Oribe Royal Blowout vs Imperial Blowout: Which One Do You Actually Need?
Reviewed by the Kinsley + Mane Style Team
Our stylists are licensed cosmetologists with 10+ years behind the chair. We use these products daily on real clients and have been an authorized Oribe salon since day one. This review is based on hands-on professional experience, not sponsored content.
Table of Contents
- The Quick Answer
- Oribe Royal Blowout: What It Does
- Oribe Imperial Blowout: What It Does
- Head-to-Head Comparison
- Which One for Your Hair Type
- Can You Use Both?
- Our Recommendation
The Quick Answer
If you want your blowout to last longer and fight humidity, you want Oribe Royal Blowout. If you want your blowout to look smoother, shinier, and more polished, you want Oribe Imperial Blowout. That's the core difference, but let's dig deeper because the details matter.
Oribe Royal Blowout Heat Styling Spray
Royal Blowout is a heat-activated spray that you mist onto damp hair before blow-drying. Its primary job is heat protection, but it does a lot more than that. The formula creates a moisture-repelling shield around each strand that keeps humidity from undoing your blowout. In the Bay Area, where the weather shifts from dry hills to coastal fog in 20 minutes, this is a lifesaver.
It's lightweight and invisible once it's dry. You won't feel it in your hair, and it doesn't add any weight or stiffness. What it does add is longevity. A blowout done with Royal Blowout lasts a full extra day compared to one without it. We've tested this repeatedly on clients, and the results are consistent.
The formula: Royal Blowout uses a jasmine extract complex that wraps around the hair to protect against heat up to 450 degrees. It also smooths the cuticle, which reduces frizz and adds natural shine. But the smoothing effect is subtle compared to Imperial.
Best for:
- Heat protection during blow-drying and flat ironing
- Extending the life of a blowout by 1-2 extra days
- Humid climates or weather-variable areas
- Fine to medium hair that doesn't need heavy smoothing
- Clients who want a natural, "I just have great hair" finish
Oribe Imperial Blowout Transformative Styling Creme
Imperial Blowout is a completely different format and approach. It's a rich, silky creme (not a spray) that you work through damp hair before blow-drying. Its primary job is smoothing and transforming the texture of your hair during the blowout process.
When you blow-dry with Imperial Blowout, the heat activates the formula and literally reshapes the hair. Frizz disappears. Flyaways lay down. The surface of the hair becomes smooth and reflective. It gives you that salon-polished, glass-like finish that's hard to achieve with other products.
It's heavier than Royal Blowout, and that's intentional. The creme format allows it to coat the hair more thoroughly, which is what gives it the smoothing power. But this also means it's not ideal for fine hair. If your hair is fine and flat, Imperial Blowout can weigh it down and reduce volume.
Best for:
- Thick, coarse, or frizzy hair that needs taming
- Curly or wavy hair being blown out straight
- Clients who want a polished, sleek, ultra-smooth finish
- Winter months when hair is dry and rough
- Special occasion blowouts where you want maximum shine
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Royal Blowout | Imperial Blowout |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Spray | Creme |
| Weight | Lightweight | Medium |
| Primary Benefit | Heat protection, longevity | Smoothing, shine |
| Anti-Humidity | Strong | Moderate |
| Best Hair Type | Fine to medium | Medium to thick/coarse |
| Finish | Natural, soft | Polished, sleek |
| Volume Impact | Preserves volume | Reduces volume slightly |
Which One Do You Need Based on Your Hair Type?
Fine, straight hair: Royal Blowout, no question. It protects without adding weight, and your blowout will last an extra day without going flat.
Medium, wavy hair: Either one works, depending on your goal. Want a beachy, natural blowout? Royal. Want sleek and smooth? Imperial.
Thick, coarse hair: Imperial Blowout. You need the smoothing power of the creme to tame the texture and reduce frizz.
Curly hair being blown straight: Imperial Blowout. The creme helps straighten and smooth during the blowout in a way that a spray simply can't. Follow up with Royal Blowout as a finishing mist for extra humidity protection.
Color-treated or damaged hair: Royal Blowout. The lighter formula won't stress fragile hair, and the heat protection is essential for preserving your color.
Can You Use Both Together?
Yes, and we do this in the salon all the time for certain clients. Here's how:
Apply a small amount of Imperial Blowout through the mid-lengths and ends of damp hair for smoothing. Then mist Royal Blowout over everything, including the roots, for heat protection and humidity resistance. Blow-dry as usual.
This combo gives you the smoothing benefits of Imperial on the body of the hair plus the longevity and protection of Royal everywhere. It's the best of both worlds, and it's our go-to approach for clients who want a polished blowout that lasts 3-4 days.
The only caveat: if your hair is fine, using both can be too much product. Stick with Royal alone, or use Imperial only on the very ends where you need the most smoothing.
Our Recommendation
If you can only buy one, start with Royal Blowout. It works on a wider range of hair types, it's easier to apply, and the heat protection alone makes it worth the investment. If you have thick or frizzy hair and smoothing is your top priority, go with Imperial Blowout instead.
Still not sure which one is right for you? Come in for a blowout and we'll use both so you can feel the difference. There's no better way to decide than experiencing it firsthand.
About Kinsley + Mane
We're a luxury hair salon in Alamo, California specializing in Natural Beaded Row extensions, balayage, custom color, and precision cuts. As an authorized Oribe salon, we carry the full professional line and know every product inside and out.
220 Alamo Plaza, Suite C-1, Alamo, CA 94507 | (925) 433-9062