13 best hair oils in Australia for 2024
We try the award-winning and cult-fave hair oil and it’s safe to say, it brought my hair “back to life”.
These products are hand-picked by our team to help make shopping easier. We may receive payments from third parties for sharing this content and when you purchase through links in this article. Product prices and offer details are not assured, and should be confirmed independently with the retailer. Learn more
All it takes is a few scrolls on social media to see just how obsessed we all are with haircare, taking care of our locks and treating our scalp well.
And new research from Kérastase reveals a whopping 75 per cent of Australians rely on a good hair to boost their confidence.
One term that’s been thrown around a whole lot – especially by my fellow milennials and Gen Z – is glass hair.
It’s all about a sleek, smooth and glossy ‘do, and achieving it by using products such as hair oils, serums and heat protectants.
Our current favourite? The Kérastase Elixir Ultime Original Hair Oil, which has racked up over 12,000 five-star ratings on Google Reviews and has won countless beauty awards. I’m on to my third bottle and I can confirm it indeed gives you glass hair.
To help you achieve the hair of your dreams, we’ve rounded up the best hair oils you need to add into your rotation, including picks news.com.au checkout team members absolutely love.
OUR TOP PICKS
EDITOR’S PICK: BEST HAIR OIL
Kérastase Elixir Ultime Original Hair Oil, $80 at Adore Beauty
Kérastase Elixir Ultime Original Hair Oil
Why we love it: This reliable and multi-tasking hair oil can be used on wet or dry hair, and on all hair types.
What to consider: Can be pricey for some – but a little does go a long way.
Size: 100ml | Best for: All hair types | Hero ingredient: Marula and argan oil
Tried and Tested by Marina Tatas, news.com.au checkout Shopping Writer
I’m onto my third bottle of the Kerastase Elixir Ultimate Original Hair Oil – after using it for the first time over a year ago, I haven’t looked back and my hair absolutely loves it.
The humble hair oil is the perfect pick to give you glass hair. It’s formulated with a unique blend of natural and luxurious oils to protect your locks, keep frizz at bay, add shine and a dose of heat protectant, as well as make your hair smell absolutely amazing.
I know that if my hair is dry, frizzy or just looking a little lack lustre, this hair oil is guaranteed to bring my hair back to life – it really is so reliable.
It’s a great multitasker too – I find that it works great on wet or dry hair, and I can use it everyday without my hair feeling heavy and weighed down.
And I don’t know how, but it seems like it works for every single hair type – fine hair, thick hair, curly hair, you name it. But don’t just take my word for it, it’s racked up over 12,000 five-star ratings on Google Reviews and has won countless beauty awards.
Tried and Tested by Philippa Tonkin, news.com.au checkout Shopping Writer
This hair oil is my ride-or-die when it comes to keeping my hair soft and luscious. This powerful multitasker can be used before washing your hair (which if I’m being completely honest, I’ve never tried), as a heat protectant or as a leave-in conditioner. The fact that it can be applied to wet or dry hair is one of my favourite parts. I usually apply after towel drying my hair when it’s still fairly damp but when I forget, it’s so handy that I haven’t wasted my opportunity and instead can apply when dry too. It also helps to defrizz. As someone with fairly wavy, curly, thick locks, my hair is prone to frizz even after a blow dry but a couple of drops of this always saves the day. It’s a buy I will never stop repurchasing, literally my hair saviour.
BEST ARGAN HAIR OIL
MOROCCANOIL Original Oil Treatment, $75 at Sephora
MOROCCANOIL Original Oil Treatment
Why we love it: It’s a cult classic that’s won countless awards and has tens of thousands of five-star ratings.
What to consider: Can be pricey for some.
Size: 100ml | Best for: All hair types | Hero ingredient: Argan oil
Tried and Tested by Marina Tatas, news.com.au checkout Shopping Writer
When I think of hair oils, MOROCCANOIL is one of the first picks that comes to mind.
Formulated with premium argan oil, this product is set to make your hair softer, stronger, with more shine and less frizz.
One thing I love about it is just how nourishing it truly feels, and how versatile it is. I can use it on wet and dry hair, before or after styling, thanks to the non-greasy and fast-absorbing formula.
Also handy that it features the iconic MOROCCANOIL scent – a unique blend of spicy amber and warm florals … how luxe.
BEST BUDGET-FRIENDLY HAIR OIL
L’Oreal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil Treatment, $21.99 at Priceline
Why we love it: Great price point and a little goes a long way.
What to consider: May be hard to get your hands on.
Size: 100ml | Best for: All hair types | Hero ingredient: Six precious flower oils
Tried and Tested by Melody Teh, news.com.au checkout Acting Editor
I have dead straight, very easy to care for hair, so I had mistakenly thought I didn’t need to put much effort into my haircare routine. But a recent trip to the hairdressers proved me wrong. The hairdresser was aghast (okay, not really she’s lovely) at how dry the ends of my hair were and recommended frequent trims and using products in between cuts to revitalise the dry ends.
