How Sobhita Dhulipala’s hair care routine keeps frizz under control

Beauty routines reveal priorities. For actor Sobhita Dhulipala, they sit at the intersection of wellness and discipline. “Healthy hair and healthy skin are the foundations,” she says. 

For someone constantly on camera, however, beauty carries professional weight. Moving between the screen and red carpets, hair and make-up show up as characters in their own right. Every appearance arrives with a distinct beauty moodboard. Yet Dhulipala does not separate the actor from the individual. “Beauty routines can’t be looked at from an acting standpoint really, unless it’s for a role—where a certain look is designed. As an individual, my beauty routine has undergone a lot of change over the years. Now, I look at it largely from the point of view of health,” she says. 

When a holistic approach comes into play, everything benefits, including hair. Sobhita Dhulipala’s hair care routine today reflects this shift toward discipline and consistency.

How hair care became central to Sobhita Dhulipala’s beauty routine

On camera, skin often takes the spotlight. Hair is expected to comply. For Dhulipala, this assumption shifted over time as attention moved from styling to upkeep. “Skin and hair care are two paths, two different verticals of beauty; I don’t think one is over the other. In fact, in India, hair is very instantly and inherently associated with health, beauty, and just an overall appeal,” she says. “I’ve recently started to pay attention to my hair [care], and it’s been a very enjoyable journey.” 

What changed was not importance, but perspective. “No matter what you do—even if you opt for the most amazing styling—if your baseline is not in place, then I’m uncertain whether you can pull it off by just external work.”

Lessons from mishaps and experimentation

Today, her thick hair is pulled into slick buns and sculpted updos. Before that, experimentation drove the choices. “So much of it is to do with weird haircuts and hair colours,” says Dhulipala, “and, I guess when you’re exploring and having fun with different hair styles and colours, you might, sometimes, end up with something that doesn’t suit you and sits funnily.”

Perfection was never the goal for Dhulipala. “You’ve got to enjoy it. One must not so single-mindedly chase perfection, because then you miss out on having fun.” When a cut or colour missed the mark, she recaliberated through styling her clothes.

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Repeated episodes of frizz and dryness eventually forced a reassessment. “Earlier, I would just shampoo my hair and walk out of the house. Now, I make sure I use a conditioner or mask to lock in the moisture.” 

Hair serum became essential. “Not just after a wash, but whenever I feel like my hair is feeling frizzy or dry, I apply some serum onto my hair’s lengths so that it sits better.” 

The oiling ritual at the heart of Sobhita Dhulipala’s hair care routine 

At the centre of Dhulipala’s hair care routine sits hair oiling. The ritual traces back to her school years. “I had really long hair during school, and I would apply oil to tame it, set it into braids, and prevent it from getting frizzy. Even now, before showers, I indulge in a head massage with some oil. I’m a South Indian, and oiling has always been such an integral part of our regular rituals.”

The practice continues, now adapted to a demanding schedule. Traditional oil massages are still followed, but daily styling leans toward lighter textures. As a representative of Nexxus, the Promend Resurrection Oil features in her regimen. “Integrating products that have nourishing, hydrating oils, but in a serum format, helps with health and shine without looking oily,” she says. “It’s like a dry oil that doesn’t feel lumpy, smells amazing, and is double-duty—it helps with styling, but in the process, also supports hair health.” 

Dhulipala’s styling preference remains restrained. Clean, pulled-back silhouettes dominate. “I want my hair to be an extension of me, and communicate who I am. Such styles also complement the kind of outfits I’m leaning towards these days.” 

Earlier improvisations involved coconut oil diluted with water to smooth baby hairs. “Now, my trusted serum does that without the grease.” For Dhulipala, a good hair day carries psychological weight. “When you have hair that feels good, smells good, sits well, and is hydrated, there is a certain confidence you’ll notice,” she says.