Frizz, Meet Your Match: These Hair Oils Smooth It All

A collage of Roz Cecred Haruharu Wonder Oribe and Lolavie hair oils ona a gray backgroundCollage: Paula Balondo; Source images: Courtesy of brandsSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

We’ve tested our fair share of overpromising hair elixirs, so when we call these the best hair oils for shiny, moisturized, and frizz-free strands, you know it’s real. If you’ve been avoiding hair oils for fear of greasiness, rest assured that our favorite picks impart a glossy, softening effect without leaving heavy residue. Some even double as aromatherapeutic mood boosters and heat protectants that speed up drying time and guard your strands from damage.

Our Top Hair Oils

  • Best Overall: Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil, $59
  • Best for Fine Hair: Moroccanoil Treatment Original, $50
  • Best for Damaged Hair: K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil, $65
  • Best Pre-Wash: Fable and Mane HoliRoots Hair Oil, $38
  • Best for Frizzy Hair: Rôz Santa Lucia Styling Oil, $45
  • Best for Curls: HaruHaru Black Bamboo Frizz-Free Hair Oil, $22
  • Best for Flat Hair: LolaVie Lightweight Hair Oil, $33
  • Best for Second-Day Hair: Ouai Hair Oil, $32
  • Best for Protective Styles: Cécred Nourishing Hair Oil, $44
  • Best Drugstore: SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Smooth & Shine Oil, $14
  • Best Strengthening: Camille Rose Cocoa Nibs + Honey Ultimate Strength Serum, $16

Frequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

  • How do hair oils work?
  • Which hair oil is right for me?
  • When should I use hair oil?
  • Meet the experts
  • How we test and review products
  • Our staff and testers

Despite being packed with blends of moisturizing emollients (like argan oil, squalane, and castor oil), these formulas feel surprisingly lightweight and absorb in a flash. Just a few drops along your mid-lengths and ends are enough to smooth frizz, revive dullness, and leave your hair looking effortlessly polished every time.

Best Overall: Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil

Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil in branded black and gold gradient bottle on light gray background

Oribe

Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil

$59

Amazon

$59

Nordstrom

Allure social director Kassidy Silva applying the Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil.

Kassidy Silva

Why it's worth it: Oribe’s Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil is the ultimate indulgence for every hair type. Silky and weightless, it tackles dryness and frizz with a powerhouse blend of argan and jasmine oils, plus Oribe’s Signature Complex—a mix of antioxidant-rich watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss flower extracts—to keep strands strong, hydrated, and shiny. It has a subtle sandalwood and bergamot scent that leaves hair smelling as luxe as it looks. We crowned it our favorite hair oil overall for its instant smoothing effect, effortless shine, and color-enhancing boost—it’s basically a little bottle of hair happiness.

Silva before applying the Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil

Silva before applying the Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil

Kassidy SilvaSilva after applying the Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil

Silva after applying the Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil

Kassidy Silva

Tester feedback from Allure social director Kassidy Silva

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

“Two pumps of the Oribe Gold Lust oil are all it takes to keep my hair shining all day long. After towel-drying my hair, I pump a quarter-size amount into my palms and work it through the ends, and run a comb through a few times to lightly distribute the product to my roots. If my hair is looking a little dull after drying, I'll add one more pump once I'm finished styling.”—Kassidy Silva, social director

More to know

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

  • Key ingredients: jasmine oil, argan oil, edelweiss flower, lychee
  • Hair it's best for: all hair types
  • When to apply: damp or dry hair
  • Additional benefits: repairing split ends
  • Scent: bergamot, sandalwood, jasmine
  • Sizes: 1.7 oz., 3.4 oz.

Best for Fine Hair: Moroccanoil Treatment Original

Moroccanoil Treatment Original in branded component on a light gray background

Moroccanoil

Treatment Original

$50

Moroccanoil

Allure commerce writer Lily Wohlner applying the Moroccanoil Treatment Original

Lily Wohlner

Why it’s worth it: Moroccanoil’s Treatment Original has been a hair-treatment staple for over a decade, and for good reason. Loved for its lightweight feel, this argan oil-based formula smooths, detangles, conditions, and boosts shine without ever tipping into greasy territory. (The treatment even comes in a Light version for superfine hair.) Furthermore, it’s also infused with linseed extract, which is rich in fatty acids that leave hair looking glossier on contact. Use it on dry hair to smooth flyaways and frizz, or work it through damp strands to help speed up drying time and give them that silky, brushable feel when using a round brush or straightening brush.

