Product Reviews Rated 4.28 out of 5 stars
162 Reviews
Most Helpful Positive Review It's a good one. First thing first, I received the Thick Hair Shampoo/Conditioner complimentary. I would describe my hair strand as closer to medium than thick, however the medium formula features coconut oil as a highlighted ingredient which in general is a little bit of a flop on my lower porosity hair so I was actually glad they sent me the Thick. The scent in the bottle is very nice, however after washing/conditioning the smell was overpowering which is saying something coming from a literal perfume addict. I positively radiated the fragrance all day which at first was a negative for me. Usually I wash my hair every third day with natural shampoo, but after using this I was able to go to day 5 before it needed to be shampooed. The day after washing the fragrance became much more pleasant and amazingly stuck with my hair until the end. One thing that I really like is that Ouai sells refill bags of your shampoo and conditioner formula to save plastic bottle waste. I will definitely incorporate this line of products into my hair routine and when it runs out I would definitely consider purchasing a refill to support that. All in all, a really good shampoo and conditioner for thick hair or medium hair if you dislike coconut oil. Just be aware that the fragrance is very strong on wash day!
Most Helpful Critical Review Smells Absolutely Awful and Disgusting Ok, I really wanted to love this product but I literally can't even bring myself to actually try it because the smell is disgusting. I bought the product based on all of the positive reviews online. Since covid my normal store is closed and only available for curbside pick up so I was unable to smell the product before purchasing it. BUT I have smelled the leave in conditioner spray by Ouai before and LOVED it so I assumed these products would have similar smells. Boy was I wrong!!! I immediately opened the bottle when I picked up the items and the smell hits you hard. It literally smells like your grandmas perfume that has been sitting in her house for 80 years it's awful. I don't know how people would ever want their hair to smell like that, it's such an offensive smell. I got a little bit on my finger when opening the bottle and even after washing my hands several times still could smell it on my finger and was so grossed out by it all day. I wish I could tell you how the actual product was in my hair but I can't bring myself to try it and have my hair smell like it. I would never want anything on my body to smell like this product does. Horrible!!!!I'm returning it.
Reviewed by 162 customers A little goes a long way 5
LM from Chattanooga, TN
This shampoo is a game changer for me. I have very thick hair and always seem to have to use so much shampoo. With this, I only have to use a quarter size amount. My hair feels clean and I feel that it does a good job of cleansing my hair without it feeling dry. This shampoo paired with the Thick Hair Conditioner is a win win for me.
The Scent... Yikes! 2
BrutalCupcakee from Bristol, VA
If this shampoo & conditioner smelled like anything other than NIX lice shampoo I would probably be a user for life! But the smell is nauseating and ruins the whole experience for me.
Only hate the scent, this is what I've needed. 4
Smorey from NJ
I treated myself to this shampoo after eyeing it for a while and hoping for something I needed. My hair gets oily within a day generally, and I usually wash my hair daily due to this. I've been hoping to wash every other day, but have never been able to due to this oil. I've been using this for 2 days and already feel my hair feels amazing but not oily and I could begin changing my routine soon without worrying about excessive oil. A little goes a long way and the conditioner is perfect with this shampoo. I only don't like the scent with this shampoo, i find it very old smelling, like something my grandma would wear. If the scent is a dealbreaker for you, maybe don't invest.
Best Shampoo and conditioner 5
François from Fort Lauderdale
I'm a guy with think hair. This shampoo is the best. Better than Fekkai and all other expensive shampoo. The smell is Ahhhhmazing. Really good stuff !!!!
Changed from Biolage 4
Mars from Washington
Recently realized that the Biolage colorlast has SLS in it, and so I bought this on a whim to see what it was like, figuring I could return it if necessary. I have 2b hair, and after 2 washes with this my waves are more prominent than they have been in years, despite bleach damage, heat damage, split ends, and hard water issues.
The fragrance can be a little overwhelming, if you don't like rosy, gardenia, grandma perfume smells, you won't like this, but I actually do.
I also have seen a lot of comments saying this stripped their hair. I haven't noticed that myself, but some of those comments specifically say they didn't use conditioner—you should always be using conditioner anyways! But I use this along with the thick hair conditioner and a few other products for hair maintenance, and as I said, after 2 washes my waves are more prominent than ever, and my hair feels softer!
The four stars are because it's overpriced and while I like the smell, I do think it can be overwhelming.
Worked great but had an allergic reaction from the perfume 2
Liz from CA
I loved the way the shampoo and conditioner worked but I had an allergic reaction from the perfume that they use in the bottle. Maybe if it had less perfume, it would have worked for me.
Great shampoo! 5
LaRue from Oklahoma
I love it. It smells good and smooths down my thick hair.
Love the smell can't believe people don't like it! 5
Michele Lou from Illinois
This is the best shampoo and conditioner for my thick hair ! I love the smell too each their own I suppose!
strips natural moisture 3
Mallory from Florida
won't buy again. leaves hair dry and does not calm thick hair. can't use without a conditioner. not a good buy.
Love this shampoo 5
Mikenan2 from Dallas, TX
I shampoo every other day now. My hair would be all grey if I didn't dye it. It wasn't manageable and looked horrible until I found this shampoo and conditioner. I just ordered the leave-in conditioner and oil.
