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The best hair oil is the sort of product that steps in to save the day when you’re suffering split ends, frizz and a total lack of shine. Much like a good leave-in conditioner, a well-formulated hair oil can do a lot of the heavy lifting and even disguise damage from bleaching and heat.
According to hair expert and celebrity stylist (for the likes of Serena Williams and Cynthia Erivo) Lorraine Dublin, hair oils can be purposeful beyond adding shine. She tells me, “I reach for oils for everything from scalp treatments to protective styles like a slick-back, or even when using extensions.” Though, she warns, “some oils sadly just sit on top of the hair; they don’t always provide enough moisture.”
In a bid to weed out these dud formulas, I got busy researching the very best formulas for every hair texture and concern. I called on a pair of expert reviewers with curly and coily hair (joining my own straight strands) and, together, we trialled formulas both affordable and high-end to find the best hair oils. These were the ones that truly wowed us.
Read more: Best heat protectant sprays, tested
The best hair oils for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Olaplex no.7 bonding oil: £30, Amazon.co.uk
- Best budget buy – L’Oreal Paris elvive extraordinary oil: £6.14, Amazon.co.uk
- Best for curls – Dyson omega hydrating hair oil: £49.99, Cultbeauty.co.uk
- Best for straight hair – Champo weightless hair oil: £28, Selfridges.com
Read more: Best hair dryers 2026, tested
Olaplex no.7 bonding oil
Rating: 5/5
Best: hair oil overall
Heat protection: Up to 232C
Hair type: All
When to use: Pre-styling damp hair; on dry, styled hair; pre-cleansing detangle; overnight treatment
Fragrance: Yes, like orange Starbusts
Vegan and cruelty-free: Yes
Why we love it
- Controlled dose dispenser
- A little goes a long way
- Gives hair a beautiful gloss
- Lightweight and non-greasy
I’ve been using Olaplex’s no.7 bonding oil for years and it’s a formula I like to have in my arsenal for any frizzy, dull or dry hair emergencies. While 30ml isn’t a whole lot of product, there’s something to be said for the thimble-sized packaging. It won’t take up precious space in your make-up bag and my hair needs just three drops to coat every strand, so I’m always surprised how far I can stretch the small bottle (six months of use, at least).
I love using it on both damp and dry hair, and find it boosts the shine of my blow-dry when applied on the former, and smooths split ends and frazzled strands on the latter. The scent, while lovely, doesn’t linger – but I don’t mind this, especially when competing with perfumes and body sprays.
As for the bond repair element, I’ve never seen a huge long-term improvement to the state of my hair’s breakage. That said, it definitely makes my hair look less damaged in the moment and, for £30, that’s everything I’m looking for.
Rating: 5/5
– Lucy Smith
Olaplex’s bonding oil is the total package. It smells great and left my hair looking so shiny, plus it’s lightweight and doesn’t make my strands remotely stringy. This feels like a dryer oil, and not very greasy at all, so I applied a fair amount as I felt like my thick hair could take it. But don't be fooled like I was – it goes further than you might think.
I woke up the next morning with soft, manageable hair, and the curls were still very well defined. On the third day post-wash, my hair looked great, which hardly ever happens, and by day four, the curls were still going strong. For my strands, that’s miraculous.
Rating: 5/5
– Aidan Milan
This hair oil is cult for a reason. If it’s good enough for Lupita and Vernon Francois, it’s good enough for me. Olaplex’s bond-building tech plus lightweight silicones gives serious shine, heat defence, and softness without making my hair look greasy.
On my 4C coils/ braids and my daughters 3A/4A curls it felt more like a silky serum than an oil where you can feel the slip immediately. On braids it eased tension and smoothed edges. It’s not heavy either, so it works even when you want volume.
Rating: 5/5
– Ateh Jewel
Buy now £28, Lookfantastic.com
L’Oreal Paris elvive extraordinary oil
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: budget hair oil
Heat protection: Up to 230C
Hair type: All
When to use: Pre-shampoo; on damp hair (pre-styling or air drying); on dry hair as a finisher
Fragrance: Yes, sweet amber-y scent
Vegan and cruelty-free: Not vegan, but PETA ‘beauty without bunnies’ certified
Why we love it
- Rich, perfume-like scent
- Softens hair
- Affordable alternative for Kerastase elixir
Take note
- Doesn’t last for more than a day for most people
If you love the Kérastase elixir ultime but your funds are limited, you might find a match in the L’Oreal elvive extraordinary oil. Housed in an uncannily similar gold glass bottle with the same serum-oil texture, this hair oil glides onto your locks, surrounding you in a cloud of sweet almond and amber. It’s no surprise the two products appear related – they technically are, given Kerastase falls under the umbrella of the wider L’Oreal group.