Wohlner before applying the Moroccanoil Treatment Original

Wohlner before applying the Moroccanoil Treatment Original

Lily WohlnerWohlner after applying the Moroccanoil Treatment Original

Wohlner after applying the Moroccanoil Treatment Original

Lily Wohlner

Tester feedback from commerce writer Lily Wohlner

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

“My hair is on the finer side but comes with plenty of frizz and flyaways, so I basically need a hair oil within arm’s reach at all times. This one has been a staple in my routine since way before my 20s. I first bought it for the divine amber scent, but I kept repurchasing once I realized how well it tames my hair without weighing it down. I keep the full-size bottle in my bathroom and a mini at my desk for emergency touch-ups.”—Lily Wohlner, commerce writer

More to know

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

  • Key ingredients: argan oil, linseed extract
  • Hair it's best for: fine, frizzy hair
  • When to apply: damp or dry hair
  • Additional benefits: quicker dry time, shine, detangling
  • Scent: amber
  • Sizes: 3.4 oz., 1.7 oz., 0.85 oz.

Best for Damaged Hair: K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil

K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil in branded white bottle with neon yellow pump on light gray background

K18

Molecular Repair Hair Oil

$65

Amazon

$65

Sephora

Why it's worth it: A winner in the Splurge category of the 2023 Best of Beauty Awards, K18's Molecular Repair Hair Oil works to address frizz on two levels: first, by reversing structural damage caused by heat styling and salon treatments through the brand’s namesake K18 peptide, and second, by conditioning hair with natural lipids, like avocado and sunflower oils. Whatever your hair concerns, Lazaro Lambertucci, a New York City-based hairstylist and colorist, confirms that the K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil is "weightless and amazing for all hair types.” (Not just damaged!) It also helps prevent future damage by providing heat protection up to 450 degrees. This multitasking oil can be applied to damp hair before styling or used as a finishing oil.

Allure former commerce writer Jennifer Hussein applying the K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil

Jennifer HusseinHussein after applying the K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil

Hussein after applying the K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil

Jennifer Hussein

Tester feedback from former commerce writer Jennifer Hussein

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

“My head of bleached, dryness-prone hair needs a hardworking oil, and K18’s gloss-enhancing formula fits the bill. My dehydrated hair usually needs a hefty drench of oil to feel anywhere near soft, but this oil leaves it feeling silky-smooth after just six drops. I also love the lightweight feel; it doesn’t leave any residue behind but gives my hair glass-level reflection.” —Jennifer Hussein, former commerce writer

More to know

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

  • Key ingredients: squalane, avocado oil, sunflower oil
  • Hair it's best for: frizz and flyaways due to breakage
  • When to apply: damp or dry hair
  • Additional benefits: enhanced color vibrancy, heat protection
  • Scent: floral
  • Sizes: 1 oz.

Best Pre-Wash: Fable and Mane HoliRoots Hair Oil

Fable & Mane HoliRoots Hair Oil in branded dropper component on a light gray background

Fable & Mane

HoliRoots Hair Oil

$38

Amazon

$38

Sephora

Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying Fable and Mane HoliRoots Hair Oil

Sarah Han

Why it’s worth it: Not all hair oils are meant to be used before washing. Inspired by Ayurvedic hair oiling, a 5,000-year-old practice in India that involves massaging warm, herb-infused oils into the scalp and strands to nourish, Fable and Mane’s HoliRoots Hair Oil is designed to be worked into the scalp section by section before your shower. Leave it on for at least five minutes—or overnight—for stronger roots, reduced breakage, boosted circulation, and deeply hydrated, healthy-looking hair. Key oils like castor, olive fruit, jojoba, grapeseed, and sesame, along with Ayurveda classics like ashwagandha and amla (which are known to stimulate keratin production), work together to nourish strands and calm the scalp. Rest assured: Despite being packed with oils, you won’t find any residue in your scalp post-shampoo. Rather, your strands will feel softer, silkier, and stronger.

