaplex says will restore, repair, and hydrate your hair.

According to Wikipedia, this ingredient usually forms ionic disulfide bonds in the hair, thus repairing any damage caused by bleach. At this point, it’s important to mention that Olaplex says this product is color-safe.

So, when you’re about to color your hair, it’s good to use it to keep your color and prevent damaging your hair bonds. And if you bleach your hair and experience some damage, Olaplex can be effective in restoring your hair to its original state.

The shampoo is also made without parabens, gluten, or sulfates and is vegan. The Olaplex Hair Perfector can work on all types of hair.

There is a professional version, which is used in the salons, as well as an after-service one that you take home for use to keep your hair color fresh and safe from fading away quickly. 

There are a couple of things to note here. First, there are not a lot of hair care products out there that are vegan.

It’s possible to argue that but when you consider the sheer number of products in this industry that are not vegan or cruelty-free, you’ll quickly realize that the percentage of those that are is indeed small.

I’ve researched quite a bit of hair care brands and it’s surprising how many brands struggle to be vegan or cruelty-free. So, if you like your products vegan or even sulfate-, paraben-, gluten-free, then Olaplex is a good option.

These ingredients (or chemicals, if you will) can damage your hair. As they build up in the hair, they weaken the hair strands and hold your hair from growing.

Another good thing about the shampoo is that it’s color-safe. Imagine spending a huge time preparing for coloring your hair, then spending a good amount to get it done, only for you to ruin it all with your shampoo.

Frequently Asked Question on OUAI & Olaplex

Is OUAI a dupe for OLAPLEX?

Yes, the OAUI hair oil or shampoo can go for a lot less than their Olaplex counterparts.

So, if you’re looking for a slightly cheaper product than Olaplex, you can try both the OAUI shampoo and hair oil.

Fortunately, those who have tried those products confirm that they are effective and worth the money.

What is better than OLAPLEX for damaged hair?

While not better, the K18 product line seems to be generally seen as better or as effective as Olaplex.

Olaplex vs OUAI for Fine Hair: Which Is Better?

Both Olaplex and OUAI are good shampoos.

However, the OUAI shampoo may be better for fine hair since it is lighter in texture.

Moreover, it’ll allow you to use it longer since if you had coarse hair, you’ll have to apply more and more and you might exhaust it faster.

If you were to have thick hair, Olaplex would have been the better choice.

Olaplex vs OUAI Oil: Which Is Better?

OUAI seems to have a great oil for fine hair. Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector is their hair oil.

According to the reviews I’ve seen, the Olaplex hair oil isn’t as good as their hair shampoo.

If you’re looking for great hair oil, I’ll recommend you look at Gisou Hair Oil.

There has been a lot of reference to it, with most people calling it a game-changer for their hair. In essence, go for OUAI if you have a tight budget.

But if you can afford it, I’ll recommend you check out Gisou Hair Oil.

Final Verdict on Olaplex vs OUAI

I’ve incorporated a number of differences between these shampoos/conditioners. When you go onto sites like Sephora/Amazon, you’re likely to see people posting reviews on these products. Some will batch Olaplex and others will praise it.

The same goes for OUAI’s product.

What you can gain from that is that people have different hair types, so these shampoos can result in varying results. If you’re going to use Olaplex, try and enlist the help of a salon that is experienced with Olaplex.

Many people go and use the product themselves without experience and then complain of losing so much hair. Only use the product when you’re sure and can follow instructions to the letter.

Read: Schwarzkopf vs L’Oreal: Which of the Two Is Better?