We’ve found some of the best oils to give your hair extensions some TLC 

Starting off your journey with hair extensions is similar to welcoming a newborn to your family (or at least feels that way)—they require love, care, and nurturing to thrive and shine. Unlike our natural locks, extensions lack the luxury of receiving the scalp's natural oils and nutrients, leaving them thirsting for attention to maintain their health and vitality. Enter the perfect addition of a hair care oil—your extensions' new best friend in the search for resilience and longevity. 

We can only dream of hair extensions that rival the beauty of a healthy mane, beaming with shine, gloss, and vibrancy at every turn. Achieving this look isn't just about selecting the right extensions—it's about incorporating special attention to care that encompasses nourishment, protection, and maintenance. Just as you specifically select the finest ingredients for your hair, your extensions deserve nothing less—we love a high-maintenance queen!

But, with this needed shine from the oils we give it, there are always some negatives that get thrown around the block. Some may caution against the use of oils, fearing damage to the bonds and potential slippage. However, the truth is far from this.

When applied correctly, hair oils can work wonders for both your natural tresses and extensions alike—and the key lies in understanding how to harness their benefits without sacrificing your brand-new faux locks. 

There may be hundreds of oils on the market, but we’ve narrowed it down to 9, and they couldn’t be better. 

 

What you need to remember with oil for hair extensions

Before we get into the best of the best oils for hair extension, you need to understand where and how to apply it. The role of hair oils in maintaining the health of your hair isn't just as big as your shampoo and conditioners, it’s bigger. Contrary to common misconceptions, hair oils can be incredibly beneficial when applied in the right way, especially to hair extensions. By focusing application from the midshaft to the tips, you can provide much-needed hydration and nourishment to your extensions without risking damage to the bonds or weft. However, you need to try and avoid applying oils directly to the roots or bond areas to prevent premature loosening or loss of extensions. 

Remember, you want your locks silky, and your routes with plenty of grips—so mids, to ends ONLY. Now that’s out of the way, let’s oil up those extensions. 

 

1. Coconut Oil

We all know that coconut oil is a miracle solution for anything, but when it comes to hair, it really takes the cake. Coconut oil is a powerhouse when you need to moisturize and nourish your hair extensions. Its deeply hydrating properties penetrate the hair shaft, combating dryness and leaving extensions feeling soft and supple. Additionally, coconut oil strengthens hair follicles, reducing breakage and split ends for healthier-looking extensions. 

Its ability to enhance shine and smoothness adds a luxurious feel (and smell) to extensions, making them appear thicker and fuller. 

The best bit? Coconut oil soothes the scalp, reducing inflammation and promoting overall scalp health, so goodbye to dry scaly scalp, it’s a natural potion that works wonders. As a natural barrier against environmental damage, it also helps protect extensions from the harmful effects of UV rays and pollution, ensuring they stay beautiful and resilient—so pack your summertime suitcase full of it, it’s your savior in the sun.

Summary

• Deeply moisturizes and hydrates hair extensions, combating dryness.
• Strengthens hair follicles, reducing breakage and split ends for healthier extensions.
• Enhances shine and smoothness, leaving extensions looking luscious and radiant.
• Helps soothe dry scalp and reduce inflammation, promoting scalp health.
• Acts as a natural barrier against environmental damage, protecting extensions.

2. Argan Oil

Argan oil, often referred to as "liquid gold," is a lightweight yet potent oil that works fantastically for hair extensions. Its quick-absorbing formula restores moisture balance, softening extensions and improving manageability without leaving behind any greasy residue. This versatile oil protects against heat styling and environmental damage, safeguarding extensions from the stresses of daily styling and exposure to the elements. 

 

On top of that, argan oil minimizes frizz and enhances the natural texture of extensions, leaving them looking smooth and polished. With regular use, it strengthens hair strands, reducing breakage and ensuring extensions remain strong and durable.

Summary

• Lightweight formula that absorbs quickly without leaving residue, ideal for extensions.
• Restores moisture balance and softens hair extensions, enhancing manageability.
• Protects against heat styling and environmental damage, preserving extension health.
• Minimizes frizz and enhances natural hair texture for a polished look.
• Strengthens hair strands and reduces breakage, promoting extension longevity.