Han before applying Fable and Mane HoliRoots Hair Oil

Han before applying Fable and Mane HoliRoots Hair Oil

Sarah HanHan after applying Fable and Mane HoliRoots Hair Oil and washingblowdrying her hair

Han after applying Fable and Mane HoliRoots Hair Oil and washing/blow-drying her hair

Sarah Han

Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

“I’ve been using this product pretty consistently for two years, applying two droppers of product to my scalp for at least 10 minutes—sometimes even longer, if I’m watching a show—before I hop into the shower. I also like using a scalp massager to work the product more deeply. It rinses away swiftly down the drain, and my scalp feels lighter post-shampoo. I don’t wash my hair as often as I probably should, so I like to make the very most of each session.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

More to know

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

  • Key ingredients: ashwagandha; amla, castor, olive fruit, jojoba, grape seed, and sesame oils
  • Hair it's best for: people with dry, broken strands looking to boost growth
  • When to apply: dry hair pre-shower
  • Additional benefits: hair growth
  • Scent: earthy
  • Sizes: 1.8 oz.

Best for Frizzy Hair: Rōz Santa Lucia Styling Oil

Roz Santa Luica Styling Oil glass bottle with blue cap on light grey background

RÔZ

Santa Lucia Styling Oil

$45

Amazon

$45

Nordstrom

Allure shopping director Shanna Shipin applying the Rôz Santa Lucia Styling Oil

Shanna Shipin

Why it's worth it: Frizzy hair doesn't have to ruin your day. Case in point: Rōz's Santa Lucia Styling Oil protects against heat and humidity—two of the foremost causes of frizz—and smooths using five plant-based oil extracts, including jojoba and argan oils. We especially love the vetiver and citron scent, which elevates this oil to hair-perfume status. If you want to level up from the drugstore hair oil you've been using for a few years but aren't ready to drop a Benjamin on anything too fancy, this one serves as a perfect middle ground.

In our testing, we found that this hair oil worked equally well on wet or dry hair—especially if you have thick, curly, dry, or frizz-prone hair. (If you have hair on the thin or oily side, you'll want to primarily apply it closer to the ends to avoid greasiness.)

Shipin before applying the Rôz Santa Lucia Styling Oil

Shipin before applying the Rôz Santa Lucia Styling Oil

Shanna ShipinShipin after applying the Rôz Santa Lucia Styling Oil

Shipin after applying the Rôz Santa Lucia Styling Oil

Shanna Shipin

Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

"This is, hands down, my favorite hair oil. It smoothes frizz, smells heavenly, and has consistently calmed my hair—which seemingly expands by two feet in circumference—when the humidity hits. But what I love almost as much as the oil's performance is that the brand's founder, Mara Roszak, grew up in Laurel Canyon (a legendary area in Los Angeles), and Rōz's entire line perfectly captures the magic and mythology of the landscape!" —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director

More to know

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

  • Key ingredients: jojoba oil, argan oil, Roman chamomile, jasmine, aloe vera
  • Hair it's best for: frizzy hair
  • When to apply: damp and dry hair
  • Additional benefits: heat protection
  • Scent: vetiver, citrus
  • Sizes: 0.5 oz., 2 oz.

Best for Curls: HaruHaru Black Bamboo Frizz-Free Hair Oil

HaruHaru Black Bamboo Frizz-Free Hair Oil in branded component on a light gray background

Haruharu

Black Bamboo Frizz-Free Hair Oil

$22

Amazon

$22

Yesstyle

Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai applying the HaruHaru Black Bamboo Frizz-Free Hair Oil

Deanna Pai

Why it’s worth it: Hair porosity can make all the difference in how well your strands hold onto moisture, and Haruharu Wonder Black Bamboo Frizz-Free Hair Oil is built to work across the spectrum, from pin-straight to curly. The foundation is nutrient-rich black bamboo water, which hydrates and softens, while argan oil and sugarcane-derived squalane lock in moisture without weighing hair down. Lightweight enough for fine hair but powerful enough for thicker strands, it tames frizz and smooths split ends without leaving any residue. To strengthen and repair, the formula blends 10 hydrolyzed plant proteins, 17 amino acids, and eight peptides, boosting elasticity and fortifying weak areas, all while surrounding hair with a bright citrus aroma, softened by notes of lavender and geranium.

