The 12 Best Hair Oils for Strength and Shine, According to Testers

Best Overall

UNOVE Silk Shine Hair Oil

$25 at Amazon $25 at Sephora

Key Ingredients: Panthenol, squalane, ceramide NP | Size: 2.36 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Of all the hair oils we tried, this one really stood out for its effectiveness. It’s made with a blend of oils to help hair stay healthy and shiny. Our tester, who has thick, type 4 hair, noticed a difference in her hair’s softness with just one use. It also helped detangle her strands and seriously reduced frizz.

This pick is formulated for all hair types, though based on our testing, it may be a bit heavy for those with finer hair. It’s pretty lightweight, and we love that it doesn’t leave hair feeling greasy after application. It also dispenses easily, and application is straightforward. On top of all of this, it also offers heat protection, which is an added perk we appreciate.

Shannon Stubbs, associate editor with thick, type 4 hair: “My hair looks shiny and feels so, so soft after using it. My ends can feel dry, but applying this between wash days definitely kept them feeling hydrated and smooth—it also made my tangle-prone hair feel less tangly overall. It does provide heat protection benefits, but I prefer to use a lighter oil before straightening my hair.”

Best Budget-Friendly

Odele Hair Oil

$13 at Amazon $8 at Ulta $7 at Target

Key Ingredients: Camellia, baobab, and argan oils | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Priced at under $20, this hair oil is just as effective as some of the higher-end products we tried. It’s super lightweight, absorbs quickly, and effectively reduces frizz while enhancing shine. Our tester, who has fine hair, was amazed by how well it worked in her hair without adding extra weight (a common concern for this hair type), and we love that it doesn’t leave any residue.

In addition to its affordability, it’s also made to work with all hair types. It’s formulated with a blend of oils—camellia, baobab, and argan—to help moisturize and nourish hair. As much as we love this product, it’s worth noting that it is not a heat protectant, so be sure to use something to avoid damaging your hair if you plan to style with heat.

Madison Barber, writer with long type 2A hair: “When I used [the right amount], my hair felt softer and smoother, not greasy. It felt super soft and looked shinier, especially when I used it on dry hair in the morning”

Best for Dry Hair

amika Superfruit Star Lightweight Hair Styling Oil

$22 at Amazon $32 at Sephora $32 at Loveamika.com

Key Ingredients: Sea buckthorn, non-cyclic silicones | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

We tested dozens of hair oils, and this one from Amika is as good as it gets for dry hair. It’s powered by sea buckthorn, an omega-rich superfruit, and lightweight silicones to condition, enhance shine, and soften and strengthen strands, and its texture is next-level. It’s not so lightweight that it’s watery and hard to control, but it’s also not sticky or greasy, which can weigh hair down and make it look dirty.

Throughout the testing period, our tester applied the oil to her damp hair and found her strands were softer and shinier, and that the product didn’t leave any residue. While it could offer stronger frizz reduction, we still think it’s a great option for people with different hair types because of the balanced texture and how well it nourishes hair and boosts shine.

Alyssa Kaplan, editor with oily roots and dry ends: “With just one pump, this oil effectively adds moisture and shine to the lengths of my hair without weighing my fine strands down.”

Best for Frizzy Hair

Kerastase Kerastase Gloss Anti-Frizz Oil

$42 at Amazon $39 at Sephora $39 at Kerastase-usa.com

Key Ingredients: Wild rose in oil | Size: 1.52 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

If you’re constantly battling your frizz and flyaways, then this is the hair oil for you. We love that it tames stray strands while also boosting shine and locking in moisture. Our tester, who has type 1A hair, was really impressed with this oil because she was able to maintain volume even while using it, which is a win, since oils can weigh fine strands down.

This lightweight pick is formulated with wild rose oil, which not only nourishes hair but also lends the product a pleasant, floral scent. It’s ideal for those with straight to wavy hair types, and while it may take some practice to get it just right, the applicator helps ensure you don’t overdo the product during application.

Austen, tester with type 1A hair: “It definitely made a difference with frizz and flyaways, particularly around the middle of my hair and the ends, which is where I focused the product application. The oil really made my hair look shinier and more polished, and it felt softer and silkier, too.”

