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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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do hair oils work?
As self-explanatory as it might sound (hair plus oil equals shine), there’s complex chemistry 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, all of which act as moisture-sealing emollients, 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.
“Silicones form a barrier, so there is no direct heat damage,” says cosmetic chemist Ginger King. Keep in mind, however, that silicone has long-term effects. New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, tells Allure that “continued use of silicones over time can weigh down the hair, so it’s important to regularly wash hair to prevent any build-up.”
When should I use hair oil?
Hair oils can have varied application directions, so be sure to read the bottle before you start your treatment. While many hair oils call for post-shower application on dry or damp hair, others are meant to be applied pre-wash.”The main benefit of pre-wash oils is that of an emollient, which provides a coating over the hair shaft, which seals the cuticle and traps moisture inside,” Vladyslava Doktor, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Center Boston, previously told Allure.
How should I apply hair oil?
Where and how you apply hair oil depends on the product you choose. Some hair oils are meant to be applied at the scalp, whereas others are a better fit from the mid-lengths of your hair to the ends. When it comes to rosemary oil, for example, Leah Ansell, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Treiber Dermatology Associates in New York, previously recommended gently massaging the oil into your scalp tilting back your head to keep any of the oil from dripping onto your face or eyes.
Meet the experts
- Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Ginger King, a cosmetic chemist
- Sophia Emmanuel, a hairstylist at Crown Worthy in New York City
- Vladyslava Doktor, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Center Boston
- Leah Ansell, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Treiber Dermatology Associates in New York
- Kristen Shaw, a Los Angeles-based hairstylist
- Jorge Serrano, a Los Angeles-based hairstylist
- Ciara Costenoble, a Paris-based hairstylist
- Matt Fugate, a New York City-based hairstylist
How we test and review products
We always enlist a range of testers for our makeup vertical, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While there are certain products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind. Many are created to address a concern (dandruff, breakage, brittleness) or to work most effectively for a specific hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair). You wouldn’t want to pick up a purple shampoo that’s only been reviewed by someone with, say, auburn hair, or a diffuser that’s never been tested by anyone with curls—right?
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