Pai before applying the HaruHaru Black Bamboo FrizzFree Hair Oil

Pai before applying the HaruHaru Black Bamboo Frizz-Free Hair Oil

Deanna PaiPai after applying the HaruHaru Black Bamboo FrizzFree Hair Oil

Pai after applying the HaruHaru Black Bamboo Frizz-Free Hair Oil

Deanna Pai

Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

"Hair oil and I don't really mix. While I could probably use the frizz control, my hair is so fine that oil just tamps it down at the crown and smushes any bit of volume. That's where this stuff has proved different. Instead of just pairing oil with oil, the argan oil and bamboo water feel a lot more lightweight—think a serum. And while it doesn't completely eliminate my frizz (an impossible task), it gave my hair a nice shine and smoothed some of the flyaways around my hairline." —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor

More to know

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

  • Key ingredients: black bamboo water, argan oil, peptide complex
  • Hair it's best for: all hair types, especially curly hair
  • When to apply: dry hair
  • Additional benefits: shine-boosting, smooths flyaways
  • Scent: grapefruit, orange, lime, lavender, bergamot, and geranium
  • Sizes: 2.7 oz.

Best for Flat Hair: LolaVie Lightweight Hair Oil

LolaVie Lightweight Hair Oil in branded component on a light gray background

LolaVie

Lightweight Hair Oil

$33 $23 (30% off)

Amazon

$33

Ulta Beauty

Allure senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen applying the LolaVie Lightweight Hair Oil

Nicola Dall'Asen

Why it's worth it: Pulling off the (near) impossible, LolaVie’s Lightweight Hair Oil leaves hair with a patent-like shine without flattening your meticulously-styled blowout. The dilemma with most hair oils is that they have at least some weight, which can lead to a deflated style, especially if you have naturally fine, thin, or otherwise flat hair. But LolaVie’s nourishing formula vanishes as quickly as you apply it, only leaving behind a vibrancy-enhancing finish. Plus, its ingredients list reads like a recipe for shiny strands that could put diamonds to shame and includes heavy-hitting moisturizers like sunflower seed oil, bamboo extract, and proteins derived from lentils and chia seeds.

Dall'Asen before applying the LolaVie Lightweight Hair Oil

Dall’Asen before applying the LolaVie Lightweight Hair Oil

Nicola Dall'AsenDall'Asen after applying the LolaVie Lightweight Hair Oil

Dall’Asen after applying the LolaVie Lightweight Hair Oil

Nicola Dall'Asen

Tester feedback from senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

“Short, fine hair like mine and oils don't always get along, but I never have to worry about that with LolaVie's Lightweight Hair Oil—hell, its distinguishing factor is right there in the name. Just a few drops of this keratin-based oil gives my hair the hydration and shine it desperately needs, and thankfully without that heavy, greasy feeling.” —Nicola Dall’Asen, senior news editor

More to know

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

  • Key ingredients: sunflower seed oil, olive leaf extract, chlorella vulgaris (algae) extract, chia seed extract, bamboo extract
  • When to apply: after towel-drying and/or after styling
  • Additional benefits: minimizes breakage
  • Scent: coconut
  • Sizes: 1.5 oz.

Best for Second-Day Styles: Ouai Hair Oil

Ouai Hair Oil in branded component on a light gray background

Ouai

Hair Oil

$32

Amazon

$32

Ulta Beauty

Why it's worth it: Not only does Ouai's Hair Oil deliver intense shine, but this lightweight formula is brimming with strand-softening ingredients like antioxidants and fatty acids that provide protection against damage stemming from pollution, UV exposure (meaning less color fading), and hot tools. It's weightless enough for fine hair but potent enough to smooth coarse hair, so it's perfect for refreshing second-day blowouts.

Allure features editor Dianna Mazzone Singh applying the Ouai Hair Oil

Dianna Mazzone SinghSingh after applying the Ouai Hair Oil

Singh after applying the Ouai Hair Oil

Dianna Mazzone Singh

Tester feedback from features director Dianna Singh

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

“There are only a few oils I dare rake through my fine strands, and Ouai's is one of them. So imagine my delight when I learned that the same lightweight formula is now available in the brand's signature St. Barts scent with notes of dragonfruit, tuberose, and amber. Each time I catch a whiff, it feels like I've teleported from my office to the beach.”—Dianna Singh, features director

More to know

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

  • Key ingredients: galanga oil, ama oil, borage oil
  • Hair it's best for: all hair types
  • When to apply: after styling
  • Additional benefits: enhances color vibrancy
  • Scent: floral
  • Sizes: 1.5 oz.

