Like Bollywood Star Kareena Kapoor Khan, I Have Learned That Hair Oiling Is Crucial For Better Hair

Any South Asian kid who grew up in the 1990s will be all too familiar with Kareena Kapoor Khan, though back then we knew her by her other names – Nazneen from Refugee (2000), Poo from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), and Geet from Jab We Met (2007). Nowadays, it's not just her successful acting career for which she's known. She does just as well behind the camera, too (look to her producing debut on Netflix's The Buckingham Murder), has written a best-selling pregnancy self-help guide and carries out important work on behalf of Unicef India. Now, the 44-year-old is adding another string to her bow as she becomes the global ambassador for Fable & Mane, the leading Ayurvedic haircare brand.

'What drew me to the brand was its perfect blend of modernity and Indian heritage, it resonates deeply with my own identity,' Khan tells Grazia. 'I discovered the brand on my own and was impressed by the founders' mission to honour our heritage and connect it with modern wellness. It felt like a natural fit to partner with a brand that shares my values.'

Khan is no beauty novice. As an investor and co-owner of India-based K-Beauty brand Quench Botanics, she is big on self-care, ageing without enhancement and embracing her natural look – so you can expect to spot her sans make-up as much as you do full glam. The same thoughtful approach is given to her hair, too.

'For me, beauty is about self-care and finding moments of calm in chaos. Haircare is an integral part of that routine. I've fallen in love with Fable & Mane's HoliRoots Hair Oil - it's a weekly ritual that nourishes my hair and helps me unwind. It's amazing how a simple scalp massage can make all the difference to my day,' says Khan.

Her ritual is a familiar one shared by countless members of the South Asian diaspora, like myself, who regard it as a moment of solace during any given week. Originating in the Indian subcontinent, Ayurveda is an ancient medical practice for the holistic wellbeing of body, mind, and consciousness and it is one that has long highlighted the importance of good hair and scalp care through the tradition of hair oiling. Fast-forward to 2025 and the Ayurvedic ritual has gone mainstream. TikTok is rife with countless hair oiling routines, each encompassing different oil concoctions, techniques and product recommendations, while South Asian-founded haircare brands like Fable & Mane are bringing expertly crafted hair oils and long-standing cultural traditions to the Western mass market.

Far from being something that is solely a beauty ritual, hair oiling is rooted in science. Dr. Anil Sharma, Medical Doctor at the Sharma Skin & Hair Surgery, says, 'Ancient Ayurvedic texts, such as the Charaka Samhita (circa. 100 BCE), mention hair oiling as part of daily hygiene and health maintenance. Modern research has begun to validate some traditional claims about hair oiling.' Such benefits include improved hair strength, protection from environmental damage, moisture retention, a reduction in scalp conditions like dandruff and enhanced blood circulation as 'the massage associated with hair oiling can stimulate blood flow to the scalp, promoting healthier hair growth,' Dr. Sharma adds.

My earliest memories of childhood always involve my hair. Strange? Perhaps. But not so much when you learn that my parents shaved my hair off twice a year until I reached the age of three. When I say shave, I don’t mean a cute bob or pixie crop, I mean razor-blade bald. The first year was down to hygiene and charity, something sanctified by Islamic traditions. The next two years were motivated by cultural beliefs which encourage regular shaving to promote stronger, healthier hair growth, or so the theory goes. Old wives’ tale or not, it worked. I grew up with thick, luscious hair which hairdressers often thinned down in an attempt to make things more ‘manageable’. But my father was quick to remedy that with regular head oil massages, or tel malish as we call it in Urdu, which worked to relieve tension and get my hair back on track again.

Now aged 30, I’ve adopted the lessons my parents taught me as a child about haircare, not least because the older I get the less dense and thick my hair becomes. Much like Khan, who grew up getting 'special scalp massages' from her grandmother, I honour the efforts and teachings of those who taught me about the importance of haircare with a carefully considered routine. Once a week, I use Fable & Mane’s HoliRoots™ Hair Oil, £34, which my husband now applies to my scalp having taken a few notes from his own parents and I'll leave this in overnight. Come morning, I wash my now intensely nourished hair and scalp with the Mauli Rituals Grow Strong Shampoo, £37, and Conditioner, £39, which does a brilliant job of thoroughly cleansing away the oil while leaving my strands feeling restored and fortified. I’m not big on loading my hair up with heaps of styling products considering the hard work of the care process, so I keep things light post-wash with a spritzing of Fable & Mane's Mahamane Detangling Leave-in Conditioner, £28, which nourishes instantly, comes with added UV and heat protection, and smells delicious.

Shop: The Best Ayurvedic Haircare

Sameeha Shaikh is Grazia's Beauty Writer, covering all categories to bring you insights on the latest trends, industry news and the products you need to know about, viral or not (most probably viral).