Hair oiling is more than a beauty ritual. It’s a love language for your strands. For natural hair, it brings the kind of nourishment that conditioners alone can’t deliver. Whether your curls are wavy, springy, coily, or somewhere in between, the right oiling method can protect, soften, and support healthy growth. The secret is in matching your technique and oils to your hair type and style. And maybe a little joy while you're at it.
What Oils Work Best for Each Hair Type?
Not all curls want the same thing. Some like a light touch, others crave richness. Matching the oil’s weight and nutrients to your texture helps you avoid buildup and get real results.
Type 2 Hair (Wavy)
Wavy strands need hydration without heaviness. Oils that are too thick can make your waves limp or greasy.
Go-to oils:
Jojoba oil mimics natural scalp oils and keeps frizz down
Argan oil is great for dry ends and subtle shine
Grapeseed oil is light, antioxidant-rich, and great for summer
Apply a few drops on damp ends or use sparingly on dry hair to refresh your style.
Type 3 Hair (Curly)
Curly hair tends to be drier by nature and needs a bit more richness to stay soft and defined. Oils that penetrate and seal are ideal.
Favourites for type 3:
Sweet almond oil balances moisture and adds softness
Avocado oil is full of nutrients for bounce and strength
Olive oil is rich and soothing, best in small amounts or mixed in blends
Use after your leave-in to seal in hydration, especially when setting styles like twist-outs.
Type 4 Hair (Coily or Kinky)
This hair type is the most fragile and the most prone to moisture loss. It thrives with heavier oils that coat and protect.
Best picks:
Castor oil is thick and great for sealing ends or growing edges
Shea butter is nourishing and non-greasy
Baobab oil is lightweight but packed with hydration and vitamins
A mix of heavy and light oils can give your hair the balance it needs. Your scalp may prefer something lighter than your ends.
Oiling Techniques for Different Styles
Your styling choice plays a big part in how and when you oil. Some styles need a little extra attention at the roots, while others ask for a light hand. The trick is adjusting your method without skipping the moisture your hair needs.
Low Manipulation Styles
Styles like twist-outs, braid-outs, and wash-and-gos keep your hair loose but mostly untouched. Since your strands are exposed, the focus is on moisture maintenance and frizz control.
Apply oil after your styling cream or leave-in to seal moisture
Focus on the mid-shaft to ends, avoiding the roots unless your scalp feels dry
Reapply lightly midweek to freshen things up
Try layering a light oil like sweet almond or avocado to keep definition without weighing curls down.
Protective Styles
Braids, wigs, twists, and weaves are all about safeguarding your strands. But out of sight shouldn't mean out of mind. Your scalp and the hair tucked underneath still need love.
Use a nozzle-tip bottle to reach between parts and braids
Massage oil into the scalp once or twice a week
Apply oil to exposed hair or ends, especially if they feel dry or tight
Castor oil is great for the edges. Grapeseed or jojoba work wonders on the scalp without causing buildup.
Straightened Natural Hair
When your hair is straightened, either with heat or stretching, oiling is more about gloss and protection than moisture retention. The goal is shine, smoothness, and avoiding reversion.
Use a drop or two of oil after heat styling to add shine and prevent frizz
Skip the roots and focus only on the lengths and ends
If your scalp feels dry, do a light oil massage at night and sleep with a satin bonnet
Stick to dry, lightweight oils like argan or sunflower to keep your strands sleek and airy.
A Little Goes a Long Way
The joy of hair oiling is that it invites you to slow down and listen to what your hair actually needs. It’s not about coating your curls in oil every day. It’s about knowing when a drop will do, and when it’s time for a full-on ritual. Whether you’re channeling ancient traditions or just giving your twist-out a midweek refresh, the right oil in the right way makes all the difference.
And your coils, waves, and kinks? They’ll absolutely thank you for it.
Love,
The BodyWhip Team