Best for Protective Styles: Cécred Nourishing Hair Oil

Cecred Nourishing Hair Oil in branded component on a light gray background

Cécred

Nourishing Hair Oil

$44

Ulta Beauty

$44

Cécred

Why we love it: We all want hair that can withstand a full Beyoncé choreography, and it starts with the right oil. Cécred's Nourishing Hair Oil features a blend of 13 plant-based oils designed to hydrate, protect, and shine. At the heart of the formula is an African oil Blend (baobab, moringa, and black seed oils) that keeps strands supple and resilient while they’re tucked away in your style, while sea buckthorn oil replenishes with fatty acids and vitamin E. keratin ferment takes it a step further, reinforcing the hair’s natural barrier, reducing breakage, and restoring protein with every braid, twist, or knot.

“This oil is the best for medium to thick, curly, or straight, and every texture in between,” New York City-based cosmetologist Cataanda James told Allure. She says a little goes a long way when working it into wet or dry curls.

Allure contributor Jailynn Taylor applying the Cécred Nourishing Hair Oil

Jailynn TaylorAllure contributor Jailynn Taylor after applying the Ccred Nourishing Hair Oil

Taylor after applying the Cécred Nourishing Hair Oil

Jailynn Taylor

Tester feedback from contributor Jailynn Taylor

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

"I've tried countless oils searching for one that nourishes my locs without causing buildup, and the Cécred Nourishing Hair Oil delivers on both fronts. Upon application, my locs feel softer and better sealed with the moisture they need to stay strong and flexible. Rather than sitting on the surface, this oil absorbs well and keeps my locs hydrated for days with a subtle sheen. I apply a few drops to my scalp and along the length of my locs between wash days, and the results are immediate: less dryness, more movement, and easier manageability. The Temple Oud fragrance is pleasant and lingers just enough without being overwhelming." —Jailynn Taylor, contributor

More to know

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

  • Key ingredients: baobab oil, sea buckthorn oil, bioactive keratin ferment
  • Hair it's best for: all hair types, especially coily
  • When to apply: after styling
  • Additional benefits: adds a subtle sheen, reduces breakage
  • Scent: oud, sandalwood, jasmine, vetiver, violet leaves
  • Sizes: 1.7 oz.

Best Drugstore: SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Smooth & Shine Oil

SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Smooth & Shine Oil in branded component on a light gray background

SheaMoisture

Coconut & Hibiscus Smooth & Shine Oil

$14 $10 (29% off)

Amazon

$13

Ulta Beauty

Why it’s worth it: SheaMoisture’s super lightweight Coconut & Hibiscus Smooth & Shine Oil leans on manketti oil—known for its UV protection, antioxidants, and damage-repairing benefits—to deliver next-level smoothness and light-catching glossiness. Coconut oil keeps frizz and flyaways in check, while hibiscus flower, a natural conditioner, helps calm the scalp. Just a pump or two is enough to turn dull strands into silky perfection.

Tester feedback from associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tettey

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

"This lightweight hair oil infuses just the right amount of moisture into my strands without leaving my curls greasy or weighed down. I pump about two to three drops into my palms, rub them together, and lightly scrunch into my hair. It gives my hair a subtle sheen, plus, it smells delightfully sweet and floral.”—Annie Blay-Tettey, associate beauty editor

More to know

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

  • Key ingredients: coconut oil, hibiscus flower, manketti oil, neem oil
  • Hair it's best for: all hair types
  • When to apply: damp or dry hair
  • Additional benefits: reduces breakage, humidity control
  • Scent: coconut and hibiscus
  • Sizes: 3.3 oz.

