The 7 Best Shampoos for Fine Hair (Plus, Some Pro Tips for Washing Your Hair to Maximize Volume)

If you have super soft, slippery hair that doesn’t have much volume to it, you likely have fine hair. And if you have fine hair, you know how important it is to find the right products that won’t weigh it down, starting with shampoo.

I’ll take you through the best formulas for fine hair shortly, but before I do, there’s something I need to clarify up top: Fine hair is different from thin hair. Though the two terms are often used interchangeably, they’re not the same. Fine hair refers to thickness of each individual strand, while thin hair is related to the density or how many strands you have on your head. Knowing this distinction can help narrow down your choices when shopping for products. OK, now that I’ve cleared that up, allow me to introduce you to the hair experts who will walk us through the rest.

Meet the Experts:

What Should I Look for in a Shampoo for Fine Hair?

Mandy recommends using “clear or lightweight shampoos that are specifically labeled as ‘volumizing.’ These products often contain ingredients like hydrolyzed proteins (e.g., silk, keratin) and panthenol, which can help strengthen fine hair and make it appear thicker,” she shares. “They’re designed to lift and add body to your hair without adding excess weight.” On the flip side, you should avoid using shampoos that are overly rich or creamy, as they can leave residue that weighs down finer strands.

Since it’s difficult to gauge whether a shampoo is lightweight or overly rich when you’re shopping online, we went ahead and pulled together a list of the best shampoos for fine hair, at every budget. May you have bountiful volume in your future.

1. Living Proof Full Shampoo

Sephora

This vegan shampoo features both wheat proteins and amaranth peptides to plump hair fibers, which add noticeable body and bounce to fine hair. “This is one of my favorite shampoos! I love the scent, and I love how light it makes my hair feel. I have fine, very straight hair. After having two kids, my hair has been thinning even more. This shampoo gives my hair more fullness and life,” shares one fan on Sephora. It's also a great option for folks with dyed or bleached hair, as the sulfate-free formula won’t strip your color.

2. Biolage Full Density Shampoo

Ulta Beauty

Given that “full” is in the name, it stands to reason that you should expect voluminous results from this shampoo, and that's exactly what you'll get from it, according to reviewers. The formula includes biotin, zinc and gluco-omega to strengthen finer strands, while rebalancing the scalp for healthier-feeling hair from root to tip. According to the brand, the shampoo also helps removes buildup on your scalp, which can weigh strands down and leave them looking finer than they already are. Instead, “your hair feels lighter and fuller [after using this and it] takes very little shampoo to wash [your] hair,” says one reviewer on Ulta.

3. Mild By Nature Thickening Shampoo

Amazon

Don’t let lank locks get you down. This thickening shampoo clears away any oil or product buildup that’s sitting on your scalp, while beefing up each skimpy strand with biotin, quinoa and flax proteins. The herbaceous scent (courtesy of rosemary mint) is as uplifting to the senses as the shampoo itself is to your roots.

4. Odele Volumizing Shampoo

Ulta Beauty

We love this shampoo by Odele because it’s sulfate-free, sleekly packaged and affordable. Formulated with amino acids, rice protein and citric acid, it adds shine and fullness back to lank strands with every wash. As one Ulta reviewer succinctly sums up: “The product itself is light and clear. My hair felt so clean after use, and it definitely gives my hair some body. I have long, fine hair. This gives it a nice texture and volume. Love it!”

5. OGX Thick and Full Biotin and Collagen Shampoo

Ulta Beauty

Speaking of budget-friendly options, here’s another shampoo that won’t break the bank. This sulfate-free shampoo, which rings in at just under $11, has more than 4,000 5-star reviews from Amazon shoppers, including one that shares: “From the very first wash, I noticed a significant difference in the volume and texture of my hair. It feels like it has more body and bounce, which is something I haven't experienced in years. The transformation is remarkable, and it has given me a much-needed boost of confidence.” The formula has both biotin and collagen to boost body in fine hair, and it has a delicious bergamot, jasmine and vanilla scent to it that’s always a delight to catch a whiff of throughout the day.

6. Jason Thin-to-Thick Extra Volume Shampoo

Amazon

Sometimes, less is more. In the case of Jason's Thin-to-Thick shampoo, for instance, the fewer the chemicals in your shampoo, the better the results. It employs a simple blend of biotin and panthenol (which comes from the B5 vitamin) to plump up strands. According to the brand, there are no drying sulfates to be found within, and plenty of reviewers have vouched for this gentle, lightweight formula, which they say strengthens weak strands without weighing your hair down.

7. Verb Volume Shampoo

Sephora

With thinning hair often comes a lack of shape. Rather than kiss your bounce goodbye, you might try this shampoo first, which uses keratin and vitamin B5 to bring your skimpy, fallen strands back to life. It even has sunflower seed extract to protect color from fading. What's more, the hint of grapefruit will leave stale strands smelling oh so fresh but not in a cloying way.

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