One pump was the perfect amount to coat everything from my mid-lengths down. I could feel it getting to work immediately and felt the process of detangling becoming easier as I smoothed the product through my strands, without the snagging I’d usually experience. It’s easy to overdo it and I noticed after applying a second pump that the excess product didn’t want to move from my palms to my hair. While this feels annoying in the moment, I can appreciate how – in the long-term – it prevents the hair from becoming bogged down or prematurely greasy.
Overall, it left my strands silkier and hid my mid-strand breakage well.
Rating: 4.5/5
– LS
The consistency of this L’Oreal hair oil isn’t greasy or heavy, and it goes on like a dream. It left my hair feeling super glossy, fluffy, and bouncy right after drying, while still fighting frizz. The bottle is equipped with a handy little pump that you can seal by twisting, which is a combo that I personally really like.
The next day, I woke up with only slightly frizzier hair, and the overall shape of my curls was still really good. There was also still plenty of shine, so the marginal levels of frizz didn’t bother me. After a Pilates class, the sheen did wear off a little, but once I scrunched my curls with a little bit of water, I got the magic back again on day three. For a product at this price point, that actually is pretty extraordinary.
Rating: 4.5/5
– AM
A true budget hero. Blended with six lightweight oils, this hair oil feels silky rather than greasy and works brilliantly for sealing moisture into 4C coils without suffocating them. On braids it revives sheen and kept mine looking fresh for longer. While on looser curls it boosts gloss and definition without that telltale build-up.
It’s noticeably lighter than many oils, making it ideal for everyday use or for anyone nervous of weight. Even in humidity while running around it held up impressively, keeping curl definition without collapsing texture. This hair oil is accessible, reliable and genuinely effective proof you don’t have to overspend for shine and a great product.
Rating: 4/5
– AJ
Buy now £10, Amazon.co.uk
K18 molecular repair hair oil
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: hair oil for damaged hair
Heat protection: Up to 230C
Hair type: All
When to use: Wet or dry hair, leaving four minutes before styling
Fragrance: Yes, fresh citrus/floral
Vegan and cruelty-free: Yes, both
Why we love it
- Lightweight and non-greasy
- Has long-term benefits for heat and colour damaged hair
- Pleasant scent
- Leaves hair looking lustrous and healthy
Take note
- Expensive
As much as the results I see from the K18 molecular repair hair oil are wow-worthy, there’s plenty about this little yellow and white bottle that warrants getting excited about. The bright apple and lemon scent feels like a small daily indulgence – clean and uplifting without ever overwhelming the senses – and, surprisingly, just a few drops (usually three) are enough to coat my whole head of hair.
Over time, I’ve noticed that my ends stay healthier for longer, as though the oil helps to lock in moisture and protect against the split ends that usually appear a few months after a cut. This could be thanks to the brand’s signature K18peptide, which is designed to repair damage from within the hair shaft, or simply because I use it so consistently. Either way, my hair now feels stronger, silkier and far more resilient.
The immediate results are just as impressive. I like to use the oil both before and after styling; on damp hair, it serves as a heat protector and helps to prevent damage from my hair dryer and straighteners, while on dry hair, it smooths frizz and flyaways without sacrificing volume. It’s rare to find a product that strikes such a balance between sleek and weightless, which is why it has earned a permanent place in my daily routine.
Rating: 5/5
– LS
This non-greasy oil doesn’t come close to weighing my curls down – by day two my strands felt fluffy, which is just the way I like them. In fact, the morning after being at a sweaty, crowded gig with lots of dancing and one too many drinks (whoops), the overall shape of my hair still looked great. There were lots of intact curls, my bangs were behaving and grease-free, and there were no rogue strands sticking out where they shouldn’t be.
However, I don’t feel like my hair has been overtly nourished or moisturised by this oil as quickly as the best hair oil I tested from Olaplex.
Rating: 4/5
– AM
On my 4C hair, coils felt softer and more supple almost immediately after using the K18 hair oil. On braids and curls it enhances definition ,and reinforces wave and curl patterns without leaving a greasy residue. It’s richer than many finishing oils, so you truly only need a drop or two, especially on dry ends or for braid maintenance. If your hair is stressed or over-processed, this feels restorative.