Best Strengthening: Camille Rose Cocoa Nibs + Honey Ultimate Strength Serum

Camille Rose Cocoa Nibs + Honey Ultimate Strength Serum in branded component on a light gray background

Camille Rose

Cocoa Nibs + Honey Ultimate Strength Serum

$16

Ulta Beauty

$15

Walmart

Why it’s worth it: Designed to strengthen fragile strands and encourage healthy growth, Camille Rose’s Cocoa Nibs + Honey Ultimate Strength Serum sits somewhere between a serum and an oil because it’s thin enough to easily massage into and around the scalp. The squeeze-tip applicator makes it easy to target your scalp directly, so you can get right to the areas where breakage, thinning, or dryness are showing up. The formula leans on virgin amla oil to strengthen and condition follicles, while brahmi oil increases circulation at the scalp to create an ideal environment for growth. There are also honey, jojoba oil, and macadamia seed oils for an extra dose of moisture and softness.

We love using this as an overnight treatment—massage it into your scalp before bed and leave it on until your next wash, whether that’s the next morning or a couple of days later under a slicked-back style.

Tester feedback from associate manager of audience development Melanie Curry

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

“Working in beauty means I've tried just about everything. So, when I dub something my favorite, I mean it. This Camille Rosa Cocoa serum has been my go-to since 2021. It smells ah-mazing for one, and two, it makes my strands super strong, silky, and well-moisturized. I use this oil on my cornrows, when I'm wearing wigs, and my twist-outs and braid-outs for ultimate hydration and frizz-free styling.”—Melanie Curry, associate manager of audience development

More to know

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

  • Key ingredients: virgin amla oil, brahmi oil, honey, jojoba oil, macadamia seed oil
  • Hair it's best for: dry, damaged hair
  • When to apply: dry hair before bed or as needed
  • Additional benefits: shine
  • Scent: chocolate and almond
  • Sizes: 8 oz.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do hair oils work?

"Hair oils help smooth the hair cuticle and reduce styling breakage while minimizing frizz," cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos says. However, it isn't the oil smoothing the cuticle. "Most hair 'oils' on the market actually contain very little oil; they're primarily made from siloxanes and hydrocarbons,” explains Dobos. These ingredients, also known as silicones and mineral oils, respectively, are added to many hair oils because some of the lipids in natural oils can weigh hair down and cause fine hair to look greasy. Therefore, products with a high oil concentration are better on thick, textured, or coily hair, Dobos says.

Which hair oil is right for me?

"Rather than choosing an oil for your hair type, you should consider what you need the oil to do for your hair," says Sophia Emmanuel, a hairstylist in New York City. For example, if you're looking to enhance shine and softness, olive, carrot, and jojoba oils, all of which act as moisture-sealing emollients, are helpful. On the other hand, avid users of hot tools like blow-dryers or straighteners should reach for silicone-infused products to protect the hair's cuticle. Keep in mind, however, that silicone has long-term effects. New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, tells Allure, "Continued use of silicones over time can weigh down the hair, so it's important to regularly wash hair to prevent any buildup."

When should I use hair oil?

Hair oils can have varied application directions, so be sure to read the bottle before you start your treatment. While many hair oils are applied to dry or damp hair on the mid-lengths and ends for a smooth finish, others are meant to be applied pre-wash. "The main benefit of pre-wash oils is that of an emollient, which provides a coating over the hair shaft, which seals the cuticle and traps moisture inside," Vladyslava Doktor, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Boston, told Allure. Apply your pre-wash oil from mid-lengths to ends and to your scalp if it feels dry. Gently massage it in, let it sit for at least 10 minutes (or however long the instructions state) or overnight, and then shampoo and condition the hair. For extra absorption, you can wrap your strands in a warm towel or a shower cap while the oil sits.

Meet the experts

  • Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
  • Kelly Dobos, a cosmetic chemist
  • Sophia Emmanuel, a hairstylist at Crown Worthy in New York City
  • Vladyslava Doktor, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Center Boston

How we test and review products

We always enlist a range of testers for our makeup vertical, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While there are certain products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind. Many are created to address a concern (dandruff, breakage, brittleness) or to work most effectively for a specific hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair). You wouldn't want to pick up a purple shampoo that's only been reviewed by someone with, say, auburn hair, or a diffuser that's never been tested by anyone with curls—right?

For our review of the best hair oils, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, professional stylists, cosmetic chemists, and board-certified dermatologists—who spoke about how to choose a hair oil and its range of benefits, depending on hair type, texture, hair concerns, and desired outcome. Testers considered performance across three primary categories: efficacy, formula, and application. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *