The 16 Best Volumizing Shampoos for Luscious, Bouncy Hair
Dotdash Meredith and Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.
Queue the slow-mo hair flip.
InStyle / Alli Waataja
Similar to the saying, “abs are made in the kitchen,” voluminous hair is made in the shower. While mousses, blow-dry creams, texturizing sprays, and other styling products can definitely give flat, lackluster strands a lift, the secret to lush hair full of body and bounce begins long before you dry off. Volumizing shampoos do the dirty work (literally), cleansing the scalp of pore-clogging oils, pesky product build-up, and other junk that can weigh down precious strands. They also work overtime, providing hair with hydration, moisture, and a glossy finish.
However, finding the right shampoo is no easy feat. According to master hairstylist and founder of Yvey Salon, Yvey Valcin, “Beautiful, volumized hair starts by treating your hair right, knowing your texture, and using the right products.”
Best Overall: Living Proof Full Shampoo
What We Love: This lightweight shampoo adds bounce to all hair types.
What We Don’t Love: This shampoo can dry out hair if it’s used too often.
We’re diehard Living Proof fans. Whether it’s their Thickening Mousse or their Full Dry Volume and Texture Spray, we’ve only ever had positive experiences with their products. It’s no surprise, therefore, that the Full Shampoo instantly became one of our go-to's as well. This lightweight shampoo effectively cleanses the scalp and seamlessly breaks down buildup from our occasionally excessive use of dry shampoo (guilty, but we bet you are too).
Aside from giving hair that just-washed feeling for up to four days (!), this shampoo also adds a full body effect, an extremely difficult feat for fine hair. The key ingredient in this product is amaranth, which plumps individual hair strands and thickens fibers for instant volume. Plus, it's made with phytantriol, which preserves hair color and helps reduce damage from hot styling tools. Essentially, this product offers the benefits of a shampoo, volumizing mousse, and heat protectant in one. And who could forget the gloss factor? Not us, nor our silky, shiny hair.
Key Ingredients: Proprietary amino cleansing complex, amaranth peptides, phyantriol | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Floral | Size: 8 oz
Best Budget: L'Oréal Paris EverPure Volume Shampoo
What We Love: This shampoo is made with white lotus flower, which gently cleanses and amps up the bounce factor.
What We Don’t Love: The scent is uniquely floral, making it smell very perfume-like (it takes a certain type of nose to appreciate it).
L’Oréal Paris continuously delivers salon-worthy results for a fraction of the cost. And though they have a variety of volumizing and thickening shampoos, the EverPure Volume Shampoo easily outperforms the rest to give limp and lackluster hair life again. Made with an innovative blend of lotus botanicals, it provides lasting volume, luminous shine, and impressive color protection — all without the inclusion of sulfates and parabens.
Aside from providing effortless volume and manageability, this shampoo also cleanses the scalp without stripping it of its natural oils for under $10. Because of the white lotus in the formula, this shampoo smells uniquely floral, which won’t be pleasing to every nose. So if you tend to avoid floral fragrances, you probably won’t like this either.
Key Ingredients: Lotus botanicals, rosemary leaf oil | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: White lotus | Size: 8.5 oz
Best Drugstore: Redken Volume Injection Shampoo
What We Love: At 10.1 ounces, there is a lot of product in the bottle.
What We Don’t Love: While it officially is scentless, some have noticed a fine and delightful scent.
Did you get extensions, or did you just use the Redken Volume Injection Shampoo… that’s the question you’ll be answering once you start using this product. As the name suggests, the shampoo truly injects volume like it’s a filler for hair. From flat and lifeless to uplifted and bouncy, it’s as though this shampoo completely transforms what frames your face.
And let’s not forget — with the lift in volume comes a lift in confidence. If you’ve tried but failed with other, more affordable products, it’s time to give this a try as it’s not going to let you or your hair down. Although the bottle claims to be scentless, we should warn that there is a very faint and delightful smell to the formula.
Key Ingredients: Filloxane, silicone polymers | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: No | Size: 10.1 oz
Best Splurge: Kérastase Densifique Bain Densité Shampoo
What We Love: This shampoo is made with hyaluronic acid, which helps to strengthen and visibly thicken hair while also preventing future breakage.
What We Don’t Love: This shampoo is not hydrating.
