If you have ever stood in front of the mirror in our downtown studio holding a tub of styling product and wondered what it actually does, this guide is for you. Davines Medium Hold Finishing Gum is one of the products we reach for most often behind the chair at Sølvi Salon, and it tends to confuse people at first because the name says one thing and the texture does another. Our stylists wanted to break it down honestly so you know exactly what you are buying, how to use it, and whether it belongs in your routine before you spend the $36.
What Medium Hold Finishing Gum Actually Is
The name sets up an expectation, so let us clear it up right away. This is not a stiff, sculpting gum that locks your hair into a shape for the day. Davines describes it as a weightless softener, and that is the most accurate way to think about it. It gives you a workable, medium level of control while keeping the hair soft and touchable. We use it on fine hair and on coarse hair, and it behaves on both because the formula does not pile on weight. If you want softer, shinier hair with a little hold and no crunch, this is the lane it lives in.
The Key Ingredient: Roucou Oil
The reason we keep this product on our shelf comes down to one ingredient. Roucou oil softens and smooths the hair without weighing it down, and it leaves an antioxidant finish that tames flyaways and frizz. That last part is the whole story for us here in Boise. Idaho's high-desert air is dry, and dry air means static and flyaways, especially in winter when the heat is running indoors. We see it on clients every single day. The roucou oil finish is genuinely useful for calming that halo of frizz that the dry climate creates, which is why it earns a spot in so many of our recommendations.
How to Use It at Home
The application is simple, and getting it right makes all the difference. Start with clean, damp hair. Take a small amount, smaller than you think you need, and work it through. Comb it through so it distributes evenly from root to mid-length, then style as usual. The most common mistake we see is people using too much, which can make the hair feel coated. Start light. You can always add a touch more, but you cannot easily take it back out once it is in. The light, signature Davines scent lingers through the day, which our clients tend to love.
Who It Is For
This is a great fit if your main concerns are softness, shine, and frizz control rather than structure. People with fine hair like it because it adds polish without dragging the hair flat. People with coarse or wavy hair like it because it smooths without going greasy. If you live anywhere with dry air, and most of us in the Treasure Valley do, the flyaway control alone makes it worth a try. It also slots easily into either a daily styling routine or a weekly reset, so you are not locked into one way of using it.
Who It Is Not For
Here is our honest take. If you are looking for firm, all-day lockdown hold, a sculpted spiky finish, or a product that holds a stiff shape through wind and movement, this is not your product. Medium hold means medium hold, and weightless means it will not give you that rigid structure. Clients who want their style to stay rock-solid from morning to night are usually happier with a stronger paste or a firm-hold gel. We would rather tell you that now than have you frustrated at home. Ask us at the chair and we will point you to the right strength for your goal.
Where to Get It
You can pick up Medium Hold Finishing Gum on our retail shelf at Sølvi Salon, 104 S Capitol Blvd in downtown Boise, for $36. Every product we carry is one our stylists actually use in the studio, so when you buy it from us, you are getting something we already trust. If you are not sure it is the right match for your hair, book an appointment and we will work it into your style during a service so you can feel the difference before you commit. See our full list of services, or book online here. We are always happy to talk product at the chair.