Moroccanoil has developed an almost cult-like following since its launch in 2007. But does this luxury haircare brand actually transform lackluster locks? I decided to try their products and dig into the ingredients to find out.
This Moroccanoil review provides an in-depth look at their origins, bestselling items, key ingredients, expert opinions, thousands of customer testimonials, and clinical evidence on formulas. Read on to learn if their argan oil-infused shampoos, treatments, and styling products give you the most bang for your buck.
Brief Brand Overview
Moroccanoil’s story began when Carmen Tal walked into a salon for a dye job in Israel. The formula wreaked havoc on her hair, leaving it severely damaged. An intense argan oil hair treatment during her visit brought Tal’s strands back to life.
The salon eventually shared their secret – they sourced ultra-hydrating argan oil from Morocco. Tal and her husband, Ofer Tal, then launched Moroccanoil in 2008. And the rest is haircare history.
Today this New York-based brand offers shampoos, conditioners, styling products, and treatments. And their star ingredient in most formulations is argan oil, packed with antioxidants and essential fatty acids.
While on the pricier side, Moroccanoil enjoys glowing reviews from buyers, beauty editors, hairstylists, and chemists alike. Their products whip lackluster, damaged hair into supple, shiny shape.
Curious why this brand receives so much praise? Let‘s analyze some bestsellers.
6 Bestselling Moroccanoil Products Reviewed
Moroccanoil covers all the bases with targeted lines for concerns like texture, volume, hydration, color protection and damage repair. Their top-rated products include:
Moroccanoil Purple Shampoo
Purple shampoo keeps blonde and gray locks free of brassy discoloration between salon visits. This formula contains violet pigments that act like a toner. The result? Bright, neutral and vibrant color minus the yellow/orange hues.
Reviewers confirm Moroccanoil‘s version clarifies dullness in one use. It‘s also safer than competitors, as it skips sulfates and parabens. Those can irritate the scalp and skin over time.
Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo
Dry, brittle hair drinks up moisture from this creamy cleanser. The hero ingredient? Argan oil, packed with antioxidants and vitamin E. A study in the Clinical Interventions in Aging journal found it improved hair and scalp hydration.
This shampoo also includes red algae extract to boost shine, vitamin A to reduce shedding, and is free of parabens and sulfates. Reviewers with flaky scalps say it leaves hair bouncy, not stiff.
Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo
Oily roots are no match for this invisible powder. It soaks up grease, sweat and odor between washes, keeping hair fresh. Moroccanoil‘s formula is also one of the few that won‘t leave a white residue or dull color.
It owes that to rice starch, which works like an oil magnet without drying out strands. Spritz it on roots to skip a wash, or use when braiding/styling to amp grip. Customers love the clean scent and volume boost too!
Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask
Single-use hair masks inject moisture that rinses out over time. But Morrocanoil’s formula keeps working for days. Credit the antioxidants, fatty acids and vitamin E in argan oil that continues nourishing.
Reviewers show photos of severely heat and chemically damaged hair repaired after several applications. It‘s ideal for anyone who colors, bleaches, blow dries or uses hot tools regularly.
Moroccanoil Smoothing Lotion
The struggle is real for those with thick, coarse or curly strands. This lotion smoothes without weighing hair down or leaving residue. Plus, it cuts blow dry time since it helps detangle wet tresses.
The formula includes moisturizing argan oil and smoothing linseed extract. One reviewer with stubborn cowlicks says it lets her air dry hair into a sleek, straight style. Others love lasting frizz control and softness from roots to ends.
Moroccanoil Dry Texture Spray
Unlike some volumizing sprays, this one skips stickiness and crunchy hold. The trade off? Soft, full locks and va-va-voom roots. Plus, it refreshesdirty hair between washes without dulling color.
The key is starch-based rice powder that absorbs oil without stiffness. Plus vitamins and antioxidants shield against UV and free radical damage. Reviewers love lasting body and texture with no flaky residue.
What The Science Says on Key Moroccanoil Ingredients
We‘ve covered the glowing reviews on these bestsellers. But what does research actually say on Moroccanoil‘s formulas? Let‘s explore benefits of key components:
Argan Oil
This antioxidant-rich oil makes up the base of almost all Moroccanoil haircare. Studies demonstrate several benefits:
- Boosts moisture, shine & softness: A 2013 study found using argan oil daily improved hair elasticity and decreased breakage in just four weeks.
- Shields against UV damage: Argan oil contains Vitamin E. One study showed it protected hair from oxidative damage induced by UV light.
- Soothes inflammation: Researchers found argan oil decreased swelling in arthritic mice. This demonstrates potential for scalp irritation and dandruff relief.
Beyond hair perks, research also shows argan oil improves skin hydration and elasticity. So Moroccanoil‘s body care and facial oil may also keep you glowing.
Nourishing Vitamins & Antioxidants
In addition to argan oil‘s natural antioxidant power, Moroccanoil boosts it with extras like:
- Vitamin E: Studies show this antioxidant triggers hair growth. It also protects against free radicals that degrade hair cells and pigment.
- Vitamin A: Also called retinol, this vitamin supports healthy sebum production. That leads to less breakage and shedding.