Rating: 4.5/5
– AJ
Buy now £65, Cultbeauty.co.uk
Kérastase elixir ultime hair oil
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: hair oil for frizzy hair
Heat protection: Up to 230C
Hair type: All, especially dry, brittle and frizzy strands
When to use: Pre-shampoo to detangle and bust through build-up; on damp hair pre-styling, and on dry, styled hair as a finisher
Fragrance: Yes, Kerastase’s floral and woody ‘pierre de lune’ scent
Vegan and cruelty-free: No
Why we love it
- A little goes a long way
- Expensive-smelling fragrance
- Softens brittle strands
Take note
- Expensive, but less so if buying refills
After spotting the Kerastase elixir ultime on my TikTok for you page in 2025, the viral hair oil has now been my go-to formula for nearly six months – and I’ve only just finished a third of the product.
The consistency is more akin to a hyaluronic acid than a typical oil, but it surprisingly stretches further than the other oils I’ve tested. Not only was this a relief given the high price, but it saves time, allowing me to cover the entirety of my mid-lengths and ends with less than one full pump.
It can cause the hair to sit in clumps for a minute or two after application, but if you bear with it, your hair will be left softer, with less frizz and visible mid-strand breakage (something I suffer lots of). I tend to swipe anything leftover across the crown of my head to tackle flyaways, and this tiny amount is ample. The scent smells premium and I love how it brings all of my locks together into one, sleek weft of hair. Almost as though it’s been freshly trimmed.
Rating: 5/5
– LS
The Kérastase elixir left my hair feeling healthy, and on day one, the overall shape was great with my curls feeling bouncy and shiny. It also helped my barnet withstand gusts of wind and spitting rain, which is no mean feat.
By day two, there was a good amount of frizz on the crown of my head, and as you can see from the photo, some of the curls at the back have been squashed as I slept the night before. With that being said, there was a lovely level of shine and plenty of volume, so I’d still class this as a good hair day.
Rating: 3.5/5
– AM
I’m a huge Kérastase fan. This is a super luscious and richly conditioning hair oil from the brand, which feels deeply nourishing on my thicker and more dense textures. On 4C coils it instantly softened crunch and dryness, with noticeable sheen. Used sparingly on 3A–4A curls, it defined curls and waves without weight. On braids it felt strengthening and revitalising. In sweaty conditions it stayed put and reduced puffiness on coils. If your texture drinks oil, this quenches very nicely.
Rating: 4.5/5
– AJ
Buy now £58, Amazon.co.uk
Dyson omega hydrating hair oil
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: hair oil for curly hair
Heat protection: Up to 230C
Hair type: All
When to use: On damp hair pre-styling; before air drying; on dry, styled hair as a finisher
Fragrance: Yes, floral fresh scent
Vegan and cruelty-free: Yes
Why we love it
- Ultra lightweight oil
- Requires just 1-2 drops
- Premium scent
- Clever dosage controller
- Eases detangling
Take note
- Very expensive, especially taking quantity into account
- Lid/dispensing outlet can become gunk-filled
I’ve been sceptical of Dyson’s treatment range, but I really got on with the omega oil. For starters, I’m a big fan of the geometric packaging and I like how it draws the eye on my dressing table. The lid features ribbing around the perimeter to make it easier to grip while unscrewing and the dispenser carefully controls the amount of product leaving the bottle. Given the sky-high price (more than £1.50 per ml), it was a relief to know I wouldn’t wind up throwing it across the floor with an overzealous shake.
As for the oil’s performance on the hair, it’s at once lightweight and intensely nourishing. It doesn’t disappear into your tresses upon application, but it doesn’t feel cloying, either. My hair thickness sits somewhere between fine and medium and, when using two drops of product, my ends were left hydrated while my roots remained voluminous – without the oil having migrated there.
The clean and flowery fragrance clings to the hair well and, amazingly, reminds me of Chanel’s chance eau splendide. One thing to note: I wouldn’t travel with it. The oil builds up between the dispenser and screw thread, which eventually leaves the outside of the bottle greasy and slick.
Rating: 4.5/5
– LS
I’m a big fan of this Dyson hair oil. Upon application my frizz was controlled, but my hair wasn’t flat or weighed down, and my curls remained sculpted. With that being said, it wasn’t quite as shine boosting as some of the other oils on this list, but it’s totally worth it because I woke up to a great hair day on day two and a really good hair day on day three. By then, my tresses were slightly weighed down, but still not greasy.
