The Multitasking Hair Elixir That Fixes Everything

After a fashion month’s worth of elegant updos, sleek braids, and high-impact curls, it seems we may finally be over our obsession with second-day hair. With that, out goes the dry shampoo and in comes the hair oil—a product which has emerged in recent years as the ultimate secret weapon for softer, shinier, more luxe-looking lengths.

But how exactly do you use oil without your hair actually looking oily? We turned to hairstylist Ryann Bosetti, a self-professed hippie who grew up in California and is now based in Marfa, Texas, for some pro tips.

According to Bosetti, it’s actually quite easy. She recommends towel-drying wet hair, working a little into the ends, and using a small comb to gently brush the oil upwards for an end result of lustrous hair. It will add a perfect sheen to any updo and leave long hair smooth. It’s good news, too, for those who straighten their hair: Oil acts as a protectant, helping to prevent strands from becoming dry and damaged. There is one exception, says Bosetti, who warns that the added weight will work against hair that is curled with heat tools.

For those with finer strands, she recommends using camellia oil, which she describes as “a superlight, magical oil that women in Asia have been using forever.” Besides increasing silkiness, it helps hair hang onto water throughout the day, and, she notes, camellia, derived from the same plant as green tea, is anti-aging and packed with antioxidants. Bosetti’s insider secret? A special brush, common in Japan but scarce elsewhere, made from wood and presoaked in camellia oil, which can be used to brush dry hair. A client introduced it to her a few years ago and she’s been using it ever since. “I was like, ‘Why don’t we know about this?’ ” she laughs. “It’s an exciting rediscovery of an old-school, completely natural tool that doesn’t contain weird stuff.”

If you’re traveling to Japan, stock up! And for those staying local, we’ve rounded up six products above to tide you over.

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