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We’ve tried our fair share of overpromising elixirs, so when our editors say these are the best hair oils for shiny, moisturized, and frizz-free strands, we mean it. If you’ve been avoiding hair oils for fear of greasiness, let us quell your minds with the fact that our favorite picks impart a glossy, softening effect without making an oily mess. Some even double as grounding aromatherapy or heat protectants that speed up drying time and guard your strands from damage.
Despite blends of moisturizing emollients (like argan oil, squalane, and castor oil), our favorite formulas are surprisingly lightweight and fast-absorbing. All you need are a few drops of these best hair oils, outlined below, along your mid-lengths and ends to tackle concerns like dryness, dullness, and frizz.
Our Top Hair Oils
- Best Overall: Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil, $59
- Best for Shine: Aveda Miraculous Oil, $42
- Best for Damaged Hair: K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil, $65
- Best Pre-Wash: Fable and Mane HoliRoots Hair Oil, $38
- Best for Frizzy Hair: Rôz Santa Lucia Styling Oil, $45
- Best for Fine Hair: Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil, $44
- Best for Curls: HaruHaru Black Bamboo Frizz-Free Hair Oil, $22
- Best for Flat Hair: LolaVie Lightweight Hair Oil, $33
- Best for Second-Day Hair: Ouai Hair Oil, $32
- Best for Protective Styles: Cécred Nourishing Hair Oil, $44
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- How do hair oils work?
- Which hair oil is right for me?
- When should I use hair oil?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil
Oribe
Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil
Amazon
Nordstrom
Allure social director Kassidy Silva applying the Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil.
Kassidy Silva
Why it's worth it: Oribe’s Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil, a 2024 Allure Best of Beauty winner, is the ultimate indulgence for every hair type. This silky, weightless oil tackles dryness and frizz with a powerhouse blend of argan and jasmine oils plus Oribe’s Signature Complex—a mix of antioxidant-rich watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss flower extracts—to keep strands strong, hydrated, and shiny. It has a subtle sandalwood and bergamot scent that leaves hair smelling as luxe as it looks. We crowned it our favorite hair oil overall for its instant smoothing effect, effortless shine, and color-enhancing boost—it’s basically a little bottle of hair happiness.
Silva before applying the Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil
Kassidy Silva
Silva after applying the Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil
Kassidy Silva
Tester feedback from Allure social director Kassidy Silva
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“Two pumps of the Oribe Gold Lust oil are all it takes to keep my hair shining all day long. After towel-drying my hair, I pump a quarter-sized amount into my palm and work it through the ends, and run a comb through a few times to lightly distribute the product to my roots. If my hair is looking a little dull after drying, I'll add one more pump once I'm finished styling.”—Kassidy Silva, social director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: jasmine oil, argan oil
- Hair it's best for: all hair types
- When to apply: damp or dry hair
- Additional benefits: repairing split ends
- Scent: bergamot, sandalwood, jasmine
- Sizes: 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz
Best for Shine: Aveda Miraculous Oil
Aveda
Miraculous Oil
Nordstrom
Allure commerce writer Lily Wohlner applying the Aveda Miraculous Oil
Lily Wohlner
Why it's worth it: Aveda’s Miraculous Oil High-Shine Hair Concentrate is giving “glass skin” but in hair form. It harnesses tsubaki seed oil, a K-beauty favorite that’s hand-harvested from Korea’s Jeju Island, to deliver next-level smoothness and shine. Cold-pressed to preserve its nutrients, the oil deeply nourishes and softens strands without any heat or chemicals. Daikon seed oil tames flyaways while adding a weightless slip, and oil fermented from the cemelina plant packs omega-3, 6, and 9 fatty acids for hair that catches the light from every angle. Just a pump or two transforms locks into sleek, silky strands.
