Oribe’s Gold Lust vs Hair Alchemy: We Test What’s Best

Published Jan 31, 2024

Have you noticed your go-to hair products losing their touch over time? Take it as a sign to reassess your ever-evolving hair needs and switch up your routine.

Trying a new haircare line that holistically addresses your hair type can be a gamechanger, and our beauty editors recently embraced this transformative shift.

For three months, Nurain and Victoria ditched their usual lineup of shower and styling agents to test two different Oribe collections, each tailored to their hair concerns and goals.

Leaving no strand untouched, our writers share their journeys and discoveries along the way. Find out whether or not Oribe’s Gold Lust and Hair Alchemy collections live up to the hype.

VICTORIA

Collection: Oribe Gold Lust

Products tried:

First impression:

Oribe is a brand that’s synonymous with luxury, so when I replaced my miscellaneous haircare with the brand’s sleek, ombre bottles, I couldn’t help but feel fancy. However, it was the velvety formulas within the chic packaging that made my hair look ~rich~.

As someone with naturally curly hair and a heat styling addiction, my resulting blowout looked salon-styled after using the product line for the first time. Let me break it down.

I began by washing with the Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo, which claims to impart glossy, hydrated youthfulness for those of us whose hair is a bit more dry. While shine peaked through when styling, I felt that my hair was a little more parched than usual after the lather and rinse off. However, that quickly changed with a generous squeeze of the Gold Lust Transformative Masque.

The buttery, sweet-smelling formula melted onto my strands. This indulgent mask claims to fortify hair while restoring elasticity with an all-star lineup of white tea, baobab and jasmine extracts. After finger combing it through my hair, I left the mask on for 30 minutes before rinsing. My hair was the softest I’d felt in a while, and I even toyed with the idea of skipping the conditioner.

Working a quarter-sized amount of Gold Lust Repair & Restore Conditioner into my hair, I let the maracuja and argan oils work their magic to strengthen and repair previous heat damage. After towel drying, I noticed my curls looked more full and bouncy - just in time for me to blow dry and straighten them.

On my damp hair, I went in with a few drops of Gold Lust All Over Oil. After styling, I sealed in my look with a few extra drops of the fast-absorbing oil. The results were shiny and conditioned, I just hoped they would last.

Discoveries with consistent use:

Short answer: The results did indeed last (for the most part) and my overall hair health improved.

Long answer: Over the course of my three-month trial, I discovered my best blowout yet. While the shampoo was more drying for my hair type compared with my holy grail scalp cleanser, I noticed that with consistent use of the conditioner, mask, and hair oil, my hair felt softer and better hydrated. The restorative formulas seemed to seal the cuticle and guard against added damage. The frizz and pesky flyaways that I previously experienced virtually disappeared.

Shine when styling was most apparent on day one and two, but not so much leading up to wash day. However, adding a few drops of the antioxidant-rich hair oil each day imparted a shot of shine that extended my blow out.

Final thoughts:

Gold Lust is worth the hype and the hefty price tag. If you’re looking to have every wash felt like a reset, this is the line for you. The conditioners seem to erase damage and fully moisturize strands to promote a hydrated base for your styling routine. Through the testing, I’m happy to say I’ve found my new holy grail hair (and everything) oil. The moisturizing oil blend worked wonders as an overnight treatment and sealant to keep dryness away. Plus, I liked moisturizing the formula into my hands for softer skin.

NURAIN

Collection: Hair Alchemy

Products tried:

First impression:

The yellow packaging was an immediate mood boost! Colorful yet subtle, the packaging alone added a nice touch of luxury to my shower routine.

As I’m in the process of growing out my straight, fine strands, my hair can often look limp and shed more than usual, especially in the washing process. Here’s how I aimed to put a stop to it.

I started by double washing my hair with Hair Alchemy Resilience Shampoo. The nourishing cleanser features a curative blend of chia seed, bio-fermented bamboo leaf, and plant-based protein to reinforce strands and build strength from within. It lathered nicely and offered a sophisticated, subtle scent.

Next up: Hair Alchemy Resilience Conditioner. Along with nourishing and untangling, it gives hair a dose of strength, softness, and vitality for stronger strands. A multi-action hyaluronic acid complex helps rehydrate and improve elasticity—two things I can’t say no to. After shampooing, I massaged it into my hair and let it sit for at least 5-10 minutes before rinsing.

The finishing touch was Hair Alchemy Fortifying Treatment Serum. After getting out of the shower, I worked a dime-size of this lightweight serum into my damp scalp. It aims to strengthen, prevent breakage, and encourage length, but only time will tell.

With an already oily scalp, I was worried the serum could cause a more greasy look or additional buildup, but I’m happy to report, it was indeed sheer and didn’t weigh my hair down. I applied it to damp hair then continued to either style, or I air dried, depending on the day. I also applied it to dry hair just to test it out, but it remained invisible and didn’t affect styling or texture.

Discoveries with consistent use:

Short answer: The formulas did exactly what they set out to do, encouraging a noticeable difference in my hair strength.

Long answer: I almost instantly noticed my hair was smoother, softer, and overall healthier-looking. Over time, there was a significant reduction in hair shedding—both in the shower and out. Just as the name suggests, this line made my hair stronger and more resilient. Because of the reduced breakage, I continued to grow it longer instead of getting the urge to chop it off. My hair is soft, smooth, shiny, and fuller—with less breakage and frizz in sight. Before this collection, I doubt my hair would have made it to its current length. It’s a game changer.

Final thoughts:

Just as the name suggests, the collection adds strength and resilience to hair. From the packaging to the scent to the effective formulas—Oribe left no stone unturned. If you’re looking to improve hair health, this one’s a no-brainer.