My curls stayed in great shape until I went to a yoga class, bookended by a very windy walk to and from the gym.
Rating: 4/5
– AM
Silky, high-tech and instantly hydrating, this oil feels featherlight in the palm but transforms as it warms between hands, delivering richer conditioning than you expect. On 4C coils it sealed moisture beautifully without feeling heavy, and on braids it sleeked flyaways while maintaining movement. On curls it enhanced definition and bounce rather than creating a slick film.
When using it on my girls’ hair, it smoothed their edges while leaving the body intact. It feels like a considered, performance-led and modern texture. Expensive, yes, but the finish is polished and long-wearing.
Rating: 4.5/5
– AJ
Buy now £49.99, Cultbeauty.co.uk
Trepadora Inca radiance repairing elixir
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: hair oil for coils
Heat protection: No
Hair type: Curls, waves and coils
When to use: Pre-shampoo; on damp hair pre-styling; air drying; on dry hair to break a gel cast
Fragrance: Yes, citrus woody scent
Vegan and cruelty-free: Yes
Why we love it
- A wonder for dry strands
- Keeps curls and coils succinct
- Humidity-proofs hair
Trepadora is one of my favourite brands and its Inca radiance repairing elixir is my go too hair oil for coils. With prickly pear seed and marula, it feels deeply restorative and is great for dry ends, heat damage and braid dryness. On 4C coils it’s rich you’ll feel it, but never greasy. It gives weighty hydration and glossy sheen.
On curls it smooths frizz, and adds structure to waves and coils. In humidity it stays put, sealing strands rather than sliding off. Overall, this is is a wonderful everyday repair oil if your hair drinks moisture.
– AJ
Buy now £28, Trepadora.com
Ouai hair oil
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: UV hair oil
Heat protection: Up to 232C
Hair type: All, but could weigh down low-porosity hair if used in excess
When to use: On damp hair pre-styling; before air drying; on dry, styled hair as a finisher
Fragrance: Yes, Ouai’s Rue St. Honoré scent, which is floral aroma with notes of white musk
Vegan and cruelty-free: Yes
Why we love it
- Weatherproofs hair against UV, salty sea water or chlorine-filled pools
- Lasting sophisticated scent
- Makes hair more manageable
Take note
- Some heavier oils here could weigh down low-porosity hair
As someone who’s a keen sea swimmer, I’m always on the lookout for products that will ease the process of detangling my rat’s nest of hair after a dip in choppy waters. My hair has always been this way – be it from a chlorinated pool or a hot day where my hair has clung to the perspiration on my back – and there are few products up to the task of taming it. Ouai’s hair oil has now earned a spot on that short (I can count the products on one hand) list.
Admittedly, I didn’t test all the oils in water, but Ouai’s formula boasts UV protection and, thus, lends itself to sea and poolside settings. Applying one pump before swimming, I found I could pass my hairbrush through my strands with less tugging and matts than usual. I also learned recently that all hair (including virgin hair) is subject to fading in sunlight, and I’m not one to wear a hat, so this product will come in handy over the warmer months.
It’s not a perfect match for my hair all the time, as its inclusion of soybean oil, sweet almond oil and shea butter left my heat-styled curls looking a bit lack-lustre as time passed. However, for a pump of pre-beach protection, I can’t fault it.
Rating: 4.5/5
– LS
This oil smells absolutely incredible – like you’ve just shoved your whole face in a bouquet of flowers. As for the impact it had on my hair, it left it a little flatter than I’d like. But that was nothing a bit of fluffing at the roots couldn’t help, because the overall shape was great, and my hair felt really healthy.
It wasn’t too greasy, but it was still nourishing and helped my hair withstand 20 mph winds and spitting rain, which is especially impressive. By day two, my curls had dropped a little, and it wasn’t as shiny as when I used an oil like L’Oreal’s, but even so, it gave me two really good hair days.
Rating: 4/5
– AM
Lightweight and blissfully non-greasy, this oil delivers shimmer and slip without heaviness. On my 4C coils and braids, a few drops sealed moisture without crunch, and my curl definition stayed juicy. In humidity it didn’t make my hair flat, just polished. For 3A–4A curls it adds shine and softness without weighing coils down. It’s a great everyday oil that plays nice under gel or cream.
