The Shampoo I Love So Much, I Hide It From Guests
One of life's greatest pleasures is raiding someone else's beauty stash. When I'm staying at a loved one's house, or even just stopping by, there's almost nothing I love more than taking a (consensual) peek at their makeup bag or vanity or medicine cabinet, scanning through a different world of brightly colored vials and new-to-me potions, and asking over and over, 'What is this? Do you like it? Can I try? Should I buy it?'
And I'm not picky; I don't need to be given a grand tour. I can receive the same serotonin hit simply from using someone's shower products during a sleepover. Trying a body wash without having to purchase said body wash and lug it to my own home? An indecisive person's dream! If you're lucky, this method of testing can also lead you to some golden discoveries. It's exactly how I found my now holy-grail hair duo: Ouai's Fine Hair Shampoo and Conditioner.
I first experimented with the products while staying at my aunt's house. While I'd heard of celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin's famed brand, I'd never personally pulled the trigger on anything besides the leave-in conditioner (which I also enjoy). I've also done enough self-reflection in recent years to admit that I do fall into the 'fine hair' camp, so when I spotted my aunt's shampoo-conditioner combo mid-shower, I was thrilled to give them a whirl.
Immediately, I noticed a difference. My hair felt lighter, the roots more lifted. With the wrong shampoo, I've found my scalp can feel extra oily, dirty to the touch, even after I've just washed it. But not with Ouai; my strands were squeaky clean, but not stripped or dry. The matching conditioner did its job without being overly heavy. Per Ouai, the magic comes from a trio of power-packed ingredients: biotin for strengthening and reinforcement; chia seed oil for volume; and hydrolyzed keratin to soften and smooth.
I found myself growing eager for the next time I'd stay at my aunt's house, and I'd have another chance to investigate. Finally, I realized I'm an adult with my own agency and purchased the pair for myself for $64. While it's pricier than I'd normally go for, I confess that, for me, it's more than worth it; my partner also had the idea to buy the refill pouches, which makes the cost feel more doable. (For comparison: A normal 10-oz. bottle of the shampoo is $32. The 32-oz. refill pouch is $64.) Plus, the brand's minimal design and sleek packaging makes it all feel especially luxe.
Ironically, this duo has now made me a terrible host. Whenever we're away and have people stay at our apartment, I hide my Ouai shampoo and conditioner in the back of the cabinet and pull out another set of products for our guests. Perhaps it's bad karma, but what can I say? They're too good to share.
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