Key ingredients: glycerin, tsubaki seed oil, olive oil
Best Splurge: Balmain Hair Couture Argan Moisturizing Elixir
Why it’s worth it: Treat your hair to the Balmain Hair Couture Argan Moisturizing Elixir, a luxurious hair oil from the Best of Beauty-winning brand that Los Angeles-based hairstylist Ashley Gomila loves for thin and thick hair types alike. This argan oil-based hair treatment is also spiked with silk proteins for a double dose of moisture-retaining additives. “I appreciate how just a tiny drop goes such a long way to minimize frizz and lightly seal the cuticle,” she says.It has Balmain’s signature fragrance, which has notes of gardenia, ylang-ylang, and sandalwood.
Key ingredients: argan oil, amino acids, dimethicone
Best Drugstore: Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Moroccan Sleek Smoothing Oil
Why it’s worth it: If you’re shopping for a moisturizing strand mender on a budget, Giannetos recommends the Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Moroccan Sleek Smoothing Oil. “This option is perfect for fine hair that needs a boost of shine and softness,” he says. This drugstore pick’s main ingredient is Moroccan argan oil, which provides long-lasting moisture and, therefore, smoothness and shine. “It’s weightless on your strands and great for taming flyaways or adding a silky finish to your style,” adds Giannetos.
Key ingredients: argan oil, vitamin E
Frequently Asked Questions
How does hair oil benefit my fine hair?
Just like most hair types, it’s entirely possible to tackle dryness, dullness, and frizzy hair by adding the right oil to your hair-care routine. “Fine hair damages easily, so oils can help strengthen and protect the hair,” says Taylor. “They also can give control, shine, and help with flyaways, which really helps when styling someone who has very fine hair.” Some also come with extra perks, like heat protection for blow-drying and nourishing the hair follicles for healthy hair growth.
How should I apply hair oil to my fine hair?
How you apply your hair oil makes just as much of a difference in its finish as the formula itself, according to Giannetos. “Always start with just a drop or two of oil and warm it up in your palms before applying,” he says, emphasizing to apply at the mid-lengths and ends of your hair. “Definitely avoid the roots if you can because they can get greasy quickly,” he says. If needed, try layering the oil on damp hair for better absorption, “or you can mix it with your leave-in conditioner for a controlled application,” he says.
Meet the experts:
How we test and review products
We always enlist a range of testers for our makeup vertical, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While there are certainly products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind. Many are created in order to address a concern (dandruff, breakage, brittleness) or to work most effectively for a specific hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair). You wouldn’t want to pick up a purple shampoo that’s only been reviewed by someone with, say, auburn hair, or a diffuser that’s never been tested by anyone with curls—right?