Rich in nutrients with an abundance of benefits. What do we need to do to influence you that this natural oil, native to French Polynesia, is a game-changer when it comes to the health of your hair, says editor Trudi Brewer.
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You may be over hair oils, but that doesn't stop us from sharing game-changers when creating healthy, luscious locks. If you're a fan of coconut oil and its effects on your strands, then monoi oil may become your new BFF.
What is it?
Monoi oil is a supercharged coconut oil made by soaking the petals of Tahitian gardenia in rich coconut oil. Considered a perfume oil as it is fragrant and used to moisturise, nourish, and add shine to hair. This luxurious oil and coconut blend offers significant benefits for hair, including flooding it with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E, which provide deep hydration to repair damaged hair and strength and nourishment that can improve overall scalp health.
What are the benefits?
The benefits of monoi oil are very similar to coconut oil. First, I restore moisture to every strand. Studies show that coconut oil penetrates the hair shaft, resulting in better protection from damage in the same way monoi oil helps restore water and nutrients that strengthen the hair shaft. It will educe frizz. The hydrating properties of monoi oil are instant. You will see less frizz and more shine; a little goes a long way regarding results. Finally, monoi oil promotes the overall health of your hair and scalp. A daily dose of monoi oil provides a pollution barrier that can strengthen the hair while encouraging a happy, hydrated scalp.
Our pick of Monoi oil-infused haircare
GOOP GOOPGLOW Restore + Shine Hair Serum, $94.
This pre-wash, cuticle-sealing treatment is stacked with vitamin C, omega-rich sea buckthorn oil, as well as plumeria, monoi oil. Expect softer and smoother in one use.
To use: Apply to dry hair before washing, massage in from roots to ends and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse, then shampoo, condition, and style as usual.
HASK Monoi Coconut Oil Nourishing Shampoo, $15.
Close your eyes, and the scent of this shampoo transports you to a tropical holiday. Infused with monoi oil, a blend of Tahitian gardenias and coconut oil, it rejuvenates lifeless locks in one wash. There is also a conditioner to match.
JOICO BLONDE LIFE BRILLIANT GLOW BRIGHTENING OIL, $41.
Invisible liposome technology with arginine is stacked with hair-loving amino acids. Then the triple blend of monoi, and coconut tamanu oils, are fortified with omega 6 and 9, to hydrate parched blonde hair, adding shine, and banishing frizz.
Kevin Murphy Smooth Again Rinse, $55.
A rich smoothing conditioner for coarse, curly hair. From the first rinse, it adds smoothness and softness, eliminating frizz and sealing those annoying split ends thanks to the blend of monoi oil keratin protein cocoa seed butter and Brazil nut oil rich omega fatty acids.
FANOLA NO ORANGE SHAMPOO, $26.
Eliminate brassiness in blonde hair while drenching it with moisture. The blend of intense blue pigments and monoi milk neutralises unwanted orange reflections while delivering shiny, sweet-smelling results.
Safe, volume-boosting, brow dry extending, here the clean beauty buys.