In a skincare-obsessed universe, it can be pretty easy to forget how much TLC our beloved strands deserve, too. Our hair is, after all, just an extension of the skin on our face and head, and just like you’d want to gift your skin with protection, hydration, and glow, our strands crave a similar kind of care. Alas, navigating our way through the world of haircare can be super difficult. It would be impossible for every single person to have the same effective skincare routine, and the same goes for hair. Everyone has unique needs that require a unique routine.
However, after talking to countless hairstylists and colorists over the years, one product everyone seems to unanimously agree is ultra-important (and, honestly, kind of underrated) is hair oil. It doesn’t matter how thick or thin your strands are or how curly or straight, everyone can benefit from the super-nourishing and rejuvenating benefits of a fabulous hair oil. The only problem, of course, is the issue of finding the perfect blend that will cater to your unique strand structure. We couldn’t all wear the same face oil on top of our complexion, and that applies to hair oil as well. For instance, people with white, blonde, or even silver hair will want to steer clear of amber- or golden-tinted hair oils (go for clear), as they may begin to quite literally stain your hair over time. Someone with thick, coarse hair will need a heavier, richer formula than someone with an ultra-fine texture. Research and review scrounging are key, and it’s important to keep in mind not only your hair type (coily, curly, wavy, or straight) and your texture (fine, medium, or thick) but also your hair goals. Some oils are amazing for imparting gem-like shine, while others feature ingredients more targeted toward repair and strengthening. Some hair oils are lightweight and will encourage volume and bounce, while others are heavier and loaded with indulgent ingredients. Catch our drift?
Luckily, we’ve done the heavy lifting by scouting out 18 best-of-the-best hair oils sure to suit any and all hair concerns and hair types. Not only did my fellow beauty editor Courtney Higgs and I put our heads together to select our personal vetted favorites, but I also took to the internet to find the hair oils that shoppers obsess over. Keep scrolling! The 18 all-time best hair oils on the internet await just below.
Courtney and I are besotted with Prose—a custom haircare brand that’s pretty much the best thing since sliced bread. (That’s coming from someone who practically bleeds carbs.) Since your Prose oil will be personalized based on a multitude of factors (the quiz is so fun and in-depth!), we can’t say exactly what will be in your personal elixir, but you can bet it will be exactly what the doctor ordered for your unique strands. “I have not been this pleasantly surprised by a launch, specifically a hair product, in forever,” says Courtney.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars, 26 reviews on Sephora. My obsession with glass hair has definitely fizzled in the last year (it just feels unnecessary when I’m at home 24/7), but that doesn’t mean I want to sacrifice day-to-day glisten and gleam. I’ve loved pretty much every product I’ve ever tried from Amika, and this shine-inducing hair cocktail is no exception. It’s great for all hair types, it’s lightweight and absorbs almost instantly, and the nutrition label is so impressive that your mane will think it’s a multivitamin. The glowing review: “Ugh, I honestly can’t find a thing wrong with any of Amika’s products. I use this hair oil on my damp hair after my shower, and it’s great! Doesn’t leave my fine hair greasy, and a tiny bit goes a long way.”
Rating: 4/5 stars, 42 reviews on Sephora. This award-winning hair gloss is not only clean and silicone-free, but it also supplies all hair types with supreme gloss and repair thanks to luxe additions like Kakadu plum. It’s especially magical on medium and thick hair textures, and Courtney lists it as one of her current favorites. The glowing review: “This oil has become a favorite for daily use! My type 4 hair is very coily and fine. Most oils are too heavy to use in my hair daily, but not this one! The scent is absolutely divine, and the package is a beautiful added bonus! This oil leaves my hair shiny and moisturized!”
Rating: 4.6/5 stars, 1369 reviews on Sephora. This is my all-time favorite hair oil. It’s lightweight enough not to weigh down my fine, grease-prone hair, yet it definitely gives my damaged, bleached strands a dose of shine and hydration. (It’s also great for detangling damp hair!) I love that it’s completely clear, so it won’t latch onto and stain my lightened strands long-term. The glowing review: “Amazing product. I never ever use leave-in products on my fine hair because it always feels weighted down and flat after. This is the first leave-in product that I’ve used that does not do that!!! My hair is legit glowing after this product and looks so healthy and fresh. I will be adding this as a staple to my routine.”
Rating: 4.8/5 stars, 33,859 reviews on Amazon. For anyone who is looking for a supreme hair oil without spending an entire paycheck, this multitasking Amazon find is your answered prayer. It’s one of Courtney’s top recommendations, and the gushing reviews speak for themselves. Bonus: Thirsty skin will love it just as much as your hair! The glowing review: “I have used this oil on my skin, hair, nails, and face for a year now, and I have noticed such amazing benefits. My acne scars have lightened, my acne has been greatly reduced, and the health of my skin, hair, and nails has just improved overall. Great value for the price.”