“Kerastase Densifique Shampoo is great for those with thinner hair who want to add volume and shine,” says Helen Reavey, a board-certified trichologist and celebrity hairstylist (whose clients include Harry Styles, Amal Clooney, and Marisa Tomei). “It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid, gluco peptide, and ceramides, which work to prevent breakage, promote elasticity, and hydrate, while also strengthening the hair and adding volume.”
On top of making hair look and feel fuller, it gives hair, roots, and scalp a thorough wash, removing heavy buildup that can weigh down strands – the kiss of death for volume. Plus, it provides hairstyles with more longevity since strands are lighter, stronger, and healthier overall. Not to mention, it comes in a super aesthetically-pleasing bottle that’s sure to upgrade your shower shelf.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, gluco peptide, ceramides | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Floral, amber | Size: 8.5 oz
Best Smelling: Ouai Fine Hair Shampoo
What We Love: This sudsy shampoo is an InStyle editor favorite, especially when we need extra help strengthening our strands to keep split ends at bay.
What We Don’t Love: Some might be turned off by the strong citrusy and floral scent.
You might be thinking: there’s no ouai a single shampoo can clean, restore health, alleviate dry scalp, and add volume to your hair, but here we are. The Ouai Fine Shampoo did not garner internet fame for no reason. The brand was founded by the it-girl celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin who basically acts as Kendall Jenner, Jennifer Lopez, and Chrissy Teigen’s right hand where hair is concerned. Our very own editor with fine hair uses this shampoo after several failed attempts with other brands and saw visible strength in her hair after just three months. Hairstylist and founder of Voël Hair, Kimberly Gueldner confirms that it takes roughly 90 days to see results from thickening shampoos, matching her claims.
Key Ingredients: Biotin, hydrolyzed keratin, chia seed oil | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Citrusy, floral, fresh | Size: 10 oz
Best Thickening: Biolage Volume Bloom Shampoo
What We Love: With a generous 13.5-ounce bottle, you’ll get a lot more shampoos than many others on this list, giving you solid value for your buck.
What We Don’t Love: It’s not sulfate-free.
The Biolage Volume Bloom Shampoo already has some loyal fans here in our office. On top of its glowing reviews, InStyle news and deals commerce writer, Eva Thomas uses this shampoo constantly for her thin hair and adores how volumizing and full it makes it look.
“I’ve been on the hunt for a clarifying, gentle, volume-boosting shampoo that gives my fine, thin hair some major body, and let me tell you, this Biolage one is it,” she says. “It lathers so nicely, smells incredible, and leaves my otherwise limp hair with so much volume at the roots post air drying, you’d think I got a blowout.” The immediate effect is that it uplifts the roots, and the long-term results is that it slowly thickens the hair follicle itself, strengthening the overall health of the hair.
Key Ingredients: Cotton flower, glycerin, salicylic acid | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Clean, natural | Size: 13.5 oz
Best for Hair Growth: Vegamour GRO Revitalizing Shampoo
What We Love: It’s completely vegan and cruelty-free.
What We Don’t Love: We wish it came in bigger bottles.
Hair loss is a battle many women fight with age. Well, consider this shampoo your armor and sword as it helps to reverse signs of hair thinning, prevents shedding, and actively promotes hair growth. The 100 percent vegan and cruelty-free formula is not just healthy for all hair types, but safe for color-treated heads as well. It taps the powers of plant-based phytoactives (which are like nutrients for growth) and Karmatin, the brand’s proprietary vegan alternative to keratin and silicone, to enrich the scalp. And those who have tried confirmed that their hair looked visibly denser, longer, and bouncier after at least 90 days of consistent use.
Key Ingredients: Vegamour’s proprietary vegan silk protein, red clover, mung bean | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Citrus | Size: 8 oz
Best for Color-Treated Hair: Pureology Pure Volume Shampoo
What We Love: It softens the hair by pumping moisture back into the strands.
What We Don’t Love: It’s not fragrance-free.
Hair that’s frequently been colored may look dry and flat after some time. This type of hair needs some extra TLC, which is why we recommend this sulfate-free and vegan volume shampoo from Pureology. Like all shampoo for color-treated hair, this shampoo protects your color while pumping some much-needed moisture into the strands. It works to bring life back into your hair and help make the color look as natural as possible. When you run your fingers through, you’ll notice how much softer your hair feels as well. And while it doesn’t necessarily thicken the strands, it does make your hair feel light and airy again.
