If you have über-dry hair, there's one product you really shouldn't skip—and that's hair oil. You might feel like the exception to the rule if you have fine hair that gets easily greasy, but don't worry; you can use it too! These silky-smooth formulas are recommended by experts for all hair types. You just have to know which one is right for you.
“A good hair oil is not just about adding shine—it should nourish the scalp, lock in moisture, and help protect the hair from breakage,” celebrity hairstylist Hadji Dah tellsBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing . “I always look for oils that are lightweight, natural, and packed with ingredients that promote growth and overall hair health.”
Since we're fans of vetting the best of the best, we polledBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing beauty editors and stylists on the absolute best options for different hair types. From curly hair picks to damaged-hair repairers and growth-stimulating elixirs, we’ve found holy-grail keepers and received trusted recommendations. TLDR: If you're in the market for a good hair oil, keep scrolling.
The Best Hair Oils, at a Glance
- Best for All Hair Types: Kérastase Elixir Ultime Hydrating Hair Oil
- Best for Curly Hair: Bread Beauty Supply Hair-Oil Everyday Gloss
- Best for Damaged Hair: Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil
- Best for Growth: Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp Hair Strengthening Oil
- Best for Styling: Rōz Santa Lucia Styling Hair Oil
Best for All Hair Types: Kérastase Elixir Ultime Hydrating Hair Oil
Pros: Deeply hydrating, controls frizz, offers glassy shine, large bottle
Cons: Some shoppers dislike the updated formula
Size: 2.53 oz. | Hair type: All | Key ingredients: Wild camellia flower | Fragranced: Yes
Blame it on the glassy gold packaging; the nourishing, honey-colored oil inside; or the woody-floral smell it leaves in her hair, but associate beauty editor Alyssa Brascia can’t get enough of this Kérastase hair oil. Aside from adding the shiniest gloss to her dark locks, Brascia appreciates the multipurpose function of this oil: serving as a heat protectant during styling sessions, softening her strands, and smoothing frizz caused by humidity, static, and just about anything else the New York City environment can mar her hair with (for up to 96 hours!).
It’s gloriously lightweight and leaves her hair feeling buoyant in its naturally wavy and straight-styled states, a rarity for nutrient-dense hair oils. She also loves that it can serve different functions when applied at different phases during the hairstyling process but that the nutrients (namely, moisturizing wild camellia flower) are received just the same, conditioning and strengthening her hair when applied to damp strands, or smoothing and glossing her dry hair when used as a finishing oil. Plus, it works on all hair types (especially low-porosity hair). Clock it!
Customer review: “Kérastase knows hair. They’ve got it down to a science. This hair oil makes my hair look fantastic. I have highlighted curly hair, so it tends to get dry, especially on the ends… It washes out easily, doesn’t leave my hair greasy, and my hair is so healthy, hydrated, and shiny. This oil also smells like a lovely floral dream.”
Best for Curly Hair: Bread Beauty Supply Hair-Oil Everyday Gloss
Pros: Lightweight, ultra glossy, non-greasy feel
Cons: Strong, sugary scent may be too much for sensitive noses
Size: 3.3 oz. | Hair type: All, especially curly | Key ingredients: Australian kakadu plum seed oil, safflower oil, caprylic capric triglycerides | Fragranced: Yes
Former associate beauty editor Shawna Hudson favors this “gloss-giving” oil from Bread Beauty Supply for her curly hair. Hudson loves this formula because it's silicone-free and contains a host of hydrating ingredients (like kakadu plum and safflower oil) that never leave her strands feeling greasy or heavy. Because she describes her hair as “incredibly dry,” Hudson prefers to layer a bit of oil over a leave-in conditioner to amplify its hydration benefits as much as possible. Did we mention that the packaging is also incredibly chic?
Customer review: “I just tried this on my mom, and I’m halfway through my bottle; she’s asking me to purchase one for her as well. I have curly hair but I straighten it a lot and it's bleached, so yeah, my hair is literally like dry hay sometimes. This is the only product that brings it some shine, and a little of it goes a long way. I’m halfway through the bottle and have been using it for a year. No hair oil will beat this one that smells also like a sugar cookie, I just love!”
