What goes into bottling our best hair oil? When our team got together to develop our first-ever K-beauty hair product, the Haruharu Wonder Black Bamboo Frizz-Free Hair Oil, we had sky-high standards. First, it had to be packed with the same gentle, vegan ingredients you expect from our vegan K-beauty skincare essentials. It also had to work for all hair types, from fine, to wavy, to kinky and curly. And it had to feel lightweight, come in an easy-to-apply format, and leave a finish glossier than your favorite glass-skin serum.
We won’t lie: It took us many rounds and months of work to perfect this Korean haircare launch. But if you’ve been let down by other hair oils in the past, this is the one that will change your mind. Below, everything you need to know about this K-beauty secret for healthy hair.
How do hair oils work?
Just like your favorite face oil and body oil, hair oils rely on the nourishing yet lightweight properties of oil to lock in moisture, soften, and smooth. If you zoom in on the individual strands of your hair under a microscope, you’ll see the outermost layer, also known as the hair cuticle. Similar to how your skin barrier acts as the first line of defense for your skin, your hair cuticle forms the protective shield for your hair. By applying hair oil, you can help smooth and nourish the cuticle, reducing the risk of breakage, damage, and frizz.
We tested multiple combinations of plant-powered oils before landing on the winning formula. This fast-absorbing formula contains a lightweight duo of argan oil and sugarcane-derived squalane to deeply hydrate, soften, nourish, and add shine in just a few drops. We also added black bamboo water and shoots for lasting hydration. And to make it work even harder, we packed it with 10 hydrolyzed plant proteins to strengthen damaged hair, 17 amino acids to improve elasticity, and an 8-peptide complex to help fortify and prevent breakage. The finishing touch: an uplifting blend of essential oils that give it a bright, citrusy-floral scent. So not only will your hair look shiny and healthy, it’ll smell amazing too.
Does this hair oil work for all hair types?
As soon as we came up with the idea for this hair oil, we knew it absolutely had to work for everyone. That’s why we tested it on team members with a wide range of hair types and textures, including damaged hair, color-treated hair, fine hair, frizzy hair, straight hair, wavy hair, curly hair, and kinky hair.
“My hair is short, fine, and tends to get greasy quickly—not exactly the ideal combination,” says our team member Tamara. Anyone with similarly fine hair will know that heavy hair treatments can make hair go from glossy to greasy in seconds. But in testing, this one didn’t disappoint. “I was genuinely surprised,” she says. “It’s lightweight, absorbs quickly, and best of all, leaves my hair feeling silky without any greasy residue.”
This formula was also made to give extra care to damaged and color-treated hair. In fact, many of our team members said it was the best hair oil they’ve tried for dry hair.
“My hair has gotten so damaged from too much sun and it’s very porous,” says our team member Alexandra. “This oil saved it. I’ve had issues with so many formulas feeling heavy, but I noticed that this formula absorbs beautifully without leaving a greasy look.”
We also recommend this formula if you frequently switch between styles or want to grow out your hair. “I tend to change hairstyles quite often, so my hair is under a lot of stress,” says our team member Kiber. “I use this to help my hair gain back its usual strength and restore shine while keeping it smooth.”
Will this hair oil irritate sensitive scalps?
Haircare doesn’t stop at your strands; it also includes your scalp. The skin here can be prone to buildup and irritation, so we wanted to make sure this oil could play well even with sensitive scalps. If you fall under this category, you’ll be happy to hear that this hair oil has been clinically proven to cause no irritation to skin.* Of course, if you have a chronic scalp condition, we still recommend doing a 24-hour patch test before applying all over.
*According to a 24-hour primary dermal irritation study on 30 subjects with sensitive skin.
When should I use this hair oil? How should I apply this hair oil?
Hair oils are easy to use, and we made it even more streamlined with our pump applicator. To apply, just pump once or twice, spread it over your palms, and then work the formula over your hair. Focus on the ends of your hair, then work up to the root. This oil also plays well with leave-in conditioners and creams if your hair type needs an extra hit of moisture, but most of our team members found it packed plenty of hydration on its own.
As for when to use it, that’s up to you! Our Black Bamboo Frizz-Free Hair Oil can be used on both damp and dry hair, so you’ve got options. “I always apply it right after the shower, while my hair is still damp. It feels like it actually repairs my hair, and the effect doesn’t just wash away after one rinse,” says Alexandra. Or, take a few drops and lightly smooth them over flyaways and frizz for instant glossy hair. You can use it daily, or whenever you need a boost of nourishing ingredients and silky shine—no rinsing required.
Healthy hair needs a routine, just like your skin. And if you prefer your haircare routine on the quick and easy side (same), this is about to be your new best friend. Go ahead and get a backup now: Your hair will drink this up.
Meet the Author
Haruharu Wonder contributor Sarah Y. Wu has a decade of experience in the industry as a beauty editor, copy director, and brand consultant. Her bylines have appeared in outlets including Teen Vogue, Forbes, Allure, Marie Claire, Glamour, NYLON, Bustle, The Zoe Report, Vogue, WWD, and Byrdie. She’s also the copywriter and copy director for some of your favorite skincare, fragrance, and makeup brands. While she’s tried thousands of products over the course of her career, she’ll always save a spot in her beauty routine for Haruharu Wonder’s Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream and Centella Sunflower Makeup-Melting Cleansing Balm. Connect with her on Instagram @say.wu.
