When it comes to polarizing beauty products, I’d argue that nothing divides fans and detractors more than hair oil. Hair oil lovers (myself included) gush about how much better it makes their hair look and feel, while oil haters are always adamant in their belief that it makes your hair flat and oily.
Of course, both can be true at the same time, and hair oil is a perfect example: the best hair oils boast amazing benefits for smoothing and adding shine to your hair, but the wrong formula (or the wrong use of the right formula) can leave your hair feeling heavy, dry, and flat.
Do all hair types need hair oil?
“Yes, most hair types and textures can benefit from using hair oils,” says Harry Johnson, director and hairstylist at Root Hair Salon, “but different hair oils serve different purposes, so you need to choose one that suits your hair type.”With hundreds of hair oils on the market, whether it’s a hydrating formula to hydrate a dry scalp or one that promotes hair growth, it’s really important to narrow down how you want your hair to look and feel after use.
So what makes a good hair oil?
“Generally speaking, the best hair oils will protect hair, add shine and moisture, smooth flyaways, and give hair definition,” Harry explains. However, the effectiveness of a hair oil will depend entirely on what results you personally want.
Products with high concentrations of fatty oils like argan or coconut may be a good choice for those with coarse or damaged hair, while oils with silicones may offer some protection if you use heat tools frequently, while those with finer hair types may prefer lightweight oils like jojoba or grapeseed oil.
The best hair oil for all hair types
1. Beauty Pie Super Healthy Hair Seven Oil Hair Elixir
(Image courtesy of Beauty Pie)
Beauty Pie Super Healthy Hair Seven Oil Hair Elixir
Best overall hair oil
Reasons to buy+
Moisturizes, softens and enhances radiance
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Contains 7 types of nutrient-rich plant oils
*Prices shown are Beauty Pie member prices.
Formulated with all hair types in mind, Beauty Pie Hair Oil has already garnered cult popularity, with many beauty professionals raving about its hair-smoothing effects. Packed with a variety of botanical oils, including macadamia, jojoba, peach kernel, rosehip, wheat germ, olive, and rice, it’s a product that truly takes all hair concerns into consideration, addressing everything from dryness and dullness to frizz and flyaways. Plus, the consumer testing results speak for themselves, with 91% of people agreeing that their hair was smoother after one use, and 88% agreeing that their hair was less damaged after one week. Bonus points: it smells amazing too.
2. Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil
(Image courtesy of Olaplex)
Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil
Best hair oil for brittle hair
Reasons to buy+
Repairs and strengthens hair
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Light texture
Reasons to avoid:
Ideal for thin and damaged hair
If your hair is naturally brittle or prone to damage from heat styling, coloring, or general wear and tear, this hair oil is for you. I’ve used it myself, and it’s surprisingly lightweight considering the potency of the formula. In fact, even the finest hair will feel comfortable using it without weighing it down or frizzing. Like all Olaplex products, this product contains the brand’s patented bond-building technology, so in addition to the smoothing benefits, your hair will actually be strengthened and restored after use. Plus, it has heat protection to prevent further breakage and damage from heat styling.
3. Davines Oi Oil Absolute Beautifying Potion
(Image courtesy of Davines)
Davines Oi Oil Absolute Beautifying Potion
The best hair oil for color-treated hair
Reasons to buy+
Prevents hair color fading
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Smoothes and moisturizes
Reasons to avoid:
It’s not cheap, but if you dye your hair regularly it’s worth the investment.
Not only is it expert-approved—Harry calls it “my number one serum right now because it’s super hydrating and shiny”—but plenty of editors and hair experts also rave about it. Sure, it’s on the pricey side, but this popular product is packed with Lucou Oil, a little-known Amazonian extract that’s high in beta-carotene to help prevent your hair color from fading. Plus, it’s infused with Sunflower Seed Oil, a lightweight, non-greasy moisturizer that leaves color-treated or bleached hair feeling soft and supple.
4. Wella Deluxe Rich Oil
(Image courtesy of Wela)
Wella Deluxe Rich Oil
The most affordable hair oil
Reasons to buy+
It really adds shine
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Provides long-lasting hydration
Reasons to avoid:
Might be too expensive for fine hair
Typically when it comes to hair oils, the most effective formulas tend to come at a higher price point, but this affordable oil from Wella is truly amazing. It contains avocado, coconut, and camellia seed oils, as well as the brand’s proprietary Keratin Protect 10 Complex, which helps strengthen hair, increase elasticity, and prevent breakage. It has a light, pleasant texture that absorbs quickly, but the best thing about this oil is that it leaves hair feeling moisturized for up to three days.
