Best Lunar New Year Gift Ideas - Hair Alchemy Liter Set by Oribe Review

If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know that I absolutely love discovering beautiful limited-edition beauty sets, especially when they celebrate Lunar New Year. There’s just something so magical about starting the 2026 Lunar New Year year fresh, with new hair, new energy and a little extra prosperity in the air. So when I saw the Oribe Hair Alchemy Liter Set ($290), created specially for the Year of the Horse, I knew I had to get my hands on it.

First of all, can we just talk about how stunning this set is?

This limited-edition Hair Alchemy gift set was designed in collaboration with Australian-Chinese artist Chris Chun, and honestly, it is one of the most beautiful haircare sets I’ve ever seen. The “Year of the Fire Horse” design is bold and vibrant. The box is designed in auspicious reds with refined gold outlines that instantly remind me of strength, prosperity and celebration. I feel like it captures the passionate spirit of the Fire Horse perfectly. 

I actually left the bottles on my bathroom counter for a few days before even opening them because they looked so good. They don’t just feel like shampoo and conditioner as the bottles designed by Oribe are extra pretty and they feel like decor.

Now let’s talk about what’s inside.

This set includes the Hair Alchemy Resilience Shampoo (1L) and the Hair Alchemy Resilience Conditioner (1L), and both come in these sculpted, refillable liter bottles. I love that Oribe made them refillable because not only does it feel luxurious, it also feels sustainable. 

The value of the set is $359, but it retails at $290, which honestly makes it feel like such a pretty good decision. Liter sizes always make me feel like I’m getting salon-level products at home.

As someone who struggles with hair that can feel weak and slightly fragile from heat styling, I was really excited about the “Resilience” concept behind Tribe's Hair Alchemy range. The formula is designed to penetrate the hair cortex to build strength from within, while also creating a protective shield around each strand. That sounds fancy, but what I really care about is how it feels on my hair.

And I have to say, I noticed a difference.

The first time I used the Hair Alchemy Resilience Shampoo, I was immediately struck by how luxurious it felt. It lathers beautifully on my coloured hair without feeling stripping. I don’t like shampoos that leave my hair feeling dry and tangled, and this one didn’t do that at all. It felt cleansing but gentle, like it was purifying my scalp without overdoing it.

The scent is also wonderful, as always. Oribe always does fragrance so well. It smells sophisticated, slightly floral, slightly warm, and very refined. I feel like I’m in a high-end salon every time I use it.

After rinsing, my hair didn’t feel squeaky or rough. It felt smooth already, which is always a good sign.

Onto reviewing the Hair Alchemy Resilience Conditioner. I have to admit, I’m quite picky with conditioners because my hair can get weighed down easily. But this one surprised me. It’s rich without being heavy. It coats the strands beautifully and instantly makes detangling easier. I left it on for a few minutes in the shower and when I rinsed it out, my hair felt incredibly soft but not greasy.

Once I dried my hair, I really saw what “ultra-resilient” meant. My hair looked stronger, shinier and more polished. It had that smooth, healthy bounce that I love. It didn’t feel limp or flat, and it didn’t get frizzy as quickly as it sometimes does.

Over a few weeks of use, I started noticing that my hair felt less prone to breakage when brushing. It felt like it had more structure and strength. I don’t know how else to explain it except that it felt fortified.

I think what I love most about the Hair Alchemy range is that it doesn’t just make your hair look good for one day. It feels like it’s working on the inside too. The idea of strengthening the hair cortex while creating a protective shield makes me feel like I’m protecting my hair long-term, not just styling it for the moment.

And can we talk about how satisfying it is to have 1-liter bottles in your shower? Seriously, they feel professional and indulgent. I don’t feel like I need to ration it the way I sometimes do with smaller, expensive bottles.

The design also makes it perfect as a Lunar New Year gift idea. If you’re visiting family or friends and want to bring something luxurious and meaningful, this is such a statement piece. The Year of the Fire Horse artwork feels celebratory and auspicious, blending traditional symbolism with modern artistry. I think Chris Chun did an incredible job bringing historical craftsmanship and contemporary design together.

There’s something really special about using a product that feels culturally connected to the season. It makes the routine feel intentional. Every time I shower, I feel like I’m welcoming strength and prosperity into my year!

Of course, at $290, this is definitely a premium set and not low-priced. But considering the value is $359 and you’re getting two 1-liter bottles of high-performance haircare, I actually think it’s worth it if you love luxury beauty like I do. It would probably last one year with constant use.

Overall, I am genuinely impressed with the Oribe Hair Alchemy Liter Set. From the stunning Year of the Fire Horse design, to the refillable sculpted bottles, to the strengthening, smoothing performance of the shampoo and conditioner, everything feels artistic and well-designed.

My hair feels stronger, smoother and more resilient. It looks glossy and healthy. And honestly, my shower has never felt better.

If you’re thinking about upgrading your haircare for you and your loved ones during Lunar New Year, or if you just want something beautiful to start the year right, I would definitely recommend this set. I feel like it perfectly captures the bold, passionate energy of the Fire Horse - strong, elegant and full of life. Hope this review was helpful!