I’ve never used hair oils before as I was worried about my hair looking greasy but I was determined to give my locks the love it deserves. I’ve now been using the Loreal Elvive Extraordinary Oil for the past month and I can see and feel a real difference to my hair. Every night (or every second night to be more honest), I’ll rub a little bit of oil between my palms and run through the ends of my hair. And despite concerns about greasy residue, when I wake up in the morning there’s no hint of oiliness, only shine and softness. I will say I only use a small amount of product and run sparingly and quickly through the mid to end of my hair.
With a 4.9 rating out of a massive 61,000 reviews on Google, I am not the only one who thinks the L’Oreal Elvive Extraordinary Oil is a winner. My hair is looking healthier and shinier than ever! And at such a good price point for a 100ml size, this is a hair oil I highly recommend.
Schwarzkopf Extra Care Daily Oil Elixir, $17 at Priceline
Why we love it: Super budget-friendly price point and easy to get your hands on.
What to consider: You may prefer something without fragrance.
Size: 100ml | Best for: All hair types | Hero ingredient: Argan oil and vitamin E
Tried and Tested by Harriet Amurao, news.com.au checkout Shopping Writer
This chemist hair oil has been my go-to for keeping my hair soft, shiny and hydrated for years. It’s enriched with vitamin E and argan oil which are known for their moisturising properties. It has a pleasant scent that isn’t overpowering, and it’s a little more lightweight in texture than regular oil so you won’t have to worry about it weighing your hair down or making your hair feel super oily. So, if you’re after a luxurious hair oil on a budget, this is it!
BEST PREMIUM HAIR OIL
Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil, $90 at Adore Beauty
Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil
Why we love it: This is a premium hair oil infused with loads of hair-loving ingredients.
What to consider: High price tag.
Size: 100ml | Best for: Dry, damaged and colour-treated hair | Hero ingredient: Jasmine oil, argan oil and sandalwood extract
What You Need To Know
The Oribe Gold Lust Hair Oil may be pricey but it may just be “worth the money”, according to five-star rating Adore Beauty shoppers.
“The hype is real,” said another customer, noting it “leaves my hair feeling hydrated, smooth and shiny”.
The formula is enriched with jasmine oil, argan oil and sandalwood extract to completely revive dry and damaged hair. It also promises to feel super lightweight, absorbing into your strands quickly, so you can get on with the rest of your haircare routine.
BEST HAIR OIL FOR CURLY HAIR
Bread Beauty Supply Hair-Oil Everyday Gloss, $42 at Sephora
Why we love it: It’s a multi-tasking, silicone-free hair oil that’s formulated specifically for those with curly locks.
What to consider: May not work as well for straight and fine hair types.
Size: 100ml | Best for: Curly hair types | Hero ingredient: Argan oil and kakadu plum oil
Tried and Tested by Philippa Tonkin, news.com.au checkout Shopping Writer
Bread is one of the best brands out there when it comes to curly hair. Known for creating cult products that don’t weigh down your hair but instead help bring life and shine, this hair oil is no different. I use this one when doing my curly hair routine, normally after applying a gel. It helps to break down the hard cast from the gel and leaves my hair feeling soft and glossy but still allows the shape and curls from the other products to flourish. It also can be used in other ways including a pre-wash treatment, in-between washes to add extra shine and post-wash wash which is what I do. Plus, it smells amazing.
BEST HAIR OIL FOR BLONDES
MOROCCANOIL Purple Original Oil Treatment, $56.95 at Adore Beauty
MOROCCANOIL Purple Original Oil Treatment
Why we love it: It’s been specifically formulated to not only nourish your hair, but neutralise yellow and orange hues in blonde hair.
What to consider: May not work as well for all hair colours.
Size: 50ml | Best for: Those with blonde hair| Hero ingredient: Argan oil
Tried and Tested by Claudia Coy, news.com.au checkout Social Media Producer
Over the last ten years my hair has certainly been through the ringer. I’ve been bleached blonde, bottle-dyed black and then switched again to a more ‘lived in’ natural blonde … it’s really been a journey. During my Marilyn Monroe era I would rely on purple shampoos to tide me over between salon trips and I have vivid memories of attacking my scalp with so much purple product I almost resembled Barney The Dinosaur. However, this Moroccanoil Purple Original Oil Treatment is a far cry from my purple shampoo days.
It’s been a few months since my last salon visit and dare I say, it’ll be a few more before I’m there again. So when the opportunity came to ‘neutralise the brassiness’ and add a little life back to my blonde, I took it and ran.
