Here's The Difference Between A Good Hair Oil And A Great Hair Oil
Francesca is the Beauty Editor at Adore Beauty. With a background in glossy mags and bylines in publications like Marie Claire, ELLE and BODY+SOUL, Francesca has turned her love of beauty into a career. Whether she's decoding buzzy ingredients or road testing lip glosses (so. many. glosses.), her approach to beauty is equal parts glamour and highly-considered.
In Partnership With Pureology.
I’ve talked (pretty extensively) about being in my ‘haircare era’ this year. A renewed focus on strand health, the introduction of new styling techniques and dozens (and dozens) of new hair oils, serums and oil-serum hybrids. You name it, I tried it this year.
All in pursuit of achieving my healthiest, glossiest, shiniest strands ever. (No small feat).
Whilst lots were good (and did indeed impart that desired shine), others were GREAT. I’m talking next-level, getting stopped-in-the-street kind of great.
I came to this conclusion recently while attending a wedding. I did what you’re not supposed to for special events and trialled a brand new formula: Pureology’s Hydrate Glow Catcher Oil.
It was magic! The deliciously lightweight oil made my strands silky soft, tamed frizz and produced a glistening sheen that lasted over 8 hours. *Longevity, especially in the context of a fabulous and elaborate Vietnamese Wedding, is important.*
I loved the formula so much so, that its become my case study. Read on below for what takes a hair oil from being good, to being GREAT.
Skincare-grade ingredients
When talking hair oils we typically associate these richer formulas coconut oil, argan oil, almond oil and sesame oil. Ultra nourishing and glossy, but can tend to leave your hair feeling, well, oily.
Instead, this new wave of oh-so-clever formulas are taking cues from skincare. (Yes, even hair oils have fallen victim to the skinification effect).
Rather than simply sitting on the surface, these modern oils are packed with ingredients that actively support strand health. Antioxidants, vitamins and lightweight emollients that hydrate the hair shaft, strengthen and improve softness.
Pureology’s Hydrate Glow Catcher Oil is a prime example.
Dosed with refined camellia seed oil, vitamin B5 and silky hydrophobic sealants to both nourish and protect strands.
Camellia seed oil helps maintain a comfortable, healthy scalp while delivering a soft gloss to the lengths. Panthenol, better known as vitamin B5, draws in moisture to keep strands supple and resilient. The hydrophobic sealants smooth the cuticle and lock in hydration to defend against future dryness.
The result is an oil that treats hair almost like skin. Hydrated, plump, luminous.
This newbie even promises 72 hours of hydration which, given my own marathon event testing, I am inclined to believe.
Buttery-Smooth Texture
Gone are the rich, syrupy oils that sit heavily on the surface. Instead, GREAT formulas slip effortlessly into the hair without weighing anything down.
Silky and non greasy, this featherlight formula disappears into the mid lengths within seconds. No tackiness or residue.
To use, apply a small amount to damp or dry hair, concentrating on mid lengths and ends. Style as usual. Pureology recommends adjusting the amount depending on texture and dryness.
The glide here makes more smoother,breezier styling. Bonus points heat protection up to 450°F.
Once my hair is dry I like to follow with a another pass of oil, coaxing out just a little more shine. It leaves my hair feeling soft and nourished.
A scent that lingers
Fragrance in hair is its own kind of magic. Hair naturally traps scent molecules and releases them slowly, creating a subtle, sophisticated aura that lasts long after your morning routine.
Unlike skin, which warms and breaks down fragrance quickly, hair stays cooler and preserves the notes for longer.
Glow Catcher Oil leans into this beautifully.
The fragrance opens with fresh bergamot, lavender, lemon, orange and rosemary. Mid heart notes of ylang ylang, anise seed and carnation settle gently into a soft base of vanilla and patchouli.
The scent lingers for a few hours, leaving behind a delicate, expensive-smelling trail.
That otherworldly glow
Last but not least, there is the glow-factor.
Pureology reports 158% more shine after a single use. I would confidently argue it looks closer to 200% - and no, I have absolutely no scientific data to back that up.
But, the results were undeniable. Glassy, glossy, gleaming strands that catch the light in all the right ways.
This was me (pictured above), 8+ hours since I had applied it and after some heavy overtime on the dancefloor. There is a little bit of frizz - which is to be expected with Melbourne's humidity - but for the most part, my strands were looking sleek and smooth. And the shine? Kinda speaks for itself.
It's the borderline-reflective results like these, that make for a great, GREAT hair oil.
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