Rating: 4.5/5 stars, 164 reviews on Nordstrom. Courtney and I agree that Oribe is just the crème de la crème regarding all things hair. You really can’t go wrong with any formula from its iconic lineup, but the Gold Lust Nourishing Oil is an OG favorite packed to the gills with high-quality ingredients that play nicely with all hair types and textures. (It even provides thermal and UV protection in addition to it’s smoothing and detangling perks.) The glowing review: “Heaven! I love this product. I can’t believe that I have lived without this nourishing hair oil my whole life until now. I have used every hair-oil product on the market, and I now believe that I have found the perfect product. I have highlighted shoulder-length hair, and I wash every day and blow-dry every day. This product has transformed my hair from dry to beautiful. I apply two droppers into my hand and rub my hands together and apply to the ends all the way around my hair. Within minutes, you can’t see the product or any oil in the strands. It absorbs into the hair and leaves a light, bright, shiny, and soft result.”
Rating: 4.1/5 stars, 812 reviews on Sephora. I don’t care how many brands out there have tried to copy (or will try to copy) Olaplex’s patented re-bonding technology, but none will ever compare. (Trust me. I’ve tried many!) Quite truly, this highly concentrated and reparative oil is the first of its kind, and the key lays in the hero ingredient, Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate, which, the brand explains, works its magic by finding single sulfur hydrogen bonds and cross-linking them back together to form disulfide bonds. It also offers heat protection and is safe for all hair types and textures. The glowing review: “Yes, yes, yess!! I use this oil regularly, and I love it!! I incorporate it before and after styling my hair, and I’ve noticed so much shine and less damage. I’ve spent the last couple of years trying to get my hair strong and healthy after using bleach, and this has been a lifesaver. A little bit goes a long way, and I always apply the most to my ends and slowly work my way up to the roots! This is also great for frizzy hair and flyaways!”
Rating: 5/5 stars, one review on Frigg. This scalp-stimulating Hair Potion might be an investment, but even the tiniest bit goes a long way, and Courtney says it’s truly one of the best hair oils on the market right now. It’s strategically filled with tons of deliciously clean ingredients like antioxidant- and omega fatty acid–rich baobab and castor oils and a stress-relieving mix of herbs à la rosemary, cedarwood, and sweet basil. Use it as a targeted scalp treatment or apply it to the lengths of your strands where you’re feeling especially dry. The glowing review: “Wow!! This product really helped my thin, brittle, and split-ended hair mend! I like adding it to my hair masks.”
Rating: 4.6/5 stars, 1314 reviews on Sephora. I’ll let you in on a little secret… Not all cult-loved, super-famous products and beauty labels live up to the hype, but this iconic hair oil is, and probably always will be, one of the best hair oils of all time. If you have medium-to-thick hair, go with the original formula, which is a bit heavier, and if you have finer or lightened hair, go with this Light version. The glowing review: “I apply this product to my ends after I towel-dry my curly hair and gently brush it to distribute the product with a wide-tooth comb. My ends feel soft, hydrated, and healthy throughout the day, and my hair is much more manageable.”
Rating: 4.3/5 stars, 50 reviews on Nordstrom. My former roommate and a fellow beauty editor first introduced me to this French hair oil, and it quite literally changed the texture of my hair. Before I started pre-gaming my shower and wash routine with a healthy marination of this stuff, my hair would be dry, brittle, and all-around sad looking no matter what. But once I started dousing my strands with this stuff for a chunk of time pre-wash (I like to let it sit anywhere from 10 minutes to one hour), my hair began to take on an entirely new identity—it was soft, smooth, and so shiny that it practically glowed. (It also has a light enough tint that I don’t worry about it discoloring my platinum-blonde color.) Take a look at the reviews because I’m definitely not the minority here! The glowing review: “I’ve been using this for many years, and it’s always been my go-to product for my hair. There are some things to keep in mind for usage that aren’t covered here, though. First, this is an oil that will solidify somewhat at room temperature. You won’t get a product that looks like it’s pictured here. It will arrive milky colored and solid. But don’t worry! All you have to do is run the bottle under warm tap water or submerge it for a few minutes in a pot full of hot water, and it will turn into true oil, which you can pour out easily. I personally use a lot more than recommended, but that’s because my hair is past my shoulders. Shorter hair is probably going to use about twice the recommended amount, long hair four times or so. Otherwise, you won’t actually be distributing it all through the hair. It helps to have a wide-toothed comb on hand (no regular combs since they can tangle). If you don’t have a comb, just mush it through with your fingers until it’s all good and feels oily and greasy. 🙂 I leave it in for a half hour or so while I do other stuff. Then, I jump in the shower and shampoo as usual. The best part of this treatment isn’t even the softness and shine you get after (for days!). It’s the fact that it somehow imparts volume as well. So even fine hair will get a boost from this oil. I would never use any other oil in my hair. For my money, it’s the best on the market, and even though I use more than the directions say, one bottle easily lasts me four months, so per application, it’s not that pricey. It does have a strong floral smell, but I think it’s lovely.”