Best for Damaged Hair

Olaplex Bonding Oil

$32 at Amazon $30 at Sephora $58 at Ulta

Key Ingredients: Grapeseed and fermented green tea oils | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This Olaplex Bonding Oil has been a Byrdie favorite for some time now, and it’s easy to see why. The product features a lightweight formula that nourishes the hair without leaving a thick or greasy film. In addition to a bonding complex that strengthens damaged hair, the formula also contains nourishing grapeseed oil and fermented green tea oil to help with moisture absorption and tame flyaways (and other signs of breakage). Plus, it helps protect the hair against heat damage up to 450 degrees.

Aside from the weightless texture, our tester loved that she could work it through her hair with ease—it made combing and brushing feel effortless. After a few passes with a comb, her hair was shiny, soft, and had a salon-like finish. In our experience, this is a great option for all hair types (especially those who heat-style a lot) and comes in a compact bottle for easy storage, regardless of your bathroom vanity size.

Cullen, tester with dry, wavy hair: “I think if I hadn’t been using this product so often, my split ends would’ve been much worse, but as I’m feeling my hair now, my ends feel softer than usual and not as rough.”

Best for Curly Hair

Dae Prickly Pear Hair Oil

$38 at Amazon $38 at Sephora $38 at Daehair.com

Key Ingredients: Prickly pear seed oil, desert botanical blend | Size: 0.6, 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Not all hair oils are ideal for curly strands (some just aren’t moisturizing enough), but this one from Dae absolutely does. It’s formulated with prickly pear seed oil, which helps soften hair and add shine, and it has a midweight texture that’s neither too runny nor overly thick. Our tester with fine, curly hair noticed a marked improvement in moisture, shine, and softness when applied to damp hair. Her curls looked more defined, and she saw a significant reduction in frizz. Bonus points: She experienced no greasy residue or weighed-down hair while using this oil.

While she loved the fruity fragrance, it’s pretty intense, so if you’re sensitive to scent, this pick might not be for you.

Cortney, tester with fine, curly hair: “My hair felt noticeably softer and had a healthy shine after using the oil. It also appeared more defined and less frizzy, which was a big plus. I saw results instantly upon application, and the shine and definition remained even after my hair fully dried.”

Best for Coarse Hair

Cécred Nourishing Hair Oil

$45 at Ulta

$50

$40 at Cecred.com

Key Ingredients: African oil blend, sea buckthorn oil, bioactive keratin ferment | Size: 0.7, 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This oil stood out for how well it worked on coarse hair during testing. Formulated with a blend of 13 (yes, 13) nourishing oils, including castor, sunflower seed, sweet almond, and argan, to name a few, it deeply moisturizes dry hair and mitigates frizz.

Our tester praised how well the oil brought her thick, wavy hair back to life. It significantly reduced frizz, enhanced shine, and prevented her hair from looking dull for three full days after application. She observed these results when applying the oil to dry hair, but noticed even more impressive results when using it on damp hair. One thing to note: a little bit goes a long way; our tester advises using just a few drops to avoid it looking greasy. 

Karla, tester with coarse hair: “I used it on both dry and damp hair, and using it on damp hair before styling was life-changing. My frizz was noticeably reduced, and my hair looked smoother—without any heaviness.”

Best Tone-Correcting

Moroccanoil Treatment Purple Hair Oil

$38 at Amazon $38 at Sephora $38 at Ulta

Key Ingredients: Argan oil, linseed extract, violet pigments | Size: 0.85, 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

While you might not think of reaching for a hair oil to tone brassy hair, Moroccanoil is helping to change that. This innovative hair oil contains rich violet pigments that help counteract yellow and orange tones in light hair. While it won’t be as effective as a toning hair gloss, purple shampoo, or professional treatment, it subtly color-corrects blonde hair after continued use.

While many online reviewers reported significant visible improvements in hair tone after using this oil, our tester with fine, blonde hair found the results were subtle. Perhaps with continued use, she’d see more toning benefits. She plans to continue using it, thanks to the nourishing, lightweight formula that visibly enhanced her hair’s shine, reduced frizz, and never weighed her strands down. It also helped smooth the look of split ends, making this pick ideal for those with damaged hair from bleaching and coloring.

