Bumble And Bumble Oil Review: Is It Worth It?

If you’re reading this, your hair is probably a lot like mine: a constant battle against frizz, dryness, and the damage from heat styling. You’ve seen the sleek, minimalist bottle of Bumble and Bumble’s Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil. You’ve heard the hype.

But you’re standing there, looking at the price tag, and asking the one question that matters: “Is it really worth it?” I’m not going to string you along. My answer is a resounding yes. If you’re tired of oils that are either too greasy or do nothing, you should buy this. It’s the one I’ve repurchased, and in this review, I’m going to tell you exactly why.

My Experience With Bumble And Bumble Oil

Let me paint a picture for you.

My hair is fine, but I have a lot of it. It’s color-treated, wavy-to-curly, and its one true passion in life is to absorb every last drop of humidity in the air and explode into a frizzy halo.

I’ve been on a lifelong quest for a product that can make it look smooth and polished without turning it into a stringy, greasy mess.

I’ve tried everything, from drugstore argan oils to pure coconut oil (which was a disaster).

I bought the travel-size bottle of the Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil first, because I am not the kind of person who drops that much cash without a trial run.

The first thing I noticed was the texture. It’s a “dry oil,” meaning it’s silicone-based and feels incredibly silky and light, not at all like a heavy, sticky kitchen oil.

The scent is subtle, a little fruity and tropical, but not overpowering.

The first test: on damp hair before blow-drying. I used two pumps (my hair is long), warmed it between my palms, and smoothed it from my mid-lengths to my ends, raking it through. My brush glided through my hair. Normally, I have to fight with tangles, but this gave my hair an incredible “slip.” The blow-dry itself was faster, and the result was… shocking. My hair was soft. Not just a little soft, but plush. It felt like expensive fabric. The frizz was gone, replaced by a smooth, healthy-looking shine. And the best part? It had zero weight. My hair still had its natural volume and bounce.

The real test, however, is always day-two hair. I woke up, and while my hair wasn’t frizzy, it was a bit dull and my ends looked dry. I took a single pump, rubbed my palms together, and just gently “scrunched” it into my ends and smoothed my hands over the top layer to catch flyaways. It was like an instant refresh. The shine came back, my ends looked sealed, and my hair looked freshly styled. It didn’t look greasy or separated. It just looked better. I was sold. I’ve been using it for six months now, and that first travel-size bottle lasted me three. It’s the real deal.

Read more: My Thoughts on Not Your Mother’s Dry Shampoo

Pros Of Bumble And Bumble Oil

• The Six-Oil Blend Is A Hydration Powerhouse: This isn’t just one type of oil. It’s a carefully crafted cocktail of six different lightweight oils: Grapeseed, Safflower Seed, Sweet Almond, Macadamia Nut, Argan, and Coconut.¹ Each of these does something different. You get the moisturizing fatty acids from coconut and macadamia, the vitamin E and antioxidant protection from argan and grapeseed, and the softening properties from sweet almond.² This blend is the reason why the oil doesn’t just look good; it genuinely nourishes your hair. I’ve noticed my ends are less prone to splitting and my hair doesn’t feel as “crunchy” from my flat iron. It provides deep, nourishing moisture that you can feel, not just a cosmetic shine that washes out.
• Completely Weightless Texture: This is the number one reason I recommend it, especially if you have fine or medium hair. The term “invisible oil” is the perfect description. It’s formulated with silicones that help the oils spread incredibly thin and absorb almost instantly. Unlike thicker, 100% natural oils that can just sit on top of the hair shaft, this one sinks in. It smooths the hair cuticle down, which is what eliminates frizz, but it doesn’t leave that heavy, “product-y” feeling. You can run your fingers through your hair and it just feels like your hair, only a thousand times softer. For those of us who have been traumatized by oils that turn our hair into a limp, greasy helmet, this is a game-changer.
• Incredible Frizz And Flyaway Control: This oil is my personal bodyguard against humidity.³ Because it smooths and seals the hair cuticle, it creates a barrier that stops moisture in the air from getting in and puffing up your hair. A single pump smoothed over my hair in the morning keeps it sleek all day. It’s fantastic for taming those little “halo” hairs that pop up around your hairline and part. It provides a polished, “finished” look that I’ve only ever been able to get from a professional blowout. It’s the difference between my hair looking “done” and looking like I just rolled out of bed.
• Works As A Heat And UV Protectant: This is a huge value-add that makes the price much easier to swallow. This oil isn’t just for shine; it’s a functional treatment. It provides heat protection up to 450°F (232°C), so I can use it on my damp hair before I blow-dry and straighten, knowing I’m shielding my hair from damage. It also contains UV filters.⁴ This is something most people don’t think about, but the sun bleaches and damages your hair just like it does your skin. Using this is like putting sunscreen on your hair. It helps protect my color from fading and keeps my hair healthier during the summer.
• A Little Goes A Very, Very Long Way: That price tag is intimidating, I get it. But my first 1-ounce travel bottle, with near-daily use, lasted me just over three months. You are only supposed to use one to two pumps. Because it’s so concentrated and spreads so easily, you don’t need to saturate your hair in it. When you break down the cost per use, it’s far more economical than a cheaper drugstore oil that you have to use a giant palmful of to get any results. The full-size 3.4-ounce bottle will likely last me the better part of a year.