Am I the only one that loves the smell? 5
Ana from Humble, TX
I hate the Ouai because now I have to keep this as my go-to shampoo (and conditioner). I have very thick hair and a little goes a long way. It leaves my hair feeling fresh and clean, and it doesn't feel like it's stripping my hair. It is pricey, but it's very much worth it. I'm also in love with the subtle smell!!!
I will buy product again 5
Ofelia from California
It's great product
Smells incredible 5
Anna Laura from Atlanta, GA
I was on vacation and someone I was staying with was using this shampoo and conditioner. It smelled so amazing I had to order some! I have really thick hair, so I usually double shampoo, then condition with the Thick Conditioner. A little goes a long way and it's super sudsy.
My hair is noticeably shinier, has more volume, and smells great all day. This stuff is PRICEY, so I think I'll get the refills when I run out. It also has a strong fragrance, so maybe steer clear if you like a lighter scent.
Smells good, leaves hair to clean maybe!! 2
Bmore38 from Maryland
Im not sure if this shampoo cleans my hair so much to the point of stripping a lot of the oil or just dry the heck out of my hair. I would not buy it again. I had beautiful results with ouidad and I regret changing it to this brand.
Never again. This is NOT moisturizing, it's stripping! 1
Ashley from New Jersey
I did one wash with this shampoo and as soon as I rinsed it out, my hair felt stringy and dry even when wet. I used so much repairing conditioner and hair oil to try to revive my hair as soon as I got out of the shower. My hair has never felt like this before, I am profoundly disappointed especially since this product has so many good reviews, is so expensive, and is supposedly moisturizing. My hair was stripped and dried not moisturized. Never again.
Mmmm. 5
Shann from Bellingham, WA
Richness to it. And rinses well.
I'm really liking it so far! 4
Kelly from Atlanta, GA
I really like this shampoo so far. It smells really nice (it smells like rosewater, so if you're a fan of that smell you'll like this, if you don't like rosewater you might hate it). It lathers up easily, and my hair feels really clean after using. I have thick long hair, and I don't feel like I need to use a ton of product to get clean hair. I will likely be repurchasing this.
Clean and sexy 4
Carissa Jane from San Jose, CA
This shampoo really cleans my thick hair with just a little bit. I have collar bone length very thick hair and I use a quarter size amount. I find that my hair feels like a fresh blow out, it really refreshes the hair. I like the smell but I guess to each their own.
Smells Absolutely Awful and Disgusting 1
Lee from Bayport, NY
Ok, I really wanted to love this product but I literally can't even bring myself to actually try it because the smell is disgusting. I bought the product based on all of the positive reviews online. Since covid my normal store is closed and only available for curbside pick up so I was unable to smell the product before purchasing it. BUT I have smelled the leave in conditioner spray by Ouai before and LOVED it so I assumed these products would have similar smells. Boy was I wrong!!! I immediately opened the bottle when I picked up the items and the smell hits you hard. It literally smells like your grandmas perfume that has been sitting in her house for 80 years it's awful. I don't know how people would ever want their hair to smell like that, it's such an offensive smell. I got a little bit on my finger when opening the bottle and even after washing my hands several times still could smell it on my finger and was so grossed out by it all day. I wish I could tell you how the actual product was in my hair but I can't bring myself to try it and have my hair smell like it. I would never want anything on my body to smell like this product does. Horrible!!!!I'm returning it.
Ive never smelled anything so bad 1
Tiffany from KS
The smell seems to intensify after it dries. It smells like expired perfume mixed with the smell of a perm, actually made my eyes water. I bought this shampoo after reading a review saying it smelled wonderful, it does not!
Not that bad but bougie 5
Erika O from Nashville, Tennessee
I don't know what people are complaining about. The smell isn't noticeable at all. I like it. I'm Black so I only wash my hair once a week. I used it two days ago so I haven't noticed anything remarkable about this product. I wouldn't buy this again because there are cheaper shampoos that I like more. The stand out in this line is the leave in conditioner. I would splurge on that item only.
Hair feels clean and smells great! 5
Sierra from Green Bay, WI
I do not have super thick hair but I wanted to try the thick hair shampoo because I do have issues with frizziness. My hair has never felt so soft and clean and frizz-free! I also really like the smell. I used this product with the thick hairconditioner and Ouai's leave-in conditioner spray.
Great product but awful smell 2
Linda from Los Angeles
So I've used this shampoo 3 times and already feel a difference in the softness of my hair. So that's great. However, I cannot get passed the smell. It genuinely smells like old perfume you may find at your grandmothers house. It lingers all day. My daughter and husband both noticed it. So basically the shampoo/conditioner is a 4 or 5 but the smell is -5.
It's a no for me 2
Ana from Portland, OR
I have 4c hair. This shampoo/conditioner really stripped my hair of its natural oils. My hair was really tangled and had no slip afterwards. Also I didn't like the smell. Will definitely return this once Ulta opens up again.
Works well but the SMELL 3
paxosa from WI
This shampoo worked well at settling my thick wavy frizzy hair. My hair was so smooth, and there was less frizz. The frizz was still there, but it was contained. However, I don't understand how people can say this shampoo smells amazing. It smells HORRIBLE. A super potent grandmother rose scented fragrance. (Fragrance is the 4th or 5th ingredient on the bottle, I can't remember.) The smell outweighs the fact that this is a very decent shampoo. It has been 2 weeks since I used this once and the smell is still lingering in my hair and scalp. It gives my headaches daily. If the ouai makes unscented products in the future, I will seriously consider purchasing (because it is pretty pricey for shampoo), but until then I am returning all products from this company.