Key Ingredients: Eucalyptus leaf extract, orange peel extract, wheat and vegetable proteins | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Zesty citrus | Size: 9 oz
Best for Damaged Hair: Virtue Full Shampoo
What We Love: It can tame frizzy flyaways on top of adding volume.
What We Don’t Love: The scent is a little strong.
If you’re noticing more split ends than usual or your strands have taken on a brittle, straw-like quality, you may need to kick your hair care routine into damage control. A weekly deep conditioning mask works wonders, but hairstylist and colorist Cassandra Olivia recommends starting with a shampoo that adds moisture, while also supporting other factors that support healthy hair, including strengthening ingredients, like keratin, as well as ones with protective properties, like phospholipids and glycerin. "This promotes overall scalp health," says Olivia, which is exactly what this option from Virtue does.
Not only does it add volume, but it works to thicken the hair strands as well. As a little bonus, it tames frizzy hair as well, should you be sporting this type of hair. It’s not scentless, however, and while some love it, others, Kratky included, are not the biggest fans. If you’re sensitive to strong scents, you’ll want to skip this option.
Key Ingredients: Virtue’s proprietary keratin protein blend, phospholipids, pink pomelo, artichoke leaf, glycerin | Sulfate Free: Yes | Scent: Fresh citrus | Size: 8 oz
Best for Oily Hair: Odele Volumizing Shampoo
What We Love: It doesn’t use any harsh chemicals, gently removing excess oils without harming the scalp.
What We Don’t Love: The 100 percent natural scent is gender-neutral, which is a hate-it or love-it for people.
Oily hair can look flat from all that extra weight holding down the strands. To combat this, you want a shampoo that can thoroughly cleanse without stripping the hair dry (natural oils are good for you, after all). This option from Odele was specifically formulated with oil-prone scalps in mind. The sustainable label is cruelty and sulfate-free, using only clean ingredients that are gentle on the scalp. Without any harsh chemicals, the excess oils get washed away and leave the roots feeling fresh and bouncy again. At 13 ounces, you get tons of product for a fair price as well, making this a true win.
Key Ingredients: Rice protein, amaranth extract, coconut oil | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Earthy, with notes of oakmoss and cucumber | Size: 13 oz
Best for Volume and Thickness: Amika 3D Volume and Thickening Shampoo
What We Love: You have the option of purchasing a refillable pouch.
What We Don’t Love: The vanilla scent may not be everyone’s cup of tea.
Adding volume is one thing, adding thickness is a whole other. While the first focuses on lifting the hair at the roots to increase the appearance of fullness, the ladder works to physically thicken the hair strands, and this option aims to do both. After just a few uses, you will notice stronger strands with a shiny and luscious finish. One look in the mirror and you’ll notice much more volume all around, both in the way the hair is lifted and in how full the mane looks. We love the option of purchasing a refillable pouch, which saves you money and wastes less plastic.
Key Ingredients: Larch wood extract, mulberry extract, green tea, vegetable and rice proteins | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Amber vanilla | Size: 9.2 oz
Best Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner: Bondi Boost Thickening Therapy Shampoo
What We Love: Aloe vera and biotin work hand in hand to strengthen the hair while stimulating growth.
What We Don’t Love: You need a lot of product to get through the hair.
We would never dare recommend a shampoo and conditioner two-in-one product. But we can recommend getting this Bondi Boost Thickening Shampoo and purchasing its matching conditioner on the side. With the two, you’re guaranteed to walk out of the shower with bouncy, salon-like hair (once it’s dried, that is). Using a mix of aloe vera, amaranth, biotin, and vitamin B, the shampoo and conditioner cleanses the scalp, strengthens hair follicles, and stimulates hair growth. And while $30 might sound like a lot for a bottle, take into consideration that at 17 ounces, it’s almost twice the size of many of the mentioned products.
Key Ingredients: Biotin, ginseng root, sea kelp, aloe vera, amaranth, biotin, vitamin B | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Fresh | Size: 16.9 oz each
Best for Curly Hair: Aveda Be Curly Shampoo
What We Love: This shampoo is made with a wheat protein and organic aloe blend that tames frizz and adds shine.