Best for Damaged Hair: Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil
Pros: Restructures damaged strands, deeply hydrates, enhances color
Cons: Pricey for size
Size: 1 oz. | Hair type: All | Key ingredients: Bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate (Olaplex Bond Building Technology) | Fragranced: Yes
Hudson looked at this oil under a quizzical brow but ultimately fell for its nourishing, strand-strengthening formula. “Because my hair is so coarse and dry, I thought it wouldn't be enough for my hair. I'm happy to report I was wrong,” she quips. “Just a few drops of this over my leave-in conditioner and my hair feels five times softer and more hydrated.” Engineered to repair damaged strands of any hair type or texture, this patented Olaplex complex works hard to restore nourishment to dry, brittle, heat- or dye-damaged hair by reconnecting disulfide bonds. Plus, we love that it’s a heat protectant, too.
Customer review: “This oil delivered everything I hoped for and more. The formula is incredible—non-greasy, fast-absorbing, and ultra-light. Just 2 3 drops is enough for my entire head, and I instantly see smoother texture, less frizz, and a radiant shine. My hair feels soft and silky without any heaviness. I’ve tried so many oils in the past that left a residue or weighed my hair down, but this one just disappears into my strands and leaves them feeling light and bouncy.”
Best for Growth: Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp Hair Strengthening Oil
Pros: Prevents breakage, encourages hair growth, adds shine from the roots
Cons: Can feel greasy if too liberally applied
Size: 2 oz. | Hair type: Curly, 3A-4C | Key ingredients: Rosemary oil, mint oil, biotin | Fragranced: Yes
Brascia and Hudson are fans of both this TikTok-viral oil from Mielle and the Bask Lather Scalp Stimulator Hair Growth Oil, but for the price, you can’t beat the former. Both associate beauty editor Maya Thomas and Beauty Director Erin Jahns depend on this oil for different things but love it just the same. While Thomas cares for her natural curls with this nourishing elixir, Jahns uses this oil as a scalp treatment a couple of times a week to promote hair growth. Its biotin-infused formula is nutrient-rich and helps prevent breakage, while its main player, rosemary oil, encourages longer and thicker hair growth. This formula is specifically designed for type 3a to 4c curls, chemically treated hair, braids, weaves, and both high- and low-porosity hair.
Customer review: “I’ve been using the Mielle Rosemary Mint Oil for a few weeks, and I’m already seeing baby hairs coming in around my hairline. It leaves my scalp feeling refreshed and helps reduce dryness and itching. The rosemary and mint scent is strong but pleasant, and the cooling sensation is super soothing. Just be careful not to overuse it, especially if you have fine or low-porosity hair, as it can feel greasy.”
Pros: Air-light feel, deeply restorative, encourages hair repair
Cons: High price for small bottle
Size: 1.7 oz. | Hair type: All | Key ingredients: Vitamin E, Kalahari melon seed oil, Tahitian gardenia flower extract | Fragranced: Yes
Jahns recommends this oil to anyone looking for extra strand repair. “I've used this one myself and love how healing it is for dry, damaged strands,” Hudson chimes in, the oil replenishing her natural curls. Its nourishing formula contains vitamin E, Kalahari melon seed oil, and Virtue's key ingredient, Alpha Keratin 60ku. It's a healing protein that's identical to our hair's own keratin, and it helps repave and refill keratin, repairing damaged hair with each use.
Customer review: “I've purchased the product twice already and recommend it to everyone. I wish Virtue made a body lotion or body oil with the same scent. I have lots of wavy hair that is now porous because of perimenopause and the oil works great for me. I apply it after blow-drying my hair straight or once my hair is air-dried. I also use it as needed to smooth everything out. The oil is very lightweight, so it should work well on fine hair too.
