It's no secret that the outside environment can be tough on our hair. Between the frigid temps outside during the winter to the bone-dry air in the summer (and that doesn't even include all of the heat styling that we're doing, it's a recipe for dull, dry strands. Even worse? Our hair is also more prone to breakage and even seasonal hair loss. But one product that has saved my hair through the unpredictable is the Ouai Hair Gloss.

As a longtime fan of Ouai — a brand you may know from their bestselling Detox Shampoo — I eagerly volunteered as tribute to test out the launch of their hair gloss. After years of bleaching and dyeing my hair to maintain my vibrant shade of red, my hair has become pretty damaged.

To make matters worse, I'm guilty of going a long time between salon visits, resulting in frizzy ends and lackluster strands. So, I never imagined I could still have silky smooth, well-behaved and vibrant hair nine full weeks after my last salon appointment — until I tried the Ouai Hair Gloss for myself.

Ouai Hair Gloss

Hair Gloss

What we like

Pleasant scent
Improves softness

Something to note

Some didn't notice difference

Size: 6 oz. | Key ingredient(s): Rice water, hyaluronic acid | Best for: All hair types and textures

How I tried the Ouai Hair Gloss

The entire treatment takes mere minutes

I hate long showers, so I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the Ouai Hair Gloss treatment works even quicker than my usual in-shower hair masks. In fact, it replaced my usual conditioner step, so I actually saved time by using this gloss while showering.

After I rinsed out my shampoo, I followed the instructions on the bottle and separated my hair into two-inch sections. I applied a pea-sized amount of Ouai Hair Gloss to each section, starting at the mid-lengths of the strands and working the clear formula down through the ends.

While it's safe to use on all hair types, including my color-treated, straight hair, the directions are a bit different for those with curly or coily strands. If that’s you, the brand recommends following your usual shower regimen (pre-detangling, shampooing and conditioning) and then applying the Ouai Hair Gloss at the very end of your routine to give your locks an extra treatment and seal in shine.

After about five minutes with the gloss in my hair (a.k.a. two songs in my shower playlist or the time it takes me to do my usual body shave), it was time to rinse out the product. Immediately, my locks felt like silk, and I was excited to see how my hair would look after a quick at-home blowout.

Why I like the Ouai Hair Gloss

It protects against heat damage up to 450°F

According to the brand, styling your hair with heat after using the Ouai Hair Gloss is recommended for optimal results. I used my Shark FlexStyle to rough dry my hair halfway and followed with a few passes using the brush attachment — no need to use extra products at this step or worry about heat damage, since the brand says the gloss does all the hydrating and smoothing, and even protects hair from heat damage up to 450 degrees.

The brand says you can still use a leave-in conditioner if you want some help detangling or extra hydration, but I didn't find I needed it at all to achieve smooth, lustrous and tangle-free strands.

It makes my hair look shiny, soft and healthy

The Ouai Hair Gloss surpassed all of my expectations. I figured the glossiness of my hair would be comparable to my usual post-blow-dry hair, but the difference was shocking — most noticeably at the ends, which makes sense since that’s mostly where I applied it.

My usually unruly, frizzy split ends were tamed and glassy, sans smoothing balm or hair oil. I swear the color looked more vibrant and dimensional, too. Even my coworkers noticed a difference, commenting on how "glossy" and "beautiful" my hair looked.

These results are all thanks to dermatologist-recommended ingredients in the formula, like hyaluronic acid, panthenol and rice water, the brand states. Sugar beets are another superhero ingredient in the gloss, which the brand says provides a color protection that keeps your hair shade from fading as quickly, something my unnaturally red hair needs extra help with between appointments.

What to consider

The brand says the results of the gloss treatment will be visible for up to three washes, which I can verify, having now used the gloss multiple times over the past month.

Who is the Ouai Hair Gloss best for?

Regardless of what the New York weather might bring, I'm not worried about the havoc it might wreak on my strands. When it comes to saving my dull, dry hair, I consider this product my knight in shining armor. Actually, scratch that — it is my shining armor. It'll be here to fend off color fading, protect my hair and add shine, slaying bad hair days all year long.

More Ouai hair products

Ouai Leave In Conditioner

Leave In Conditioner

What we like

Good option for thin hair
Smells great

Something to note

Small bottle

Size: 4.7 oz. | Key ingredient(s): Vitamin E | Best for: Dry hair

If you're looking for a bit of extra help detangling and hydrating after rinsing out the Ouai Hair Gloss, this is an ideal supplement to your hair care routine. Editorial operations manager Jillian Ortiz is among many fans of the leave-in treatment.

"I haven’t had to deal with any tangles after washing my hair since I started using this product," Ortiz says. "It works so well that I’ve cut my regular conditioner from my routine altogether and just use this post-shower. My hair feels just as good, maybe even better!"

Ouai Detox Shampoo

Detox Shampoo

What we like

Lathers well
Deep clean without stripping

Something to note

Strongly scented

Size: 10 oz. | Key ingredient(s): Apple cider vinegar, keratin | Best for: Oily scalp

This shampoo is beloved by multiple editors on the team, including Ortiz.

"I thought a 'detox' shampoo would strip my hair and leave it feeling brittle, but I was wrong," Ortiz says. "I fell in love with the way this product lathers (trust me, a little bit goes a long way) and how soft my hair feels after I wash it out. I’m also a big fan of the formula, which includes apple cider vinegar and keratin."

Ouai Wave Spray

Wave Spray

Winner: Best spray for wave definition

What we like

Lightweight
Safe for colored hair

Something to note

Scented

Size: 6 oz. | Key ingredient(s): Vitamin B5 | Best for: Oily scalp

Looking to add some texture to your strands? Allow me to recommend this spray, which is a go-to for creating effortless, beachy waves — no ocean required.

Ouai Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

What we like

Relieves itchiness and flakes
Leaves hair soft

Something to note

Lightly scented

Size: 10 oz. | Key ingredient(s): Salicylic acid | Best for: Dry/flaky scalp

It's very common to get dandruff, and Ouai has a beloved shampoo to help manage flakes and itching. Associate Social Media Editor Dani Musacchio has been using the formula multiple times weekly for over a year.

"I’m a huge fan of Ouai’s shampoo, so when I found out that the brand had a dandruff shampoo I knew I had to try it," says Musacchio. "I’m almost down to the bottom of the bottle and can say that I’ve noticed barely any flakes in my hair since using it regularly. It also has a pleasant, gentle scent that I love."

Ouai Hair Oil

Hair Oil

What we like

Smooths frizz
Prevents color-fading
Protects against heat damage

Something to note

Heavy fragrance

Size: 1.5 oz. | Key ingredient(s): African Galanga, Ama and Asian Borage oils | Best for: Dry/frizzy hair

If you want to seal split ends and smooth frizz without the shower that the Ouai Hair Gloss requires, this hair oil claims to do the trick. The brand says it also helps with color fading and heat protection.

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The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there in beauty and beyond. We keep track of the latest launches and use our own personal experiences with products like lip balms and brands like Glossier to make shopping easier for our readers.

Audrey Ekman is a production associate covering a wide range of topics in beauty, fashion and more.