Cons Of Bumble And Bumble Oil

Now, it’s not a magic potion. As much as I love it, there are some very real downsides and reasons why it might not be the perfect fit for you.

The Price And Ingredients

• The Obvious, High Price Point: This is the biggest hurdle. This is a luxury, salon-grade product, and it is priced accordingly. It’s a significant investment, and for many, it’s simply not justifiable for a single hair product, no matter how good it is. You are paying for the brand, the research, and the complex 6-oil formula. If you’re on a tight budget, this will feel like a splurge.
• It Is Silicone-Based (Not “All-Natural”): If you follow a strict “all-natural” or “silicone-free” hair routine, this is not the oil for you. The first two ingredients are silicones (Dimethicone and Isododecane).⁵ This is why it feels so light, silky, and “invisible” and why it provides such good heat protection. But silicones can build up on the hair over time, which some people find weighs their hair down or requires a clarifying shampoo to remove. This is a pro for me, but a definite con for others.

Performance And Suitability

• Not For The “Over-Applier”: There is a steep user-error curve here. If you are heavy-handed, you will make your hair look greasy. My “one pump” rule is not a suggestion; it’s a law. If I use three pumps, even my frizz-prone hair will look separated and oily. You have to start with the smallest possible amount and add more only if you desperately need it. If you’re impatient and just want to slather your hair in product, you will hate this.
• May Not Be Heavy Enough For Very Coarse Hair: While this is a holy grail for my fine hair, I have read reviews from people with extremely coarse, thick, or coily hair (like 4C) who said it just wasn’t enough. They felt it was too lightweight and their hair “drank” it instantly, but it didn’t provide the heavy-duty moisture or “weight” they needed to truly control their hair. For some hair types, a richer, thicker oil like a pure argan or castor oil blend might be more effective.
• The Scent Is Not For Everyone: I find the scent to be a light, pleasant, fruity-floral. It smells like a salon. However, fragrance is deeply personal. I’ve seen some reviews that describe it as “too sweet” or “perfumey.” If you are highly sensitive to fragrance or prefer unscented products, you should definitely try to smell this in a store before you buy it, as the scent does linger gently on the hair.

Maintenance Tips For Bumble And Bumble Oil

How you use this oil is just as important as the oil itself. To get that perfect, weightless, frizz-free result every time, you have to be strategic. Here are the tips I’ve learned over the last six months.

Application Strategy

• Always Apply Mid-Lengths To Ends: This is the golden rule of hair oil.⁶ Your scalp produces its own natural oil (sebum). The ends of your hair are the oldest, driest, and most damaged, so they need the most help. Never, ever apply this oil near your roots. It will make your hair look flat and greasy, no matter how fine the oil is. I start by raking it through the bottom three-quarters of my hair and then use whatever is left on my palms to smooth the top.
• Warm It Up First: Don’t pump it directly onto your hair. Pump it into the palm of your hand, then rub your hands together vigorously for a few seconds. This warms up the oil, emulsifies it slightly, and ensures you get a super-thin, even coating on both hands. This way, you’re not depositing one big “glob” of oil on one section of your hair.
• The “Damp Hair” Method: For the best results as a treatment and heat protectant, apply it to damp, towel-dried hair. Your hair is more porous when wet, and the oil will penetrate more deeply as it’s sealed in by the heat from your blow-dryer. This locks in moisture and gives you that smooth, “foundational” frizz control.
• The “Dry Hair” Method: For a finishing touch, less is more. I use one single pump. After warming it in my palms, I use what I call the “prayer hands” technique. I smooth my palms over the outside of my hair, from mid-shaft down, to tame flyaways. Then, I use my fingers to “scrunch” the remaining oil into my dry ends to add shine and seal them.

