The Best 15 Thickening Shampoos For Thinning Hair 2024

Best for Fine Hair

Bumble and bumble BB. Thickening Volume Shampoo

Best for Fine Hair

Bumble and bumble BB. Thickening Volume Shampoo

Pros

• Good for color-treated hair

Oil tends to weigh down hair, so Novick suggests staying away from shampoos with oil listed high on the ingredient list in order to to achieve volume and thickness. Bumble and Bumble's Thickening Volume Shampoo is lightweight enough to use daily but adds mega shine and hydration courtesy of vitamin B.

Customer Review:
"My must have. I save this shampoo and conditioner for special occasions because it does amazing things for my hair. It always feels so incredibly clean and has tons of volume. And I actually enjoy the scent." —SilkyFluff

Best for Curly Hair

Rene Furterer Volumea Volumizing Shampoo

Best for Curly Hair

Rene Furterer Volumea Volumizing Shampoo

Pros

• Helps detangle

For clean and bouncy hair, try this volumizing shampoo, which features carob extract to cleanse, detangle, and thicken hair.

Customer Review:

"I use this one regularly. Does add volume. Hair stays nice for longer period." —Norma

Drugstore deal

Nexxus Unbreakable Care for Fine & Thin Hair Thickening Shampoo

Drugstore deal

Nexxus Unbreakable Care for Fine & Thin Hair Thickening Shampoo

Pros

• Lightweight

Biotin, keratin, and collagen go to work in this lightweight formula to reduce hair fall by up to 97 percent.

Customer Review:

"After using the shampoo by Nexxus hair care, I found that it didn't leave my hair feeling dried out which is important to me seeing as I have fine hair. I also, really enjoyed the smell of the product as well." —Snaponqueen

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Best for Biotin Shampoo

R+Co Dallas Biotin Thickening Shampoo

Best for Biotin Shampoo

R+Co Dallas Biotin Thickening Shampoo

Pros

• Nice scent

A combination of biotin, vitamin B5, saw palmetto berry extract, and loquat fruit extract add body and a light sheen to hair. Not only does the fullness last all day, but the warm scent, featuring cardamom, lavender, and tangerine, perfumes the hair for hours.

Customer Review:

"It works wonderfully on my curly-wavy, medium- fine hair. My hair feels soft to the touch and looks full and very happy. Thank you for creating this gem!" —Katayoon Z.

Best for Sensitive Scalps

Briogeo Destined for Density Caffeine and Biotin Peptide Density Shampoo for Fine and Thinning Hair

Best for Sensitive Scalps

Briogeo Destined for Density Caffeine and Biotin Peptide Density Shampoo for Fine and Thinning Hair

Pros

• Helps with hair growth

Caffeine does wonders for boosting circulation in the scalp and at the root to encourage thicker, fuller hair. Briogeo's Destined for Density Shampoo doubles down on voluptuous hair by mixing caffeine with biotin and peptides to get three times more volume, according to users.

Best for Fine to Medium Hair

OGX Thick & Full + Biotin & Collagen Shampoo

Best for Fine to Medium Hair

OGX Thick & Full + Biotin & Collagen Shampoo

Pros

• Affordable price
• Nice scent

To really plump fine strands, this OGX shampoo infuses hair with biotin, collagen, and vitamin B7. Plus, you can't beat the price.

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Best for Fine Hair

Kérastase Bain Densité Shampoo

Best for Fine Hair

Kérastase Bain Densité Shampoo

Pros

• Removes product buildup

Just like hyaluronic acid plumps the skin, the powerhouse ingredient works overtime to add density and thickness to hair in this Kérastase shampoo. Plus, ceramides help to retain moisture and add shine.

Customer Review:

"Love this shampoo! A little goes a long way when mixed with a little water. Does a great job thickening my fine, thin hair. Can’t live without!" —Kathleenhelen

Best for Dull Hair

JVN Embody Daily Volumizing Shampoo

Best for Dull Hair

JVN Embody Daily Volumizing Shampoo

Pros

• Adds shine

Even flat hair can be dehydrated. JVN's Embody Daily Volumizing Shampoo contains squalane and hemi-squalane to moisturize hair from the inside-out, while aloe leaf juice soothes the scalp.

Customer Review:

"This product is gorgeous! Really nice if you have fine hair and/or hair loss because it removes dirt and residue without stripping and gives beautiful body. Definitely gives beautiful shine and manageability and has a lovely scent." —Prairiee

Best for Straight Hair

Virtue Full Shampoo

Best for Straight Hair

Virtue Full Shampoo

Pros

• Lightweight
• Refreshing citrus smell

Virtue's proprietary Alpha Keratin 60ku is a key ingredient in a majority of its products, but it's especially beneficial in this volumizing shampoo to rebuild the natural proteins of the hair for added body.

