Dull, thirsty-looking hair can flatten an otherwise good style, and a well-chosen hair oil is the fastest fix in the routine. A few drops smoothed through mid-lengths and ends help tame flyaways, boost light reflection, and give strands that healthy, glossy sheen that reads as expensive whatever you actually spent. The trick is matching the oil to your hair type and, crucially, using restraint, because the difference between glossy and greasy is often just a pump too many.
Hair oils are also one of the most crowded corners of the beauty aisle, spanning single-ingredient argan bottles for a few pounds and richly perfumed salon blends that cost as much as a haircut. To help you spend wisely, we weighed up how much shine each oil delivers, how weightless it feels once absorbed, how it behaves on different hair types, and whether it plays well as both a finishing product and a pre-wash treatment. From salon heavyweights to clever budget buys, these six earn their place. If your shine problem starts in the shower, it is worth pairing an oil with the right cleanser; our guide to sulfate-free shampoos is a good place to begin.
What to look for
Consider your hair’s weight tolerance first. Fine or flat-prone hair wants a lightweight, fast-absorbing oil that will not drag it down, while thick, coarse, or curly hair can happily handle richer, more emollient formulas. Silicone-based oils sit on the surface for instant slip and glassy shine, whereas plant oils such as argan and marula tend to condition more gradually over time; many of the best products blend both approaches, giving you an immediate finish and longer-term softness in one bottle.
Look at how you intend to use it, too. Some oils double as heat protectants or leave-in aids that you apply to damp hair, while others are purely for finishing on dry hair after styling. Scent and pump control matter more than you might expect, since a dropper or fine mist helps you portion accurately and avoid the dreaded over-application. Fragrance is a personal thing, and a divisive scent can put you off an otherwise excellent product, so factor it in.
Finally, remember that shine sits on a smooth, healthy cuticle. Even the best oil can only do so much on hair that is badly parched or damaged, so a nourishing mask routine underpins everything; see our picks for hair masks for damaged hair to build that base. With the groundwork in place, an oil becomes the finishing flourish rather than a plaster over a bigger problem.
1. Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil
A concentrated, weightless oil that adds high shine while its bond-building technology helps improve the look and feel of stressed hair. A little goes a long way, so a bottle lasts far longer than the size suggests, and it offers some heat protection when styling, making it a genuine multitasker rather than a one-note finisher. The texture is silky rather than slick, and it disappears into hair without any tell-tale greasiness.
Why it made the six: It delivers serious gloss without heaviness and layers care into a finishing step, which is rare in this category. For anyone who colours or heat-styles, that dual purpose is real value.
Price: Premium, but the tiny dose needed makes a bottle last a long time.
The Sixated take: The overachiever. If you colour or heat-style often, this earns its keep and then some.
2. Moroccanoil Treatment
The argan-oil original that made the category mainstream, and still a fixture on salon shelves worldwide. It smooths, softens, and adds a lasting sheen, absorbing quickly for a finish that never feels coated or heavy. The signature amber-vanilla scent is divisive but beloved by many, and a lighter version exists for those with finer hair who want the same effect without any weight.
Why it made the six: It remains a reliable, do-everything all-rounder that suits most hair types, and its consistency over the years has earned genuine trust.
Price: Upper mid-range; widely stocked at LookFantastic and salons.
The Sixated take: A safe, proven pick. Reach for the Light formula if your hair drops flat easily or you dislike a rich feel.
3. OUAI Hair Oil
A multitasking oil that smooths frizz, boosts shine, and offers heat and UV protection up to a point. It feels notably lightweight and carries the brand’s much-loved fragrance, making it a pleasure to use daily, and it works equally well on damp hair before drying or on dry hair as a finishing touch. The small size makes it a neat travel companion, too.
Why it made the six: It is one of the more versatile finishing oils here, working across damp or dry hair without weighing it down or leaving residue.
Price: Mid-range; available at Space NK and Sephora UK.
The Sixated take: The everyday choice for fine-to-medium hair that still wants a glossy, polished finish.
4. Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil
Built around honey and nourishing oils, this one leans conditioning and glossy with a warm, honeyed scent that has become part of its appeal. It smooths ends beautifully and gives a soft, healthy-looking shine rather than a hard, glassy shine, so hair looks nourished rather than lacquered. The richer texture makes it a natural fit for hair that drinks up moisture.
Why it made the six: It suits thicker or drier hair that wants softness and gloss together, and the scent has built a genuinely devoted following.
Price: Premium; sold at Sephora UK and Cult Beauty.
The Sixated take: A treat-yourself option. Best on medium-to-thick hair where its richness has room to shine.
5. L’Oreal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil
The high-street hero that proves shine needn’t cost much. A blend of flower oils smooths and adds gloss, absorbing reasonably quickly for the price, and it works as either a finishing touch on dry hair or a pre-shampoo comfort step for parched lengths. It is the kind of dependable bottle that lives in countless bathroom cabinets for good reason.
Why it made the six: It offers a genuinely noticeable shine boost for a very low outlay, making it an easy and low-risk first oil to try.
Price: Budget; a staple at Boots and supermarkets.
The Sixated take: The best value on the list. Start small, as a little is plenty on fine hair and easy to overdo.
6. The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Moroccan Argan Oil
A pure, single-ingredient argan oil that skips fragrance and silicones entirely. It conditions and adds a soft, natural sheen, and its no-nonsense honesty appeals to anyone wanting a minimal, multi-use oil that also works on cuticles and dry skin in a pinch. There is nothing to hide behind here, which is precisely its charm.
Why it made the six: It is about as pared-back and affordable as a quality argan oil gets, ideal for purists and anyone wary of long ingredient lists.
Price: Budget; available direct and at Boots and Cult Beauty.
The Sixated take: The no-frills choice. Warm a single drop between your palms and press through ends for a natural, believable glow.
Application makes or breaks the result: start with less than you think, focus on mid-lengths and ends, and keep oil away from the roots unless your hair is very dry. Warming the product between your palms first helps it distribute evenly rather than landing in one greasy patch. If you style with hot tools, layering an oil over a dedicated spray protects that shine; our guide to heat protectant sprays covers that step. Between washes, a light oil can also revive second-day hair, and pairing it with a good dry shampoo keeps things looking fresh for longer while you stretch the time between washes. Whichever bottle you land on, treat it as the final touch in a healthy routine rather than a cure-all, and it will reward you with the kind of glossy, expensive-looking finish that pulls a whole style together.