Every bottle on our retail shelf has a story, and a few of them get asked about more than the rest. The Davines OI line is one of those. Clients sit in our chairs at Sølvi and ask what that warm, faintly sweet scent is, the one that fills the studio when we finish a blowout. So we wanted to pull this one off the shelf and tell you what is actually inside, where it comes from, and why our stylists keep reaching for it. Consider this the behind-the-bottle tour of the Davines OI family and the OI kit we stock at our downtown Boise studio.
What OI actually is
OI is Davines' answer to a simple problem. Most people want softer, shinier hair, but they do not want product that sits heavy and flat by lunchtime. OI is built as a weightless softener that works across hair types, from fine to coarse. That range is rare. A lot of smoothing products are made for one texture and punish the other. This one behaves whether your hair is baby-fine or thick and coarse, which is part of why it earned a permanent spot on our shelf.
The hero ingredient: roucou oil
The reason OI works the way it does comes down to roucou oil. Roucou comes from the seeds of the achiote plant, and it is loaded with antioxidants. In the OI formula it softens and smooths the hair without weighing it down, and it leaves an antioxidant finish that helps tame flyaways and frizz. That is the real mechanism, not marketing fluff. When we run a small amount through damp hair before styling, the difference in how the comb glides through is immediate. The signature scent that clients keep asking about comes from this line too, and it tends to linger through the day.
The kit we carry at Sølvi
The OI product our stylists hand to clients most often is the Davines OI Ambiance To Go Kit, priced at $30. It is the easiest way to get to know the line without committing to full sizes, which is exactly what most people want before they decide a product belongs in their routine. It is a weightless softener that slots into a daily or weekly routine, and it is a strong match for hair that reads dry or frizzy. If you have ever wanted to test-drive a line before buying the big bottles, a travel kit like this is the honest way to do it.
Why it earns its place in dry Boise air
Boise is dry. Our high-desert climate pulls moisture out of hair year round, and winter makes it worse with static and frizz that seem to appear out of nowhere. That is the exact condition roucou oil is good at. The antioxidant finish helps hair hold onto a smooth, calm surface even when the air outside is working against it. We see it firsthand behind the chair at our studio on 104 S Capitol Blvd. Clients who fight frizz every winter tend to be the ones who come back for this line first. If your hair has felt rough or staticky since you moved to the Treasure Valley, OI is one of the first things we suggest.
How we use it in the studio
Application is simple, which is the point. Work a small amount through clean, damp hair, comb it through, and style as usual. The word small matters. OI rewards a light hand, and a little goes a long way. Start with less than you think you need, because you can always add more. We use it as a finishing and prep step before a blowout, and clients use it at home the same way. If you want us to show you the right amount for your specific texture, that is the kind of thing we walk through during a styling service.
Who it is not for
We promised honesty, so here it is. OI is a softener, not a styling product with hold. If you need structure, grip, or a defined hold that lasts through a long day, this is not the bottle for that job, and you will want to pair it with something else or pick a different finish entirely. It is also a daily-comfort product more than a dramatic transformation. People expecting a single bottle to overhaul damaged hair will be let down. It does one thing, softness and shine without weight, and it does that thing very well. Set your expectations there and you will be happy.
The best way to know if a product is right for you is to feel it on your own hair. Next time you are in the studio, ask any of our stylists to put a little OI through your hair so you can decide before you buy. We only stock products we actually use behind the chair, and this is one of them. Ready to come in? Book your appointment at Sølvi Salon and we will introduce you to the line in person.