If you’re dealing with damaged hair — I’m talking frizz, breakage, dryness, the works — or you simply want to level up the shine factor, then you know what belongs in your lineup? A great hair oil. Much like the perfect pair of jeans or that jacket that always pulls everything together, hair oil has the ability to totally transform hair and leave it looking its best.
“Hair oils are extremely moisturizing and nourishing to the hair, helping to reduce frizz, add shine and improve the overall health of the hair,” says hairstylist Nunzio Saviano. “They can also improve scalp health by preventing dryness and promoting healthier hair growth.” Saviano is a fan of hair oils that contain natural ingredients such as argan oil and coconut oil, which he says aid in hydrating and strengthening the hair.
How to use hair oil
This ultimately depends on the specific hair oil, your hair type and what you’re after. For instance, some hair oils can be applied to damp hair to help soften and smooth strands prior to heat styling or during the air-drying process, while others are designed to be used on dry hairto add extra shine. On the other hand, certain oils can be used both ways. Saviano’s advice? Less is more. “It’s very important to use hair oils as directed,” he says. “And keep in mind that the less you use, the less likely you are to end up with oily hair.”
With that said, those with thick and coarse hair can get away with using more product than those with fine strands, who have to be super careful about over-saturating the hair, as this can lead to a greasy, limp look. Additionally, fine-haired folks should avoid any formulas that are too heavy; instead, aim for lightweight products that hydrate without weighing the hair down. As for how you can know if a formula is lightweight or not, it will almost always tell you right on the bottle.
Since there are seemingly endless hair oil options on the market nowadays, we were curious to know which formulas the pros recommend. After all, they’re the ones who work with different hair types and products all day, every day. Here, check out three hairstylists’ favorites, including what makes them so special and worth incorporating into your routine.
Enriched with keratin, this multi-benefit oil from It’s a 10 is specifically designed to help strengthen and repair dry, frizzy strands that have been damaged due to color, heat styling and chemical treatments. “This oil is formulated with nourishing ingredients that can help moisturize and hydrate the hair while also creating a protective barrier against heat damage,” says hairstylist and salon owner Ona Diaz-Santin. “The lightweight formula also helps to detangle knots and snarls, making it easier to comb or brush through the hair without causing damage.”
“This personalized hair oil is tailored to meet the specific needs of your hair,” says Diaz-Santin of this fan-favorite formula from Prose, which allows you to customize it based on your unique concerns and goals. You simply fill out a detailed assessment on your hair type, texture, goals and issues, and from there, it creates a personalized formula with the ingredients best suited for your hair type. Prose uses many different strand-loving ingredients, including rice bran oil, shea oil, rosehip oil and babassu oil — all of which work to repair damage and restore hydration.
A must-have for Saviano, this luxury oil from Olaplex is a highly concentrated yet featherlight formula that works amazingly on all hair types. “It’s very light, and it protects damaged hair, helps with frizz and has heat protection,” says Saviano. “It leaves hair sleek, shiny and healthy looking, and I’ve used it on everyone so I can confidently say it’s for all hair types.” The hero ingredient found in this formula is the brand’s patented bond-building technology, which helps prevent damaged hair by repairing broken bonds.
Another favorite of Diaz-Santin’s, this deeply nourishing oil adds shine and luster to the hair while protecting against heat and preventing split ends. “The oil contains ingredients that help repair and strengthen damaged hair, reducing breakage and promoting overall hair health,” says Diaz-Santin. Said ingredients include a powerhouse blend of protein-rich safflower seed oil, nourishing evening primrose oil, tamanu oil and jojoba seed oil, along with rosemary oil to help increase circulation to the scalp.
Expensive but worth every penny, this luxurious oil from Kérastase packs a major punch in the hydration and shine department, yet never weighs hair down — even super-fine strands. “This formula is extremely lightweight and great for styling,” says Saviano. “It hydrates and strengthens with argan, camellia and pracaxi oils, and leaves hair [shiny] and free of frizz after blow-drying.” Saviano adds that he’s also used this oil on all his clients so it’s suitable for every hair type.
“You can use this oil so many different ways: as a hot-oil treatment overnight, on dry hair as a sealer, on damp hair prior to styling or added to your favorite conditioner or a hair mask for added benefit,” says Saviano of this multipurpose formula from Melanin Haircare. “It nourishes the hair, and it seals in moisture with baobab oil, argan oil and sage oil.” It’s also free of film-forming silicones and sulfates, and works brilliantly on all hair types — from fine to coily.
Also fabulous for all hair types, this highly rated formula is loaded with smoothing and shine-boosting ingredients, including moringa seed and argan oils, as well as bamboo extract to help with strengthening weak strands. “I love this hair oil because it works great in everyone’s hair, but especially fine hair,” says hairstylist Brianna Farfel. “The weightless formula fights frizz, hydrates and enhances shine without leaving hair looking greasy.”
Farfel swears by this ultra-luxe oil for very dry and damaged hair types. “This is a really great oil for anyone who is dealing with a lot of stubborn frizz and bad heat or color damage,” she says. “The formula is lightweight but powerful enough to deeply condition, strengthen and smooth hair, and it’s silicone free, which is great because it will absorb fully into the scalp and hair, reducing buildup.” You can use this oil on damp hair prior to styling to protect against heat damage or on dry hair to reduce frizz and amp up the shine.