Isessence Argan Oil Spray: Better Than Olaplex?

Hidden Gem
This $9 drugstore argan oil spray outshines luxury serums for frizz control.
Expert Analysis · Honest Reviews · Real Results
✨ **The $9 Frizz Killer**

I bought this because my hairdresser friend said “just try it” and I was tired of spending $30+ on serums that made my hair look greasy by lunch. This absorbs in 8 seconds flat — no joke. My frizz went from “humidity attacked me” to “what frizz?” in one wash.

The real kicker? It smells like a fancy salon, not a grandma’s vanity.

💸 **Better Than Olaplex? Sorta**

It’s a spray, not a bond-builder. $8.99 at CVS. The bottle claims “anti-frizz, shine, and heat protection up to 450°F” — I rolled my eyes but bought it anyway.

1. **Ultra-fine mist** — Doesn’t drench your hair. One spritz covers my whole head.
2. **No silicones that build up** — My fine hair didn’t get that weird waxy feel after day two.
3. **Heat protection that actually works** — I used my Dyson Airwrap on max and my ends didn’t crisp up.

🫣 **What’s Actually In It**

Argan oil is the star — but it’s not the greasy kind. They use a lightweight fraction that sinks in instead of sitting on top. Vitamin E and linoleic acid do the real heavy lifting for shine without slip.

– **Argan Oil (lightweight fraction)**: penetrates the hair shaft, doesn’t just coat it
– **Vitamin E**: antioxidant that keeps color from fading weirdly
– **Linoleic Acid**: helps smooth the cuticle without weighing it down
– **Cyclomethicone**: gives that slip for detangling, but evaporates so it doesn’t build up

📊 **From Greasy to Glossy**

Texture is like water but slightly silky — think of the thinnest face oil you’ve ever used. One spray on damp hair, comb through, done. Zero stickiness.

Week 2: My ends actually looked healthier. Not “wow this is a miracle” healthy, but noticeably less split-end-y. The surprise? It made my second-day curls actually re-fresh without getting crunchy.

💡 **One Thing**: Spray it on your hands first, then scrunch into damp ends. Direct spraying wastes half the bottle and can make roots look greasy.

🧴 **Real Results — Not a Miracle Worker**

My frizz dropped about 60%. Shine went from “meh” to “did you get a gloss treatment?” But it won’t fix split ends or repair damage — that’s not its job.

✅ **Buy if** you have wavy/curly hair that frizzes in humidity and you want something that doesn’t feel heavy
⏭️ **Skip if** you have super fine, straight hair that gets oily by noon — it might still be too much
💰 **Worth it?** For $9, absolutely. It outperforms serums I’ve tried at 3x the price.

🔥 **Final Take**

This is the best $9 I’ve spent on my hair all year. Olaplex fixes bonds. This fixes your bad hair day. They’re not the same thing — and that’s fine.

**7.8/10** — Best drugstore frizz fix, period

🛍️ **Where to Buy**: CVS or Amazon. Don’t get the “professional” size — the small bottle lasts 3+ months.