Rating: 4.5/5
– AJ
Buy now £28, Boots.com
Gisou honey infused hair oil
Rating: 4/5
Best: hair oil for split ends
Heat protection: Up to 230C
Hair type: All, but those with type 1a-c hair should use a minimal amount
When to use: Wet or dry hair, before or after styling or as an overnight mask treatment
Fragrance: Yes, a soapy honey aroma
Vegan and cruelty-free: Cruelty-free, but not vegan
Why we love it
- Long-lasting scent
- Lightweight and easy to build up as needed
- Makes hair more manageable all day
Take note
- Bottle becomes greasy over time
I’ve been using Gisou’s honey infused hair oil for more than a year and am firmly on board with the hype. You’d be forgiven for thinking this formula prioritises form over function, given its aesthetic glass bottle, but this hair oil is so much more than the packaging.
Comprising Mirsalehi honey from the brand’s own beekeepers, along with coconut oil, argan oil and vitamin E, the Gisou treatment has a serum-like texture. This makes it more lightweight for fine hair types and allows just a small amount to stretch a long way. I use around two drops on my medium-weight hair and find that adequate to coat my mid-lengths and ends.
It’s a real tonic for split ends and breakage, smoothing down mine – I have lots – with just a few sweeps of the warm oil on my hands. I’m also prone to knots as the day wears on and the Gisou oil certainly keeps these tangles in check. It also prevents my strands from turning stringy and imbues the hair with a lovely gloss. The effect? My locks look considerably healthier, despite needing a trim. Plus, the soapy scent is to die for and lasts all day.
Rating: 4.5/5
– LS
A little goes a long way with this thick oil from Gisoy – you can really see and feel the impact of the honey on the formula when you apply it. It doesn’t leave my hair as shiny as others I tested and it doesn’t have as lovely a smell. It also weighed my hair down a little once it was dry on wash day. With that being said, my strands felt soft and fortified, and on day two, I woke up to a really good hair day. There was still some frizz, but my hair felt super soft. This is an oil that might benefit curls like mine more as a treatment, instead of pre-styling.
Rating: 3.5/5
– AM
Honey-infused and dreamy, this oil is rich but surprisingly forgiving. On 4C coils and braids it felt like a moisture drink smooth, soft, and oh-so shiny. On curls it enhanced natural pattern beautifully without residue. The beeswax component gives a bit more hold, so use a little or it can feel heavy.
It’s perfect as a post-wash finishing oil or braid sealer. In humidity it held sheen but didn’t harshly flatten texture. Also my Gen Alpha kids think it’s super cool, so you get extra cool mom points as well.
Rating: 4.5/5
– AJ
Buy now £22, Sephora.co.uk
Moroccanoil treatment
Rating: 4/5
Best: hair oil for dry hair
Heat protection: “Helps to protect against thermal damage” but temperature not disclosed
Hair type: All
When to use: Pre-shampoo; pre-styling on damp hair; on dry, styled hair
Fragrance: Yes, musk, amber and vanilla
Vegan and cruelty-free: Cruelty-free, but not vegan
Why we love it
- One pump goes a long way
- Generous quantity compared to competitor brands
- Gives dry ends a healthy sheen
Take note
- Doesn’t stop tangles
- Too heavy for fine hair and some curly textures
As an iconic hair oil brand, a round-up on the topic wouldn’t be complete without Moroccanoil.
Its original treatment took me by surprise with a texture that feels half way between an oil and a serum. While I was initially shocked at the quantity that came from a single pump, it proved the perfect amount and smoothed through my hair without leaving a greasy residue. Plus, when you compare the 100ml quantity with Olaplex’s 30ml, the extra £10 (£38 for Moroccanoil vs £28 for Olaplex) seems a no brainer.
As the day wore on, my hair continued to shine and my roots felt soft without being weighed down. Some knots formed at the nape of my neck around 11am, so I’d incorporate a leave-in conditioner if you’re tangle prone. I’d also caution anyone with fine hair to apply a small amount to prevent greasiness – half a pump to begin with, as much as its lovely scent might tempt you.
Rating: 4.5/5
– LS
I like this bottle on this Moroccanoil treatment a lot – you can add the pump lid or leave it off, and seal the pump off to ward against any accidental oil loss. Plenty of oil comes out at once but it’s a bit of a double-edged sword here, since the oil is very heavy. In fact, it left me with my worst hair day of the bunch.
After applying two pumps of the oil, my mane was frizzy, yet weighed down and a bit greasy at the same time, which is not a great combo. On day two, my bangs fell prey to the stringy grease, too, and refused to play ball no matter what I tried. By day three, I was desperate to shampoo my hair. In hindsight, less than one pump is probably the most my curly hair could handle at its driest.