5. Changpo Waitress Hair Oil
(Image courtesy of Champo)
CHAMPO WAITRESS HAIR OIL
Best hair oil for thin hair
Reasons to buy+
Silicone Free
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It doesn’t look like hair
Reasons to avoid:
Not enough moisturizing power for very coarse hair
Silicones are great for hair care products that add smoothness and shine, but they can also coat the hair shaft, weighing down fine hair. Thankfully, this formula from Champo is silicone-free, making it perfect for very fine, thin, or sparse hair. Instead, it uses macadamia seed oil to boost shine, minimize frizz, and smooth hair, as well as refreshing essential oils and Ayurvedic active ingredients like turmeric and amla fruit to strengthen hair and improve suppleness.
6. Bread Hair Oil Everyday Gloss
(Image courtesy of Bread)
Bread Hair Oil Everyday Gloss
Best hair oil for curly and textured hair
Reasons to buy+
Deeply moisturizes curls
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It has a beautiful glossy finish
Reasons to avoid:
It’s very thick so use a small amount at a time
Specially created with curly and textured hair in mind, this silicone-free formula is one of the best hair oils on the market to nourish, soften and smooth curls. Made with Kakadu Plum and Sunflower Oils, this beautifully rich and highly moisturizing formula deeply moisturizes dry hair and gives curly hair a bouncy, smooth and super shiny look. In fact, we’d go so far as to say it makes your hair look expensive, despite its mid-range price point. You can use it as a pre-shampoo treatment, to detangle and soften freshly washed hair, or as a finishing touch to your styling to boost shine. Plus, it smells amazing, like fresh, sweet strawberries.
7. Kerastase Huile Discipline Oleo Relax
(Image courtesy of Kerastase)
Kerastase Huile Discipline Oleo Relax
The best hair oil for unmanageable hair
Reasons to buy+
Keeps thick, curly hair smooth
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Protects from heat
Reasons to avoid:
A waste of money for those with fine hair
As someone whose hair doesn’t grow as fast as I’d like, I keep this hair oil on hand for special occasions, such as when I’m taking care of my hair or when I want my styling to last longer. It’s designed for thick, coarse, curly, or frizzy hair, so it may be too heavy for thin hair. But even my hair, which is hard to hold in curls or waves, can be softened and managed with just a few pumps of this oil, resulting in shiny, smooth curls. It’s heat-resistant up to 230°C, so I apply it before styling and then put a little on the ends to set my hair. My hair stays frizzy for hours, and it looks like it was professionally styled.
8. Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Glossy Nourishing Anti-Frizz Hair Oil
(Image credit: Sol de Janeiro)
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Glossy Nourishing Anti-Frizz Hair Oil
The best smelling hair oil
Reasons to buy+
The scent lasts for hours
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Adds shine and brightness to hair
The best thing about this hair oil is the scent. It’s infused with the scent of Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa ’62. It’s a really great hair care product for those looking to boost their locks’ shine. It’s made with Pataua and Buriti Fruit Oils, which are full of healthy fats that help prevent dryness and add shine to dull hair. But there’s no denying that the beautiful scent of sandalwood and salted caramel that this oil infuses into your hair makes it addictive. It’s quite thick, though, so it’s better suited for long, thick hair than for short hair.
9. Larry King Hair Spoiled for Choice Hair Oil
(Image courtesy of Larry King Hair)
Larry King Hair Spoilt for Choice Hair Oil
Best hair oil for sensitive scalp
Reasons to buy+
Can be used on hair and scalp
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Contains rosemary to keep your hair healthy
Reasons to avoid:
May not be moisturizing enough for thick hair
This multi-purpose hair oil can be used for everything from scalp treatment, hair mask, protecting against split ends, and setting your hair for a finishing touch. The reason this hair oil is one of the best on the market for me is because after suffering from postpartum hair loss, hair oils often clog my scalp and make my hair feel heavy. This hair oil contains rosemary oil to increase circulation and encourage hair growth, lightweight jojoba oil for hydration, and squalane for moisturization. It’s smooth, lightweight, and really improves the condition of your hair and scalp over time.
How to use hair oil?
When it comes to hair oils, less is definitely more. “The biggest mistake I see is putting too much hair oil on the roots,” says Harry. “If it’s too close to the hair follicle, where sebum is naturally produced, it can make your hair flat, oily, and unmanageable.” Rather, Harry says, the best formulas are highly concentrated, so a little bit of hair oil goes a long way.
Apply a few drops to hands and work from ends to mid-lengths. If your hair is naturally dry, you can apply it to towel-dried hair after washing for deeper hydration, but if your hair is fine, it’s best used on dry hair as a finishing touch.
