I Tried the Influencer-Favorite Gisou Hair Oil, and Yes, It’s Absolutely as Good as They Say
Value: 16/20
Functionality: 19/20
Ease of Use: 18/20
Aesthetics: 20/20
Results: 19/20
TOTAL: 92/100
You know those beauty products that are always all over Instagram, clutched in some perfectly manicured hand, peeking out of a chic handbag or perfectly positioned on a shelfie?
One of those current famous beauty products is the Honey Infused Hair Oil from influencer Negin Mirsalehi’s haircare brand, Gisou. You’ve likely seen it before in one of the situations mentioned above, its crystal-clear square glass bottle glimmering around a delightfully bohemian logo, filled with an oil that looks like liquefied gold. And so have I, which is why I’ve never felt more like a mega-influencer than when I found Gisou’s best-selling hair oil on my doorstep.
The first thing I noticed: The packaging. Ohh, the packaging. I’ve never received anything like it. The oil came with a whole beautifully photographed pamphlet, which tells the story of the Mirsalehi bee garden in The Netherlands, where the honey is sourced. From the moment I opened the box, I was fully immersed in this experience that only an influencer could have thought up. Once I pulled the silky string under the pamphlet, the hair oil was exposed, and it’s just as pretty in person.
But since you probably already know that from its many Instagram cameos, let’s move onto the real reason why I’m writing about it: the results.
I didn’t have super high hopes to be honest. I’ve tested many hair oils in the past—lots with pretty packaging—and my naturally frizz-prone hair never really looked any better. Albeit, sometimes a lot greasier. The key for me is to apply a tiny pea-size amount to the ends of my damp hair or I risk looking like I haven’t showered in a week. But Gisou’s hair oil is different. It’s thick, like the “honey infused” phrase indicates, so it’s easier to work into my freshly showered hair. I had more control over where I was putting it, and I even used a whole dime-size dollop without needing to grab for the emergency dry shampoo to zap excess grease.
Before my hair air-dried, I noticed the gorgeous honey vanilla scent—it’s not overpowering in the slightest, but you definitely notice that it’s there. I was running late to dinner, so I didn’t have time to style my strands at all before walking seven blocks to the restaurant in 90 percent humidity. By the time I got there, my hair was dry (thanks, summer). I was expecting a halo of frizz when I caught a glimpse of myself in the window, but there was none. Not to mention, my hair dried with a natural little wave that only comes out when I use tons of sticky product and manipulate it myself.
The best part: My hair stayed frizz free for the next two days. Um, excuse me? How, in 90 percent humidity? The secret is the honey, which is known as nature’s humectant, thanks to its moisture-retaining and nourishing properties. Humidity was sealed out and extra moisture was delivered to each strand, resulting in a smooth, frizz-free finish.
Needless to say, I’ve been using this product religiously ever since. I don’t usually love styling products, because I hate crunchy, sticky strands. But this was nothing like that. It’s also a great multitasking product which makes the $90 price tag a little easier to swallow. (P.S. It also comes in a smaller, travel-size bottle, which retails for $46.) It can be used on damp hair before styling, dry hair as a finisher, as an addition to your hair mask or as an overnight treatment for a more intensive fix. As someone who likes to keep her beauty routine very low maintenance, this product is my new secret weapon for smooth hair with zero effort.
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