Customer Review:
"I can't believe the change in my hair when i use this shampoo! i have very fine, thin, straight hair, and this shampoo makes my hair look and feel so much thicker! it really does seem to "fluff up" the strands of hair so that my hair looks more filled in, without thin-looking spots." —Kathleen

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Best for Fine and Medium Hair

amika 3D Volume and Thickening Shampoo

Best for Fine and Medium Hair

amika 3D Volume and Thickening Shampoo

Pros

• Shine-enhancing
• Floral scent

For volume straight out of the shower, try Amika's 3D Volume and Thickening Shampoo, which plumps strands with vegetable and rice proteins (the latter protein helps with shine too).

Customer Review:

"Love this shampoo. Makes my hair shine. Do not use with the matching conditioner though. Have to use with a moisturizing one." —Tinyauthor

Best Clarifying Shampoo

Pureology Pure Volume Shampoo

Best Clarifying Shampoo

Pureology Pure Volume Shampoo

Pros

• Safe for color-treated Hair
• A little goes a long way

This shampoo utilizes multi-weight wheat protein to add volume without weighing down hair, plus eucalyptus leaf extract to help with hair growth (and to add a sensorial experience in the shower).

Customer Review:

"I have a sensitivity to shampoos but Pureology never causes problems. The shampoo and conditioner are very rich and a little goes a long way. My hair is noticeably more manageable and the natural soft curls have been restored." —Anonymous

Best for Fine Hair

Ouai Fine Hair Shampoo

Best for Fine Hair

Ouai Fine Hair Shampoo

Pros

• Nice smell

Cons

• Not suitable for all hair types

Come for the volume, stay for the addicting scent of this Ouai shampoo. Not only does this formula plump up limp hair with keratin and biotin (two of Rubenstein's favorite ingredients for fine strands), but it boasts the brand's iconic Mercer Street scent, a blend of Italian lemon, Turkish rose, and white musk.

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Best for Dull Hair

Moroccanoil Extra Volume Shampoo

Best for Dull Hair

Moroccanoil Extra Volume Shampoo

Pros

• Adds shine

While volume starts at the root, it's important to nourish strands from top to bottom. This Moroccanoil shampoo has a trifecta of argan oil, glycerin, and a coconut oil derivative to moisturize, plump, and smooth hair for a sleek, yet thick result.

Customer Review:

"Ok I was hesitant to buy this seeing the mixed reviews. This shampoo has surprised me! It cleans my scalp very well and gives my hair good volume. My hair usually starts to feel a bit itchy and greasy the second day but with this one, none of that!! I love it!!!" —GracieYuan

Best for Oily Hair

Nutrafol Shampoo

Best for Oily Hair

Nutrafol Shampoo

Pros

• Balances oil production
• Helps with hair growth

Nutrafol is a gold-standard for hair growth solutions and for good reason: The derm-beloved products, like this shampoo, focus on scalp health and balancing the scalp microbiome for voluminous, stronger, and more hydrated hair.

Best for Color-Treated Hair

Living Proof Full Shampoo

Best for Color-Treated Hair

Living Proof Full Shampoo

Pros

• Reduces damage from heat hools
• Works on curly hair

If you notice a lack of bounce throughout your whole head, this Living Proof shampoo is an add-to-cart. It contains a proprietary amino cleansing complex that removes buildup and peptides to plump hair fibers.

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Best for Mature Hair

Better Not Younger Wake Up Call Volumizing Shampoo

Best for Mature Hair

Better Not Younger Wake Up Call Volumizing Shampoo

Pros

• Helps detangle hair

Not only does this shampoo add fullness from root to tip courtesy of bamboo and hops, but sage and caffeine energize and nourish the scalp for thicker-looking hair

Customer Review:

"Nice lather with small amount of product - 3 small pumps. Along with conditioner my hair is significantly fuller, softer, less frizz." —‚Barbara M.

How does a thickening shampoo work?

Hair loses nutrients from a number of factors, from excessive washing to sun exposure, so thickening shampoos work to make up the lack of nutrients, says Rubenstein. "Protein, specifically keratin, is something fine hair desperately needs to look fuller," she adds. "It also prevents breakage, which is much more common in fine and thin hair."

Do you need conditioner for flat, limp hair?

"Thickening shampoos are wonderful, but they don't work best on their own," Rubenstein explains. "Many people with fine or thin hair think they don’t need conditioner, but this is an absolute myth. Without conditioner hair is left vulnerable to more damage and will cause hair to become more broken, weaker, and finer." The trick to finding a great conditioner to work alongside a thickening shampoo is to look for a formula with limited oils. Overtime, shampoo can be drying to hair, so supplement conditioner with a hair mask if your strands feel extra dry, says Novick.

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Meet The Experts

• Clariss Rubenstein is a celebrity hairstylist and Nexxus ambassador based in LA
• Blake Novick is a Bumble & Bumble stylist based in New York

Why trust Harper's BAZAAR?

For more than 150 years, Harper’s BAZAAR has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.

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