Rating: 4.7/5 stars, 2510 reviews on Amazon. Even though Courtney and I have completely different hair types and textures, there are certain brands we agree are so perfect that they’re borderline witchcraft. (You know a brand is fabulous when it nails inclusivity within its line.) Well, in addition to brands like Prose, Oribe, and Amika, we also agree that Davines is a true gem of a brand, and you’ll only get the best of the best no matter what you try. Obviously, its hair oil is fabulous, and it’s also a regular favorite among leading celeb hairstylists. The glowing review: “This is the best hair oil for my curly hair. Tames frizz and smells great!! Forever in love with this product.”
Rating: 4.5/5 stars, 123 reviews on Ulta. I blame my amazing colorist, Cass Kaeding, for getting me hopelessly addicted to this best-of-the-best hair oil from Redken. After she colors my hair, she always sends me off with a dose of this and a leave-in hair mask, and it’s made a world of difference when it comes to the health of my hair post-bleach. (Literally, there’s no breakage!) It’s lightweight, clear, and superb for every texture and hair type, not just fine-haired blondes like me! If you’re looking for a truly weightless and invisible hair oil, this one does its name proud. The glowing review: “My hairstylist used this on my hair, and I absolutely fell in love with how my hair looks with this product. I use it daily, and my hair is shiny, frizz-free, and bouncy/full.”
Rating: 5/5 stars, three reviews on Vernon François. If you’re down for an ultra-rejuvenating overnight treatment, we highly recommend legendary hairstylist Vernon François’s personal recipe. It treats dry, stressed-out hair to the ultimate nightcap featuring high-quality additions like jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, argan oil, and antioxidant vitamin E. The glowing review: “My hair not only smells good enough to eat (like yummy vanilla chocolate!), but it looks pretty awesome every time, too.”
Rating: 5/5 stars, 14 reviews on Dermstore. Celebrity colorist Kadi Lee recently sung this healing oil’s praises to me, and I immediately added it to my shopping cart. It features the brand’s propriety Alpha Keratin 60ku complex, and according to Lee, it’s a total game changer. (Think max hydration, lots of shine, and ultimate protection from damage, split ends, and breakage.) The glowing review: “I was hesitant to purchase this because of the price, but I was amazed. Not only does it only make your hair shiny and feel healthier, but it also smells fresh and good. I recommend this product to anyone whose hair tends to be dry or frizzy. It’s a great product.”
Rating: 4.9/5 stars, 136 reviews on Sephora. Briogeo is pretty much the queen brand for hair oils. In fact, it makes four different formulas that are all beloved and rated with high marks. That said, if we had to choose a favorite child, it would be this ultra-soothing strand and scalp savior. It boasts calming and nourishing ingredients like CBD, arnica, tamanu, and hemp, and it’s perfect for all hair types and hair textures. The glowing review: “My husband (who is not a “product” guy) has dandruff and is balding. He is convinced that this product has significantly helped with both concerns! He loves it and is so glad I convinced him to start using it.”
Rating: 4.8/5 stars, 104 reviews on Ulta. When I asked Courtney to share all of her favorite hair oils, she immediately mentioned this nourishing blend from Melanin Haircare. Considering the number of ultra-rich oils it’s composed of, (baobab oil, argan oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, sage oil, geranium oil, and vitamin E), you’d think it would leave residue or that telltale greasy feeling. Alas, it does not! It absorbs instantly and delivers quenching hydration without oily side effects. The glowing review: “So I normally don’t use oil when doing my hair because it weighs it down. Not this oil! It was so perfect to just seal in all the moisture for my twist/braid out. I swear I had moisture for days!!”
Rating: 4.6/5 stars, 75 reviews on Nordstrom. The buzz surrounding this best-selling hair oil is high, but according to experts (and reviews!), the hype is absolutely warranted. If you have curly hair (or, honestly, even if you don’t), this special blend totally has your back in the bounce, definition, and shine departments. It also does wonders for a dry, scratchy scalp, and its inspiration was drawn from Dominican beauty secrets. The glowing review: “I love this hair oil so much! It’s very hydrating, smells incredible, and leaves my hair extremely soft and silky. I’d also like to mention that the packaging is great and gives you the perfect amount! I can’t recommend it enough!”
Rating: 4.5/5 stars, 1699 reviews on Sephora. This best-selling hair oil from Bumble and Bumble is a cult favorite among beauty editors, hairstylists, and consumers alike. It works for all hair types, but the brand does recommend that its softening and protective benefits work best for medium-to-thick hair. The glowing review: “My hair’s texture has changed over the years, going from straight to wavy with a tendency to frizz. On days that I blow-dry it straight, this product is a must-have. I’ve tried others, but this is the best; it’s light, smells amazing, and brings shine and frizz control without weighing down my hair. A little goes a long way, making this a good value, too. I originally received a small sample, and I bought the full size right away.” Up next, 14 (Actually) Effective Products for Hair Growth, According to Amazon Reviews