The application is very straightforward, I simply applied a 20c coin amount into the palm of my hands and then worked the product from my ends to the midsection of freshly-cleaned hair. From there, I brushed the product all the way through (avoiding my roots where possible as I currently have no bleach there anyway). The best part? You don’t need to rinse the product out at all, you just apply and then go about your normal hair cycle as usual.
As for the results, the oil absorbs pretty quickly into the hair and delivers shine and softness to the hair pretty instantly. As for the colour, it’s much more subtle than a purple shampoo (in the best way possible) and takes a few applications to see a real change in your blonde. I’ve definitely noticed a certain brightness return to my locks and will be using this product to get me through the next few months before my next appointment.
BEST HAIR OIL FOR FRIZZY HAIR
&Honey Deep Moist Hair Oil, $32 at Amazon Australia
Why we love it: It’s a J-Beauty staple, packed with super hydrating ingredients.
What to consider: Can sometimes be hard to get your hands on.
Size: 100ml | Best for: Thick and frizzy hair types | Hero ingredient: Argan oil
Tried and Tested by Harriet Amurao, news.com.au checkout Shopping Writer
I’ve seen this hair oil all over TikTok and obviously had to snap this guy up to see what all the hype is about.
All I have to say is WOW. This J-beauty godsend is packed with three types of honeys – manuka honey, acacia honey and raw honey from Japan, as well as essential goodies like argan oil, propolis and hyaluronic acid – so it is incredibly moisturising and hydrating.
It has a luxe lightweight texture that doesn’t feel sticky or thick, and it has a beautiful floral scent that smells divine and lingers – which I love. I use it after I shower and dry my hair, and it doesn’t leave my hair feeling heavy or oily.
Although a bit pricey, it’s totally worth the price and one pump goes a long way. Believe the hype!
BEST HAIR OIL FOR DAMAGED HAIR
K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil, $94.95 at Adore Beauty
K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil
Why we love it: It’s a multi-tasking hair oil formulated with the iconic K18 peptide technology.
What to consider: High price tag.
Size: 30ml | Best for: All hair types | Hero ingredient: Squalane
What You Need To Know
Offering 24-hour frizz control, while also helping to minimise split ends and breakage, this hair oil works wonders to enhance shine and softness.
The formula is crafted with the iconic K18 peptide technology and is designed to absorb quickly, while never weighing your locks down.
Five-star rating Adore Beauty customers have said it’s “so amazing” and makes their hair feel “so silky”.
BEST HAIR OIL FOR FINE HAIR
jvn Complete Nourishing Hair Oil Shine Drops, $42 at Sephora
Why we love it: It’s lightweight, so it won’t weigh your hair down, perfect for fine hair types.
What to consider: May not be as hydrating as other hair oils.
Size: 50ml | Best for: Fine, thin hair types | Hero ingredient: Hibiscus extract
What You Need To Know
The JVN Complete Nourishing Hair Oil Shine Drops are a weightless, multi-tasking oil that’s formulated without silicone to completely hydrate and protect your hair.
They also provide an ultimate high-shine silky finish, with happy shoppers on Sephora’s website noting their hair looks “so shiny” after using it, “without weighing my hair down”.
BEST HAIR OIL FOR THICK HAIR
Olaplex No. 7 Hair Perfector Bonding Oil, $54 at Amazon Australia
Olaplex No.7 Hair Perfector Bonding Oil
Why we love it: It’s a highly concentrated oil that also offers heat protection.
What to consider: If you use too much, it might make your hair feel too oily.
Size: 30ml | Best for: Especially those with thick hair | Hero ingredient: Olaplex’s patented Bond Building Chemistry.
Tried and Tested by Philippa Tonkin, news.com.au checkout Shopping Writer
This cult product needs no introduction. Beloved around the world, this best-selling hair oil will make your hair feel infinitely softer, smoother and shinier. I like to apply this one just to my ends on both wet hair and after styling too. I have thick, wavy, curly hair and find it’s super great for my frizz and really works throughout my thick hair and not just on the top. However, a lesson from my mistakes, I have noticed if I bring it further up my head, my hair will need to be washed a lot quicker than usual.
BEST HAIR OIL WITH HEAT PROTECTANT
Sleek Talker – Wet to Sleek Styling Oil, $62 at ghd
ghd Sleek Talker - Wet to Sleek styling Oil
Why we love it: This double-duty product works to hydrate your hair, while also providing protection from heat styling.
What to consider: Thicker hair types may require more product to get even heat protection.
Size: 95ml | Best for: All hair types | Hero ingredient: Argan oil
What You Need To Know
If you’re looking to cut down your hair styling routine, a hair oil formulated with heat protection is the way to go – and this one from ghd is our top pick.
It’s received an average score of 4.8 out of five on Google Reviews, with rave reviews naming it “worth the price” and a “game changer”, with another noting it “saved my frizzy hair”.
