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The Best Hair Oils for Sleek & Shiny Hair
By Gabriella Buckner
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1 year ago | Updated
Look, none of us are going to give up our heat styling tools or salon appointments any time soon - and even if we did, everything from metals in your shower water to dry and/or sunny climates can cause split ends, dullness and breakage. And while there are plenty of shampoos and conditioners on the market that help with damage, your hair might need a little something extra (without the hassle of using a mask). Enter hair oils.
These concentrated formulas provide nutrients and hydration for your hair, lending it softness, shine and manageability. There are even hair oils that seal down split ends and protect the hair from heat damage and breakage, ensuring your locks are healthy and full. If you've got a dry scalp or skin, many of these oils are great for use all over the body.
Below, we've rounded up the best-rated hair oils to suit all tastes and budgets. Browse our top picks below to find your new favourite and start your journey to shiny, healthy hair.
WHAT IS THE BEST BUDGET HAIR OIL?
Beauty on a budget is our jam! You shouldn't have to splash out (unless you want to) to look great, and hair is no exception. Browse cheap hair oils below from some of our favourite affordable brands. You can also set a price alert on any of the products to find out when we've got even better deals on.
KeraCare Essential Oils For The Hair
£6.09 £8.80 (31% off)KeraCare also offers affordable hair oils, like this blend of coconut and olive oil with aloe vera for dry, brittle hair and scalps. The oil sinks into your strands, adding weightless shine and softness that's great before heat styling or shampooing.
WHAT ARE THE BEST LUXURY HAIR OILS?
Feel like treating yourself instead? Or maybe you're looking for a fancy gift for a loved one; either way, these top-of-the-line hair oils are a delightful indulgence for the hair. Packed with nourishing ingredients and advanced technologies, your tresses will thank you.
Augustinus Bader The Hair Oil
£45.00This luxurious Augustinus Bader oil is rich in essential vitamins and the oils of argan, pomegranate and baobab to repair (and protect your hair against) breakage, split ends and heat styling damage. Let the oil absorb into your hair for strength, shine and vitality unmatched.
R+Co Bleu Optical Illusion Smoothing Oil
£51.00 £68.00 (25% off)Or you might like to try the vegan and cruelty-free R+Co Bleu Optical Illusion Smoothing Oil, a gorgeously scented multi-purpose oil enriched with the brand's exclusive BLEU Molecule Complex, sunflower seed oil and babassu oil. Your locks will be left glossy and healthy, with frizz and flyaways under control.
Paul Mitchell MarulaOil Rare Oil Treatment
£34.45 £46.30 (26% off)We also love the cold-pressed MarulaOil Rare Oil Treatment from Paul Mitchell, which gives your hair ultimate moisturisation to tame frizz and flyaways. This treatment is great not only before blow drying or washing the hair but also on the hands and body to treat dry skin. Perfect for a head-to-toe pampering!
WHICH ARE THE BEST REPAIRING OILS FOR EXTREMELY DAMAGED HAIR?
Whether you've been hitting the heat-styling tools too often or have had your hair bleached and/or colour-treated, you're probably noticing a lot more brittle strands, split ends and dullness. This selection of oils will give your damaged hair extra strength and shine.
Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil
£19.59 £28.00 (31% off)Olaplex is the name to trust for repairing your hair. Like all of the brand's products, this Bonding Oil is infused with the patented Bond Building Technology to repair the bonds within the hair broken by chemical services or heat styling. Enjoy a highly concentrated yet weightless formula that gives your hair shine and manageability, as well as heat protection up to 232°C.
For more on this cult-favourite brand, check out our Beginner's Guide for How to Use Olaplex.
Philip Kingsley Bond Builder Lipid Shield Oil
£23.99 £30.00 (21% off)Another bond-building gem is the Lipid Shield Oil from Philip Kingsley, which repairs damage after just a single use. With advanced biomimetic technology that mimics the hair's lipid layer to replace lost lipids, this oil will leave you with soft, shiny and healthy hair. It also protects your hair from additional heat damage so you enjoy your straighteners and curling tongs guilt-free!
