OUAI vs Kerastase (The Definitive Guide)

By Calum Torrington

18 November 2022

We're positive you've seen OUAI and Kerastase on the shelves at your local beauty store or hair salon before.

Which is better, you ask? That's what we'll be finding out today as we compare the two side-by-side. OUAI vs Kerastase - let’s get into it.

This post contains affiliate links; as an Amazon Associate we earn commission from qualifying purchases.

OUAI vs Kerastase Shampoo & Conditioner

For those who have fine hair, maintenance is all about balance. Your strands need nourishment, of course, but there’s a risk that even the slightest bit too much will make them limp and lifeless. You also don’t want to wash your hair too often but worry that it’ll look greasy and lose volume after day two of not cleansing it. What is a fine hair-haver to do?

Well, what if we told you that your best-looking tresses start right in the shower? Thankfully, there are shampoos and conditioners designed specifically for fine hair, like Ouai Fine Hair Shampoo and Fine Hair Conditioner, as well as Kerastase Bain Volumifique (shampoo) and Gelée Volumifique (conditioner).

So, all that’s left to address is which pair you should purchase. Let’s take a closer look at both.

Comparison

Lightweight ingredients are the name of the game when it comes to fine hair formulas. So, Kerastase creates their wash day duo with their Amplifex System, which includes cellulose powder, cationic polymers, intra-cylane, and stylight texture. All these components work in tandem to tend to weak, fine strands without weighing them down. Thus, you can expect more volume, revitalized locks, and thicker-looking hair from root to tip.

Ouai’s Fine Hair Shampoo and Fine Hair Conditioner credit hydrolyzed keratin, strengthening biotin, and nourishing chia seed oil for pumping up the volume for fine tresses. (Not to mention, both are gluten free, paraben free, phthalate free and SLS free.) This combination promotes the look and feel of healthier hair by not completely stripping it of all its natural goodness while infusing featherlight moisturization.

Though both pairings work towards the same goal, they’re not created (see: priced) equally. Ouai’s are $30 each for a 10oz bottle, while Kerastase’s shampoo and conditioner are roughly $34 each for an 8.5oz and 6.8oz bottle, respectively. (Why couldn’t they just be the same size, Kerastase?!) Further, the Fine Hair Shampoo and Conditioner have 4.6-star ratings while the Bain and Gelée Volumifique don’t seem to have easily-found ratings.

Even if your hair isn’t fine, volumizing formulas are a great addition to your haircare lineup. (After all, nobody’s looking to have flat, stiff tresses.) Moreover, you might also find that using dry shampoo or blow-drying your hair upside down complements your post-wash day routine. Anyway, shall we discuss some business ethics?

Packaging is at the forefront of Kerastase’s sustainability pledge, which is now made from 20%-95% recycled materials. They also offer refillable shampoo bottles and pouches for repeated reuse. They aim to replace more than 60% of their product packaging with recycled packaging by 2025 and have 100% of their plastic come from a recycled source by 2030. Though they claim to be cruelty-free, Cruelty-Free Kitty reports that they may test on animals via suppliers or third parties. And while they aren’t 100% vegan, they do offer some vegan options.

On the other hand, it doesn’t appear that Ouai has any sort of mission statement around sustainability or charity work. They do, however, offer refills for many of their shampoos, conditioners, and other solutions, which means less consumption of single-use plastic. (But if you do go the single-use plastic route, many of their bottles are recyclable!) According to Sephora, Ouai is also cruelty-free but not a fully vegan brand.

Regardless of which pair you choose, your hair deserves to live life to its fullest.