The best hair oils are the little black dress of hair care products—an essential that’s able to revive dull lengths, smooth frizzy hair and soften split ends. “Hair oil has always been my go-to—a staple in my kit and the only styling product I use on my own hair,” says celebrity hairstylist and Rōz founder Mara Roszak of her treatment and styling oils, reminding us that all hair types can benefit from hydration. And with their natural abundance of fatty acids, many oils do more than just add the finishing touch to a post-blow dry look—they help to restore overall hair health as well.
Vogue’s Favorite Hair Oils
Featured in this article
The key is finding the right formula for your hair type and hair-care routine—a step that requires just a bit of trial and error. “To choose the right oil for you, consider your hair texture, scalp condition, climate, and/or desired hair results,” celebrity hairstylist Ro Morgan tells Vogue. Think of it like this: thicker textures often thrive with richer oils that coat and protect, while finer strands tend to shine with lighter, fast-absorbing options that won’t leave roots greasy.
The good news is that there are more options than ever—from beloved classics to natural oil blends that leave your hair feeling softer with every use. No matter your hair type, one of the best hair oils is ready to make its way onto your shelf—and into your daily rotation.
In This Story
- How does hair oil work?
- What are the benefits of hair oiling?
- Who should use hair oil?
- How to Apply Hair Oil
- How often should you apply hair oil?
- How We Tested
- Meet the Experts
Best Lightweight: Rōz Santa Lucia Styling Oil
- Why We Love It: A mix of ultra-lightweight, plant-based oils, Rōz’s Santa Lucia is a universal daily styler that boasts a gorgeous herbaceous scent. “This hair oil is light, smooth, and never greasy,” pro hairstylist Jazmine Kelly tells Vogue. “It adds instant shine and softness while protecting your hair from heat and frizz.” Plus, just a few drops go a long way on damp or dry lengths (and it works wonders on smoothing flyaways).
- Editor’s Note: “Everything about Rōz’s hair styling oil feels luxurious—from the packaging to the finish result. The oil feels more liquidy, but a few drops is plenty for my wavy hair. I usually use this as a finisher after heat styling to smooth away any leftover frizz.” —Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
- Key Ingredients: Jojoba oil, argan oil, roman chamomile, jasmine, aloe vera, vitamin E
- Best for: Fine to medium hair that needs a silky boost
- Size: 2 fl oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Ultra lightweight hair oil | Must be used sparingly on finer hair types |
| Imparts shine and smooths frizz | |
| Provides heat protection |
Best Bond Repair: K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil
- Why We Love It: Just one to two drops of K18’s highly-concentrated oil will do the trick. As with the brand’s viral leave-in hair mask, the star ingredient is the brand’s biotech-developed peptide. “The formula is essentially the molecular copy of the 18 peptides that make up keratin,” celebrity hairstylist Aurora Friedman previously told Vogue, explaining how the ingredient seeps into the innermost layer of the hair fibers to repair broken bonds. Meanwhile, avocado oil provides heat protection up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, while a blend of sunflower oil, hemisqualane, and squalane hydrate the hair for a healthy gleam.
- Editor’s Note: “I was skeptical how just two drops would do the trick for my wavy and thick hair, but it was more than enough. The texture here is thick and cushiony, so I like to rub it between my hands before distributing it through my mid-lengths to ends.” —Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
- Key Ingredients: K18Peptide, avocado oil, sunflower oil, hemisqualane, squalane
- Best For: Dry, dull, or damaged hair that’s straight, wavy, curly, or coily
- Size: 1 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Acts as an reparative hair treatment | You can easily over-do it, and saturate hair |
| Doubles as a heat protectant | |
| Highly concentrated formula—so the bottle will last you a long time |
Best For Textured Hair: Pattern Argan Oil Blend
- Why We Love It: Just any formula generally won’t cut it for textured hair, because curls and coils crave more moisture—which is why Pattern Beauty designed this pick with 3B to 4C hair types in mind. “This oil deeply hydrates curls and coils through a cocktail of rich oils,” says Kelly. “The result is curls that are softer to the touch, and have overall better definition.” Plus, this pick helps prevent breakage and adds a natural, healthy shine. It’s worth noting that this is another highly concentrated formula—so, a few drops scrunched into lengths is more than enough.