Your Ultimate Guide to Our Best Hair Oil for All Hair Types
What goes into bottling our best hair oil? When our team got together to develop our first-ever K-beauty hair product, the Haruharu Wonder Black Bamboo Frizz-Free Hair Oil, we had sky-high standards. First, it had to be packed with the same gentle, vegan ingredients you expect from our vegan K-beauty skincare essentials. It also had to work for all hair types, from fine, to wavy, to kinky and curly. And it had to feel lightweight, come in an easy-to-apply format, and leave a finish glossier than your favorite glass-skin serum.
We won’t lie: It took us many rounds and months of work to perfect this Korean haircare launch. But if you’ve been let down by other hair oils in the past, this is the one that will change your mind. Below, everything you need to know about this K-beauty secret for healthy hair.
How do hair oils work?
Just like your favorite face oil and body oil, hair oils rely on the nourishing yet lightweight properties of oil to lock in moisture, soften, and smooth. If you zoom in on the individual strands of your hair under a microscope, you’ll see the outermost layer, also known as the hair cuticle. Similar to how your skin barrier acts as the first line of defense for your skin, your hair cuticle forms the protective shield for your hair. By applying hair oil, you can help smooth and nourish the cuticle, reducing the risk of breakage, damage, and frizz.
We tested multiple combinations of plant-powered oils before landing on the winning formula. This fast-absorbing formula contains a lightweight duo of argan oil and sugarcane-derived squalane to deeply hydrate, soften, nourish, and add shine in just a few drops. We also added black bamboo water and shoots for lasting hydration. And to make it work even harder, we packed it with 10 hydrolyzed plant proteins to strengthen damaged hair, 17 amino acids to improve elasticity, and an 8-peptide complex to help fortify and prevent breakage. The finishing touch: an uplifting blend of essential oils that give it a bright, citrusy-floral scent. So not only will your hair look shiny and healthy, it’ll smell amazing too.
Does this hair oil work for all hair types?
As soon as we came up with the idea for this hair oil, we knew it absolutely had to work for everyone. That’s why we tested it on team members with a wide range of hair types and textures, including damaged hair, color-treated hair, fine hair, frizzy hair, straight hair, wavy hair, curly hair, and kinky hair.
“My hair is short, fine, and tends to get greasy quickly—not exactly the ideal combination,” says our team member Tamara. Anyone with similarly fine hair will know that heavy hair treatments can make hair go from glossy to greasy in seconds. But in testing, this one didn’t disappoint. “I was genuinely surprised,” she says. “It’s lightweight, absorbs quickly, and best of all, leaves my hair feeling silky without any greasy residue.”
This formula was also made to give extra care to damaged and color-treated hair. In fact, many of our team members said it was the best hair oil they’ve tried for dry hair.
“My hair has gotten so damaged from too much sun and it’s very porous,” says our team member Alexandra. “This oil saved it. I’ve had issues with so many formulas feeling heavy, but I noticed that this formula absorbs beautifully without leaving a greasy look.”
We also recommend this formula if you frequently switch between styles or want to grow out your hair. “I tend to change hairstyles quite often, so my hair is under a lot of stress,” says our team member Kiber. “I use this to help my hair gain back its usual strength and restore shine while keeping it smooth.”
Will this hair oil irritate sensitive scalps?
Haircare doesn’t stop at your strands; it also includes your scalp. The skin here can be prone to buildup and irritation, so we wanted to make sure this oil could play well even with sensitive scalps. If you fall under this category, you’ll be happy to hear that this hair oil has been clinically proven to cause no irritation to skin.* Of course, if you have a chronic scalp condition, we still recommend doing a 24-hour patch test before applying all over.
*According to a 24-hour primary dermal irritation study on 30 subjects with sensitive skin.
When should I use this hair oil? How should I apply this hair oil?
Hair oils are easy to use, and we made it even more streamlined with our pump applicator. To apply, just pump once or twice, spread it over your palms, and then work the formula over your hair. Focus on the ends of your hair, then work up to the root. This oil also plays well with leave-in conditioners and creams if your hair type needs an extra hit of moisture, but most of our team members found it packed plenty of hydration on its own.
As for when to use it, that’s up to you! Our Black Bamboo Frizz-Free Hair Oil can be used on both damp and dry hair, so you’ve got options. “I always apply it right after the shower, while my hair is still damp. It feels like it actually repairs my hair, and the effect doesn’t just wash away after one rinse,” says Alexandra. Or, take a few drops and lightly smooth them over flyaways and frizz for instant glossy hair. You can use it daily, or whenever you need a boost of nourishing ingredients and silky shine—no rinsing required.
Healthy hair needs a routine, just like your skin. And if you prefer your haircare routine on the quick and easy side (same), this is about to be your new best friend. Go ahead and get a backup now: Your hair will drink this up.
Meet the Author
Haruharu Wonder contributor Sarah Y. Wu has a decade of experience in the industry as a beauty editor, copy director, and brand consultant. Her bylines have appeared in outlets including Teen Vogue, Forbes, Allure, Marie Claire, Glamour, NYLON, Bustle, The Zoe Report, Vogue, WWD, and Byrdie. She’s also the copywriter and copy director for some of your favorite skincare, fragrance, and makeup brands. While she’s tried thousands of products over the course of her career, she’ll always save a spot in her beauty routine for Haruharu Wonder’s Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream and Centella Sunflower Makeup-Melting Cleansing Balm. Connect with her on Instagram @say.wu.