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Stylist Loves
12 of the best hair oils for well-nourished, hydrated and protected hair
By Morgan Fargo &Charlotte Bitmead
Updated 2 months ago
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4 min read
The Stylist beauty team reveal their tried-and-tested favourites…
Whatever your usual routine, a nourishing hair oil can make all the difference to how manageable, lustrous and well-conditioned your strands are. Available in multiple iterations – some are designed to work best on fine hair, others on thick, damaged or curly and coily textures – hair oils can be used on wash days and in between.
Oiling hair is nothing new: people in ancient Egypt used castor and almond oils to moisturise their scalps and protect the hair shaft from over-drying in the heat. And, while some formulations have moved on, many are based on the same naturally derived oils that our friends in 3500 BC were using.
Even though Britain rarely experiences the same arid dryness as northern Africa, hair oil is still a great thing to cycle into your routine. It moisturises – often using natural fatty acids or oils – and fills in the gaps in the follicle created by daily heat, chemical and mechanical damage.
Below, the Stylist beauty team round up the best ones available now…
12 of the best hair oils
Kérastase Elixir Ultime L'Original Oil
Loved by hairstylists and beauty experts around the globe, this multi-benefit hair oil works as a primer, finisher or refresher, smoothing the appearance of split ends while providing heat protection up to 230°C.
Shop Kérastase Elixir Ultime L’Original Oil at LookFantastic, £27.50
L'Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox
If you live in a hard water area (hello, London), you’ll probably be familiar with the dulling effect the water has on your hair over time. This clever oil helps to remove the build-up of copper particles on the hair, which protects against breakage and the risk of colour dulling, encouraging stronger-looking, glossier locks.
Shop L’Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox at Lookfantastic, £30
Melanin Multi-Use Pure Oil Blend
This rich oil is perfect for curly hair thanks to its ultra-nourishing blend of buttery-soft oils. It’s formulated without the use of fillers, meaning you’re only getting those rich, nourishing ingredients. Think argan oil, sweet almond oil, baobab oil, jojoba oil, geranium oil, sage oil and vitamin E.
Virtue Healing Oil
Don’t be fooled by the size of this bottle – while it looks small, it’s seriously mighty. Every single drop of this soothing oil is enriched with the brand’s hero ingredient, Alpha Keratin 60ku, which works tirelessly to reduce split ends and frizz and increase volume, fullness and vibrancy.
Bread Beauty Supply: Everyday Gloss Hair Oil
Curl and coil specialists Bread Beauty Supply cater for all hair types ranging from 3a to 4c. A blend of moisturising emollients and superfruit extracts, the Everyday Gloss hair oil contains Kakadu plum (a ripe source of vitamin C), starflower oil and fatty triglycerides to hydrate, smooth and add shine to the hair.
I like to keep the travel-sized 30ml bottle in my tote bag for on-the-go hair slicking and conditioning. It’s lightweight and the graduated stopper makes it much more difficult to pour out more than you need.
Shop Bread Beauty Supply: Everyday Gloss Hair Oil at Boots, £22
Fable & Mane HoliRoots Pre-Wash Strengthening Treatment Hair Oil
A pre-wash treatment, this hair oil can be used anywhere from five minutes to the night before you plan on doing your usual wash routine. Created by Fable & Mane’s founding siblings, the hair oil helps to stimulate blood circulation in the scalp (to encourage healthy hair growth) and thicken fine hair.
Shop Fable & Mane HoliRoots Pre-Wash Strengthening Treatment Hair Oil at Cult Beauty, £34
Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil
Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil
The last ‘step’ in the Olaplex protocol is a damage-repairing hair oil that rebuilds broken hair bonds from the inside out. Strengthening and smoothing, it can be used to nourish dry and damaged ends post-styling or as a heat-protectant up to 450°F (232°C).
Biossance 100% Squalane Oil
Multi-use, this Biossance oil can be used on the face, body and hair. Pure squalane oil deeply nourishes and soothes without weighing the hair down or creating lanky ends. On the skin, it creates softness and promotes a smoother, more even texture.
Living Proof No Frizz Vanishing Oil
Weightless and fast-absorbing, Living Proof’s ‘vanishing’ hair oil protects against humidity and hydrates dry, damaged follicles. Shine-boosting, the patented Healthy Hair Molecule and five-oil blend penetrate through to the hair shaft to deliver frizz-free smoothness.
Shop Living Proof No Frizz Vanishing Oil at LookFantastic, £35
Augustinus Bader The Hair Oil
Rich in amino acids, Augustinus Bader’s recent foray into haircare features a crowning glory hair oil that tames frizz, increases softness and suppleness, repairs damage and protects against future breakage.
Kevin Murphy Young Again Infused Treatment Oil
As we age, our hair can become more brittle and prone to breakage. It’s natural and something we can address with antioxidant-rich products that guard against environmental stress and further damage. Best applied to clean, damp hair, it can also be used on dry hair to smooth and refine your style.
Shop Kevin Murphy Young Again Infused Treatment Oil at Cult Beauty, £41
Images: courtesy of brands
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