Heat and humidity: the indomitable, ever-present foe that we Singaporeans are no stranger to. As someone with thick, frizzy hair, I truly understand the devastation of returning home from a day out to see the disastrous effects of the endless onslaught of sun rays on my hair. From hair masks to deep conditioners, trust me when I say I have taken all means necessary to nourish my hair. My final resort that has yielded the best results? Hair oiling.
A beauty practice with roots in South Asian cultures, hair oiling has made waves on the internet, and for good reason. It is a supercharged product that can do wonders for your hair: moisturising, conditioning, nourishing, protecting, and even enhancing hair strength and shine. If you too struggle with unruly hair that suffers in the Singaporean heat, it’s time to put hair oils on your shopping list. And to make the most of it, we spoke to hair expert Arich Tan of DrScalp to provide you with a comprehensive guide to incorporating them into your daily routine.
First things first, what are hair oils?
“Hair oils are products formulated specifically for the care and nourishment of the hair,” says Tan, “They are typically made from a combination of natural and synthetic ingredients, often including plant-derived oils, essential oils, and various additives.” He concisely rounds up the variations of hair oils and their derivatives, below.
Carrier oils
These are typically plant-based oils that form the base of the hair oil. Common carrier oils include coconut oil, jojoba oil, argan oil, almond oil, olive oil, castor oil, and grapeseed oil. These oils are rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants that provide nourishment to the hair and scalp.
Essential oils
These oils are concentrated extracts from plants and flowers and are used to enhance the fragrance and therapeutic properties of hair oil. Examples of essential oils often found in hair oils include lavender oil, rosemary oil, peppermint oil, tea tree oil, and chamomile oil.
Herbal extracts
Hair oils may also contain herbal extracts such as hibiscus, fenugreek, and neem. These extracts are known for their hair-strengthening, conditioning, and stimulating properties.
Vitamins and antioxidants
Some hair oils may be fortified with vitamins, such as vitamin E or Biotin, and antioxidants, which help protect the hair from environmental damage and promote overall hair health.
Selecting the right hair oil for your hair type
Now that we’ve established the various options on the market, the next step is to determine what you should seek out for your specific hair type. Depending on your hair type and its needs, here’s what to keep an eye out for when you start shopping.
Dry or damaged hair
Hair oils rich in nourishing and moisturising properties are beneficial for dry or damaged hair. Look for oils like argan oil, coconut oil, shea butter oil, or jojoba oil. These oils help restore moisture, soften the hair, and improve its elasticity.
Fine or thin hair
People with fine or thin hair may prefer lightweight hair oils or serums that won’t weigh down their hair. Avoid heavy oils that can make the hair look flat or greasy. Good options include grapeseed oil, almond oil, or light formulations specifically designed for fine hair.
Coarse hair
Hair oils that provide moisture and combat frizz are beneficial for coarse hair. Look for oils like castor oil, olive oil, avocado oil, or argan oil. These oils can help nourish and moisturise the hair, enhance texture definition, and reduce frizz.
Normal hair
Those with normal hair may choose to use hair oils occasionally for added nourishment and shine. Opt for lighter oils or serums that won’t overload the hair. Shine spray or a combination of different oils can work well.
Optimising hair oil usage
Once you’ve got your hands on the right pick for your hair, how do you go about applying it for the best results? The beauty of hair oils is their versatility: you can use them before or after a shower, or even overnight. Tan explains that it all depends on “the type of oil, your hair condition, and your personal preferences.” Here, see the summarised guide on when and how to apply your hair oil.
Before a shower
Applying hair oil before a shower is known as a pre-shampoo treatment. The oil acts as a pre-treatment, helping to prevent excessive moisture loss during the washing process or protecting the ends from the potentially drying effects of shampoo and water. You can leave it in your hair for about 20 to 30 minutes before washing, providing sufficient time for the oil to condition the hair within.
After a shower
Applying hair oil after a shower is for moisturising and styling. Hair oil can add shine and improve the overall appearance of the hair. It can also make the hair more manageable by reducing tangles, controlling frizz, and retaining moisture. Applying a small amount of oil to the hair before using heat styling tools can provide a protective barrier and reduce heat damage.
Overnight treatment
Leaving hair oil overnight as an intensive treatment allows the oil to deeply penetrate the hair strands, providing maximum nourishment and moisturisation.
Leave-in treatment
Certain lightweight hair oils or serums are designed to be left in the hair without rinsing. These products are typically formulated to provide ongoing hydration, frizz control, and protection throughout the day. You can leave it in your hair until the next wash. The oil helps seal in moisture and provides ongoing nourishment and protection for the hair.
When applying, the ideal section to focus on is the ends, given that “the ends of the hair tend to be drier and more prone to damage, so oiling them helps to moisturise, nourish, and protect them”. You can consider applying it to the mid-section of your hair as well, if you’d like to “provide hydration and nourishment to the entire hair shaft.” Tan’s final tip is to “avoid hair roots as our scalp produces natural sebum, and in our hot and humid weather it may result in over-greasiness and weigh the hair down.”
The best hair oils to have in your hair care arsenal
With all that being said, now ensues the dilemma of deciding which product to add to cart. But not to worry, we’ve narrowed down the selection for you. Here, see our picks to replenish your hair—tried, tested, and approved by the Vogue Singapore team.
1 / 6
Davines OI Oil
The Davines OI Oil’s star ingredient is the unconventional Roucou oil, an oil made from Achiote seeds. It works especially well on coarse or dry hair, adding gloss and smoothness whilst combatting tangles and reducing frizz. Plus, it smells amazing.
Davines OI Oil, $52, available at Davines
2 / 6
Aveda nutriplenish multi-use hair oil
This hair oil is a blend of avocado, jojoba, mango, pomegranate and coconut oil. What we love about it is its versatility: use it as a pre-shampoo, leave-in, post-styling or overnight treatment. It even doubles as a scalp massage. We find that for those with thicker, frizzier hair, deep moisturising with this hair oil is most beneficial. Leave in overnight and wash out the next morning for smooth locks.
Aveda nutriplenish multi-use hair oil, $52, available at Aveda
3 / 6
K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil
The self-described “biotech-engineered” K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil is designed to tackle frizzy hair with just a few drops. The formula includes avocado and sunflower oils, and is perfect for people with damaged, dry, or splitting hair. What’s more, this oil provides heat protection up to 232°C.
K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil, $81, available at Woorailoora
4 / 6
Charlotte Mensah Manketti Hair Oil
The Manketti oil (also known as Mongongo oil) mix is the star of this hair oil. The luxurious formula also contains Nut and Ximenia oils, all of which is ideal for rejuvenating hair. The hair oil helps strengthen dry, troublesome tresses while cleansing. We find that this hair oil is ideal for thick and curly hair (including Afros), and we love that it can also be applied in small amounts to the scalp to nourish.
Charlotte Mensah Manketti Hair Oil, $43, available at Net-a-Porter
5 / 6
Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil
The Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil was developed to revitalise and strengthen every strand from roots to ends by blending traditional and modern medicinal extracts. We find that this hair oil works wonders for taming frizz and keeping hair feeling smooth.
Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil, $76, available at Net-a-Porter
6 / 6
Kerasilk Multi-Benefit Hair Oil
The Kerasilk Multi-Benefit Hair Oil is an ideal, practical choice for every hair type and texture. Formulated with shea oil and Kerasilk’s own Silk+ Technology, the oil prevents dryness and brittleness by locking in moisture and sealing split ends. The hair oil also provides heat protection up to 230°C.
Kerasilk Multi-Benefit Hair Oil, $46, available at Shopee
