Our pick of the best hair oils that guarantee healthy locks – for all hair types

It's no surprise that this is our top pick. The Kérastase Elixir Ultime L'Huile Originale Hair Oil has a reputation for being a fabulous multi-purpose hair oil. A long-time favourite for many, this Kérastase Oil has gone green, with refills available to save precious materials and your money. Created by a French perfumer, this floral-smelling pick contains nutritional plant oils for nourishment, softness, elasticity and shine. In no time, hair is said to be smooth, soft, shiny and much more manageable. It promises up to four days of anti-frizz, too, which sounds ideal...

Reviews love this product, coming in with a respectable 4.6/5 star average rating, for its effectiveness in reducing frizz, making hair much more manageable, and leaving hair shiny and soft. Customer especially loves how much it helps hydrate their locks when they're feeling dry or damaged, particularly when it's been bleached. Others agree that it's a versatile pick, perfect before a wash or styling. A little goes a long way, too, so this pricier investment will last you a while. As for the scent, it's divisive; there are mixed reviews about the scent being either luxurious or too strong and unpleasant. But, overall, it's a fantastic pick.

Or, consider Palmer's Amino Bonding Complex Healing Oil, which is a coconut‑scented bond‑repair oil powered by arginine, biotin and collagen. It supports keratin structure, rebuilds broken bonds, seals the cuticle, and leaves strands soft, shiny and heat protected (!) How cool is that? No breakage, no problems. We've had a peek at the reviews...

Customers seem to like how versatile this pick is, as it can be used as a damp styling aid, dry finishing gloss or pre‑shampoo mask. They mention that it's ideal for chemically processed, coloured or bleached locks - it works hard repairing them (!) One customer mentions that everyone noticed her hair "looked better after two uses - no frizz, just smooth.” Whereas another user gave it very high praise, indeed: "Great Olaplex‑style results without the price tag.” Olaplex is a pricey premium brand, so this tropical-smelling budget pick from Palmer's could be a great dupe, providing heat protection and a non-greasy finish. Those with thick, curly, coily and high-porosity strands pay attention (!) This pick will help you achieve a little extra moisture in hotter months.

However, there are a few drawbacks we'd better mention. Users mention that it's easy to overapply too many pumps, which can make hair feel heavy and greasy. Others mentioned that the scent is strong, delicious to many, but may be intense for some. Those seeking a totally scent‑free or silicone‑free product (which contains light emollients) should look elsewhere, as should those with ultra-fine roots. Palmer’s Amino Bonding Complex Hair Oil is a tropical‑smelling, wallet‑friendly bond‑repair hero that delivers softer, shinier, stronger hair with just a couple of drops. It's a great pick on this list (!)

Another fantastic choice from a renowned brand, this Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil is a top-tier choice for hair that needs a little TLC. Not only will Olaplex's patented Bond Building Technology® repair and strengthen your hair, but you can be safe knowing that your hair will look as good as it feels. Shiny, soft, frizz-free: it's the dream. We also love that it's colour-safe and will keep the most vibrant hair shining. If you use heated tools, we'd recommend this pick as it comes with heat protection of up to 232°C. Flyaways be-gone - hello nourishment and repair from the key seed oil ingredients (sunflower to moringa to pomegranate, green tea and grape seed oils). It's perfectly pH-balanced for the best results for your hair. What did our tester think?

Our SEO Strategist, Ella, bought this hair oil a few months ago as she had heard "so many good things about Olaplex and wanted to give it a try". It's true. Olaplex has a good reputation for helping out all hair types, from their "miracle hair oil" to their noteworthy shampoos. We're a fan of this brand.

Ella uses only a small drop, "rubbing in [her] hands and then applying to the ends of [her] hair when damp or dry". The results? It leaves Ella's hair "looking less frizzy and feeling super soft!" Ella loves that you don't need to use a lot per use, which "makes the price tag easier to swallow".

As for cons, Ella mentions that it does have silicones in it, which isn't uncommon for a lot of hair oils. As such, you will notice that any hair oil can "create a bit of a build-up in [your] hair over time". How does Ella tackle residue in her hair? She uses a clarifying shampoo every few washes. Easy.

We explored this premium brand in our feature: Is Olaplex worth it?

