Is Loreal Extraordinary Oil Shampoo Good? Benefits & Reviews
You know that shiny gold bottle sitting on the shelf L’Oréal Extraordinary Oil Shampoo? I remember picking it up once, half-expecting it to change my hair life overnight. Spoiler: it’s not that simple.. That rich, shimmery liquid, the luxurious packaging, the promise of silky, luscious hair. It feels like it should be amazing.
But let’s get real. Just because a product looks premium doesn’t always mean it works for everyone. So, is L’Oréal Extraordinary Oil Shampoo actually good? Or is it just another shiny promise in a bottle?
I’ll cut the fluff and skip the sales pitch. Here’s what really matters what it does, what it doesn’t, and whether it’s worth your money.
First Things First… What Is This Shampoo Anyway?
L’Oréal Extraordinary Oil Shampoo is part of their “Elvive” range (in some regions, it’s called “Elseve”). It’s designed for dry, dull, and lifeless hairwhich, let’s be honest, is a struggle a lot of us have. Especially if you heat-style, color, live somewhere with hard water, or have just been… you know, alive during winter.
The hero claim? “Transform dry hair into soft, lustrous, and manageable strands with a blend of precious flower oils.”
Sounds dreamy, right? But here’s the real deal on what’s inside that gold bottle.
What’s Actually In This Shampoo? (Let’s Talk Ingredients)
I got curious and ended up scanning the ingredient list like I was prepping for a science quiz. Here’s what caught my eye.
Here’s what stood out:
Coconut Oil – Moisturizes and smooths the hair shaft. Great for reducing protein loss.
Sunflower Seed Oil – Lightweight and rich in Vitamin E. Adds softness without being greasy.
Chamomile & Rose Extracts – These are mostly there for shine and scent. They won’t drastically change your hair health but give it that spa-like vibe.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate – Yep. This is a sulphate-based shampoo. More on that in a second.
Silicones (like Dimethicone) – Smooth the hair, reduce frizz, add shinebut can build up over time.
So, it’s a mix of nourishing oils and synthetic conditioners, balanced out by cleansing agents. Not exactly “natural,” but not terrible either.
Is It Sulfate-Free?
Nope, this one’s got sulfates. And while that might sound like a red flag, it really depends on how your hair reacts to them.
Sulfates, especially Sodium Laureth Sulfate, are powerful cleansers. They’re what make your shampoo foam like a dream. But they can strip natural oilsespecially if you have:
Color-treated hair
Curly or coily hair
Super dry or damaged strands
A sensitive or flaky scalp
If you fall into any of these categories, this might be too harsh as your daily go-to. You could still use it occasionally for a good clarifying washbut it might not be your best everyday match.
So… Is It Good or Bad for Hair?
Honestly? It comes down to your hair’s mood swings, needs, and how picky it is with product buildup.
But let me break it down by type:
If you have fine, limp hair:
This might be too rich for you. The oils + silicones can weigh your hair down and make it greasy fast.
If you have thick, dry, or frizzy hair:
Bingo. This is where the shampoo shines. It coats your hair in just enough smoothness to reduce frizz, and makes detangling easier. That’s a big win for anyone who battles with puffiness or dryness.
If you have colored or bleached hair:
Proceed with caution. Sulfates can cause color to fade faster. I’d recommend using a sulfate-free version of this line (yes, they have one!).
Real People, Real Results (aka: What Users Say)
I went down the rabbit hole—Amazon reviews, Reddit threads, haircare forums. People had a lot to say, and here’s the general feel:
Positive Reviews Say:
“Smells amazing and leaves my hair crazy soft.”
“Tames frizz like a dreamespecially in humidity.”
“Love it for my thick curly hair.”
Negative Reviews Say:
“Too heavy for my fine hair.”
“Made my scalp itchy after a few washes.”
“Wish it was sulfate-free.”
It gets around 4.4 to 4.6 stars on most platforms. So the general consensus? It works really well for many, but not for all.
How Often Should You Use L’Oréal Extraordinary Oil Shampoo?
If your hair is normal to dry, using this 2–3 times a week is perfect.
If you’re oily at the roots or have fine hair, once a week might be enoughjust as a treat.
If you’re using it daily, and your hair is starting to feel heavy, greasy faster, or dull? That’s buildup from the silicones. Try alternating with a lightweight, clarifying shampoo once a week.
And don’t forgeta little goes a long way. You really don’t need a huge blob of this stuff to get clean, smooth hair.
Does It Actually Fix Dry Hair… Or Just Make It Look Better?
This is the golden question.
Truthfully, this shampoo is cosmetic in nature. That means it gives temporary softness and shine, but doesn’t deeply repair damaged hair on its own. The oils and silicones coat the strands, reducing visible dryness and making your hair feel amazing.
But if you’re dealing with protein loss, breakage, or split ends, you’ll need more than just this shampoo. Think deep conditioners, masks, leave-ins, and possibly even protein treatments.
Pro Tips to Get the Most From It
If you’re chasing that silky, I-woke-up-like-this vibe, these little habits can seriously level things up:
Follow with the conditioner. It’s designed to seal in the benefits and smooth the cuticle.
Rinse with cool water. Helps lock in shine and tame frizz.
Don’t skip the scalp massage. Oils in this shampoo can clog if they just sit on your scalp.
Clarify once a month. To remove buildup from silicones and hard water minerals.
What Makes It Stand Out from Other L’Oréal Shampoos?
Good question.
If you’ve tried other L’Oréal shampoos like Dream Lengths or Total Repair 5, this one feels richer almost like dessert for dry hair. It’s creamier, richer, and more geared toward shine and softness.
Dream Lengths focuses more on growth and split-end protection. Total Repair is your everyday repair-for-all type. But Extraordinary Oil? It’s luxury-in-a-bottle for dry hair days.
Let’s Talk Price
One of the biggest perks? It’s affordable.
Most retailers offer it between $5 to $8 for a 12.6 oz bottle. That’s salon-style softness without the $30 price tag. And for budget-conscious beauties? That’s a serious win.
Is L’Oréal Extraordinary Oil Shampoo Good?
Yesif your hair matches its strengths.
It’s great for dry, thick, or frizz-prone hair, especially if you love that silky-smooth, glossy finish. It’s not ideal for fine or oily hair types, and definitely not a holy grail for people avoiding sulphates or silicones.
But for what it claims? It delivers.
Will it change your life? Probably not. But will it make your hair feel softer, shinier, and a little more manageable for under ten bucks? Absolutely.
I’d say it’s a yeswith a side of “know your hair.”
Quick Recap (Because You’re Probably Skimming)
Main concern: Dry, dull, or frizzy hair? This is your friend.
Sulfates inside? Yup. And silicones too.
Best for: Medium to thick hair types needing softness and shine.
Not great for: Very fine hair, sensitive scalp, or those avoiding sulfates.
Smells good? Oh yeah.
Budget-friendly? Absolutely.
Let your hair decide. Try it. Watch how your strands react. Keep what works. Ditch what doesn’t.
At the end of the day, your hair doesn’t care about fancy packaging—it just wants something that works. Try it, test it, and trust your strands.
Carolina Herrera: Cosmetics specialist & Hair Analyst. Specializing in hair treatments, Carolina provides thorough reviews and advice on choosing the best products for damaged or treated hair.