What We Don’t Love: Natural fragrance from zesty fruits, lime, lemon, and orange peel, along with the flower essences, make for a subtle, fresh aroma, and although such a scent is par for the course with clean formulas, sensitive noses may still get sniffly.
“This shampoo is particularly effective on taming frizz and increasing shine on curly hair, thanks to a specific organic aloe blend ingredient,” says Los Angeles-based celebrity hairstylist, Luna Viola. And, as most people with curly hair know, taming frizz is no small feat. Luckily, this shampoo can take a challenge, due in part to its powerhouse ingredients, including wheat protein and the aforementioned organic aloe. These two ingredients do the dirty work, tapering down frizz and providing curls with a gorgeous, glossy sheen.
Plus, this shampoo hydrates and nourishes strands, meaning you’ll notice long-lasting bounce and shine after every wash. For best results, use a conditioner with this shampoo so your curls are easier to brush out. It’s worth noting that while we find the citrus scent to be energizing, it may be polarizing for more sensitive noses.
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, aloe leaf juice, fatty acids | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Citrus | Size: 8.5 oz
Best for Fine Hair: Kevin Murphy Plumping Wash
What We Love: This thickening shampoo works to stimulate circulation in the scalp while also nourishing hair follicles.
What We Don’t Love: The packaging needs some work — the bottles can be difficult to open, especially when hands are wet.
“Over the years, I’ve been fortunately exposed to so many different product lines, but when it comes down to volumizing shampoos, I seek for the ones that are providing the most amount of texture to fine hair,” says Valcin, who names this one as his favorite. "I love using it on clients with fine textures – it doesn’t over-dry the hair because it has a conditioning agent that makes hair look healthy while still amplifying each strand.” Plus, the hydrating formula adds shine and softness to hair, making it both glossy and easy to manage.
Key Ingredients: Ginger root, nettle, aloe vera leaf extract, acai berry extract | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Aloe vera, acacia berries | Size: 8.5 oz
Best for Dry Hair: Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo
What We Love: This shampoo gives all hair types and textures a little bit of oomph.
What We Don’t Love: The fragrance can be a bit strong.
If you have dry, frizzy hair, this hairstylist-loved shampoo is here to save your strands. Made with a nourishing blend of argan oil, which promotes smoothness, red algae, which protects hair cuticles against dryness, and vitamins A and E, which help strands retain moisture while also fighting the effects of hair aging, this shampoo delivers noticeable results to parched hair while also adding a bit of much need oomph.
Additionally, this shampoo works to control frizz by sealing moisture into hair strands and ultimately giving hair a gorgeous, glossy sheen. We find the signature Moroccanoil scent to be intoxicating, but it's especially strong in this shampoo, so if you’re not a fan you may want to stay away.
Key Ingredients: Argan oil, Irish moss, red algae, seaweed | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Spicy amber and sweet florals | Size: 8.5 oz
Best for Thinning Hair: Nioxin System 2 Shampoo Cleanser
What We Love: Infused with peppermint oil, this cleansing shampoo eliminates oil and dirt from the scalp.
What We Don’t Love: Peppermint oil can be polarizing – you either love the tingly sensation on your scalp or you very much do not.
If you ask us, drugstore hair care products are just as worthy of praise as their more expensive counterparts. This Nioxin cleansing shampoo, which comes highly recommended by Gueldner and Reavey, is part of a three-step regimen that is specially formulated to strengthen hair over time and reduce thinning. The shampoo works by removing dirt, excessive oil, and other residues from the scalp and hair, thus unclogging pores and promoting hair growth. After just a few washes, you’ll notice that your hair looks and feels fuller.
“I recommend the Nioxin shampoos since they’re specifically formulated for fine and thinning hair, but have different options for different levels of thinning,” says Reavey. “In addition to addressing thinning hair, these shampoos account for overall scalp health.” Plus, this specific shampoo is made with peppermint oil, which stimulates the scalp and leaves your head feeling fresh and clean. This signature ingredient also creates a tingling sensation on the scalp — it’s not uncomfortable by any means, but some people may not enjoy it.
Key Ingredients: Caffeine, mentha arvensis leaf oil, peppermint oil, niacinamide | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Minty | Size: 10.1 oz
What to Keep in Mind
Your Hair Type: As with any hair care product, it’s important to pick the best option that works for your specific hair type. “Analyzing your hair type is paramount in choosing what volumizing shampoo to use,” says Viola. “For example, if your hair is fine, a low residue shampoo will be more effective at not weighing the hair down, and therefore, easier to volumize.”