Rating: 2.5/5
– AM
This is a cult classic I have written about for years. It deeply moisturises 4C coils and quenches dry ends on braids, leaving a soft, buttery finish. On curls it boosts shine and definition beautifully. It’s heavier than serum oils so start with a small amount unless you like a more saturated feel. It’s also a fabulous pre-styling detangler, and in heat and humidity it held up well.
Rating 4.5/5
– AJ
Buy now £38.5, Amazon.co.uk
Davines oi oil beautifying potion
Rating: 4/5
Best: hair oil for smoothing
Heat protection: "Has protective properties” but a supplementary heat protectant is recommended
Hair type: All
When to use: Pre-shampoo; on damp hair pre-styling or air drying; on dry, styled hair as a finisher
Fragrance: Yes, soapy amber scent with herb and floral notes
Vegan and cruelty-free: Yes
Why we love it
- Delightfully clean scent
- A little goes a long way
- Roucou oil supports damaged hair
- Smooths signs of breakage
Take note
- Easy to overdo it on fine hair
- Pricey for the size
I love Davines’ oi range so much that I dubbed its all-in-one milk (£30.75, Cultbeauty.co.uk) the best leave-in conditioner in my round-up. With the same soapy scent, Davines’ oi oil is the antidote to rough, ragged strands, using roucou oil to smooth the cuticle and restore a healthy sheen. The roucou also prevents further damage by providing protection from environmental factors like UV.
It took like a duck to water on my heat damaged hair and gave the pieces around the front of my face a light-catching sheen which disguised any splintering. The formula has a serum-like texture that goes a long way and a full pump was actually too much on my 1b/c hair. I’d advise starting with a half pump and building up as needed.
For the price, I would’ve liked to see some measurable heat protection, but its versatility as a pre-wash, pre-styling and post-styling treatment more than compensates.
Rating: 4/5
– LS
My hairdresser uses Davines products, so I was ready to be wowed by this oil, and it did not disappoint. It feels neither too light nor too heavy, and a little goes a long way when you apply it. After I used my diffuser, my hair felt good – not weighed down, but not super frizzy either.
The curls looked bouncy and full the next day, with plenty of soft curls. There was also still lots of nice volume on day three, although the curl shapes were starting to get a little bit chaotic. If I were running late to work and didn’t have time to wash my hair, I’d be perfectly happy leaving the house like this. But if I were going anywhere fancy, I’d wash for a curl reset.
Rating: 4/5
– AM
On my 4C coils this Davines hair oil delivered sleek softness without residue, and my braids instantly felt smoother and more supple. On 3A–4A curls, the slip was genuinely gorgeous helping fingers glide through without tugging, while the shine looked healthy and natural rather than lacquered. It’s a true medium weight: heavier than featherlight finishing oils, lighter than a deep treatment. Crucially, it never felt sticky and layers beautifully. A chic, hardworking all-rounder.
Rating: 4/5
– AJ
Buy now £47.75, Cultbeauty.co.uk
Percy & Reed volumising no oil oil
Rating: 4/5
Best: hair oil for fine hair
Heat protection: “Protects the hair from heat damage when styling” but temperature not specified
Hair type: Fine or flat hair
When to use: On damp hair pre-styling and on dry, styled hair as a finisher
Fragrance: Yes, described as the “British countryside in bloom”
Vegan and cruelty-free: Vegan-friendly and self-certified cruelty-free, but not recognised by PETA or Leaping Bunny
Why we love it
- Clean, minty scent
- Zero greasiness, even if applied to the roots
- Weightless
- Smooths split ends and softens brittle strands
Take note
- Not nourishing enough for coily textures
- Can’t be used on freshly styled curls
I used to be scared of hair oils, worried that they’d leave my strands plastered to my scalp – Percy & Reed’s no oil oil was the formula that quashed that fear. It feels like water going onto your hair but benefits your locks just like a traditional oil. For people like myself with straight hair that falls flat as the hours wear on, this is a godsend.
It effectively conceals mid-strand breakage and split ends, acting like a non-sticky glue that leaves the hairs looking whole once more. You can use it on flyaways by your crown without risking a greasy scalp and, unlike a standard oil (which prioritises nourishment), the no oil oil gives hair a burst of hydration. With this in mind, I’m quite generous when applying and don’t feel too guilty about it given the 60ml quantity and reasonable sub-£20 price.
