A few months ago, I tweeted a picture of a number of beauty products I purchased at Priceline. One of them was the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil. I received a number of comments asking me the difference between that and L’Oréal Professional’s Mythic Oil. Now I’ve been using the Mythic Oil for about a year now (I’m currently on my second bottle. I started on it before the Extraordinary Oil was launched in the market), and I thought it might be a good idea to compare the two.
First of all, these are hair oils. They work like serum for the hair, nourishing it, giving it a glossy shine whilst trying to keep frizz out. Interestingly, the Extraordinary Oil is by L’Oréal Paris (consumer use) and the Mythic Oil by L’Oréal Professional (salon use). Both are under the parent company L’Oréal but one’s sold at pharmacies and supermarkets, while the other only at specialty stores and salons.
So, what’s the difference between the two hair oils? They sure look the same, don’t they? 
Ingredients:
Packaging
Mythic Oil: Plastic packaging, pump bottle
Extraordinary Oil: Heavy glass packaging, pump bottle
It’s interesting how the drugstore bottle feels a lot more luxurious than the plastic salon-use one. You’d think it should have been the other way round
Texture & Fragrance
Mythic Oil: Light oil, smells quite heavy of coconuts
Extraordinary Oil: It’s still quite a light oil, but it’s heavier than the Mythic Oil. I can’t really describe the scent, but it’s not coconut.
I’m not a fan of coconut fragrances as I find them a tad cloying. In this category, it’s thumbs up to the Extraordinary Oil for the non-coconut-y scent. The oil is slightly heavier than the Mythic Oil, but it’s not too heavy that it leaves hair lank and lifeless.
Residue on Hair and Skin
For both oils, I typically use two pumps of oil on the palm, rub my palms together and run my palms and fingers through my hair.
Mythic Oil: Takes more time to coat the hair with the oil before completely coming off the skin of my palms. It does not leave any greasy residue on my palms after application.
Extraordinary Oil: Takes less time than the Mythic Oil to coat the hair with the oil. Does not leave any greasy residue on hair and palms.
Even though the Extraordinary Oil is slightly richer than the Mythic Oil, it actually takes less time to coat the hair with oil before my hands were completely oil-free.
Results of Oil on Hair
Mythic Oil: Nourishes the hair well, doesn’t drag hair down, reduces frizz, leaves hair soft and bouncy
Extraordinary Oil: Exactly what the Mythic Oil does.
My Verdict
Other than the physical differences in packaging, scent and texture, to be honest I couldn’t tell the difference between the two hair oils. Both gave my hair exactly the same results. Both oils gave my hair a lovely shine without leaving it heavy and oily. Both nourished my hair well without overloading it with silicone.
At the end of the day, it came down to physical preferences. I prefer the Extraordinary Oil because it smells better for me (I’m just not that keen on coconuts). It’s also cheaper and more readily available. But if you ask me which hair oil is better, I’d say both are equally good. 
L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil retails at AU$19.95 (100ml) and is available at Priceline, leading pharmacies and supermarkets. L’Oréal Professional Mythic Oil retails at AU$38.00 (125ml) and is available exclusively at selected L’Oréal Professional hair salons nationwide.
Have you tried any of these hair oils, or both? If you’ve tried both, was there any difference between the two for you? If you haven’t tried any hair oils before, is there any you’re keen on checking out?
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{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
I love love love love Extraordinary Oil. I use it almost everyday and it tames my frizz now that Jacky’s layered it a little and now that it’s longer. Also, when I wake up with bed hair, the oil sort of calms it down a little and makes it more manageable. I love that it’s so affordable too. Have never tried Mythic oil and honestly, not very interested because I’m more than happy with Extraordinary Oil. The hefty glass bottle feels so luxurious!
LeGeeque: Jacky was showing me another hair oil from Kerastase, I think it’s the Beautifying Oil. It was very interesting because he asked me what the difference between all the oils was. First the Extraordinary Oil, then the Mythic Oil, then the Beautifying Oil. What’s even more interesting is that all three have very similar packaging (down to the colour of the bottle), and they’re ALL from L’Oreal. So you do the math
I love hair oils for my hair, my favoourites are Kerastase, Shu Uemura and Orofluido. I tried those hair oils mentioned in your post, my difficult to maintain hair didn’t like them. I am glad they work for you since I always think, it is better to find something cheaper that works. I love coconuts smell! Shu hair oil convinced me that a kinda fresh scent can be nice as well on hair (I rather prefered a deeper, amber, etc scent for hair oils before trying shu’s oil)
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Claire: Aww I’m sorry it didn’t work for you. You’re right, and I’m lucky to have found something cheaper that works for my hair. I’ve not tried shu’s oil for hair though (okay, embarrassing confession: don’t even know they do hair stuff
).
