The short answer: Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil is a silicone-based finishing oil: it gives instant slip and shine, smells strongly of honey, and protects from heat. An Amber & Oil blend is 100% plant oils you choose yourself, made for pre-poo, scalp oiling and sealing. They do different jobs. Use Gisou-style silicone oils before heat styling; use pure oils to treat hair and scalp.
At a glance
| Amber & Oil Custom Hair Blend | Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil | |
|---|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Plant oils you choose, plus vitamin E | Dimethicone, dimethiconol and trisiloxane (silicones), then honey and plant oils |
| Best use | Pre-poo, scalp oiling, sealing, overnight | Styling, finishing, shine, frizz |
| Heat protection | No claim | Brand says up to 450°F |
| On the scalp | Yes, designed for it | Brand says mid-lengths to ends, not scalp |
| Fragrance | Optional essential oils only, max 1% | Added fragrance and dyes |
| Sizes | 1 oz, 4 oz, 8 oz | 20 mL and 50 mL |
Why Gisou feels the way it does
Gisou's first three ingredients are silicones. Silicones sit on the surface of the hair, so they smooth frizz instantly, make hair feel silky and add a glassy shine. Gisou adds honey, sweet almond, coconut and argan oil, plus fragrance. The result is a beautiful styling product, and silicones are not bad for hair. They are just not a treatment for the scalp, and Gisou itself tells you to keep it off the scalp.
Why a pure oil blend feels different
Plant oils absorb and soften rather than coat. Some, like virgin coconut, are known to penetrate the hair shaft; light oils like jojoba sit comfortably on the scalp. That is why pure oils are the go-to for pre-poo and scalp oiling, and why you'll want more than a 50 mL bottle if you oil weekly.
Getting Gisou-level shine from pure oils
Shine comes from smooth, well-sealed ends. For a glossy finishing blend in our builder:
- Base: camellia (tsubaki) and argan, both prized for gloss.
- Actives: marula and baobab for a softer finish.
- Scent (optional): neroli or sweet orange.
That's close to our ready-made After Color blend. For fine hair, try Fine Print, built on squalane and jojoba so it won't weigh hair down.
Can you use both?
Yes, and plenty of people should. Oil your scalp and lengths with a pure oil before washing, then use a silicone-based styler like Gisou on dry ends before heat tools.
FAQ
Is Gisou hair oil silicone-based?
Yes. Dimethicone, dimethiconol and trisiloxane are its first three ingredients.
Does Amber & Oil protect from heat?
We make no heat-protection claim. Use a dedicated heat protectant before hot tools.
Can I put Gisou on my scalp?
Gisou directs you to apply it from mid-lengths to ends, not the scalp. For scalp oiling, use a pure oil.
Which is better for dry, damaged hair?
For treatment, a pure oil blend. For instant smoothness on styling days, a silicone oil. Many routines use both.