I’ve Tried Hundreds of Hair Oils, and Finally Found Something That Gives Me Effortless Waves

As a human with naturally curly-wavy hair, I’m always on the hunt for a good air-dry solution. Lucky for me (and not so much for the free space I have left in my house), part of my job is to test thousands of hair care products. I’ve tried all kinds of formulas claiming they can smooth frizz, define curls, and leave strands shinier and healthier than ever, and have found a handful of winning shampoos, conditioners, creams, and serums. But I hadn’t found a hair oil specifically formulated for curly hair that I truly loved until I met Living Proof Curl Moisturizing Shine Oil.

Living Proof, Curl Moisturizing Shine Oil — $34.00

Pros:

• Silicone-free
• 5-oil blend mimics the lipids found in healthy hair
• Protects against frizz

Cons:

• Not heat-protecting
• Can make hair greasy if you use too much

In my experience, many curl-friendly oils tend to weigh my hair down and make it feel greasy or a bit too slick (thinks back to middle school dance days, *shudders*). Depending on the type of curls you have, it can be hard finding something that gives you definition without making it look like you haven’t washed your hair in weeks. Living Proof Shine Oil isn’t a regular hair oil, though—it’s a cool hair oil. It’s a lightweight finishing oil that leaves strands looking glossy and silky smooth—which is why I’ve been swearing by it for fuss-free styling for months.

Aside from making my hair look shiny and strong, it also helps lock in moisture to achieve supple, soft mane—but you’ll need to apply it to wet hair to reap those hydrating benefits. Professional hairstylist Lauraine Bailey explains that “oil acts like a seal and will seal in any moisture that is applied to hair.” So when you apply this (or any) oil post-shower, it helps lock water into your strands to leave them hydrated all day. The Shine Oil’s superpower is that it’s got five ultra-nourishing oils that work overtime to ensure you won’t need to spend a single extra minute styling.

The formula works great for wavy, curly, and coily textures. It’s potent enough for thick hair (and you don’t need to use a ton of product to cover a lot of ground), but isn’t at all heavy, so if you have thinner or finer hair, you don’t have to worry about looking like you just slathered on a handful of pomade.

While my go-to styling tool is the Drybar Double Shot blow dryer brush (when I want straight, voluminous hair), I’ve been using Shine Oil for near-effortless air dry days that leave my wavy curls defined and easy to deal with (no knots, no frizz). All I need is a couple pumps of oil, which I’ll work through my post-shower strands (everywhere but my scalp to avoid oily roots). It absorbs quickly, too, so you don’t need to stress about spending too long massaging it into your hair.

For $34 a pop, I get to savor my morning a little while longer (more dog cuddles, less hair doing), and end up with a gorgeous head of waves I don’t have to do much with. Win!