Hair oils get sold as a cure-all, but the wrong oil on the wrong hair leaves you greasy and weighed down instead of glossy. The right one depends on how thick your strands are and what you want the oil to do.
Penetrating versus coating oils
Some oils sink into the hair shaft and condition from within; others sit on the surface and add shine and protection. Knowing which is which prevents the heavy, lank result that turns people off oils entirely.
- Coconut and avocado: penetrate the shaft, good as a pre-wash treatment for thicker hair.
- Argan and jojoba: lighter, mostly coating, good for adding shine and taming frizz on finer hair.
How much and where
Less than you think. A few drops warmed between the palms, applied mid-length to ends, avoids the greasy roots that ruin the look. Fine hair needs barely any; thick or curly hair can take more.
Pre-wash or leave-in
Used before washing, oil protects against the drying effect of shampoo. Used as a leave-in finish, a tiny amount smooths flyaways. Just do not confuse the two, since a pre-wash amount left in will look slick.
Start small, keep it off the roots, and match the weight of the oil to the weight of your hair. Done right, it is the simplest upgrade to dull ends.