The Sleek Talker Hair Oil is infused with ultra-hydrating and softening argan oil to protect your locks, while also providing you with frizz control.
BEST HAIR OIL FOR YOUR SCALP
Mielle Rosemary Mint Scalp and Hair Strengthening Oil, $19.99 at Amazon Australia
Why we love it: It’s great to pop on your scalp either before you wash it, or before you go to bed at night.
What to consider: Some people may not enjoy the natural fragrance as it can be overpowering.
Size: 59ml | Best for: All hair types | Hero ingredient: Rosemary and mint oil
Tried and Tested by Claudia Coy, news.com.au checkout Social Media Lead
As soon as I opened this little glass bottle I was transported to an expensive day spa. The strong (but not overpowering) smell of rosemary makes you feel like you’re doing something really healthy, even before seeing any results.
I’ve wanted to try rosemary oil for sometime now as I’d heard whispers that it was the secret to a healthy scalp and stronger hair. The application is really straightforward, I just sectioned my hair into four different parts and applied three drops to each section. Trust me when I say a little goes a long way and it’s better to start with just a few drops and build from there. Once I’d applied the oil through the sections I simply brushed my hair all the way from the scalp to the ends to allow the oil to touch every strand.
Having now used the product for two weeks, I’ve definitely noticed a difference in my scalp health, specifically my hairline appears less dry. More than that, the simple act of applying the oil of a night, along with the smell of the rosemary, has really added to my night-time routine and makes me feel like I’m indulging in a bit of self-care right before bed.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A HAIR OIL
When choosing hair oils to include in our list, we evaluated several factors:
Price: No matter your budget, we’ve made sure to include a bunch of hair oils, ranging in price.
Ingredients: Argan oil is a popular ingredient found in a bunch of hair oils on the market, so if that’s something you know your hair likes, you might want to opt for those picks instead.
Hair type: The hair oil you choose comes down to your hair type. Whether you have curly hair, coloured hair, thick hair, fine hair – there’s a hair oil out there that’s going to be more suited for you, so we’ve made sure to break all that down.
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
With hundreds of hair oils available, it’s impossible to test every product out there. To help you find the best hair oil, we tested a bunch of well-known brands at different price points. In addition, our shopping team read hundreds of customer reviews and looked at test results and ratings from product review sites to find the best moisturiser for your face and body.
We also spoke to Katie Hoang, the Kerastase Product Manager, to get some more insight on why a hair oil is essential to a good haircare routine.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST HAIR OIL?
Katie recommends to “choose a hair oil with premium ingredients such as camellio oil to nourish hair, marula oil to help strengthen hair fibres or hyaluronic acid to moisturise and enhance shine.”
“Our top picks are the Kérastase Elixir Ultime Hair Oil for all hair types, the Kérastase Chronologiste Parfum Oil with fragrance for beautifully scented hair all day long and the Blond Absolu Cicaextreme to deeply repair lightened or highlighted hair.”
WHAT HAIR OIL IS BEST FOR DRY AND FRIZZY HAIR?
Our top pick to nourish dry and frizzy hair is the iconic Kérastase Elixir Ultime Hair Oil.
Formulated with 3 powerful oils: marula, argan and camellia oil to nourish hair, tame frizz and seal split ends revealing shinier, healthier looking hair.
WHEN SHOULD I USE A HAIR OIL?
Hair oil is the kind of magic multi-use product that can be used at any time.
Use it to nourish and smooth your ends, on either wet or dry hair. If it contains a heat protectant, pop it on before you go in with a heat styler.
If your hair oil is formulated with a pre-cleanse, pop it on before you go in with your shampoo.
HOW DO YOU APPLY HAIR OIL?
Depending on hair length, Katie recommends to “use 1 – 2 pumps and work from mid-lengths to ends using a squeezing motion.
She continues, “apply a drop or two to ends throughout the day for a touch of shine as needed.”
More Coverage
To save even more on beauty products, check out news.com.au Coupons for the best discounts and deals at stores like Adore Beauty, Sephora, Myer and more.
Lastly, sign up to our newsletter for all the latest shopping tips and news.
Tried and Tested: Dyson’s new launch for ‘glass hair’
The global brand has just branched into a new range of the products for the very first time but are they actually any good?
‘Gamechanger’: Global hair trend loved by 4.4b
The curly girl method has gone off on TikTok with billions of people praising the routine. But does it actually work?
‘Holy grail’ buy transforms hair in 4 minutes
The cult hair brand gets rave reviews on TikTok for delivering “epic” results — here’s what happened when we put it to the test.
$17 shampoo ‘Aussie Rapunzel’ swears by
The Sydney woman famous for her insanely good hair has shared the shampoo and conditioner she loves— and it’s surprisingly affordable.