Using oil on your hair: what works

The most common thing we hear from people trying hair oil for the first time is "it made my hair greasy." Nine times out of ten, they used too much, or put it in the wrong place. A little goes a long way, and where you put it matters more than which oil you pick.

As a pre-wash treatment

This is the easiest way to start. Work a few teaspoons of oil through dry hair, focusing on the lengths and ends, and leave it for 30 minutes to a couple of hours before you shampoo. Because it gets washed out, you can't really overdo it. Argan and castor are popular here. Castor is very thick, so mixing it with something lighter makes it easier to spread.

On your scalp

If your scalp is dry, a few drops massaged in for a couple of minutes before washing can help. If it's already oily, skip the scalp and keep the oil on your ends. More isn't better here.

On the ends, after styling

For frizz and dry ends, rub one or two drops between your palms until they disappear, then smooth them over the lower half of your hair. That's genuinely all you need. If your hair looks wet or heavy afterwards, use less next time.

Fine hair vs thick hair

• Fine or straight hair: pick a lighter oil and use it only on the ends.
• Thick, curly or coarse hair: you can use more, and heavier oils like castor tend to work well.

Start small, see how your hair reacts, and adjust. It usually takes two or three tries to find the amount that works for you.