Wohlner before applying the Aveda Miraculous Oil
Lily Wohlner
Wohlner after applying the Aveda Miraculous Oil
Lily Wohlner
Tester feedback from Allure commerce writer Lily Wohlner
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“This oil is a game-changer for finer hair that easily looks weighed down with too much product. Lightweight yet hydrating, it targets flyaways, taming my naturally frizzy strands after a blowout, and it's my go-to topper whenever I need a sleek, polished finish.” —Lily Wohlner, commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: tsubaki seed oil, daikon seed oil, camelina oil ferment
- Hair it's best for: all hair types
- When to apply: damp or dry hair
- Additional benefits: smooths flyaways, doubles as a heat protectant
- Scent: lavender, ylang-ylang, petitgrain
- Sizes: 1.7 oz
Best for Damaged Hair: K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil
K18
Molecular Repair Hair Oil
Amazon (1 Oz)
Sephora (1 Oz)
Why it's worth it: A winner in the Splurge category of the 2023 Best of Beauty Awards, K18's Molecular Repair Hair Oil works to address frizz on two levels: first, by reversing structural damage caused by heat styling and salon treatments through the brand’s namesake K18 peptide, and second, by conditioning hair with natural lipids, like avocado and sunflower oils.
Whatever your hair concerns, Lazaro Lambertucci, a New York City-based hairstylist and colorist, confirms that the K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil is "weightless and amazing for all hair types.” (Not just damaged!) It also helps prevent future damage by providing heat protection up to 450 degrees. This multitasking oil can be applied to damp hair before styling or used as a finishing oil.
Allure former commerce writer Jennifer Hussein applying the K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil
Jennifer Hussein
Hussein after applying the K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil
Jennifer Hussein
Tester feedback from Allure former commerce writer Jennifer Hussein
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“My head of bleached, dryness-prone hair needs a hardworking hair oil, and K18’s gloss-enhancing formula fits the bill. My dehydrated hair usually needs a hefty drench of oil to feel anywhere near soft, but this oil leaves it feeling silky-smooth after just six drops. I also love the lightweight feel; it doesn’t leave any residue behind but gives my hair glass-level reflection.” —Jennifer Hussein, former commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: squalane, avocado oil, sunflower oil
- Hair it's best for: people with frizz and flyaways due to breakage
- When to apply: damp or dry hair
- Additional benefits: enhanced color vibrancy, heat protection
- Scent: floral
- Sizes: 1 oz.
Best Pre-Wash: Fable and Mane HoliRoots Hair Oil
Fable & Mane
HoliRoots Hair Oil
Amazon
Sephora
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying Fable and Mane HoliRoots Hair Oil
Sarah Han
Why it’s worth it: Not all hair oils are meant to be used after styling. Inspired by Ayurvedic hair oiling, a 5,000-year-old practice in India that involves massaging warm, herb-infused oils into the scalp and strands to nourish, Fable and Mane’s HoliRoots Hair Oil is designed to be worked into the scalp section by section before your shower. Leave it on for at least five minutes—or overnight—for stronger roots, reduced breakage, boosted circulation, and deeply hydrated, healthy-looking hair. Key oils like castor, olive fruit, jojoba, grapeseed, and sesame, along with Ayurveda classics like ashwagandha and amla (which are known to stimulate keratin production), work together to nourish strands and calm the scalp. Rest assured: Despite being packed with oils, you won’t find any residue in your scalp post-shampoo. Rather, your strands will feel softer, silkier, and stronger.
Han before applying Fable and Mane HoliRoots Hair Oil
Sarah Han
Han after applying Fable and Mane HoliRoots Hair Oil and washing/blow-drying her hair
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from Allure commerce editor Sarah Han
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“I’ve been using this product pretty consistently for two years, applying two droppers of product to my scalp for at least 10 minutes—sometimes even longer, if I’m watching a show—before I hop into the shower. I also like using a scalp massager to work the product more deeply. It rinses away swiftly down the drain, and my scalp feels lighter post-shampoo. I don’t wash my hair as often as I probably should, so I like to make the very most of each session.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: ashwagandha, amla, castor, olive fruit, jojoba, grape seed, and sesame oil
- Hair it's best for: people with dry, broken strands looking to boost growth
- When to apply: dry hair pre-shower
- Additional benefits: hair growth
- Scent: earthy
- Sizes: 1.8 oz.
