Briogeo's Scalp-Soothing Pre-Wash Oil Gave Me the Best Hair of My Life

Remedies such as dry shampoos, scalp scrubs, and apple cider vinegar rinses are often used to address greasy hair and scalp irritation. However, rosemary oil—popular for its effectiveness in treating the previously mentioned hair concerns as well as hair growth and thinning—might be the solution you’ve been searching for. The latest product to harness the power of rosemary? Briogeo's Scalp Revival Rosemary Pre-Wash Scalp and Hair Oil—a soothing, hydrating scalp and hair oil you can apply pre-wash for root-to-tip moisture without buildup.

ICYMI, Briogeo—famous for its effective formulas, natural ingredients, and incredible results—first entered the world in 2013 when founder Nancy Twine realized that haircare products (especially those with plant-based ingredients) often skimped on performance when it came to her curly hair texture. Now, the brand has a whole line of fabulous, cult-favorite products—with Scalp Revival as one of the newer additions.

Read on to learn about Scalp Revival and how it works, as well as my honest (and adoring) review of the product.

The Inspiration

For their newest launch, Briogeo decided to hop on the treatment bun trend. Their offering? A suitable-for-every-hair-and-scalp-type oil that lets you treat your hair while you sleep or run around in your slicked-back bun.

In addition to a clean scalp and hydrated strands, the oil helps dissolve follicle congestion, soothe and calm irritated skin (a contributing factor to hair loss), and prevent trans-epidermal water loss for altogether softer locks.

The Formula

Formulated to strengthen the scalp's surface barrier and balance the skin’s lipid composition with natural, lipid-rich oils and ceramides, the real hero ingredient here is rosemary oil: a medicinal plant oil that stimulates hair growth, improves circulation, and soothes the scalp.

"With usage over time, hair [may become] stronger and appear thicker, denser, brighter or have more shine or elasticity and therefore less breakage," Ava Shamban, MD, previously told Byrdie while discussing the ingredient.

Other ingredients include tea tree oil, a natural cleanser, and bisabolol, an active ingredient found in chamomile that can calm irritation for a balanced biome and healthy hair.

How to Use It

Before your shower or before bed, you'll want to part your dry strands and apply the oil directly to your scalp and hair (the targeted applicator bottle makes this super easy). Give yourself a nice scalp massage, then leave the oil to soak in for 10 to 15 minutes or overnight for best results.

As a last step, rinse out and follow with your favorite shampoo and conditioner.

My Review

When it comes to hair, I am an extremely bare-bones operator. Wash, condition, air dry: that's it. Do I have the best hair in the world? Far from it: I spend a lot of time ogling pictures of Matilda Djerf. But my hair has always been healthy, and that's good enough. Or at least I thought it was. Until I tried Briogeo's latest launch and realized there was so much further I could go.

Take it from someone who has never found love in a hair product before—this is it. I live in the Midwest, and while this time of year is usually rough for my head with all the hat-wearing and dry air, every hair-related detail in my life is currently going my way. My scalp feels well taken care of—I'm going longer between washes!—while the strands themselves are consistently shiny, strong, and sleek.

Is the responsible party the hair oil I've been using once or so a week for the last month and a half? Probably—I haven't changed anything else. The little scalp massage I do when applying is a huge treat, and while I can't really speak to growth time as my hair grows fairly fast already, it's... definitely longer.

Even though the product claims to be fragrance-free, I do get the slightest herbal whiff when applying it. Still, it's entirely natural and gentle—it smells like twirling a little bit of rosemary in your hand, which my favorite neighbor once told me she does every time she leaves her house. Obviously, that's the kind of thing I want to think about whenever I leave, especially if I already know I'm having a good hair day.