For fine or lack-lustre hair it ticks a lot of boxes, including having a lasting shower-fresh scent.
Rating: 4.5/5
– LS
No fussy droppers or annoying shaking bottles here, which endears me to this little bottle from Percy & Reed. However, the oil doesn’t have much in the way of detangling power; most of the other oils I tested glide through my post-shower hair with no problem. My curls were also not so defined by the time they dried.
Interestingly, even though I get more frizz and less curl definition with this oil, my hair is still shiny. It’s impressive, in a way. On day two, I tried applying more to the dry crown of my head to help with extra frizz, and it smoothed pretty well at first. But by the end of day two, my hair was still a bit dry overall.
Rating: 3/5
– AM
Buy now £24, Amazon.co.uk
Oribe gold lust hair oil
Rating: 4/5
Best: hair oil for low porosity hair
Heat protection: “Provides heat protection” but temperature not specified
Hair type: All
When to use: Pre-shampoo; pre-styling on damp hair; on dry, styled hair
Fragrance: Yes, Oribe’s Côte d’Azur scent, which is clean and floral
Vegan and cruelty-free: Yes
Why we love it
- Serum-oil texture means a little goes a long way
- Boots shine
Take note
- Results don’t last overnight
I recently discovered my hair has a relatively low porosity, which means that products often sit on top of the hair cuticle, weighing it down, versus high porosity hair that absorbs moisture well.
On paper, Oribe’s gold lust hair oil is a good match for this hair type, given that it uses lightweight oils such as argan, which boost shine without causing the strands to go limp. This proved true in practice and I wowed at the sleek lustre it gave my dull hair – even when I hadn’t blow dried it into a smooth style. Much like the Kerastase elixir, the gold lust oil has a serum-oil texture, so you can stretch a single pump of product across a whole head of hair. It brings straggly ends together for a more polished look, but doesn’t leave strands looking stringy or migrate toward the roots.
I didn’t love the slightly chemically scent trail after using the oil, but my fellow testers didn’t have this issue, so I’m putting this down as a one-off.
Rating: 4/5
– LS
This is a decadently nourishing hair oil from Oribe. On my 4C coils and braids it felt like a deep smoothing treatment producing soft, elastic, and glossy results. On braids the shine was luminous without stickiness. On curls it hugged pattern, added definition and adding that runway sheen. In humidity it maintained control and didn’t weigh hair down. If you love a premium treatment oil that performs like couture, this is it.
Rating: 4.5/5
– AJ
Buy now £55, Cultbeauty.co.uk
Champo weightless hair oil
Rating: 4/5
Best: hair oil for straight hair
Heat protection: No
Hair type: All
When to use: On dry hair only
Fragrance: Yes, a natural spa-like oil blend
Vegan and cruelty-free: Yes
Why we love it
- Doses out shine in droves
- Less is more
- Lightweight and absorbs well (no clumping)
Take note
- Not the best antidote to frizz
- Only for use on dry hair
Champo’s weightless oil is my favourite for a day at home when I’m likely to throw my hair up into a bun. Just a couple of drops through the mid-lengths are enough to take the edge off my hair’s dryness and, with my hair secured in a top knot, it feels as though I’ve sealed in all the goodness of the turmeric and rosemary (to name a few of its ayurvedic ingredients). The scent adds to its ‘reset day’ aptitude, with a true aromatherapy surround that’s an instant tonic to the monotony of household chores.
I typically prefer a multi-tasking formula if I’m paying more than £25, so it was slightly disappointing to see that the weightless hair oil is reserved for dry hair. Admittedly, Champo’s pitta growth serum (£46, Selfridges.com) is more versatile (you can use it on damp and dry locks), but I’d dub it more of a scalp treatment than a hair oil.
The upside is that the weightless hair oil excels in its own field. For those of us with straight or straight-styled hair, the Champo oil curtails the appearance of mid-strange breakage. When all you want is a sleek, glossy finish, this formula will get you over the finish line with just a few drops from the handy pipette.
Rating: 4/5
– LS
As the only oil on this list that’s meant to be applied to dry hair exclusively, I was skeptical whether the Champo weightless hair oil would be for me. I apply 99 per cent of the hair products I use to my type three hair when it’s wet, because that’s the only time my curls can be detangled properly – the more I run my fingers through my hair, the more the curls separate and drop out.
With that in mind, I applied this oil primarily to the ends of my hair to help give my day two curls some nourishment and structure, and a little to the crown of my head, to try and tame some of the frizz that tends to linger there. It didn’t smooth much frizz, but it did a great job adding a little boost of shine and bounce to my curls. But by the next morning, my hair was begging to be washed.
