Why Every Hair Type Deserves a Great Oil

Conditioner smooths. Masks repair. But oil is the finishing step that carries hair from healthy to luminous — the equivalent of a serum in a skincare routine, and equally worth the ritual.

In Japanese haircare, oil is not an occasional treat. It is the daily seal — applied to lengths and ends after every wash, again before bed, and once more in the morning if the day calls for it.

Fine hair — camellia or squalane, one to two drops on mid-lengths only. Any more and the roots collapse.

Medium hair — argan, a coin-sized amount from mid-length to ends. The workhorse of the oil world.

Coarse or curly hair — richer oils like baobab, marula, or a heavier blend, applied generously through the ends and worked into any dry sections.

Coloured or bleached hair — a lightweight oil with silicones tolerated only in moderation. Look for formulas that include vitamin E and rosemary.

Warm the oil between your palms first — cold oil sits on the surface; warm oil sinks in. Press (do not rub) through damp mid-lengths and ends before styling. Finish, if hair is dry-styled, with a second application on the tips only.

Avoid the scalp unless treating scalp dryness specifically. The scalp produces its own oil; adding more disrupts the balance.

For an overnight ritual, work a generous amount through the lengths, plait loosely, wrap the pillow in silk, and rinse in the morning. The shine is the kind you can feel across a room.

Wash less than you think you need to. Two to three times a week is enough for most hair, and less is better still for the driest. Dry shampoo is a friend; over-cleansing is not.

When you do wash, cool the final rinse. It closes the cuticle and doubles the shine of any oil that follows.

A silk pillowcase. A wide-toothed wood comb. A soft cotton turban rather than a rough towel. These are the details that make oil unnecessary — and then make it unforgettable when you still apply it anyway.