L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Metal Detox Anti-Deposit Protector Concentrated Oil
£19.19 £30.00 (37% off)It's not just heat styling and colour services you need to watch out for! Did you know copper particles in water can cause breakage and dull your colour too? This Metal Detox Anti-Deposit Protector Concentrated Oil from L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert is designed to protect your hair from just this problem, keeping your hair glossy, strong and vibrant. It also gives you heat protection for hot tools and sunny days.
WHAT ARE THE BEST NATURAL HAIR OILS?
Not a fan of unnecessary additives and chemicals? We've rounded up some natural alternatives from some of our favourite clean beauty brands for your easy perusal.
weDo Natural Oil
£29.10 £58.20 (50% off)WeDo is a great brand to turn to for natural products that won't break the bank. This hair oil contains 99.4% natural origin ingredients and NO sulphates, silicones, artificial dyes or microplastics. With conditioning, frizz-fighting macadamia oil and sweet almond oil, the minimalist product even comes in a 100% recyclable glass bottle.
The Ordinary 100% Cold Pressed Virgin Marula Oil
£7.08 £10.80 (35% off)The Ordinary is also one our go-to brands for simple, clean formulas, and this 100% Cold Pressed Virgin Marula Oil is no different! This organic oil is rich in antioxidants, oleic acid and linoleic acid, and can be used all over - not just on the hair. If you want to cut down on your skin and hair care collection or need multi-purpose products for a lightweight travel bag, this one is for you!
Mielle Organics Mint Almond Oil
£11.45 £13.99 (19% off)This organic hair oil from Mielle Organics soothes dry scalps and hydrates hair without weighing it down. Enjoy the rejuvenating fragrance of mint as protein-rich almond oil seals moisture into your dry strands.
FAQs
What does hair oil actually do for the hair?
Hair oils restore moisture, smooth the cuticle and add shine. They also reduce friction, strengthen strands and improve manageability. Many formulas offer heat or UV protection and can help seal split ends.
Which hair oil is best for extremely damaged or colour-treated hair?
Bond-building oils work best for very damaged hair. Options like Olaplex No.7 or Philip Kingsley Bond Builder repair broken bonds, add softness and provide heat protection—ideal for regular heat stylers.
Are natural hair oils better for my hair?
Natural oils are great if you prefer clean, minimal formulas. Marula, almond, macadamia and argan oil hydrate without additives, and brands like weDo and The Ordinary are ideal for sensitive scalps.
Can I use hair oil on fine or oily hair?
Yes—just choose lightweight, fast-absorbing oils and apply sparingly to mid-lengths and ends. R+Co Bleu’s smoothing oil and The Ordinary Marula Oil add shine without weighing hair down.
When should I apply hair oil for the best results?
Use hair oil on damp hair to lock in moisture, or on dry hair to smooth frizz and add shine. It also works well before heat styling and can be reapplied after styling for a polished finish.
Does hair oil protect against heat damage?
Many modern oils include built-in heat protection. Olaplex offers oils with reliable thermal defence for frequent heat stylers.
Can hair oils help with scalp dryness?
Yes—nourishing oils like almond, marula or aloe-infused blends can soothe dryness and reduce itchiness. Mielle Organics Mint Almond Oil is a favourite for calming, refreshing scalp care.
What’s the best way to avoid hair oil making my hair look greasy?
Start with a tiny amount, focus on the ends and avoid the roots. Lightweight formulas and applying on damp hair help distribute oil evenly without heaviness.
Are hair oils suitable for curly or textured hair?
Yes—curly and textured hair often benefits from oils for added moisture, definition and strength. Richer blends work well, but lightweight oils can also be layered depending on your routine.
If you’re still on the quest for even silkier, shinier hair after trying out some of these oils, you might need to invest in some hair-repairing products. Check out our top Olaplex dupes for bond-repairing, or read up on the best rosemary oil-infused products for natural scalp care and improved growth.
Written by Gabriella Buckner
Gabriella is a junior content writer with a background in creative writing, content marketing and journalism. She’s passionate about all things makeup and skincare, but especially vegan and cruelty-free beauty that is effective and inexpensive.
