Beauty Davines OI Oil vs All in One Milk: Which Should You Buy?
OI Oil and All in One Milk are the two heroes of the Davines OI line. One is a rich oil, the other a light milk. We compared them on texture, hair types, and value.
| Factor | Davines OI Oil, 4.56 Fl Oz | Davines OI Oil, 1.69 Fl Oz |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Rich hair oil | Lightweight leave-in milk |
| Best Hair Types | Normal to thick hair | Fine to normal hair |
| Shine Level | High gloss shine | Soft natural shine |
| Heat Protection | Yes, good protection | Yes, up to 446F |
| Price | Around 44 to 52 dollars | Around 34 to 40 dollars |
| Pick If | You want rich shine | You want lightweight care |
Our Verdict
Pick OI Oil if your hair is normal to thick and you want maximum shine. Pick All in One Milk if your hair is fine or you prefer featherlight products. Many Davines fans use the milk on damp hair and the oil on dry ends.
More Top Picks in This Category
Not sold on either of these two? Here are more bestselling options worth considering.
Best for: You have fine hair and want OI benefits lightly.
Davines OI All in One Milk, 4.56 Fl Oz
- Lightweight leave-in milk
- Detangles and softens
- Heat protection up to 446F
- Roucou oil formula
Pros
- Lighter than oil for fine hair
- Great detangler
- Strong heat protection
Cons
- Not as rich as the oil
- Milk texture takes getting used to
- Premium price
Best for: You want glass-like shine for special occasions.
Davines OI Liquid Luster, 10.14 Fl Oz
- Rinse-off glossing treatment
- Adds mirror-like shine
- 10.14 fl oz bottle
- Use after shampoo, before conditioner
Pros
- Dramatic shine boost
- Easy to add to any routine
- Large bottle
Cons
- Extra step in the shower
- Effects wash out over time
- Pricey for a rinse-off product
Best for: You want to experience the full OI routine.
Davines OI Shampoo 9.47 oz and All in One Milk 1.69 oz Set
- OI Shampoo 9.47 oz plus All in One Milk 1.69 oz
- Complete OI starter set
- Gentle, sulfate-conscious cleanse
- Roucou oil throughout
Pros
- Try the OI system together
- Shampoo is gentle and creamy
- Good gift for Davines fans
Cons
- Set costs more than singles
- Milk is only travel size
- Shampoo may not clarify well
Want the Full Picture?
The Polymer Buildup Paradox: Maintenance Routine
Two guides warn that volumizing agents build up and flatten hair, but none gives the maintenance routine. The paradox: volumizing shampoos deposit polymers that lift the hair initially, then accumulate with repeated use until the buildup itself weighs hair down and clogs follicles. The signs your volumizer became the problem: hair that was bouncy for weeks goes flat despite the same products, roots feel coated, and the scalp itches more than usual.
How often to clarify: every three to four weeks for regular volumizing-shampoo users, using a true clarifying shampoo that strips polymer film. The Davines OI All in One Milk 4.56 oz and OI Liquid Luster 10.14 oz are leave-in style products; they contribute to the buildup side, so the clarifying schedule matters more when they are in the routine. The shampoo and milk set structures the system; add the periodic clarify as the third element. If clarifying restores the bounce, the diagnosis is confirmed; if not, the flatness has another cause. Our OGX Biotin Collagen comparison tests another volumizing system with the same maintenance needs.
Cleansing-Based Versus Coating-Based Volume
Which volumizing mechanism a shampoo uses is never taught, yet it decides everything. Cleansing-based volumizers work by removing weight; oils, silicones, and residue; they suit oily fine hair that is flattened by its own sebum. Coating-based volumizers deposit polymers that thicken each strand's diameter; they suit dry fine hair that needs added body. Why the distinction matters: a coating-based volumizer on oily hair builds up fast and goes flat; a cleansing-based one on dry hair strips what little moisture exists.
How to read which you are buying: "removes buildup" and "deep cleanse" language signals cleansing-based; "thickening," "plumping," or "bond-building" signals coating-based. The Davines OI line leans coating and conditioning; it suits dry fine hair better than oily fine hair. Oily fine-haired buyers should pair a cleansing volumizing shampoo with the OI Milk used sparingly on the lengths only. Our Pantene Biotin guide covers a drugstore volumizing option for comparison.
Layering Volume Products: The Order
Root sprays, mousses, dry shampoo, and volumizing shampoo in one routine need an order nobody gives. The sequence: volumizing shampoo first, cleansing the base; root spray on damp roots before drying, giving lift something to hold; mousse through the lengths for body; dry shampoo on day two at the roots for refresh, not day one. Which combinations boost: root spray plus mousse is the classic stack; volumizing shampoo plus root spray covers both ends.
Which combinations cause buildup: volumizing shampoo plus heavy dry shampoo daily plus root powder is triple polymer loading; the paradox arrives in days. The OI All in One Milk as a leave-in under mousse is usually redundant; pick one or the other to avoid overloading fine hair. The Liquid Luster as a finisher adds shine without volume, so it belongs at the very end and sparingly. If the routine stops working, strip it back to shampoo plus one styler before adding elements; complexity is the usual culprit. Our Batiste volume comparison covers the dry-shampoo side of the stack.