- Key Ingredients: Argan oil , sunflower oil, castor oil, sweet almond oil, shea butter
- Best For: Dry scalp, damaged hair, curly or coily hair
- Size: 3.9 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Works well on wet or dry hair | Not for fine or straight hair types |
| Highly concentrated formula designed for tighter curl patterns |
Best for Bleached Hair: Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil
- Why We Love It: Dare we say, this was the OG bonding hair oil that truly went viral when it launched back in 2019. Morgan remains a fan, considering this pick as “the ultimate damaged hair salve.” So, if dullness and fried ends are ailing your strands from years of bleach, look no further. Here, Olaplex’s patented bond-repairing chemistry, alongside rich botanic oils for intensive hydration that softens even the most brittle lengths.
- Editor’s Note: “I went through a balayage phase in college that utterly fried my naturally raven-toned hair. When it was at it’s most crunchy (and I was at my most delusional by trying to achieve a cool-toned blonde), this was my go-to product for adding back in softness. Though, now I do find this pick to be too heavy for my re-virginized hair since I chopped it all away.” —Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
- Key Ingredients: Bis-aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate (patented bond-repairing technology), grapeseed oil, fermented green tea oil
- Best For: All hair types
- Size: 1.0 fl oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Provides heat protection up to 450F | Might be too rich for finer or virgin hair types |
| Highly concentrated, reparative formula for brittle hair | |
| Color-safe |
Best for Thinning Hair: Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp Hair Strengthening Oil
- Why We Love It: Healthy hair starts at the scalp. Mielle’s oft sold-out formula acts as a pre-wash treatment aimed at reducing natural hair fall. Powerful natural ingredients, like rosemary oil, are infused in this elixir to reinvigorate the scalp, strengthen hair, and nourish follicles for thicker, healthier hair over time. When used as a scalp treatment, it’s best to section hair into fours and then massage in—from there you can comb it through to your ends, and rinse off after 10 minutes.
- Editor’s Note: “I’m a big believer in rosemary oil for hair growth and I have Mielle to thank for that! This oil is in constant rotation—lightweight with a subtle minty tingle, this nourishes my hair like no other without greasiness. And at this price point, I have no choice but to be consistent.” —Kiana Murden, senior beauty writer
- Key Ingredients: Rosemary, mint, biotin
- Best For: The oil is safe for all hair types, but particularly beneficial for curly hair (3A to 4C) and chemically-treated hair
- Size: 2 fl oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Dual-purpose scalp and hair oil | Not a leave-in treatment |
| Helps to reduce hair loss |
Best For Fine Hair: Moroccanoil Treatment Light Hair Oil
- Why We Love It: Morgan recommends this Moroccanoil blend for fine hair types craving moisture. As the lighter-texture counterpart to the original treatment, the “Light” formula conditions strands while keeping them soft and airy—not greasy or heavy. Kelly agrees, calling it a classic. “It smooths frizz, adds shine, and gives hair a bit of body while still feeling natural,” she says. It’s an easy everyday staple that won’t overwhelm your routine.
- Key Ingredients: Argan oil, linseed extract, dimethicone
- Best For: Fine or dry hair types
- Size: 1.7 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Lightweight formula | Not suited for thicker, coarser hair |
| Improves shine and smoothness | Not silicone-free, and may cause buildup |
Best For Shine: JVN Hair Complete Nourishing Shine Drops
- Why We Love It: JVN Hair’s shine drops are not only hair stylist loved, but trichologist-approved. “[These drops] seal in moisture and shine, with a weightless and non-sticky feel,” trichologist Bridgette Hill previously told Vogue. Pro hairstylist and educator Karen Miller agrees, noting this pick adds instant luster, with a non-greasy feel. This lightweight elixir is great for fighting humidity-induced frizz and protecting against color fading. It works well with most hair types.
- Key Ingredients: Meadowfoam esters, hemisqualane, hibiscus extract
- Best For: Frizz control, hydration, color protection, added shine
- Size: 1.7 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Protects against color fade | Some find the scent to be a bit too sweet |
| Works well on wet or dry hair | |
| Adds instant shine |
Best Smoothing: Bumble Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil
- Why We Love It: If a silky blowout or sleek updo is on the agenda, look no further than Bumble bumble’s lightweight oil, which comes as a recommendation from Morgan. Powered by a six-oil blend, this nourisher works to prevent breakage, combat frizz, enhance shine, and protect thick hair types.