- Fatty acids: These naturally occur in argan oil and seal moisture into dry, porous hair strands.
So Moroccanoil covers all the nourishing nutrient bases – including compounds that stimulate growth.
Natural Extracts That Enhance Performance
Not only are Moroccanoil‘s formulas hydrating, the brand adds botanical extracts with targeted benefits:
- Red algae extract: Contains vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that boost shine.
- Rice starch: Ultra-fine powder that absorbs dirt, oil, and product buildup.
- Linseed extract: Smooths thick, textured hair and boosts manageability.
These plant-derived ingredients take the performance of Moroccanoil shampoos, masks and styling products to the next level.
What Beauty Experts Say About Moroccanoil
Moroccanoil earns glowing reviews from beauty industry pros. Let‘s see what editors, stylists and bloggers rave about:
- Allure‘s Best of Beauty Awards: Named Moroccan Oil Treatment the best hair oil in 2019. They loved its frizz-taming, shine-boosting and heat protectant abilities.
- Byrdie: Recommended the Curl Defining Cream for hydrating curls without weighing them down or causing greasiness.
- Refinery29: Suggested the shampoo/conditioner duo for dry strands, saying the formulas drench hair in moisture minus heaviness.
- Good Housekeeping: Crowned the Dry Texture Spray as a top volumizer for all hair types. They loved the soft, full texture without stickiness or flaky residue.
Beauty editors confirm Moroccanoil smooths, volumizes, softens and hydrates as promised. And they love lasting results without greasy buildup or limp strands.
Enthusiastic Moroccanoil Customer Reviews
Over 300 Moroccanoil products on Influenster earn 4 stars or higher, with 57.7k reviews total. And most product pages on the brand‘s site show 85-90% 5-star ratings.
Rave reviews mention repairing severe damage, reversing frizz and loving the scent. Specific successes shared by buyers include:
- Regrowing hair after harsh dye damage
- Hydrating bleached and heat-styled locks
- Smoothing thick, coarse curls into sleek blowouts
- Maintaining vibrant color between salon visits
- Volumizing flat, limp hair
The few critical reviews cite disliking the signature scent or lacking deep enough hydration. But the vast majority show thrilled customers with improved hair health, texture and compliance.
How Moroccanoil Compares to Similar Brands
Moroccanoil occupies a luxury price point above drugstore brands. But how do costs and performance stack up against salon-quality care?
Let‘s compare to two top competitors:
Moroccanoil vs. Ouai
Both brands use natural oils to remedy specific hair woes like dryness or texture. Ouai comes in slightly cheaper across shampoos, conditioners and styling products though.
But Moroccanoil focuses more heavily on ingredient science and targeted formulas. Their collection also earns higher average reviews for reversing severe damage.
So while Ouai saves you a couple dollars, Moroccanoil may give better results.
Moroccanoil vs. Briogeo
Like Moroccanoil, Briogeo relies on natural ingredients like avocado, matcha and rice powder for healthy hair. And costs are similar across shampoos, masks and styling items.
However, Briogeo positions itself as a non-toxic, eco-friendly brand. All products are 90-100% naturally derived and cruelty-free. Moroccanoil does not make the same ethical or green claims.
So if your priority is using clean beauty products, Briogeo pulls ahead. But Moroccanoil still seems to offer exceptional repair for damaged hair.
Ways to Save on Moroccanoil
Moroccanoil sits on the pricier side for haircare. But members of their Beauty Circle program earn points to redeem for products. Perks include:
- Earn 1 point for every $1 spent
- $10 off coupons when referring friends
- Free surprise birthday gift
- Free shipping once you reach 350 points
Members who spend over $500 per year also get bumped up to VIP status. Those elite buyers receive first dibs on new product launches.
So join Beauty Circle if you‘ll use Moroccanoil frequently. Committed customers essentially earn money off future orders.
Where to Buy Moroccanoil
Moroccanoil sells through several retailers:
- Their official website (Moroccanoil.com)
- Brick-and-mortar salons listed on their salon finder
- Sephora
- Ulta
- Amazon
I suggest buying directly from the Moroccanoil site when possible. That way you earn points towards future discounts and qualify for free shipping.
Certain products like shampoo/conditioner liters are also exclusive to their site. And members get first access to new product launches.
The Last Word: Who Should Buy Moroccanoil?
Moroccanoil makes exceptional treatments that revive severely damaged hair. The ingredients show proven benefits backed by research and enthusiastic reviews.
Consider investing if you regularly color, bleach, blow dry or use hot tools. Anyone can benefit from added protection and reversal of existing damage.
Those with dry or aging hair will also love lasting softness and hydration. Argan oil seals in moisture while vitamins and antioxidants stimulate growth.
However, Moroccanoil costs notably above drugstore brands. So it may not suit buyers on a budget. And they don‘t market themselves as cleanly formulated or eco-friendly like some competitors.
Overall, Moroccanoil nourishes strong results that exceed expectations for most happy customers and beauty editors. Damaged, dull hair becomes softer, smoother and shinier within weeks according to reviews.
So if you seek serious hydration and repair, Moroccanoil likely offers a worthwhile splurge. Those precious locks deserve a little luxury after all!
