10 Best Oils for Curly Hair: Expert Recommendations & Application Guide
Discover the top oils for every curly hair type, plus expert advice on picking and using the right oil for your unique curls.
If you’ve ever struggled with dryness, frizz, or dullness in your curls, you’re not alone. The right hair oil can be transformative for wavy, curly, and coily hair, locking in moisture, boosting shine, and enhancing definition. But with so many options out there, choosing the best oil can feel overwhelming. This expert-backed guide breaks down the top 10 oils for curly hair in 2024, tailored to different hair porosities and curl patterns, along with key application tips for keeping your curls looking their healthiest and most vibrant.
Contents
- Why Use Oil for Curly Hair?
- Top 10 Oils for Curly Hair
- How to Choose the Best Oil for Your Porosity
- How to Apply Oils for Maximum Effect
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Use Oil for Curly Hair?
Curly hair is naturally more prone to dryness than straight hair, due to the twists and coils that make it difficult for natural oils to travel down the hair shaft. Using the right oil helps:
- Seal in moisture after washing or conditioning
- Reduce frizz by smoothing the cuticle
- Add shine and glossiness without heaviness
- Protect from heat styling and environmental damage
- Enhance curl definition for soft, bouncy, and touchable curls
Top 10 Oils for Curly Hair in 2024 (With Pros & Cons)
These stylist-approved oils cater to a range of curl types, hair porosities, and personal preferences. Whether you need a light, nourishing oil or a heavier, deeply hydrating option, there’s something here for every curly-haired individual.
1. Fable & Mane Smooth & Shine Hair Oil
- Key Oils: Castor, coconut, jojoba
- Best for: All curl types, especially those seeking shine and definition
- Pros: Easy to apply, suitable for coarse and fine curls, blends six nourishing oils
- Cons: Scent is strong (pleasant to most, but may overwhelm some)
Praised as the “unicorn of oils”, this blend defines curl patterns, moisturizes dry ends, and delivers whole-lot shine. Use a dropper for coarser curls; just a few drops for finer hair.
2. Emi Jay Halo Hair Oil
- Key Oils: Passion fruit, moringa, sweet almond
- Best for: Type 3 curls (curly), anyone wanting lightweight moisture and shimmer
- Pros: Leaves a subtle shimmer, feels weightless, never greasy or limp
- Cons: Not yet available at major retailers
This luxe finishing oil offers a diamond-like glow, fights frizz, and locks in moisture without weighing curls down.
3. Voir Haircare A Walk in the Sun Luxury Hair Oil
- Key Oils: Rosehip, avocado, jojoba
- Best for: Flyaway control, quick shine fixes
- Pros: Tames frizz, light formula perfect for on-the-go use
- Cons: Premium price point
Offers instant smoothness and a glossy, healthy finish with every use.
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4. DevaCurl High Shine Multi-Benefit Hair Oil
- Key Oils: Curl-synergistic botanical oils (blend featuring sunflower, babassu, pequi, and safflower)
- Best for: Type 3 and 4 curls, frizz and dryness concerns
- Pros: Silicone-free, lightweight, ultra-hydrating
- Cons: Scent may not appeal to everyone
A curly hair cult favorite, this spray-on oil delivers hydration without heaviness. Excellent for boosting shine and manageability post-styling.
5. Joon Saffron Hair Elixir Oil
- Key Oils: Saffron, pistachio, rose
- Best for: Shiny, protected curls needing extra strength
- Pros: Rich in antioxidants, luxurious Persian formula, enhances softness
- Cons: Higher price tag
This unique blend draws on Persian beauty heritage to provide shine, protection, and strengthening benefits for curls.
6. Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil
- Key Oils: Coconut, argan, macadamia, sweet almond, safflower, grapeseed
- Best for: Dry, tangle-prone curls
- Pros: Detangles, softens, non-greasy, multipurpose
- Cons: Pricey for frequent use
This blend is an industry go-to for instantly smoothing, making hair manageable, and boosting overall hair health.
7. Ouai Rose Hair & Body Oil
- Key Oils: Rose, shea, absinthium
- Best for: Hair and body hydration, fine to medium curls
- Pros: Multi-purpose, smells luxurious
- Cons: Heaviest scent on this list, so avoid if sensitive
A two-in-one oil that delivers sleekness to hair and softness to skin, all while leaving a beautiful floral fragrance behind.
8. Mielle Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil
- Key Oils: Rosemary, mint, castor
- Best for: Stimulating hair growth, soothing scalp, increasing shine
- Pros: Budget-friendly, invigorating aroma, supports scalp health
- Cons: Strong sensation may be too intense for sensitive scalps
This oil is a favorite for those aiming to boost circulation, promote growth, and strengthen curls from root to tip.
