This Luxe Hair Oil Is My Hair’s Best-Kept Secret

Despite being a beauty editor who tests products for a living, I'm what's described as pretty low-maintenance when it comes to my hair. I don't like spending hours on it, but I also understand how important it is to prioritise the health of my strands, particularly because I like to keep my hair long. That's where choosing the right hair products comes in. Guided by some of the industry's best hairstylists I've had the pleasure of interviewing, I favour professional haircare products that contain excellent ingredients, are easy to use, and (perhaps most importantly) make my routine an enjoyable experience.

The one product that's had my back hair through it all: Kérastase Elixir Ultime L'Original Hair Oil (£58). The iconic golden bottle is one you've likely seen perched proudly on your hairdresser's station or as a key product in red carpet beauty; it's been front and centre of my bathroom cabinet for years.

Kérastase Elixir Ultime L'Original Hair Oil

From

£58

£58 at Lookfantastic

Despite a weekly rotation of products depending on what I'm testing for an article or judging on an awards panel, this multi-tasking, beautiful-smelling leave-in oil is a permanent fixture. In my eyes, that makes it pretty special.

One of the main reasons I favour Elixir Ultime over other oils is how lightweight the formula is; it almost feels like a serum/oil hybrid. It feels incredibly nourishing on my strands without looking greasy or feeling heavy. As someone who has a lot of hair but which is very fine (often mistaken for thick hair because of its volume), this is something I struggle to find elsewhere. The texture is lightweight, non-greasy, and absorbs quickly into my hair thanks to the star ingredient, French camellia, known for its powerful antioxidant properties and nourishing powers. Plus, a little goes a long way, so one to two pumps is enough for my long hair.

Formulation aside, avoiding greasy strands from oil is all about application, too. Savvas Hourrides, hairstylist at Williams & Rice, explains that "applying too much oil in one area and not evenly distributing it" can cause a greasy feel. That's why I like to work the oil into my hands before running my fingers through my mid-lengths and ends before going over with a brush.

Unlike many hair products, the scent isn't an afterthought. In fact, it's part of what makes this oil so special. Created by French perfumer Nicolas Beaulieu, Elixir Ultime has notes of freesia, sandalwood, and violet, giving it that iconic floral, woody scent.

Finally, it's a multi-use oil that works for everyone, in a variety of ways: as a pre-shampoo treatment, a heat protector, or a styling product to tame flyaways, control frizz, and add shine. "Everyone can benefit from using hair oil but it's understanding what your hair needs from those specific types of oils," says Adam Lee, hairstylist at Andrew Mulvenna. This is where its lightweight, non-greasy formula gives it a point of difference. You can use a little or a lot and apply it in a way that suits your hair type. Oh, and it comes in a new refillable packaging, perfect for when you need a top-up.

As I mentioned before, the Kérastase Elixir Ultime L'Original Hair Oil prioritises its ingredients. You'll find French camellia oil and argan oil in the formula, adding softness and nourishment to the hair, whilst helping to strengthen and protect from breakage.

Elixir Ultime also protects up to 230-degree heat*, which is important to the overall health of your hair. "Under the influence of heat, water evaporates from the hair, causing different levels of damage to the fibre; it is the protective outer surface of the hair, known as the cuticle, that is the first to suffer the effects," explains Bethany Braidley, hairstylist at House Hairdressing. Braidley adds that the hair cuticle is made up of scales (similar to roof tiles), which we want to lie flat and uniform to keep them protected and "reflect light easily, giving hair its shine."

There are a few key ways I love to use this oil. The first is after washing my hair (which I tend to do three to four times a week), focusing on applying mostly on the mid-lengths and ends after towel-drying. Not only does the oil help to nourish to my hair, but it also provides heat protection (a non-negotiable for me). If I'm straightening it, I'll also add half a pump throughout my hair after styling to reduce any flyaways and leave it feeling silky smooth.

The second way I use Elixir Ultime is in between hair washes when I want to give my hair extra life by managing frizz, nourishing any frazzled sections, and adding shine.

If my hair is feeling particularly lacklustre, I treat it with an intensive oil treatment. For this, I slather the oil on my mid-lengths and ends before letting it work its magic. I typically do this on a work-from-home day when I know I'm sitting at my desk for a few hours, before thoroughly shampooing and conditioning. My hair feels incredibly soft and tangle-free after doing this, giving it a much-needed boost — particularly when I'm due a haircut.

The Elixir Ultime L'Original Hair Oil pulls any hairstyle of mine together, be it a blowout, sleek and straight, or a pulled-back top knot. It instantly adds shine, protects from heat, and reduces unwanted frizz. I've noticed that over time, it makes my ends feel far less frazzled (even when growing out my bright copper bleached ends). I've also noticed the overall condition of my hair feeling far better, being shinier, and growing well. That's why it's become a mainstay in my ever-changing hair routine.

*Instrumental test