3. Castor Oil

As if we needed a reason to help our natural hair nourish and grow, in comes castor oil. Castor oil is celebrated for its hair growth-promoting properties, making it a valuable asset for those seeking thicker, fuller hair with their extensions. Its rich conditioning abilities penetrate deep into the hair shaft, hydrating dry and brittle extensions from within, so it's perfect for all types of hair extensions (we’re looking at you, low-quality hair).

By preventing split ends and breakage, castor oil helps maintain the strength of your extensions, ensuring they look and feel their best. Additionally, this oil soothes the scalp, relieving irritation and reducing dandruff for a healthier scalp environment. With regular use, castor oil enhances the overall health and vitality of extensions, leaving them resilient and strong—ready to be styled for an all-day hold.

Summary

• Promotes hair growth and thickens hair strands, enhancing extension volume.
• Conditions and hydrates dry, brittle extensions, improving overall texture.
• Prevents split ends and breakage, ensuring extension durability.
• Soothes and moisturizes the scalp, reducing irritation and dandruff.
• Enhances the overall health and vitality of extensions, leaving them strong and resilient.

4. Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil is nature's answer to balanced hair and scalp health. Its unique composition closely mimics the natural sebum produced by the scalp, making it the perfect choice for moisturizing and conditioning hair extensions. Unlike heavier oils, jojoba oil absorbs quickly into the hair without weighing it down, leaving extensions light and easy to style in an updo. 

By balancing sebum production, it prevents greasiness and maintains a healthy scalp environment. Like coconut and argan, jojoba oil soothes dry, irritated scalp conditions and reduces dandruff, promoting scalp health. 

Talk about a city gal, jojoba oil has protective properties against environmental damage, which can help extensions maintain their shine and vitality (this one’s for your metro girlies). 

Summary

• Balances sebum production and prevents greasiness, ideal for extension maintenance.
• Conditions and softens hair extensions without weighing them down.
• Soothes dry, irritated scalp and reduces dandruff, promoting scalp health.
• Enhances hair elasticity and manageability, making styling easier.
• Protects against environmental damage and UV radiation, preserving extension color and health.

5. VIRTUE Healing Oil

This oil does what it says on the tin—a healing oil. VIRTUE Healing Oil stands out for its innovative formula enriched with Alpha Keratin 60ku™, a patented protein that repairs and strengthens hair extensions from within. This lightweight oil absorbs quickly into the hair, delivering essential nutrients and moisture without leaving behind any residue. Restoring moisture balance and improving elasticity, enhances the overall health and appearance of extensions, making them look and feel revitalized.

VIRTUE Healing Oil also protects against heat styling and environmental damage, ensuring extensions stay strong and resilient. With its ability to add shine, smoothness, and manageability, this oil leaves extensions looking healthy and radiant—and though it's on the pricier end, you get your bang for your buck.

Summary

• Contains Alpha Keratin 60ku™, a patented protein that repairs and strengthens hair extensions.
• Lightweight formula that absorbs quickly and leaves no residue, perfect for extensions.
• Restores moisture balance and improves elasticity, enhancing extension health.
• Protects against heat damage.
• Suitable for all hair types.

6. JVN Hair Complete Nourishing Shine Drops

If you’re looking for the pied de resistance of haircare, then you’ve found your star. Developed by celebrity hairstylist Jonathan Van Ness, JVN Hair Complete Nourishing Shine Drops are a must-have addition to anyone’s hair care routine. Crafted with a lightweight formula, these shine drops deliver instant luminosity and hydration to hair extensions without weighing them down. 

Also, these shine drops offer protection against heat styling tools and environmental damage, preserving the livelihood of your extensions—meaning less time buying more hair, and more keeping it looking good. 

Whether you're looking to smooth frizz and flyaways or enhance the overall appearance and texture of your extensions, these drops are the perfect solution. Simply apply a few drops to your palms and distribute evenly through damp or dry hair extensions, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends for a glossy, salon-worthy finish. 