Rating: 3.5/5
– AM
On 4C coils and braids Champo’s hair oil feels feather-soft and is great for morning refreshes. It doesn’t weigh coils down, and my hair felt shiny without being slick. I’d say it’s perfect if you want nourishment without density, for example if you have 3A–4A curls that need slip more than weight. In humidity it didn’t hold down frizz as much as richer oils, but it layered beautifully. Nonetheless frizz isn’t a bad word in our home.
Rating: 4/5
– AJ
Buy now £28, Selfridges.com
Your questions about hair oil answered
What is the best hair oil?
After months of testing across our straight, curly and coily hair types, we concluded that Olaplex’s no.7 bonding oil was the best hair oil, thanks to its frizz-smoothing, shine-boosting and damage-softening abilities. Dyson’s omega hydrating hair oil also seriously impressed us, particularly on Aidan’s curls, thanks to its featherlight but nourishing finish. Meanwhile K18’s molecular repair oil stood out after I saw my damaged lengths begin to look healthier after repeat use. And lastly, for a more affordable option, L’Oreal Paris’s elvive extraordinary oil punched well above its price point.
How we tested hair oils
Hair oils are deeply personal and what works beautifully on coarser strands can easily overwhelm fine hair types. To properly put a variety of formulas through their paces, I called on two expert testers with type 3 and 4 hair textures to join my own type 1C/2A strands. Together, we used the oils through numerous wash days, in-between wash days, styling sessions and workouts to assess how the formulas performed in normal life. Specifically, we considered the following criteria:
What hair oil should I use for my hair type
“I recommend oils based on things like hair thickness, porosity, dryness or whether someone has loose fine curls versus thick, dense coils,” reveals Dublin.
Expanding on this, she tells me, “On looser curls, I go for something really lightweight, like an argan oil or anything with that soft slip. It gives shine without dragging the curl down.
“For medium textures, things like coconut or rosemary oils give a good dose of nourishment but still feel wearable. They add moisture without making the hair feel coated.
“Thick, coarse or very curly hair usually drinks up richer oils. Castor oil or a blend with heavier ingredients (like a mask) tend to smooth, hydrate and really bring out the curl definition.”
Is argan oil good for hair?
“Argan is packed with vitamins and healthy fats, so it softens the hair, calms flyaways and gives a nice sheen without weighing anything down,” reveals Dublin. Personally, she explains “[she’ll] use it as a pre-treatment on the scalp, leave it on for 10-15 minutes before washing, especially on clients with really dry scalps.”
Meanwhile, if styling the hair, she recommends “rubbing a small amount between the palms and targeting the drier areas, then finishing with a tiny bit on the ends.”
Is coconut oil good for hair?
“I personally don’t use coconut oil on my clients because I find it can actually be drying,” warns Dublin. It can work for some medium textures however, so it’s worth experimenting to see if it suits your hair type.
Is castor oil good for hair?
“Castor is heavier, but it’s great for coating all the hair and really hydrating the scalp before braiding,” touts Dublin. As for how to use it, she suggests: “After a wash, put a small amount on before braiding as a treatment. It helps lock moisture in and keeps the scalp happy.”
Is rosemary oil good for hair growth?
“Rosemary mixed with a bit of peppermint works really well for dry scalps and can support hair growth,” confirms Dublin. In her experience, “It leaves the scalp feeling fresh and clean, almost like a face mask, but for your roots. It’s great for resetting the scalp without adding heaviness.”
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
As a senior shopping writer, Lucy Smith is frequently testing the latest in haircare, and often speaks to trichologists and stylists to inform her reviews. For instance, she’s covered the best leave-in conditioners, the best shampoos and conditioners and compiled an expert guide to choosing the best leave-in conditioners.
Alongside writing about beauty for IndyBest, Ateh Jewel is herself a beauty brand founder. She lent a hand to the team’s review of the best beauty advent calendars last year and, recently contributed to a new round-up of the best foundations. She’s often speaking about afro hair and proper coil care, and was the perfect person to test hair oils from a type 4 texture perspective.
Aidan Milan has plenty of experience in the field of haircare and has covered numerous products for curly hair from the likes of Cantu, Colour Wow and more. With her own head of seriously healthy curls, she was well placed to put all manner of hair oils through their paces.
Read more: 14 best anti-frizz products, tested