Best for Frizzy Hair: Rôz Santa Lucia Styling Oil
RÔZ
Santa Lucia Styling Oil
Amazon
Nordstrom
Allure shopping director Shanna Shipin applying the Rôz Santa Lucia Styling Oil
Shanna Shipin
Why it's worth it: Frizzy hair doesn't have to ruin your day. Many of our editors keep Rōz's Santa Lucia Styling Oil handy because it protects against heat and humidity—two of the foremost causes of frizz—and smooths using five plant-based oil extracts, including jojoba and argan oils. We especially love the vetiver and citron scent, which elevates this oil to hair-perfume status. If you want to level up from the drugstore hair oil you've been using for a few years but aren't ready to drop a Benjamin on anything too fancy, this one serves as a perfect middle ground.
In our testing, we found that this hair oil worked equally well on wet or dry hair—especially if you have thick, curly, dry, or frizz-prone hair. (If you have hair on the thin or oily side, you'll want to primarily apply it closer to the ends to avoid greasiness.)
Shipin before applying the Rôz Santa Lucia Styling Oil
Shanna Shipin
Shipin after applying the Rôz Santa Lucia Styling Oil
Shanna Shipin
Tester feedback from Allure shopping director Shanna Shipin
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"This is, hands down, my favorite hair oil. It smoothes frizz, smells heavenly, and has consistently calmed my hair—which seemingly expands by two feet in circumference—when the humidity hits. But what I love almost as much as the oil's performance is that the brand's founder, Mara Roszak, grew up in Laurel Canyon (a legendary area in Los Angeles), and Rōz's entire line perfectly captures the magic and mythology of the landscape!" —Shanna Shipin, shopping director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: jojoba oil, argan oil, Roman chamomile, jasmine, aloe vera
- Hair it's best for: frizzy hair
- When to apply: damp and dry hair
- Additional benefits: heat protection
- Scent: vetiver, citrus
- Sizes: 0.5 oz., 2 oz.
Best for Fine Hair: Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil
Gisou
Honey Infused Hair Oil
Amazon
Revolve
Allure art director Ingrid Fowler applying the Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil
Ingrid Fowler
Why it's worth it: Gisou’s Honey Infused Hair Oil smells good enough to eat (please don't), but that's not the only reason we're constantly repurchasing this 2023 Best of Beauty Award winner. This lightweight, fast-drying oil features three key ingredients: sweet almond oil, coconut oil, and Mirsalehi honey, which is harvested from the founder's very own bee garden. The latter acts as a hydration-boosting humectant, drawing moisture to the hair shaft and therefore, boosting shine and minimizing frizz. It’s so light that fine hair types slather away without fear of greasiness.
Fowler before applying the Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil
Ingrid Fowler
Fowler after applying the Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil
Ingrid Fowler
Tester feedback from Allure senior art director Ingrid Fowler
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“Many hair oils can be too heavy for my fine hair, but this one gives me great, glossy shine without weighing down my strands. It also has really great ingredients and a lovely bottle.” —Ingrid Fowler, senior art director
Tester feedback from Allure senior director of audience development Lexi Herrick
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“This hair oil truly breathes new life into my strands, and leaves my hair feeling so silky and soft. A small amount at the ends of my hair helps with breakage and adds so much shine. It tames flyaways and tangles and truly is a fantastic, multitasking product!” —Lexi Herrick, senior director of audience development
More to know
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- Key ingredients: honey, coconut oil, and sweet almond oil
- Hair it's best for: dull, dry, or damaged hair
- When to apply: on dry hair
- Additional benefits: shine-boosting
- Scent: honey
- Sizes: 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz
Best for Curls: HaruHaru Black Bamboo Frizz-Free Hair Oil
Haruharu
Black Bamboo Frizz-Free Hair Oil
Amazon
Yesstyle
Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai applying the HaruHaru Black Bamboo Frizz-Free Hair Oil
Deanna Pai
Why it’s worth it: Hair porosity can make all the difference in how well your strands hold onto moisture, and Haruharu Wonder Black Bamboo Frizz-Free Hair Oil is built to work across the spectrum, from pin-straight to curly. Its foundation is nutrient-rich black bamboo water, which hydrates and softens, while argan oil and sugarcane-derived squalane lock in moisture without weighing hair down. Lightweight enough for fine hair but powerful enough for thicker strands, it tames frizz and smooths split ends without leaving any residue. To strengthen and repair, the formula blends 10 hydrolyzed plant proteins, 17 amino acids, and eight peptides, boosting elasticity and fortifying weak areas, all while surrounding hair with a bright citrus aroma softened by notes of lavender and geranium.