9. NOW Solutions Sweet Almond Oil
- Key Oils: Sweet almond (pure)
- Best for: Sensitive skin and scalp, low-porosity hair
- Pros: Lightweight, affordable, multipurpose (skin and hair)
- Cons: Not as rich as heavier oils for very dry hair
Perfect for massaging into curls for light moisture, or for those with allergies to highly scented formulations.
10. Jamaican Mango & Lime Original Black Castor Oil
- Key Oils: Black castor (100% pure)
- Best for: Deep hydration, scalp treatments, thick and coily hair
- Pros: Concentrated, deeply nourishing, supports growth goals
- Cons: Very heavy—use sparingly to avoid greasiness
This time-honored remedy is renowned for sealing in moisture and boosting a healthy environment for growth in thick and coily hair types.
How to Choose the Best Oil for Your Hair Porosity
According to hairstylist Jasmine “Jazzee” Green, hair porosity—how your hair absorbs and retains moisture—matters just as much as your curl type. Here’s a quick breakdown of porosity types and which oils work best for each:
| Porosity Level | Cuticle Structure | Recommended Oils |
|---|---|---|
| High-porosity | Open, raised cuticles – absorbs moisture quickly, but loses it fast | Castor oil, coconut oil, olive oil, avocado oil, shea butter |
| Medium-porosity | Normally spaced cuticles – holds and releases moisture at a balanced rate | Black seed oil, grapeseed oil, most other oils |
| Low-porosity | Compact cuticles – hard for moisture to enter but retains it very well | Jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, argan oil (lightweight, non-greasy) |
Tip: Porosity is not determined by curl type (3a–3c, 4a–4c), so two people with identical curl shapes may need very different oils depending on porosity.
How to Test Your Hair Porosity
Take a strand of clean, product-free hair and drop it into a glass of water:
- If it sinks quickly, you probably have high-porosity hair.
- If it floats for a while then slowly sinks, medium-porosity.
- If it floats on top, it’s likely low-porosity hair.
Knowing this helps you select oils that deliver maximum benefit without leaving your curls greasy or parched.
How to Apply Oils for Maximum Effect
Applying oils the right way can enhance results, prevent buildup, and help you get the most from your chosen formula:
- After washing: Apply oil on damp or wet hair to seal in hydration. Focus on mid-lengths and ends.
- As a pre-shampoo treatment: Massage into scalp and lengths, leave on for 30 minutes, then wash as usual for a deep-conditioning effect.
- For added shine and definition: Use as a finishing step after styling to smooth frizz and boost gloss.
- Scalp health: Certain oils (rosemary, black castor) can be massaged into the scalp to encourage healthy growth.
- Dosage: Start with a few drops, adding more if your hair is coarse or extra dry. Fine or low-porosity hair benefits from lighter applications.
Expert tip: Avoid applying heavy oils directly to your roots unless you’re doing a scalp treatment, as this can lead to buildup and limpness. Always adjust the amount and frequency based on your hair’s needs and response.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How often should I use oil on my curly hair?
A: Most curl experts recommend using oil 2–3 times per week to lock in moisture and fight frizz, but you may use less or more often depending on your hair type and needs. Always start slow and observe your hair’s response.
Q: Can hair oil make my curls look greasy or weighed down?
A: Heavy oils and over-application can cause greasiness, especially in fine or low-porosity hair. Choose light, fast-absorbing oils and stick to small amounts, building up if needed.
Q: Which oil is best for low-porosity curly hair?
A: Lightweight oils that mimic the scalp’s natural oils—such as jojoba, sweet almond, and argan—are ideal for low-porosity hair as they penetrate well and won’t sit on top of strands.
Q: What’s the difference between natural hair oil and a blended oil product?
A: Pure oils are single-ingredient, while blends often include several oils plus vitamins, extracts, and sometimes silicones to enhance benefits or scent. Both can be effective depending on your preferences and sensitivity.
Q: Can I use hair oil as a heat protectant?
A: Some oils (like argan and castor) can provide a light shield from heat, but for frequent heat styling, a dedicated heat protectant is best for full coverage.
Summary: Shine On, Curl Friends!
Every curly head is unique—and so is the routine that brings your best curls to life. By choosing the right hair oil for your curl type and porosity, you’ll enjoy deeper moisture, healthy shine, and frizz-free definition from wash day to the next refresh. Explore these expert picks, personalize your approach, and get ready for your healthiest, happiest curls yet.
References
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/g62682338/best-oil-curly-hair/
- https://maneaddicts.com/blogs/hair-tip/curly-girls-should-stick-to-these-10-oils
- https://kreyolessence.com/blogs/press/cosmopolitan-7-best-oils-for-curly-hair-and-how-to-actually-use-em
- https://www.cosmopolitanme.com/beauty/hair-oil-handbook
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a62319624/curl-types-explained/
- https://www.haircosmopolitan.com/collections/curly-hair/types_hair-oil
- https://www.haircosmopolitan.com/collections/curly-hair/types_oils-serums
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