Everything You Need to Know About Hair Oils: Choosing the Right Formula

The right hair oil can soften dry ends, control frizz, and add shine but choosing a formula suited to your hair makes all the difference.

HAIRCARE

Newell Beauty Editorial Team

8/27/20261 min read

Hair oil can transform dull, difficult-to-manage hair, but more oil does not always mean better results. The secret is choosing the right weight, applying it correctly, and focusing it where your hair needs it most.

What Hair Oil Actually Does

Hair oil smooths the outer surface of the hair, helping reduce friction, tame flyaways, and create a shinier finish. It does not replace conditioner, but it can help seal in softness and protect dry ends between washes.

Choosing an Oil for Your Hair

Fine hair benefits from a lightweight oil that will not flatten its natural volume. Thick, coarse, or very dry hair can usually handle a richer formula, while damaged or frequently heat-styled hair may benefit from an oil with added heat protection.

Top 3 Recommendations:

  1. Verb Ghost Oil — A weightless choice for fine-to-medium hair that smooths frizz without a heavy finish.

  2. Moroccanoil Treatment Hair Oil — A versatile argan oil-infused treatment for conditioning, detangling, and improving shine.

  3. OLAPLEX Nº.7 Bonding Oil — A concentrated styling oil that adds softness and provides heat protection up to 450°F/232°C.

Applying Hair Oil Without Greasiness

Begin with a small amount and concentrate it on the mid-lengths and ends, where dryness is usually most noticeable. Apply it to damp hair before styling for smoother results or use a tiny amount on dry hair to control flyaways and refresh shine. Avoid saturating the roots unless the product is specifically intended for scalp use.