Pai before applying the HaruHaru Black Bamboo Frizz-Free Hair Oil
Deanna Pai
Pai after applying the HaruHaru Black Bamboo Frizz-Free Hair Oil
Deanna Pai
Tester feedback from Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
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"Hair oil and I don't really mix. While I could probably use the frizz control, my hair is so fine that oil just tamps it down at the crown and smushes any bit of volume. That's where this stuff has proved different. Instead of just pairing oil with oil, the argan oil and bamboo water feel a lot more lightweight—think a serum. And while it doesn't completely eliminate my frizz (an impossible task), it gave my hair a nice shine and smoothed some of the flyaways around my hairline." —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: black bamboo water, argan oil, peptide complex
- Hair it's best for: all hair types, especially curly hair
- When to apply: on dry hair
- Additional benefits: shine-boosting, smooths flyaways
- Scent: grapefruit, orange, lime, lavender, bergamot, and geranium
- Sizes: 2.7 oz
Best for Flat Hair: LolaVie Lightweight Hair Oil
LolaVie
Lightweight Hair Oil
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Allure senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen applying the LolaVie Lightweight Hair Oil
Nicola Dall'Asen
Why it's worth it: Pulling off the (near) impossible, LolaVie’s Lightweight Hair Oil leaves hair with a patent-like shine without flattening your meticulously styled blowout. The dilemma with most hair oils is that they have at least some weight to them, which can make for a deflated style if you have naturally fine, thin, or otherwise flat hair. But LolaVie’s nourishing formula vanishes as quickly as you apply it, only leaving behind a shiny, vibrancy-enhancing finish. Plus, its ingredients list reads like a recipe for shiny strands that could put diamonds to shame—and includes heavy-hitting moisturizers like sunflower seed oil, bamboo extract, and proteins derived from lentils and chia seeds.
Dall’Asen before applying the LolaVie Lightweight Hair Oil
Nicola Dall'Asen
Dall’Asen after applying the LolaVie Lightweight Hair Oil
Nicola Dall'Asen
Tester feedback from Allure senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen
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“Short, fine hair like mine and oils don't always get along, but I never have to worry about that with LolaVie's Lightweight Hair Oil—hell, its distinguishing factor is right there in the name. Just a few drops of this keratin-based oil gives my hair the hydration and shine it desperately needs, and thankfully without that heavy, greasy feeling.” —Nicola Dall’Asen, senior news editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: sunflower seed oil, olive leaf extract, chlorella vulgaris (algae) extract, chia seed extract, bamboo extract
- When to apply: after towel-drying and/or after styling
- Additional benefits: minimizes breakage
- Scent: coconut
- Sizes: 1.5 oz
Best for Second-Day Styles: Ouai Hair Oil
Ouai
Hair Oil
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Why it's worth it: Not only does Ouai's Hair Oil deliver intense shine, but this lightweight formula is brimming with strand-softening ingredients like antioxidants and fatty acids. These ingredients also provide built-in protection against damage from pollution and UV exposure (meaning less color-fading) and the weakness and breakage caused by heated styling tools. It's weightless enough for fine hair but potent enough to smooth coarse hair types without creating a greasy feel, so it's perfect for refreshing second-day blowouts.
Allure features editor Dianna Mazzone Singh applying the Ouai Hair Oil
Dianna Mazzone Singh
Singh after applying the Ouai Hair Oil
Dianna Mazzone Singh
Tester feedback from Allure features director Dianna Mazzone Singh
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“There are only a few oils I dare rake through my fine strands, and Ouai's is one of them. So imagine my delight when I learned that the same lightweight formula is now available in the brand's signature St. Barts scent with notes of dragonfruit, tuberose, and amber. Each time I catch a whiff, it feels like I've teleported from my office to the beach.”—Dianna Mazzone Singh, features director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: galanga oil, ama oil, borage oil
- Hair it's best for: all hair types
- When to apply: after styling
- Additional benefits: enhances color vibrancy
- Scent: floral
- Sizes: 1.5 oz.
