Editor’s tip: If you find yourself going through this bottle quickly, consider upgrading to the value-size version, which has 3.4 ounces.
Key ingredients: argan oil, linseed seed extract, dimethicone | Hair it’s best for: dark, thick hair | When to apply: damp or dry hair | Additional benefits: tame flyaways | Scent: spicy, floral | Sizes: 1.7 oz., 3.4 oz.
Best Hair Oil for Blondes: Davines Oi Oil
Why it’s worth it: The Davines Oi Oil can do it all, including, but not limited to, detangling hair, fighting frizz, and boosting shine. The formula aims to tame frizz and brighten natural or color-treated hair without weighing it down with an oily hair feel. “One of my favorite things about Oi oil is the versatility to use wet or dry,” says Los Angeles-based hairstylist Kristen Shaw. “It’s not greasy, so adding it on wet hair moisturizes the cuticles, enabling the hair to dry better naturally and blown out.”
Editor’s tip: Though this conditioning treatment works well on finer hair, it’s especially effective on drier, coarser hair types.
Key ingredients: sunflower seed oil, vitamin E, roucou oil | Hair it’s best for: coarse, dry, or color-treated hair | When to apply: damp or dry hair | Additional benefits: detangling | Scent: floral | Size: 4.6 oz.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do hair oils work?
As self-explanatory as it might sound (hair+oil= shine), there’s complex chemistry hard at work to help your hair achieve the glossiness you’re after. Cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos spoke to Allure to explain the science. “Hair oils help smooth the hair cuticle and reduce styling breakage while minimizing frizz,” she says.
However, it isn’t the “oil” smoothing the cuticle. Dobos explains, “Most hair ‘oils’ on the market actually contain very little oil, they’re primarily made from siloxanes and hydrocarbons. Some of the lipids in natural oils can weigh hair down and can cause fine hair to look greasy rather than glossy.” She adds that products with a high oil concentration are better on thick, textured, or coily hair.
Which hair oil is right for me?
When choosing a hair oil, keep in mind the results you hope to get out of adding a new product to your hair care routine. “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 at Crown Worthy in New York City. For example, if you’re looking to enhance shine and softness, olive, carrot, and jojoba oils are helpful, according to Emmanuel. 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.