How To Use a Hair Oil Treatment for Soft, Shiny Strands

If you’ve never used a hair oil treatment before, the idea of putting oil in your hair may feel a little intimidating. After all, no one wants to trade dry, frizzy strands for limp, greasy tresses. Fortunately, today’s hair oils are a far cry from the heavy, overly rich formulas of the past. Used properly, hair oils can help tame frizz, nourish dry strands, boost shine, and more—without leaving your hair looking slick or greasy.

That said, how you use a hair oil treatment should be guided by your unique needs. Ahead, we’ll introduce you to our best hair oil for all hair types and textures, the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil Multi-Use Hair Oil, and share four ways to use it in your routine to help keep your hair looking healthy and feeling smooth.

What Does a Hair Oil Treatment Do For Your Hair?

Hair oil treatments can help nourish dry strands, smooth rough texture, tame frizz, and give your hair a silky, shiny-looking finish. Some formulas can also help shield against heat damage.

The L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil Multi-Use Hair Oil does all of the above—and leaves the hair with a fresh, clean fragrance, similar to a hair perfume. Here’s a breakdown of the benefits of this multitasking formula:

*vs. unwashed hair

**vs. Non-conditioning shampoo

How To Pick The Right Hair Oil Treatment for Your Hair Type

Hair oils can vary in weight and richness, so you’ll typically want to choose one based on your hair’s texture, thickness, and porosity. Fine hair often does best with a lightweight hair oil, while thick, coarse, or highly porous hair may need a richer formula to coat and condition the strands.

The L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil Multi-Use Hair Oil, however, is a little different. Its lightweight, versatile formula is suitable for all hair types and textures, from fine and straight to thick and curly. Keep reading to learn how to make this hair styling oil work for you.

Fine, thin hair

If you have fine or thin hair, you may be wary of using a hair oil at all, especially if you’re worried about ending up with greasy roots. And that can absolutely happen with a formula that’s too heavy for your strands. The L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil Multi-Use Hair Oil, however, has a lightweight texture that absorbs quickly, helping boost shine and tame frizz without leaving hair feeling limp or oily.

That said, it’s still an oil, so less is more. Start with one pump, work it between your palms, then distribute it throughout your hair, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends rather than the roots. This lets you address common concerns like dullness and frizz without going overboard and ending up with a slick finish.

Dry or coarse hair

If you have dry, coarse, or curly hair, you may need more nourishment than someone with fine strands. The L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil Multi-Use Hair Oil is formulated with precious marula and camellia oils to nourish, smooth, and soften rough, dry hair, making it a great option for strands that need extra conditioning. The formula also helps decrease frizz by 75% and boosts shine while leaving hair feeling soft and manageable.

Start with two to three pumps, working the oil between your palms before distributing it through your hair. Focus on the mid-lengths and ends, where hair tends to be driest, and add more only if your strands need it.

Color-treated or damaged hair

Repeated chemical treatments and heat processing can disrupt the hair cuticle, leaving your strands rough, dull, and dry. The L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil Multi-Use Hair Oil helps address these visible concerns while providing up to 450°F heat protection to shield your hair from further damage. Apply it to dry strands before curling or flat-ironing for smooth, silky, healthy-looking hair.

How To Use a Hair Oil Treatment: 4 Ways To Apply

Versatility is one of the best things about using an oil for hair. You can work the same product into different parts of your routine depending on whether your hair needs extra nourishment, heat protection, smoothing, or shine. Ahead, find four different ways to use our moisturizing hair oil in your regular routine.

1. As a pre-shampoo treatment for deep nourishment

Applying hair oil before you shampoo is a simple way to give parched strands some extra love. About 10 to 15 minutes before washing, work a hair oil for dry hair (we recommend the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil Multi-Use Hair Oil) throughout your mane, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends. Let it sit while you get ready for your shower, then shampoo and condition as usual.

Editor’s tip: For an extra dose of moisture, use a nourishing haircare system when you lather up. We’re fond of the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Hydrating Shampoo and the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Hydrating Conditioner, which gently cleanse and condition without stripping your strands.

2. On damp hair for heat protection

Hair oils can fit beautifully into your styling routine. After washing, gently towel-dry your hair and comb to detangle. Then, apply one to two pumps of the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil Multi-Use Hair Oil through your mid-lengths and ends before blow-drying. The lightweight hair oil provides heat protection up to 450°F, so it can help protect your strands from the effects of hot tools while leaving them smoother and shinier.

3. On dry hair to smooth and boost shine

If your hair is dull or dry, applying a hair oil for frizzy hair can help keep your strands looking sleek and frizz-free. Once you’ve finished styling, smooth a small amount of the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil Multi-Use Hair Oil over dry hair, concentrating on the mid-lengths and ends and lightly running what’s left on your hands over the surface. This can help tame flyaways, smooth the appearance of dry ends, and enhance shine without disrupting your style. Just be sure to use a light hand to avoid weighing your tresses down.

4. As an overnight moisture mask

For hair that needs a little more attention, try leaving your hair oil treatment on overnight. Apply the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil Multi-Use Hair Oil to the mid-lengths and ends before bed, concentrating on areas that feel particularly dry. Loosely wrap or braid your hair to keep it contained while you sleep, then shampoo and condition in the morning. This gives the oil time to deeply condition your strands, delivering a similar benefit to a hot oil treatment without the mess or need to apply heat.

Next Up: Hair SOS: 11 Ways To Fix Damaged Hair

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris