(Beauty Report Card)

These Dry Hair-Friendly Oils Keep My Ends Fresh Between Cuts

Tried and true favorites.

June 1, 2024

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So many of the beauty product roundups I write seem to double as confessionals, and it’s time for another one. I’m the sort of person who meticulously applies skin care products, religiously works body lotions and serums into my legs, and rearranges my makeup bag contents with frightening frequency. But my hair? Really, it’s just kind of...there. My shower might be stuffed with a shocking number of deep conditioning masks, but they’re often neglected. The thing is, though, I’ve come to rely on one workhorse product that puts in enough overtime to nourish my waves. The best oils for dry hair, which is what I have, can put in extra effort to fake serious moisture, seal up the look of split ends, tame frizz and flyaways, and even help extend time between haircuts — not that this beauty editor could ever recommend skipping those all-important trims, of course.

No matter if my hair is freshly washed and styled or going on its third day of dry shampoo, my strands always get a coat of moisturizing oil — even if it’s just concentrated through my ends. Naturally, with daily use, I’ve tested so many different oil formulas. Below are the 10 very best I’ve tried, and I couldn’t recommend them more to anyone who has dry hair like mine.

Dae

Prickly Pear Hair Oil

$38

If you have fine or delicate hair, it’s understandable if you’re a bit oil-averse. Dae’s version, though, is light and viscous enough that it doesn’t weigh things down, but instead adds a frizz-mitigating sheen and all-over gloss — and a light, sweet smell.

Indē Wild

Champi Hair Oil

$56

Everything about the Indē Wild experience feels luxe, but the best of the best is the brand’s hair oil. Infused with a blend of Ayurvedic active ingredients — including a series of five distinct oils like Indian argan and coconut — even the driest hair gets shellacked in a cocoon of smoothing moisture.

Gisou

Honey Infused Hair Oil

$46

Gisou’s best-seller keeps going viral for a reason — it really is that good. It’s a very nourishing formula so use it sparingly above the ears if you’re prone to looking greasy mid-day, but even the most frayed ends out there aren’t immune to its honey-powered shine and gloss.

Nexxus

Repair & Nourish Ultra Lightweight Hair Oil

$18

Lightweight indeed — you can barely feel this Nexxus oil in your hair, which makes it so surprisingly when you look in the mirror and immediately notice its effects. The non-sticky, non-messy oil can easily be rubbed into ends, disguising the look of splits, frays, and a general lack of moisture.

Kérastase

Elixir Ultime Hydrating Hair Oil Serum

$58

Part of what makes Kérastase’s social media-favorite product such a perennial best-seller is its consistency. It really feels more like a serum than an oil, which makes it easy to control, manage, and work into hair. It’s quickly absorbed, too, leaving a reflective finish in truly 10 seconds.

Squigs

Gooseberry Delight Hair Oil

$34

Healthy hair starts at the scalp, and that principle applies to hair oil, too. Squigs’ top-rated hair oil can be applied from the top of the head all the way down to the ends, utilizing Indian Gooseberry (also known as Amla) to soothe, smooth, and balance out moisture levels. It can be used as a quick fix while styling or left on overnight as an intensive treatment.

RŌZ Hair

Santa Lucia Styling Oil

$45

Mara Roszak’s RŌZ hair care line actually features two distinct oils. One is a heavier treatment, but this is the sort of staple you keep on the counter for easy access. The perfect finishing touch post-styling, it seals hair up to protect against humidity, frizz, and even heat damage.

Mara Roszak’s RŌZ hair care line actually features two distinct oils — one is a heavier treatment — but this is the sort of staple you keep on the counter for easy access. The perfect finishing touch post-styling, it seals hair up to protect against humidity, frizz, and even heat damage.