I use Keratase’s Elixir Ultime! Love it! but it has quite a strong coconut-y smell which I don’t mind since it does what it claims for my fine frizzy hair
typo! I meant to say Kerastase ><
Ah yes, the Kerastase Elixir Ultime! I’ve only tried a tiny sample of that one. Interestingly, it has the same packaging as the Mythic and Extraordinary Oils, and they are all from L’Oreal
I have tried the Mythic oil but honestly I don’t see what’s the hype about it though. I am still liking my capsules of ellips hair oil and they work the best for me. it’s also quite pricey because it’s about RM0.80/cap, but only need half a cap per use.
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Xin: Man, those Eillips Hair Oil capsules go way back! I remember those. Back in the day, I wanted to buy those to try but they were too expensive for me. I really gotta try it when I’m back in Malaysia
Been using the Mythic Oil and loving it (the coconut smell doesn’t seem to bother me even though I don’t usually like coconut scents), and now you’re telling me there’s something as good but cheaper?? *goes skulking around for it*
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Beetrice: It’s what it was like for me, that there was no difference in results for my hair. I’ve heard of some bloggers who prefer one to the other, that the Mythic Oil worked better for them, etc. For me, I didn’t see any difference. Plus I prefer the Extraordinary Oil’s scent, so I’ll stick to that one instead
Out of curiosity, how do you use these hair oils? On wet hair or dry?
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Kahani: I use it on wet hair. Just like any other oils. I find oils too heavy for me if used on dry hair (especially the Moroccan Oil).
I prefer the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil. I have to say this stuff is bloomin’ marvellous – considering it’s an oil it doesn’t weigh my hair down and leaves it smooth and de-frizzed. It just seems to make my hair easier to manage and I don’t have to straighten as much – just my fringe and the ends (yesterday I didn’t use them at all – result!).
Thanks
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Scarlett Rose: That’s very good know! That’s what I experienced as well. It doesn’t weigh my hair down, smooths the frizz, especially at the ends. Doesn’t smell bad too
Considering that the Extraordinary Oil has chamomile and lotus extracts as two of the leading ingredients, I’m not surprised that it doesn’t smell like coconut!
I’m not a fan of coconut scent, myself. I used to love it, but… now, it’s just too sweet for me.
I’m curious to see if they sell this in the US locally. Considering that the Mythic Oil is mostly avocado and grapeseed oils, it really isn’t that expensive to reproduce from home. Grapeseed oil is great if you have really dry skin. I use it as a massage oil. It’s relatively cheap here: $5US for about 20oz or so. A few drops of essential oils for benefit and scent, and it’s good to go! Would probably work for hair, too, but I’d have to try to replicate the formula they use.
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BebeTaian: Can’t do coconut. Never had, don’t think can ever will
There are a lot of DIY versions for hair oils. Like you said, grapeseed oil is a popular one. Would be interesting to know how the DIY version would work. If you do go about making one, let me know!
What A Ripper of a Review!
I recently heard of Mythic Oil (on another beauty website and I did ask for more info and where you purchase it from, but unfortunately they are a bigger blogger and don’t seem to bother replying!) and looked it up on the internet and then saw the Extraordinary Oil also by L’Oreal and became totally confused, so didn’t worry about it.
Your review explains everything. You have thoroughly reviewed this product – so much so that I don’t hany ANY questions to ask!
And I love all the photos you take as well – nothing works better than a visual – nothing more boring than reading through lots of text.
Continue these great reviews – they are such worthwhile reading!
Thanks very much for your lovely words, Karen. It means a lot to me when I get comments like that. Helps me a lot in my reviewing process
As for the review, these are just my opinions though. I did receive a comment from a fellow blogger, that the Mythic Oil worked better for her than the Extraordinary Oil. As for me, I didn’t notice any difference in results at all
I really love the L’Oreal Extraordinary Oil and after reading this I don’t need to spend more and get the Mythic Oil! Great review!
Aww thanks Kimberley. Glad you enjoyed the review and found it useful
The Extraordinary Oil they sell around here comes in a plastic packaging (I live in South America). And it smells awful to me. Kind of flowery, old, almost rotten flowers
I will try the Mythic Oil now, thank you for the review!
Mariana: Thanks for letting me know! It’s always interesting to know how different packaging are in different countries. The Extraordinary Oil’s bottle is heavy!
I’ve been looking for a post comparing these 2 oils for a while now so I’m thrilled I came across this. Might just go for the extraordinary oil as I can get it from boots online, surprised they don’t sell the mythic oil though
Thanks Hannah. I didn’t find any difference between the two and the Extraordinary Oil’s a cheaper alternative anyway. Go for it and do let me know how you find it
Hi I’m from Chile and a couple months ago the extraordinary is iol is available here. Its fantastic!!!! I dont think it smells like rotten flowers at all… Smells sooo good and works great, my hair is so wild, and know is being so good to me! And yes, the bottle is plastic here in south america, i think id ven better so u can take it all the time on your bag without being to heavy
That’s good to know, Paula! Glad you like it
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