Session stylists share new uses for hair oils

As well as being a hair-saving staple for clients at home, hair oils are hugely popular with session stylists. Perfect for saving models’ frazzled locks, achieving this season’s looks and cocktailing with styling products, oils are the go-to product for many of the industry’s top fashion names, as we found out.

"After years of matte textures, this season sees quite a big departure to wet-look, gloss-like texture for Autumn/Winter 13. No longer just for Summer, this look isn’t Upper East Side glossy princess – it’s a tougher, more vinyl look. For me, the key to this was Redken Diamond Oil. As it’s silicone-free, you get a beautiful sheen to the hair, and it absorbs with no residue.

"Oils have become big because they offer versatility. Backstage we use it to prep the models’ hair, especially if it is tired from lots of styling. It detangles and helps to speed up the blow-dry process, plus the shine you get surpasses most traditional shine products. Condition and versatility aside, multiple layering can give that great wet look to the hair instantly. It’s also perfect for mixing with other products to create new effects." Guido Palau, Redken creative consultant

“Hair oils make for an interesting session styling product and have a dual purpose. Products such as Label.m’s Therapy Age Defying Radiance Oil help to nourish locks so that they are healthier and therefore less likely to weaken and break. Healthy-looking hair is always a wonderful addition to the catwalk, so with their nourishing properties hair oils are a must backstage. In addition, hair oils provide a key styling function. On dry hair they can be used to create wet-look styles, as well as removing frizz and flyaways to make sure locks remain smooth and sleek.”
Cos Sakkas, Toni & Guy international artistic director

“I love the Bumble and bumble Hairdressers Oil applied to the hair before using thickening mousse – it gives a wonderful slip when blow-drying and keeps the hair shiny and full of volume, without weighing the hair down. It works on all hair types.”
Bea Watson, Bumble and bumble live educator

“Oils can be used in so many ways, making them a one-stop wonder product for consumers. For session stylists, it eliminates the need for too many shine and condition products, as a good oil can do many things and give you wet and gloss textures, condition, shine and suppleness – the list is endless. When you’re on a shoot, oils can often give a quick fix to hair that isn’t at its best. Pureology Precious Oil is incredible and has become a staple in my kit bag. Models on shoots are always trying to steal it.”
George Northwood, session stylist

“I mix oils with styling products to create shine and hold. The oils act as a primer, making styling easier and helping to create smoother looking hair. I also use SP Luxe Light Oil Spray for a shiny, healthy-looking finish.”
Adam Reed, Wella Professionals Style ambassador