On the other hand, if you have thick or coarse hair that’s in need of a volume boost, opt for a shampoo that incorporates texturizing ingredients. These shampoos will be able to clean roots while also taming frizz and adding natural fullness.Scalp Health: Aside from just considering your hair type, it’s equally important to make sure that you’re not overusing products that can ultimately weigh down hair. Your scalp needs to remain nice and clean for optimal scalp health.
“Usually, when someone is looking to add volume, it’s because their hair is fine or thinning,” explains Reavey. “To combat this, so many people pile on the products to add shine, lock in moisture, and grow the hair. However, too much product buildup can damage the scalp, ultimately stunting hair growth and overall health. I’d recommend being cognizant of how often you use volumizing shampoos’ based on if your scalp is dry or oily.”Active Ingredients: When it comes to hair care products in general, it’s important to know what’s in them as well as what’s not in them. “I recommend steering clear of formulations that are full of sulfates and silicones, which are often used to smooth the hair and lock in moisture, however, over time they can build up on the hair and weigh it down, leading to less volume,” explains Reavey.
“Similarly, parabens, phthalates, and artificial fragrances typically can dry the hair out, leading to an increased risk of hair thinning and fallout.” Instead, look for products that list glucose, glycerin, or betaine as they can be beneficial in adding healthy volume. “Volumizing shampoos are typically formulated with lightweight ingredients, such as hydrating amino acids, that aim to not weigh the hair and roots down, but still provide moisture and shine,” says Reavey. “I think it is vital to understand that any product that provides volume and texture can easily dry the hair over time,” warns Valcin.
Your Questions, Answered
What is the difference between volumizing and thickening shampoo?
Volumizing shampoo works to plump up the roots and lift them up, creating the look of a bouncy and full hair. “Most of the volumizing shampoos create the illusion of thickness by temporarily plumping up the roots and strands of hair, eliminating hair gaps,” explains Viola.
Thickening shampoo works to increase the diameter of the hair strand itself, making it stronger and less likely to fall out. It should be noted, however, that thicker hair tends to be heavier and can weigh down at the roots, making it look like less volume. It’s important to know therefore what results you are seeking when shopping for volumizing or thickening shampoo.
Can you use volumizing shampoo every day?
Because volumizing products can dry out hair, it’s important to use them sparingly. “To avoid dryness, it’s best to shampoo the hair twice or a maximum of three times a week, especially when using a volumizing shampoo,” says Valcin. If your hair is extremely dry, you can try using a moisturizing hair mask, a hydrating hair serum, or a deep conditioner to give it the moisture boost it needs after using a volumizing shampoo. Those with oily hair on the other hand can get away with washing their hair more frequently.
Is volumizing shampoo bad for hair?
To keep hair from drying out, Valcin recommends alternating the shampoo you use. “Volumizing shampoo is not bad for your hair as long as it is not the only type of shampoo being used,” he says. “Most volumizing shampoos contain some type of alcohol which over time causes each hair strand to lose its strength and can lead to breakage. It is critical to have other shampoos to alternate with. I recommend using moisturizing or thickening shampoo in between uses of a volumizing shampoo.”
Does volumizing shampoo make hair thicker?
“A volumizing shampoo will add lift to your hair, especially at the root, for an overall appearance of thicker, fuller hair,” explains Olivia. “Many also incorporate humectants into the formula, which will draw in moisture from the surroundings to boost moisture, and will improve the appearance of hair overall.”
While most volumizing shampoos do not make hair instantly thicker with one wash, they can promote hair health over time.“ Rather than bulking the width of your hair, volumizing shampoos produce lift,” adds Viola. “This fullness is attained by adding three-dimensional body and boosting your hair from the roots."
Why Shop With Us
Bianca Kratky is a commerce writer with over three years experience covering fashion and beauty. Lauren Harano has over seven years of experience in the beauty industry. The two are knowledgeable in skincare, makeup, and hair care, and have tested hundreds of products throughout their career. For this article, we interviewed five hair experts who shared their favorite volumizing shampoos for different hair types and textures.
For more InStyle news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on InStyle.