Best for Styling: Rōz Santa Lucia Styling Hair Oil
Pros: Lightweight consistency, multitasking formula, heavenly scent
Cons: Not as hydrating as others on this list
Size: 2 oz. | Hair type: All | Key ingredients: Argan oil, olive oil, Roman chamomile oil | Fragranced: Yes
Brascia keeps this featherweight styling oil close by when she wants to bless her locks with a glossy, light-catching shine. This lush-smelling formula is suitable for all hair types and works hard to control frizz, protect your strands from heat tools, and boost your strands’ shine, all while keeping things light—its watery consistency never making the hair feel greasy or heavy. Its enchanting cocktail of plant oils delivers an antioxidant-rich treatment in every drop, which can easily be applied to damp or dry strands. (Brascia prefers the latter for the ultimate shine factor.)
Customer review: “There’s really no way to describe how beautiful this oil feels on the hair, even when emulsifying it between your hands prior to application. It is smooth, gorgeously soft-scented and just feels like pure luxury. I ordered the smaller size to try it out and I am not even halfway through the bottle and have ordered the full-size. Please never stop making this beautiful product!”
Pros: Smooths strands, replenishes hydration, boosts shine
Cons: Some shoppers experience greasiness
Size: 2 oz., 4 oz. | Hair type: Straight, wavy, curly | Key ingredients: Moringa seed oil, bamboo extract, argan oil | Fragranced: Yes
Jahns calls this restorative, ultra-light oil her “ride or die,” and for good reason. The watery formula feels like practically nothing on your strands, but the results are unmistakable. Infused with moringa seed oil (detangling agent), bamboo extract (strengthens hair from the follicle), and argan oil (improves strength while controlling frizz), this nourishing oil smooths your hair into something sleek. Follow Jahns’s lead and apply a few drops to damp hair after stepping out of the shower. Then follow it up with your favorite leave-in conditioner for smooth, defined texture and game-changing hydration.
Customer review: “Tried Verb Frizz Defense Smoothing Spray for the first time, and I’m honestly impressed. My hair is usually a frizzy mess by midday, but this spray kept it smooth and soft all day without feeling heavy or greasy. It smells fresh, and a little goes a long way. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I’m glad I gave it a shot—definitely adding it to my regular routine.”
Best for Dry Scalps: Pattern Jojoba Hair Scalp Oil Blend
Pros: Moisturizes strands and scalp, prevents breakage, restores damaged hair
Cons: Honestly, none!
Size: 3.9 oz. | Hair type: Wavy, curly, coily | Key ingredients: Jojoba oil, lavender oil, safflower oil | Fragranced: Yes
Jojoba oil is amazing for both your skin and hair. Hudson loves this oil from Pattern because, much like Bread's, it adds considerable moisture to her strands while preserving their buoyancy. “I have coarse, curly hair and consider this a favorite. … It's lightweight enough that it won't weigh down other hair types or make them greasy,” she explains. But this moisture doesn’t just touch your strands—it goes skin-deep. The formula’s enriching elixir of jojoba, lavender, and safflower oil soothes dry, itchy scalps, making it a great choice for cooler months and braid maintenance.
Customer review: “So hydrating for my often dry/frizzy 3a/3b hair! A little bit can go a long way, so I find just a couple pumps on wet/damp hair with a lil extra on my ends, style as usual and my hair feels so much healthier. I also like to rub some on my hands and run it through dry hair between wash days to help detangle and revitalize. I’ve noticed a huge difference in the last month!”
Best Scent: Ouai Hair Oil
Pros: Non-cloying floral fragrance, smooths frizz, nourishes damaged strands
Cons: May clash with your signature scent
Size: 1.5 oz. | Hair type: All | Key ingredients: Ama oil, borage oil | Fragranced: Yes
What can we say? We’re fragrance-obsessed—it wouldn’t be WWW if we didn’t recommend a hair oil that practically doubles as perfume. We’d describe this formula’s scent as a walk among the gardens of a French chateau, notes of fresh gardenia, violet, and white musk trailing the air with every step you take. But of course, said formula does some heavy lifting for your hair, too. Brascia finds herself favoring this vial on no-wash days, especially in the summer, when she needs to control her wavy mane’s frizz and add a touch of shine. It doesn’t hurt that it layers well with her floral fragrances, too.