The Mielle Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Oil is another great option, especially if you want to return some thickness to your locks. This interesting formula contains biotin and 30 essential oils and extracts to help nourish hair follicles and condition the scalp. From split ends to length retention, this Mielle oil has so many benefits that it's hard to mention them all. Overall, it comes with a fresh and invigorating scent, which we love.

Our SEO Strategist, Ella, swears by this product.

Ella has been using this hair oil for about 2 years now. When she first started using it, Ella used it around once a week; now she uses it about once a month. Overall, she's only gone through two bottles, so a little of this oil goes a long way. Ella started using it because she had some hair loss and wanted to help it grow back, and discovered this hair oil due to its presence on social media.

It's easy to apply. Ella pops some onto her scalp, massages it in and then leaves it for a couple of hours before washing her hair. Ella mentions that you should expect to feel a "tingly sensation from the rosemary and mint". Don't worry - this stimulates your scalp and promotes hair growth. Ella believes it works. After a few weeks, she started "to see results - so many baby hairs came through".

However, you will need to give your scalp a good wash afterwards to get rid of the oil. Ella likes the strong scent, but it might be too strong for some.

Say hello to softer, shinier and smoother locks, thanks to this The Body Shop Coconut Oil Brilliantly Nourishing Pre-Shampoo Hair Oil. This is something that I actually use on my curly hair. I love The Body Shop because all of their products are vegetarian and ethically sourced. This wonder treatment has been designed with Coconut Oil from Samoa, Brazilian Pracaxi Oil, and Soy Oil to nourish dry and damaged hair before you shampoo deeply. My thoughts are below...

I love that this pick can be used three different ways. My favourite way to use this is as a pre-shampoo mask for five minutes, as I needed to give my curls some TLC after being in the sun. Let's just say - I didn't know what to expect, and I was pleasantly surprised by this hair oil. My hair felt softer and healthier instantly, and I didn't experience much frizz at all once my hair dried. I really enjoyed the smell (super fresh and enticing) and was relieved that the texture was lightweight, soaking in well. No greasy build-up (!) A little does go a long way - I used a few squeezes and my hair was greatly improved.

Just thought I'd mention a few issues I (and other users) have had. Like every other pick on this list, using too much can weigh hair down. I'm not sure it's rich enough to bring damaged hair back from the dead, but it's certainly nourishing and helped my curly hair reach its full potential. It's perfect for those needing versatility when it comes to their dry and curly hair. We wouldn't recommend it for those looking for a silicone-rich serum feel or ultra-fine hair.

Lightweight, alcohol-free and smells gorgeous? Sign us up. This HASK Argan Hair Oil provides a frizz-free shine that many of us with curly hair are after. It contains silicone to lock in moisture and plenty of hydrating ingredients, and it feels like it's working magic on your hair. Its main focus is to strengthen, restore and add shine. Plus, the silicones will help lock in moisture for the healthiest-looking hair and silkiest results.

When I'm feeling a little worse-for-wear and my hair has started to look dry and too straight, this is my go-to product", says tester Piper, who has 3A curls. Not only is this pick rich in antioxidants, but it gives me a shine like nothing else. I'm no stranger to frizz, and using this as part of my curly hair routine works wonders. It's perfect when I'm in a rush, too - and saves me lots of time washing and styling my hair properly. As such, this Argan Oil is my curly cheat code.

The L'Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil is a multi-use hair serum, enriched with six luxurious flower oils designed to nourish, protect, and add glossy shine to all hair types - without weighing it down. A relief (!) Super versatile, it can be used before shampooing, before styling and as a finishing touch. Expect a non-greasy, lightweight finish. We took a little look at what customers were saying...

Not only do users appreciate that it smells lovely (fruity-floral scent – some say strawberry or raspberry), but it's a long-lasting bottle. It's said to help with detangling, frizz control and dry ends - even on wigs. For soft and silky hair, even after styling, this budget-friendly L'Oréal Paris oil works well on wigs and extensions, too. All good, we think. Looking for noticeably shinier and healthier-looking hair? This is your pick.

However, we'd better mention some criticisms shared by users. Like many hair oils, less is more. Hair can be let greasy and weighed down if overused, especially on finer hair types. Whereas, some found the name "extraordinary" misleading. Overall, we think it's a great choice. It's best for dry, frizzy or dull hair, heat-styling wigs and extensions, and just those needing a little shine without the heaviness. It's a multi-talented wonder. Just make sure not to use too much at once...