Best for Protective Styles: Cécred Nourishing Hair Oil
Cécred
Cécred Nourishing Hair Oil
Cécred
Why it's worth it: We all want hair that can withstand a full Beyoncé choreography, and it starts with the right oil. Cécred's Nourishing Hair Oil features a blend of 13 plant-based oils designed to hydrate, protect, and shine. At the heart of the formula is the African Oil Blend (baobab, moringa, and black seed oils) to keep strands supple and resilient while they’re tucked away in your style, while sea buckthorn oil replenishes with fatty acids and vitamin E. Bioactive Keratin Ferment takes it a step further, reinforcing the hair’s natural barrier, reducing breakage, and restoring protein with every braid, twist, or knot.
“This oil is the best for medium to thick, curly, or straight, and every texture in between,” New York City-based cosmetologist Cataanda James previously told Allure. She says a little goes a long way when working it into wet or dry curls.
Allure contributor Jailynn Taylor applying the Cécred Nourishing Hair Oil
Jailynn Taylor
Taylor after applying the Cécred Nourishing Hair Oil
Jailynn Taylor
Tester feedback from Allure contributor Jailynn Taylor
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"I've tried countless oils searching for one that nourishes my locs without causing buildup, and the Cécred Nourishing Hair Oil delivers on both fronts. Upon application, my locs feel softer and better sealed with the moisture they need to stay strong and flexible. Rather than sitting on the surface, this oil absorbs well and keeps my locs hydrated for days with a subtle sheen. I apply a few drops to my scalp and along the length of my locs between wash days, and the results are immediate: less dryness, more movement, and easier manageability. The Temple Oud fragrance is pleasant and lingers just enough without being overwhelming." —Jailynn Taylor, contributor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: baobab oil, sea buckthorn oil, bioactive keratin ferment
- Hair it's best for: all hair types, especially coily
- When to apply: after styling
- Additional benefits: adds a subtle sheen, reduces breakage
- Scent: oud, sandalwood, jasmine, vetiver, violet leaves
- Sizes: 1.7 oz.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do hair oils work?
"Hair oils help smooth the hair cuticle and reduce styling breakage while minimizing frizz," cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos says. However, it isn't the oil smoothing the cuticle. "Most hair 'oils' on the market actually contain very little oil; they're primarily made from siloxanes and hydrocarbons,” explains Dobos. These ingredients, also known as silicones and mineral oils, respectively, are added to many hair oils because some of the lipids in natural oils can weigh hair down and cause fine hair to look greasy. Therefore, products with a high oil concentration are better on thick, textured, or coily hair, she says.
Which hair oil is right for me?
"Rather than choosing an oil for your hair type, you should consider what you need the oil to do for your hair," says Sophia Emmanuel, a hairstylist in New York City. For example, if you're looking to enhance shine and softness, olive, carrot, and jojoba oils, all of which act as moisture-sealing emollients, are helpful. On the other hand, avid users of hot tools like blow-dryers or straighteners should reach for silicone-infused products to protect the hair's cuticle. Keep in mind, however, that silicone has long-term effects. New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, tells Allure, "Continued use of silicones over time can weigh down the hair, so it's important to regularly wash hair to prevent any build-up."
When should I use hair oil?
Hair oils can have varied application directions, so be sure to read the bottle before you start your treatment. While many hair oils call for post-shower application on dry or damp hair, others are meant to be applied pre-wash. "The main benefit of pre-wash oils is that of an emollient, which provides a coating over the hair shaft, which seals the cuticle and traps moisture inside," Vladyslava Doktor, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Boston, previously told Allure.
Meet the experts
- Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Kelly Dobos, a cosmetic chemist
- Sophia Emmanuel, a hairstylist at Crown Worthy in New York City
- Vladyslava Doktor, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Center Boston
How we test and review products
We always enlist a range of testers for our makeup vertical, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While there are certain products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind. Many are created to address a concern (dandruff, breakage, brittleness) or to work most effectively for a specific hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair). You wouldn't want to pick up a purple shampoo that's only been reviewed by someone with, say, auburn hair, or a diffuser that's never been tested by anyone with curls—right?
For our review of the best hair oils, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, professional stylists, cosmetic chemists, and board-certified dermatologists—who spoke about how to choose a hair oil and its range of benefits, depending on hair type, texture, hair concerns, and desired outcome. Testers considered performance across three primary categories: efficacy, formula, and application. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
