Every bottle on our retail shelf earns its spot the same way. One of our stylists has to actually reach for it during a shift, more than once, before we put a price tag on it. Oi from Davines is one of those bottles. It has lived in our stations at the downtown studio for a long time, and clients keep asking what it is after they feel their hair at the end of a blowout. So this is the story behind the bottle, and why it keeps showing up in our hands.
What is actually in the bottle
The short answer is Roucou oil. That is the ingredient the whole product is built around, and it is the reason Oi behaves the way it does. Roucou oil softens and smooths the hair without weighing it down, which is a harder balance to strike than it sounds. Most things that add softness also add heft, and you end up trading frizz control for flat, greasy roots. Oi does not do that. It leaves an antioxidant finish that tames flyaways and frizz while keeping the hair feeling weightless. There is also a signature scent that lingers all day, and honestly that scent is half the reason clients fall for it at the chair.
Why a weightless softener matters in Boise
If you live here, you already know what our climate does to hair. Boise sits in high desert, and the air is dry for most of the year. Winter is brutal on the ends, summer pulls every bit of moisture out, and the static that comes with all that dryness is relentless. Frizz and flyaways are not a once-in-a-while problem in Idaho, they are a Tuesday. A product that smooths the cuticle and adds a little antioxidant protection without coating the hair in heavy oil is exactly what dry Boise hair tends to need. That is the gap Oi fills for the people who sit in our chairs.
How we use it behind the chair
This is a leave-in step, not a rinse-out. We work a small amount through clean, damp hair, comb it through to spread it evenly, and then style as usual. It works across hair types, from fine to coarse, which is part of why it is so easy to recommend. A small amount goes a long way, and that is not a sales line, it is the truth. If you use too much you can dull down fine hair, so we always tell clients to start light and add only if they need it. You can fold it into a daily routine or save it for the days you actually style. Both work.
Who it is not for
Here is the honest part. Oi is a weightless softener, which is its best feature and also its limit. If your hair is severely dry or damaged and you are looking for rich, heavy moisture to repair the ends in the dead of a Boise winter, this is probably not enough on its own. It smooths and finishes, it does not deeply hydrate or rebuild. For very coarse, thirsty hair you may want to pair it with a richer treatment, or ask us about a different Davines option that targets repair. We would rather tell you that up front than have you expecting something the bottle was never built to do.
What it costs
Oi comes in two sizes. The travel size is 3 fl oz at $21.00, which is a low-commitment way to try it before you buy the bigger bottle. The standard 9.47 fl oz size is $30.00 and lasts a long time given how little you need per use. You can see the current options on the Oi product page. Like everything we stock, it is a product our stylists genuinely use in the studio, not a brand we were paid to put on the shelf.
The bottom line
Oi has stayed in our rotation because it does one thing well. It makes hair feel soft and look smooth without the heaviness that usually comes with it, and in a dry climate like ours that is worth a lot. If you want to feel the difference yourself, the easiest path is to come in. Our stylists can show you how it works on your specific hair type during a service. Take a look at our service menu and then book an appointment at our studio at 104 S Capitol Blvd. We will put the bottle in your hands and let it speak for itself.