I've gotten 10 times more compliments on my hair since I began using this product.

      As a beauty editor, I feel a bit embarrassed to say that I haven't had a haircut in over six months. I've been uncertain about what to do with my hair length and color, leading to my hair looking quite unkempt, with split ends and significant brassiness. Even on days when my hair looks decent, it's still susceptible to frizz and dullness, and despite using the best conditioners and hair masks, I'm not seeing improvement due to my damaged ends. Since I test hair tools professionally (and sometimes forget to use heat protection—oops), my hair has started to look and feel frazzled. So when Ouai's new Bond Repair Balm (£46) arrived on my desk and promised to repair my hair in just three minutes, I quickly took it home to try it out. I'm really glad I did because it has quickly become one of my favorite beauty launches this year. Keep reading for a full review and all the details you need.

      **Ouai Bond Repair Balm**

      **Key Ingredients:** Vegan silk protein, hyaluronic acid, peptides, lipid replacement complex

      **Pros:** Repairs damage in three minutes by restoring hair bonds; replaces conditioner in your hair care routine; carries the signature Ouai Melrose Place scent

      **Cons:** Can feel sticky if applied excessively, so use sparingly

      **The Formula**

      For those familiar with hair bond repairers, they essentially work to rebuild the connections that hold your hair together. Heat tools like straighteners and hair dye can weaken these bonds, but products like Ouai's Bond Repair Balm help to restore these internal structures, resulting in healthier-looking hair. This formula contains vegan silk proteins, hyaluronic acid, rice protein-derived peptides, and a lipid replacement complex that work together to smooth, hydrate, and repair your hair. The balm is lightweight and silky, easily spreading through your hair. You need just one pump (a bit more for thick or long hair, and a bit less for fine or short hair), and a small amount works wonders. It replaces your conditioner in your wash routine, so after shampooing, simply apply it to your hair in place of conditioner. My favorite aspect is that it only needs to sit in your hair for three minutes before rinsing, which saves time compared to the usual 20-minute wait with a hair mask. Plus, it smells fantastic (like all Ouai products) with the popular Melrose Place scent, featuring notes of rose, lychee, and white musk.

      **Before and After**

      **Before**

      Here’s my hair prior to using the balm. The mid-lengths look and feel damaged, lacking the shine I desire, and feel frizzy and coarse.

      **After**

      And here’s my hair after applying the bond repair balm. I can clearly see and feel an improvement in the health of my hair, which now has a more noticeable shine and smoothness. My lengths feel so silky that my hairbrush glides through my easily tangled strands, and overall, it feels more manageable and less frizzy. Surprisingly, it even seems to enhance the color of my old balayage in the mid-lengths!

      **My Verdict**

      It’s safe to say that this is one of the best hair products I’ve tried lately. Interestingly, I've had more people asking me what I'm using on my hair this week than ever before. Somehow, this bond repair balm is making people believe my hair is healthy, despite being neglected during these months without a salon visit. I really appreciate that it replaces conditioner and only needs three minutes to work, making it easy for a busy editor like me to nourish my hair without the hassle of a hair mask. Just one pump is sufficient, so avoid applying too much as it can become a bit heavy; however, those with longer or thicker hair may need a bit more. Overall, I plan to keep a bottle of this in my bathroom from now on.