Morgan, tester with fine, blonde hair: “The biggest difference was in the frizz control and shine department. I didn’t notice a huge difference in hydration, but my hair was softer at the ends, and I had less breakage. You can even look at my before and after photos and notice it; it’s visible! I saw a difference in about two weeks.”

Best Lightweight

Ceremonia Guava Hair Oil

$34 at Sephora $34 at Ceremonia.com

Key Ingredients: Guava, cacay, and aloe vera | Size: 1.01 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

For anyone worried about an oil weighing down your hair, this product is for you. It’s super lightweight but still effective. The oil is formulated with cacay to help fight frizz, aloe vera to help keep your strands moisturized, and guava, which gives it a fruity scent that our tester loved. (Note: the scent lingers, so if you’re sensitive to fragrance, this may not be the best option).

During testing, we found that this hair oil enhanced shine and left hair looking smooth. It offers moderate frizz control, making it a good option for someone who doesn’t need to tame much frizz. While it is a nourishing oil, our tester found it may not be moisturizing enough for those with very dry hair because of its lightweight formula.

Alyssa Kaplan, editor with fine, oily hair: “Immediately after application, my hair felt slightly softer and still lightweight—no sticky residue. It maintains movement and doesn’t feel weighed down unless I overapply.”

Best Softening

Fenty Hair Oil

$32 at Sephora $32 at Kohls.com $32 at Fentybeauty.com

Key Ingredients: Reflect tech oil blend, plant protein, peptides | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Made with a special oil blend, this pick will leave your hair looking next-level shiny. Our tester saw a visible improvement in her hair after her first application of this hair oil, and she noted that the added shine made her hair look healthier and less dry. We love that it offers up to 450 degrees of heat protection and is formulated for all hair types.

In addition to helping with shine, it made our tester’s hair feel super soft and smoothed out her style. While the frizz control could be better, the formula is lightweight, which is helpful for those with finer hair. It also has a pleasant scent, but it does linger, so keep this in mind if you’re sensitive to smell.

Destinee, tester with short, dry hair: “I would definitely [make this product part of my regular routine]. What drives me to my decision is how lightweight the product is and how transfer-free it is. The product doesn’t mess up my clothing or my pillow cases, which makes me very happy. My hair feels so soft, and I see a [noticeable] difference in my hair from the first day using the product to now.”

Best Repairing

K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil

$65 at Amazon $65 at Sephora View on Ecosmetics.com

Key Ingredients: K18 Peptide, hemisqualane, squalane, avocado oil | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

For damaged hair, we love this hair oil, created to repair strands while delivering shine and smoothness. The oil is formulated with K18’s special peptide, which helps reverse hair damage and, in turn, reduce frizz. It’s also packed with nourishing ingredients that help lock in moisture and enhance shine. Plus, it offers heat protection up to 450 degrees.

Our tester, who has type-2, wavy hair, was blown away by how much more shine her hair had and how much smoother it looked after one use. As the testing period went on, she noticed an overall improvement in her hair’s health, too. This oil is lightweight and absorbs well into the strands, but use it conservatively because applying too much can leave your hair looking greasy.

Gabriela, tester with wavy, type 2 hair: “It truly is one of the best, most lightweight and effective hair oils I’ve found—and trust me, I’ve tried several.”

Best for Protective Styles

Pattern Jojoba Oil Hair Serum

$29 at Amazon $29 at Sephora $29 at Ulta

Key Ingredients: Jojoba, lavender, and safflower oils | Size: 3.9 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This oil offers fantastic moisture without making strands slippery, making it ideal for protective styles. Our tester, with coily, type-4 hair, found that it offered enough slip to easily put her hair into braids while still smoothing her cuticles and taming flyaways. She also loved that it didn’t make her scalp itch.

It’s specifically designed for wavy, curly, and coily hair and helps address dryness, a flaky scalp, and damaged hair with breakage or split ends. It not only works on hair but can also be rubbed into the scalp for extra nourishment when needed. While it doesn’t seem to leave significant product buildup on the hair or scalp, our tester found it left residue on fabrics, such as her bonnet.

Bianca, tester with short, coily, type 4 hair: “This oil did a great job of smoothing my hair cuticle without being too greasy. I could certainly see the difference post-blow-dry, and it made braiding my hair easier because of the slip it provided.”