How to Use Hair Oil for Soft, Glossy Locks

Silky lengths, smooth ends and that unmistakable high-gloss finish - hair oil can make a huge difference to the way your hair looks and feels. A few drops can help nourish dry ends, soften the hair, smooth frizz and add instant shine. But when it comes to how to use hair oil, technique matters. Too much can leave hair feeling heavy, while the right amount, applied in the right places, can give you softness and shine while maintaining natural movement.

Whether you’re introducing hair oil to your routine for the first time or want to get more from your favourite formula, Chloe Whittle, Senior Digital and In-Salon Educator, shares everything you need to know.

The benefits of adding hair oil to your routine

Hair oil is an easy way to give your lengths a little extra attention, particularly when dryness, dullness or frizz begins to show. Depending on the formula, an oil can help nourish and soften dry-feeling hair, smooth frizz and flyaways, improve manageability and enhance shine.

Our VELVET Nourishing Hair Oil combines Argan, Avocado and Jojoba Oils in a lightweight formula created to smooth, soften and add incredible shine. Built-in UV filters also help protect against sun damage, while its colour-safe formula makes it suitable for coloured and chemically treated hair.

The right way to apply hair oil

Hair oil doesn’t need to be complicated. A light touch and strategic application is usually all you need to achieve a smooth, glossy finish.

Step 1. Start with a small amount

Begin with less than you think you need. For VELVET, apply 1–2 pumps, adjusting the amount depending on your hair’s length, thickness and texture. Fine hair may only need around half a pump, while longer, thicker or particularly dry lengths may benefit from a little more.

Step 2. Warm the oil between your palms

Rather than applying the oil directly to your hair, first spread it between your palms. This helps distribute the formula across your hands so you can work it through your lengths more evenly and avoid concentrating too much product in one area.

Step 3. Focus on the lengths and ends

Start around the mid-lengths before smoothing the oil towards your ends, paying particular attention to areas that feel dry or look frizzy.

Avoid beginning at the roots, especially if you have fine hair or your roots become oily quickly. Your lengths and ends are usually where you'll get the most from the nourishing and smoothing benefits.

Step 4. Build gradually

Take a moment to see how your hair looks and feels before reaching for more. If your ends still feel dry or you'd like a little more shine, add another small amount. Building the product gradually makes it much easier to achieve a silky finish without weighing down your style.

Using hair oil on damp or dry hair

Hair oil doesn’t have to belong to just one part of your routine. Applying it to damp and dry hair can create slightly different results, making a versatile formula useful from the moment you step out of the shower to the final touches of your style.

Before styling: apply to damp hair

After washing, gently towel-dry your hair before smoothing your oil through the mid-lengths and ends. VELVET can be applied to clean, damp hair before you style and works beautifully alongside other styling favourites. This is an easy way to introduce nourishment and smoothness into your routine before creating your finished look.

After styling: finish with a touch of oil

On dry hair, think of oil as the final polish. Work a very small amount between your palms before lightly smoothing it through the ends and any areas where frizz or flyaways are visible. This helps refine your style while adding an extra touch of gloss.

The key is restraint. You may need considerably less oil on dry hair than you would on damp lengths.

Finding the right amount for your hair

There’s no single perfect amount of hair oil. Your ideal amount will depend on your hair type, length, thickness and condition.

Fine or shorter hair generally needs less product, while thick, long or particularly dry hair may need more. The condition of your hair can make a difference too - you might find your ends need a little more attention at certain times than others.

VELVET is designed with a lightweight feel, so you can start small and layer more where needed. The goal is for hair to feel silky, soft and beautifully conditioned while still retaining its movement.

Tailoring hair oil to your hair type

Just as your shampoo and conditioner should complement your hair, your approach to oil can be personalised too.

Fine hair

Fine hair can absolutely enjoy the benefits of hair oil - it’s about using the right amount. Start with around half a pump of VELVET and keep the application towards your ends. Add more only if necessary, allowing you to enjoy added smoothness and shine without overwhelming finer strands.

Dry hair

For dry hair, concentrate your application on the areas that need nourishment most. Work VELVET through damp mid-lengths and ends as part of your styling routine, then reach for a small amount between washes whenever your hair needs an extra touch of softness or shine.

Frizz-prone hair

If frizz and flyaways tend to disrupt your finished style, hair oil can become your secret finishing step. Apply VELVET before styling for added smoothness, then use a touch more on dry hair if needed. Lightly glide your palms over frizz-prone areas rather than applying lots of product at once.

Colour-treated hair

Coloured and chemically treated hair can sometimes feel dry, particularly through the lengths and ends.

VELVET is colour safe and particularly suited to hair that needs additional softness and shine. Its built-in UV filters also help protect against sun damage, making it an easy addition to a colour-conscious haircare routine.

Where hair oil fits into your routine

One of the reasons hair oil earns its place on the dressing table is its versatility. Rather than having one set moment for application, it can be adapted to what your hair needs that day.

After washing, smooth VELVET through damp lengths before styling to add nourishment and smoothness.

After styling, use a smaller amount to perfect the finish, tame flyaways and amplify shine.

Between washes, concentrate a touch of oil on dry-looking ends whenever they need refreshing.

VELVET can be used daily or as needed, so there’s no need to follow a rigid schedule. Let the look and feel of your hair guide you.

Stylist Credit: Instagram @hair_by_l_xx

Hair oil habits worth avoiding

Beautiful results often come down to knowing when to stop. One of the most common mistakes is applying too much oil in one go. Starting with a small amount gives you much more control and allows you to build the product exactly where it's needed.

Placement matters too. Applying a generous amount close to the roots can make freshly washed hair appear oily, particularly on finer hair. Keep your attention on the mid-lengths and ends unless the product you're using specifically says otherwise.

And don't limit your hair oil to a wash day. A tiny amount applied to dry hair can be just what your style needs to bring frizz under control and revive its shine.

Your final touch of VELVET

The beauty of hair oil lies in how simple it can be. A small amount, thoughtfully applied, can take hair from dry or frizz-prone to soft, silky and beautifully polished.

With a luxurious blend of Argan, Avocado and Jojoba Oils, VELVET Nourishing Hair Oil helps nourish, smooth and add shine while remaining lightweight on the hair. Shop now: VELVET Nourishing Hair Oil