- Key Ingredients: Grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil, coconut oil, safflower seed oil, argan oil, macadamia nut oil
- Best For: Dry or dull hair of any type or texture
Detangling dull or dry hair types, and preventing against heat damage - Size: 3.4 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Multi-use benefits from hair slicking to flyaway smoothing | Some fight this pick to feel heavier than expected |
| Provides heat protection up to 450F |
Best for Curls and Coils: Cécred Nourishing Hair Oil
.jpg)
- Why We Love It: This hair oil is a standout thanks to its signature blend of 13 different types of African oils—from baobab, moringa black-seed oils, and more—that deeply nourishes curls and coils, enhances elasticity and elevates shine. Speaking of another oil, sea-buckthorn oil is naturally rich in both fatty acids and antioxidants, which helps to tame frizz. Not to mention, the chic bottle and sculptural cap adds a touch of luxury to your hair-care routine, making it feel as good as it looks.
- Editor’s Note: “A standout from Cecred’s debut collection, the Edge Drops seeks to boost density along hair line—very important to those of us like me who experience thinning from braids, extensions, and too-tight ponytails. Via peptides, keratin, fermented rice powder, and botanical extract—cocktailed into a watery serum—this elixir is one of the most potent topical thickening agents. My use so far has shown great promise, and I can’t wait to report back how much my edges have grown.” —Kiana Murden, senior beauty commerce writer
- Key Ingredients: Baobab seed oil, moringa seed oil, black-seed oil, sea buckthorn fruit oil, castor seed oil, sunflower seed oil, olive fruit oil, argan kernel oil, jojoba seed oil, linseed seed oil, sweet almond oil, squalane, glycerin
- Best For: Curly, coily or thicker hair seeking managability and shine
- Size: 1.7 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Adds shine and softness | not suitable for finer hair types |
| Clean ingredients |
Everything You Need To Know
How does hair oil work?
“Hair oil works by creating a protective layer around your hair shaft, which in turn locks in moisture and nutrients,” celebrity hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos tells Vogue. “As a result, your hair will feel more moisturized and will have more shine to it.”
What are the benefits of hair oiling?
According to Giannetos, when applying hair oil to the scalp, it will feel more nourished and moisturized, which can ultimately promote healthier hair growth as well as reduce dryness. Hair oiling also adds shine to your hair. Though it can also be used simply to revive and smooth out dry, frizzy ends. Celebrity hairstylist and curl expert Sophie Rose Gutterman explains: “Using an oil is a great way to rehydrate the hair in between your shampoos. Especially if you’re adding heat to your hair, this can help repair previous damage and prevent future breakage.”
Who should use hair oil?
“If your hair is dry, damaged, or frizzy, I would recommend using hair oil,” says Giannetos. “These hair types see the best results with hair oiling, as the oil will target these issues and make your hair much more moisturized.”
How to Apply Hair Oil
“When applying hair oil to your ends, add a small amount of the product to your hands, then apply the product from the mid-length to the ends of freshly-washed, clean hair, ensuring that you’re not adding too much so that your hair can obtain the right amount of moisture,” Giannetos instructs. “You can either dry your hair with heat or let it dry naturally, which will lock in the product.” Gutterman adds: “If you want to apply the hair oil as a treatment, you can apply from roots to ends, put it in a bun, and wash it out the next day.”
How often should you apply hair oil?
“How frequently you apply hair oil is dependent on several factors, such as your hair type, lifestyle, and personal preferences,” says Giannetos. He goes on to explain that if your hair tends to be more dry or damaged, you’re probably going to want to oil your hair more often than someone who has oilier hair.
“The amount of times you apply hair oil also depends on how you want your hair to appear, as some may want a more hydrated look than others. Although the frequency of applying varies on a case-by-case basis, I would generally recommend applying hair oil once a week, especially if it is your first few times doing so.”
How We Tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue s vast network of experts—from professional hairstylists and colorists—to gain professional acumen on the industry s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to hair oils, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, texture, and what hair types they’re best suited for. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
Meet the Experts
- Dimitris Giannetos is a celebrity hairstylist whose clients include Kim Kardashian and Amal and George Clooney.
- Sophie Rose Guterman is a celebrity hairstylist and curl expert. Her clients include Mariah Carey, Ashley Graham, and more.
- Jazmin Kelly is a New York-based professional hair stylist. She’s worked backstage during fashion month at Tom Ford, Giorgio Armani, Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren, and more.
- Ro Morgan is a New York-based hairstylist. He specializes in natural hair, wigs, and hair extensions. His roster includes Naomi Campbell, Precious Lee, and more.
- Mara Roszak is a celebrity hairstylist whose clients include Natalie Portman, Zoe Saldana, and Riley Keough. Roszak is the founder of Rōz Hair.
