10 Best Hair Oils for Curly Hair to Strengthen and Smooth, According to Hairstylists

Worthy of its name, this good-as-gold lightweight hair oil tackles a range of concerns, from damage to dryness to dullness. Made with the Oribe Signature Complex to protect hair from environmental threats, oxidative stress, and the breakdown of natural keratin, it also contains argan and jasmine oils to fight frizz, bring shine, and safeguard strands from pollutants. Additionally, a blend of sandalwood extract, amur cork tree bark extract, and barley extract triggers the hair cuticle, hydrates, and improves overall hair health. However, customers warn that the pump can be prone to breaking.

EXPERT SAYS: “Oribe’s Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil is a luxurious, ultralight oil that delivers deep nourishment without the greasy feel,” Temur says. “It absorbs instantly into damp hair to hydrate, detangle, and smooth each strand, while also giving a glossy finish that looks runway-ready. I appreciate its heat- and UV‑protective properties—it shields curls during styling and long sunny days alike.”

Thirsty strands will drink this hydrating hair oil right up. Spiked with coconut oil and argan oil to smooth, soften, and add shine, it tames frizz and flyaways. Best for medium to coarse hair, it might be too heavy for fine strands. The blend of coconut milk, tangerine, and vanilla smells like a beach getaway.

TESTER SAYS: “A great drugstore pick, it smells great and is budget-friendly and leaves hair feeling soft,” says GH Director, Editorial Commerce and Product Reviews Jessica Teich.

Prickly pear seed oil is the hero ingredient in this smoother that works to moisturize, soften, and bring shine. To nourish hair even more, it’s infused with Dae’s Signature Desert Botanical Blend that fights frizz, strengthens, and prevents breakage. The oil works for a range of hair types and textures.

TESTER SAYS: I tested this product myself. I never know what kind of curl pattern I might wake up with, depending on the weather and a few other factors. But I can almost always expect frizz and floof. This hair oil not only keeps frizz in check, but instantly smooths even my unruliest strands as I apply it through my hair. It also instantly adds major shine. Personally, I love its fresh, fruity, floral scent, with notes of prickly pear, mandarin, and magnolia, though it might be too strong for some.

Olaplex has built a name for helping damaged hair, and this oil is no exception. The lightweight formula deeply nourishes hair courtesy of its bonding complex that tackles damage. Bonus: It doubles as a heat protectant, keeping strands and color safer from styling tools, adding shine along the way.

TESTER SAYS: “This is great for smoothing out any frizziness and adding shine,” Teich says. “I also love it for slick backs. A little goes a long way; I have yet to go through an entire bottle. Apply conservatively since it can quickly make hair look too oiled.”

Fine hair can easily fall flat under hair oils, but this one is designed to avoid exactly that (but that means it may not be ideal for very thick strands). Despite being featherweight, it packs a punch with its ingredients. There's moringa seed oil to detangle, smooth, and moisturize; bamboo extract to strengthen the hair follicle; and argan oil to improve elasticity and add shine, while antioxidants fight frizz and flyaways.

TESTERS SAY: “It's hard to find a hair oil that's not super greasy, not overly fragranced, and doesn't weigh my hair down but also fights my frizz—this one from Verb fits the bill,” says Amanda Constantine, GH home and apparel reviews analyst. “It's very lightweight and glides over my hair beautifully without making it look stringy, and it's so light, I can even apply it to the crown of my head. I use it both to add shine to my straightened hair and to break up gel when I'm wearing my hair wavy, and it works well both ways.” Teich is a fan too, adding, “Great scent and perfect for making crispy-feeling curls feel soft again.”

Get your beauty sleep with this overnight treatment and wake up to stronger, glossier, and smoother hair. Apply it before bed, wrap your hair up, and then shampoo in the morning. (Though thicker hair can skip the wash and style immediately.) Designed for medium to thick damaged hair, it contains French lavender and cedarwood essential oils to help you drift off to sleep, while white lotus flower and Monoï de Tahiti deeply condition and smooth frizz.

EXPERT SAYS: “This is a luxurious overnight elixir—rich, deeply nourishing, and ideal for medium to thick curls that need serious hydration,” Temur says. “The Monoï de Tahiti (coconut infused with oily tiaré flowers) plus white lotus flower smooths frizz, restores softness, and boosts shine as you sleep. It also strengthens strands and protects against daily damage, making it perfect for color-treated or heat-stressed curls.”

A natural humectant, Mirsalehi honey sourced from Gisou's bee garden takes center stage to add shine and lasting hydration to hair, plus fight frizz. There are also bee garnde oils to nurture hair. Honey adds to the light, sweet scent. The formula doubles as a heat protectant, safeguarding strands up to 450°F. However, note that some shoppers complained that the bottle leaks and leaves oil on the shelf.

TESTER SAYS: "It has a nice smell and absorbs nicely," says Jillian Sollazzo, GH temporary producer. "I loved it so much I gave one to my mom, who also loved it!"

A true multitasker, this can be used as a pre-shampoo mask, applied on the ends to condition split ends, worked into damp hair to help detangle, or smoothed onto dry strands to keep frizz and flyaways at bay. Chock full of antioxidants, argan oil moisturizes and nourishes, while linseed extract has fatty acids to boost hair health. Though this might be too heavy for some, an alternative is the new Moroccanoil Treatment Mist, a lightweight spray better suited for fine hair while still helping with hydration.

TESTER SAYS: “My favorite go-to for hydrating curls,” Teich says. “It has a thicker texture that my hair really drinks up, and it doesn’t leave hair feeling greasy. Plus, it smells amazing.”

In addition to protecting hair from heat styling, this hair oil also safeguards it from UV rays that can take a toll on hair health and fade color. The lightweight formula blends natural oils with goji berry and amber extract to fight dullness and damage without leaving any greasy residue behind. Just be sure to apply a small amount and add more as needed to prevent an oil overload.

EXPERT SAYS: “This is my go-to hair oil,” Temur says. “It’s a beautiful formula that reduces frizz, hydrates deeply, prevents color fading, and makes hair shinier, all while defending against damage from heat styling and UV rays.”

Blondes will have more fun when they have this oil in their arsenal. Designed to brighten blonde hair, it taps arginine—rich in vitamins A, C, and E—to naturally hydrate, as well as omega-6 and -9 packed tamanu oil to absorb UV rays and add luster. Frizz and pollution are no match for its Monoï oil.

EXPERT SAYS: "I like the light to medium weight of the oil, perfect for those with looser curls, finer strands, and/or lower density," Walker-Rodgers says. "It adds lots of shine, and if you're blonde, it's designed to brighten blondes without dulling them. You can use this oil even if you're not a blonde. This oil creates slip easily and feels very light on strands."