Summary

• Lightweight formula that adds instant luminosity and hydration to hair extensions.
• Smooth frizz and flyaways for a polished, salon-worthy finish.
• Protects against heat-styling tools and environmental damage.
• Enhances the overall appearance and texture of extensions, leaving them silky-smooth and radiant.
• Versatile application on both dry and damp hair for immediate hydration and shine.

7. Moroccanoil Treatment Original

This one is our MVP, but we’ll let you be the judge of that. Derived from the kernels of the argan tree, Moroccanoil Treatment Original is a cult-favorite hair treatment loved by salon professionals and Instagram stars. Enriched with antioxidant-rich argan oil, this treatment deeply hydrates and nourishes hair extensions, restoring elasticity and manageability to even the driest strands. Say goodbye to frizz and hello to radiant shine with this luxurious formula that absorbs quickly for instant results. 

Whether used as a pre-styling treatment or as a finishing touch, Moroccanoil Treatment Original leaves extensions looking and feeling their best. Get the silky, shiny, and healthy hair you've always wanted.

Summary 

• Infused with argan oil for deep hydration and nourishment.
• Restores elasticity and manageability to hair extensions.
• Tames frizz and enhances shine for a luxurious finish.
• Provides long-term conditioning benefits to extensions.
• Lightweight formula that absorbs quickly without leaving residue.
• Just one application of Moroccanoil Treatment increases hair’s shine by up to 118%, according to an independent study.

8. Kérastase Elixir Ultime L'Original Hair Oil

Lather your hair in a luxurious treatment that oozes self-care evenings at home. Say hello to the Kérastase Elixir Ultime L'Original Hair Oil, formulated with a blend of precious oils for intense nourishment and shine. This iconic hair oil has been created by every salon’s favorite brand, Kérastase, and delivers instant smoothness and luminosity to extensions—leaving them not only looking but feeling silky-soft, too. It puts the salon in a salon-worthy finish, seeing that your mane will be glimmering with shine. 

This lightweight formula absorbs quickly for effortless application and can be used on dry or wet hair. Whether used as a pre-styling treatment or as a daily finishing touch, Kérastase Elixir Ultime L'Original Hair Oil is a must-have addition to your hair care routine.

Summary

• Enriched with a blend of precious oils for intense nourishment.
• Provides instant shine and smoothness to hair extensions.
• Protects against environmental damage and heat styling tools.
• Lightweight formula that absorbs quickly for effortless application.
• Enhances the overall health and vitality of extensions with regular use.

9. Ogx Argan Oil of Morocco Penetrating Hair Oil

Again, it’s the liquid gold that comes to the rescue for hair extensions worldwide. Experience more of the transformative power of argan oil with Ogx Argan Oil of Morocco Penetrating Hair Oil, a deeply nourishing treatment for hair extensions. This lightweight formula is infused with argan oil (of course) to restore softness, smoothness, and shine to even the most damaged of strands. 

You’re one step closer to radiant hair with this fast-absorbing oil that provides long-lasting hydration and heat protection—and whether used as a pre-shampoo treatment or as a daily styling aid, Ogx Argan Oil will be in your beauty bag for years to come.

P.S. It's under 10 bucks and works like magic. We’re sold on this one. 

Summary

• Infused with argan oil to deeply nourish and hydrate hair extensions.
• Restores softness, smoothness, and shine to dry, damaged strands.
• Lightweight formula that absorbs quickly without leaving residue.
• Provides long-lasting frizz control and heat protection.
• Enhances the overall health and appearance of extensions with regular use.

To oil or not to oil? The answer is always yes

It doesn’t matter if you’re going for one of nature's choices and dabbling in some natural argan oil, or spending a buck and getting some world-class products that promise the world. As long as you’re oiling your mid-lengths and ends while keeping your hair looked after, you'll be on the home straight to long, luscious extensions that are made to last.

We know haircare doesn’t end once you’ve had your first fitting, but with any luck, this can be your new self-care regime, and you’ll be thanking us later. So go ahead, and indulge in the ritual of oil that you and your extensions deserve. With our curated selection of the finest oils on the market, your journey to hair extension perfection starts now. Let’s build our hair’s strength, one drop of oil at a time.