Customer review: “I didn’t think a hair oil could make such a difference until I tried this one. The OUAI Mini Hair Oil has completely transformed my hair routine. I have short, wavy brown hair, and just a drop or two of this oil adds instant shine, smooths frizz, and makes my hair feel so soft without weighing it down. It smells amazing too—light and luxurious. Perfect for touch-ups or post-wash hydration. This tiny bottle packs a powerful punch, and I’m obsessed!”
How to Choose the Right Hair Oil for Your Hair Type
Editorial hairstylist Brendnetta Ashley has a few tips for selecting the right hair oil for you. "The first tip is to determine what your hair type is (fine, medium, coarse)," she shares. "Then determine your hair pattern.” Take a minute to observe your mane in the mirror: Is your hair straight, wavy, curly, or coily? This information in your pocket, it’s time to decipher what it might be lacking. Whether your hair is dry, brittle, or damaged (or all of the above), they keywords will help you understand which oil is best for your hair and how often you should use it. “For example, if you have fine coily, hair, I would recommend a light oil so it doesn’t weigh your hair down,” Ashley recommends. “[And] use every other day to prevent buildup,” she adds
What to Look For
- Function: Ashley points out that hair oils are generally great for all hair types because “they add nourishment, shine, and protection.” However, if you’re looking for something specific—like a hydrating formula that restores your scalp, too, or a bond-building formula that repairs damaged hair—you’ll want to look for formulas that target those concerns.
- Ingredients: While all hair oils use a varying assortment of plant-derived oils and extracts, Ashley has a few ingredients that she recommends you look for in your formula of choice. “The key [ingredients] you want to look for in an oil are argan oil to strengthen the hair and prevent breakage; camellia oil to add shine and control frizz; baobab oil, which is a natural alternative to silicone; almond oil to add softness; and abyssinian oil to strengthen the hair's structure,” she explains.
What to Avoid
One type of oil Ashley says you'll want to avoid is mineral oil because it can cause buildup on the scalp and hair. We also recommend avoiding silicones, as formulas with these ingredients can cause buildup and dehydration with continuous use. “My strands are extremely coarse and dry, and silicones create a barrier on the hair, keeping water and other moisturizing agents out, so they make my hair even drier in the long run,” Hudson explains. If you've experienced similar issues when using products with silicones, you might also want to avoid these types of ingredients moving forward.
How Do Hair Oils Work?
“Hair oils act as a sealant, locking in moisture and smoothing the hair shaft,” Dah explains. However, some oils can go a step farther—revitalizing the hair at the root and encouraging hair growth with continuous use. (Take the Mielle Rosemary Mint Hair Oil and Bask Lather Scalp Stimulator Hair Growth Oil for example.) Dah goes on to explain that ingredients like peppermint and rosemary accomplish this by stimulating the hair follicles, which inspires healthy growth and scalp landscapes. “Think of it like skincare, but for your scalp,” she adds.
How We Chose
To find the best hair oils on the market, we polled our team of beauty editors to see which formulas are tried, true, and trusted among our cohort of experts. Then, we reached out to our Rolodex of celebrity hairstylists to see which hair oils they depend on for themselves and their clients, detailing the reasons why and what sets each oil apart. From there, we compared and contrasted our findings to deliver recommendations you can trust in a digestible, comprehensive buying guide.
Why Trust Us
AtBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , we know that beauty isn't one-size-fits-all. Over the years, our editors have tested thousands of products—including skincare, makeup, haircare, and nails—while also working closely with trusted experts, like renowned dermatologists, celebrity makeup artists, and other leading industry insiders. Together, this ensures every guide is well-researched, inclusive, and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they're affordable favorites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how, and what we'd truly recommend to our closest friends and family members.
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