Maximizing Its Benefits

• Use It As A Pre-Shampoo Treatment: If my hair is feeling especially dry and brittle (like after a beach vacation or in the dead of winter), I’ll do this. Before I get in the shower, I’ll apply 3-4 pumps all over my dry hair, from roots to ends, and tie it up. I’ll let it sit for 20-30 minutes while I make coffee or answer emails. The oil acts as a protective barrier, preventing the shampoo from stripping too much of my hair’s natural moisture. When I wash and condition, my hair feels unbelievably soft.
• Cocktail It With Your Hair Mask: This is a pro-level salon trick. When you’re doing your weekly deep-conditioning mask, add a pump of the Invisible Oil into the dollop of conditioner in your hand. Mix it together and apply it. The oil supercharges your mask, adding an extra boost of nourishing fats and vitamins.
• Remember To Clarify: Because this oil contains silicones, you should use a clarifying shampoo every 3-4 weeks. This isn’t a “con”; it’s just good maintenance. A clarifying shampoo will “reset” your hair, removing any product buildup and allowing the oil and your other products to work more effectively.

Also read: My Thoughts On Matrix Keep Me Vivid Shampoo

Comparison With Other Brands

This oil isn’t the only luxury option on the shelf. I’ve tried the big ones, and here’s the real breakdown of how they compare.

Bumble And Bumble Vs. Moroccanoil Treatment

• The Texture And Weight: This is the biggest difference. Moroccanoil is the “original” argan oil treatment, and it is a much richer, heavier, and more viscous oil. It’s an amber-colored, thick serum. Bumble and Bumble is a crystal-clear, very thin “dry oil.” If you have very thick, coarse, or dry hair, you might prefer the heavy-duty hydration of Moroccanoil. If you have fine to medium hair, you will almost certainly prefer the weightless feel of Bumble and Bumble.

Bumble And Bumble Vs. Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil

• The Core Purpose: These are two different products masquerading as the same thing. Bumble and Bumble is a moisturizing oil; its goal is to hydrate, soften, and de-frizz with its 6-oil blend.⁷ Olaplex No. 7 is a repair oil; its primary goal is to rebuild broken bonds in your hair with its patented ingredient.⁸ The shine and heat protection are bonuses. If your hair is dry, buy Bumble and Bumble. If your hair is damaged from bleach, buy Olaplex.

Bumble And Bumble Vs. Kérastase Elixir Ultime

• The Luxury Experience: This is the closest competitor. Both are high-end, silicone-based French oils that provide shine and heat protection. Kérastase’s blend (Marula, Camellia, Argan oils) is also fantastic. The choice here often comes down to two things: scent and feel. Kérastase has a very strong, iconic floral “perfume” scent that is more polarizing. Bumble and Bumble’s scent is lighter and fruitier. I also find the B&B to be just a fraction more “invisible” and lightweight than the Kérastase.

Bumble And Bumble Vs. Ouai Hair Oil

• The Fragrance And Finish: Ouai’s Hair Oil is another cult favorite, famous for its incredible “Rue St. Honoré” floral fragrance. It’s a blend of Ama, Borage, and Baobab oils. I find the Ouai oil is fantastic as a “finishing” product. It gives an insane, high-gloss, “glass hair” shine. However, I find the Bumble and Bumble oil sinks in more and feels more nourishing and “invisible,” making it my preferred choice for a pre-blow-dry treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

So, let’s go back to that original, all-important question: Is the Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil worth it?

After six months of use, I can tell you that for me, it absolutely is. I recommend you buy this product if your main concerns are frizz, dryness, and a lack of shine, and especially if you have fine or medium hair that gets weighed down easily. It is a true multi-tasker that hydrates, protects from heat, and smooths frizz in a truly weightless, “invisible” way. It’s the first oil I’ve ever used that I’m not afraid of.