When shopping for a shampoo specifically formulated for fine hair, experts recommend keeping the following factors in mind:
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I consulted celebrity hairstylists and trichologists (hair health experts) on the best volumizing shampoos and rounded up their picks, plus some NBC Select staff favorites below.
R+Co’s thickening shampoo and conditioner are favorites of hairstylist Bobby Eliot because they are made with the vitamin biotin, a popular hair care ingredient or supplement that helps increase hair strength, says Eliot. Palmetto berry extract also adds body to the strands, which creates a thicker effect, according to R+Co, and smells like a mix of cardamom, pineapple, tangerine and bamboo.
This Maxxam shampoo accomplishes exactly what a fine hair shampoo should: It doesn’t add buildup and instead gently cleanses the hair and scalp to promote healthy hair growth, and make it appear fuller, says Caspara. Its formula is “not only gentle and free of harsh sulfates, but also nourishes the scalp, improves volume and strengthens the hair by using a soothing kelp extract complex,” she says.
Innersense’s Pure Harmony Hairbath is another one of Caspara’s favorites. “It’s an extremely clean yet effective brand that is designed for fine to medium hair to provide volume and gentle cleansing,” she says. The shampoo is sulfate-free and formulated with quinoa, rice extracts, shea butter and coconut and avocado oils, which nourish and hydrate hair without weighing it down, according to the brand.
This Ouai shampoo is free of harsh sulfates and uses cocamidopropyl betaine to gently cleanse hair, according to the brand. It’s a favorite of NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio, who uses this when she needs to add volume to her fine, wavy hair. “Post-shower, my hair feels bouncy and light, and doesn’t feel weighed down,” she says. The shampoo has notes of white musk, Italian lemons and jasmine, which smells amazing, according to Godio.
The Living Proof Full Shampoo comes recommended by NBC Select contributing editor Bethany Heitman, who notices that it doesn’t leave her hair feeling dry like other volumizing or thickening shampoos. “My hair feels moisturized after using it, while also feeling so much fuller,” she says. “It’s also not overly scented — it has a slight, clean scent that isn’t overpowering or cloying.” She pairs this shampoo with the Living Proof Full Conditioner, and then adds the brand’s thickening blow dry cream before she styles her hair.
Aylward pairs the R+Co’s Bleu shampoo with the brand’s Bleu conditioner to add volume to fine hair. The shampoo is made with kelp extract to help boost volume and thickness, and vegetable proteins to strengthen strands, according to R+Co. Aylward also appreciates the product’s chic packaging: “You may be tempted to use [the bottle] as a flower vase when it’s empty,” he says. Aylward also recommends the R+Co thickening spray as his go-to product for fine hair.
This higher-end option from Oribe is great for a volume boost, says freelance makeup and hair artist Francesca Maria Alfonso. The shampoo has a weightless formula that has advanced polymers to visibly plump strands, which creates the volume, says Alfonso. Plus, “it smells so luxurious,” she says.
Ogx’s sulfate-free fine hair shampoo has a blend of biotin and collagen, which are naturally-occurring proteins in the body. Reviewers say it makes their hair look thicker and have more volume overall, plus it makes their hair a lot more manageable with fewer tangles and knots. Reviewers say they also love its subtle fragrance (notes of coconut, jasmine and lemon) that lingers in their hair post-shower. The shampoo has a 4.4-star average rating from 10,600 reviews on Amazon.
Alfonso loves this affordable volumizing shampoo bar for its natural ingredients like clove, cinnamon, peppermint and rosemary. “[These ingredients] not only stimulate your scalp and roots, but they also promote shiny and soft hair,” she says. Plus, its bar formulation means less plastic ending up in the trash.
I have fine, curly hair and have been searching for a shampoo that will hydrate my hair while keeping it from looking oily. I purchased this Odele shampoo after trichologist Taylor Rose recommended it to me in our guide to the best drugstore shampoos. It’s been a real game-changer: The shampoo makes my hair feel cleansed and nourished without stripping it of too much oil. My curls end up bouncy and free, rather than weighed down, too. Godio is also a fan of this shampoo: “My fine hair always falls flat the day after washing it, but this shampoo helps me avoid that entirely,” she says. “It adds a great amount of volume, so it’s much more manageable and easier to style.” It’s only $12, but it feels high-end.
Although NBC Select associate reporter Bianca Alvarez doesn’t have fine hair, she loves using this shampoo because it gently cleanses while adding body, shine and volume. “When I’m giving myself an at-home blowout, I reach for this because of how volumizing it is,” she says. “Plus, I love that it also helps repair any damage without me having to do anything extra.” The shampoo, which is suitable for fine to normal hair textures, can help strengthen hair, too, according to the brand.
This shampoo, which has a 4.9-star average rating from over 170 reviews at Sephora, is great for those with oily scalps and fine hair because it uses coconut-based surfactants and rice protein to remove buildup, add volume and leave your hair looking thicker and hydrated, according to the brand. Reviewers say they love that they don’t have to double cleanse or wash as frequently when using this shampoo, even if they have extremely oily scalps.
One of Verb’s newest releases is this lightweight volumizing shampoo, which reviewers say is excellent for smoother, healthier and fuller hair. It has three main ingredients: biotin (to strengthen hair), amaranth extract (to make the hair appear fuller) and hibiscus extract (to condition and nourish it), according to the brand. It has a 4.8-star average rating from over 80 reviews at Sephora.
When shopping for a quality fine hair shampoo, avoid moisturizing or smoothing products because they tend to have ingredients that can weigh the hair down, says Caspara. Instead, “opt for gentle cleansers and lightweight conditioners that aren’t trying to oversell on the moisturizing capability,” she says. Ingredients are typically listed in proportion, so if heavy oils like avocado or shea butter appear amongst the first few ingredients, fine-haired shoppers beware.
Buyers should also be aware of shampoo labels that may conflate “fine” hair with “thin” hair, when they’re two completely different things, says Aylward. (If you’re experiencing hair loss, consult our guide to the best shampoo for thinning hair). The term “thin” refers to the number of hairs per square inch, while “fine” refers to the diameter of each individual hair, experts say.
“Think of it as the number of trees per acre versus the size of each tree,” says Aylward. That said, “the thinner and finer the hair, the more sensitive the scalp is as it lacks the same protection and coverage thicker hair provides,” says Caspara.
Those with fine hair are caught in a bind: they’re desperate to suds up their scalp to remove any excess oil, but don’t want to leave their ends high and dry. Here’s what to look for in a fine hair shampoo to keep your hair clean, healthy and bouncy:
Below, I list some things you should avoid while shopping for fine hair shampoos, according to our hair experts.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I’m a former editor at NBC Select and have been a product reviewer since 2018. For this article, I interviewed five hair care experts about how to care for fine hair and the best ingredients to look for in a fine hair shampoo.
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