Doctors Say These Volumizing Shampoos Can Revitalize Limp, Thin Hair

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Do you ever look in the mirror and wonder why your hair looks so ... lifeless? Whether you have thin, oily hair or limp curls, there's a fix for that: the best volumizing shampoos that lend oomph to flat hair, making it look both fuller and thicker.

"Volumizing shampoos can be effective for adding temporary volume and fullness to the hair," says celebrity hairstylist Laurie Heaps. These shampoos are formulated to add fullness and body to the hair by lifting the strands and making them appear thicker. They often contain ingredients that coat the hair shaft, making it appear fuller. Thickening shampoos work a bit differently than volumizing shampoos, but can also help you score big, bouncy hair. "Thickening shampoos are designed to increase the diameter of individual hair strands, making each strand feel thicker," says Heaps. Also, these formulas typically contain ingredients that penetrate the hair shaft to add thickness and density, says dermatologist Dr. Azadeh Shirazi, MD, founder of AziMD Skincare in La Jolla, CA.

Best Volumizing Shampoos

What to consider

When you're combing through all of the options out there, experts say to keep the following in mind:

Ingredients

When scanning the list of ingredients, look for plumping agents like keratin, rice protein, and collage. These bind to the hair shaft, making it appear thicker, says Dr. Shirazi, MD. Hyaluronic acid and aloe vera are also good picks, since they're lightweight moisturizers.

On the flip side, steer clear of things like sulfates, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, silicones, parabens, and other preservatives—all of which can be irritating to the scalp and can cause excessive dryness and frizz. Silicones can also weigh hair down, particularly if you have fine hair.

You'll always want to peep the ingredients for specifics, but words like "volumizing" and "thickening" can help steer you in the right direction.

How we selected

Women’s Health editors, including contributor Brigitt Earley researched and tested the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated volumizing shampoos, evaluating thousands of customer reviews and ratings. Our team also consulted a wide range of professional hairstylists and dermatologists for their top picks.

Whether you're shopping for a specific hair type or price point, read on for our expert-approved list of the best volumizing shampoos for thinning hair, tested by hairstylists, dermatologists, and Women's Health editors.

Fine Shampoo

When you want thicker strands, it's hard to beat Ouai's Fine Shampoo, which is known to be both thickening and fortifying, says dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp, MD, who recommend this to his patients with thin hair. Dr. Camp says that that it's infused with strengthening ingredients like biotin, keratin, and chia seed oil. What it doesn't have? Any parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.

We love that this shampoo works for all hair types (even color-treated), but our testers with fine hair reaped the biggest benefits, since the keratin works to strengthen and thicken with regular use. "I’ve tried so many different types of shampoo for fine, oily hair and nothing has worked for me until now," our tester told us. "Absolutely love this shampoo! My hair looks and feels clean and smells great!"

Read more: Best Shampoos For Thinning Hair

Unbreakable Care Anti-Breakage Shampoo

Meghan Trainor previously told us she has "thin, thin hair," and trusts the Unbreakable Care Anti-Breakage shampoo from Nexxus for "crazy volume." The brand says the product was formulated specifically with this hair type in mind and contains a "proteinfusion blend" of biotin, keratin, and collagen amino acids to strength and protect strands and add fullness. To reap maximum rewards, Trainor said she pairs the shampoo with the brand's conditioner and root lift thickening spray. Though take note: some testers say that while the formula is incredibly volumizing, it has a strong, chemicall-y smell that might not appeal to everyone.

Full Shampoo

It may be pricey, but this is one of the most commonly-recommended volumizing shampoos on the market by both hair stylists and dermatologists, including Dr. Brandon Kirsch, MD, who says it lends "instant gratification." That's because it contains a superstar ingredient called amaranth peptide, which helps plump hair fibers to increase volume and fullness.

It's color-safe, sulfate and paraben-free, which is great for testers with sensitive skin. Dr. Kirsch also says that it's safe for chemically-treated hair, too. Even testers with oily hair were pleased with this shampoo, telling us it gave them volume without any excess oil. "This shampoo is the first that I have tried that actually works on my fine, limp hair," says one of our testers. "I definitely notice a difference. It's expensive, but it works."

Shampoo for Magnificent Volume

A WH-editor favorite, this shampoo delivers glossy, healthy hair every time. Testers told us it works instantly: "My hair felt way thicker immediately upon using this shampoo. It stays feeling thicker until the next wash—seven to 10 days later." A high-tech polymer blend plumps each strand, while the brand's signature complex formula helps prevent oxidative stress that can degrade natural keratin, leaving hair looking limp and dull. It also contains lupine protein and saw palmetto extract to improve scalp health and strengthen hair follicles to encourage new, healthy growth.

3D Volume & Thickening Shampoo

Suitable for all hair types, this popular shampoo was formulated specifically for adding volume. It's powered by a blend of ingredients, including hydrolized rice and vegetable proteins, that work to improve volume and moisturize at the same time, leading to thicker and healthier-looking hair. Our testers, especially those who wash often, loved how weightless the formula was—it left little to no residue behind. Even better, their hair had more shine and bounce after using this shampoo. Testers also loved the smell—a blend of warm vanilla, spicy sweet clover, and fresh citrus.

Curl Manifesto Hydratation Shampoo

Paul Labrecque, owner and creative director of the Paul Labrecque Salons in New York, Palm Beach, and Philadelphia, recommends Kerastase's Curl Manifesto for all of the curly girls out there. It's perfect for plumping fine, curly hair, he says, but notes that it may be a little too light for those with thick, curly hair. The sulfate-free formula gently cleanses, plus contains a host of uber-moisturizing ingredients like manuka honey and ceramides that address dryness, enhance curls, and boost shine. The result? Bouncier, more voluminous curls and coils.

No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo

Hairstylist Bianca Hillier says there's a reason this shampoo has nearly 60,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. "It's great for all hair types and textures, but works exceptionally well for calming and taming frizzy hair," she says. The shampoo is powered by a patented bond building formula that helps realign the actual structure of the hair and seal the outside cuticle layer for healthier, thicker hair. Our testers had overwhelmingly positive things to say, too, telling us that this product made their hair grow both thicker and longer and improved damaged hair after just a few uses. "I have very fine, thin, and dry hair, and this works great," one tester said.

Voluminouse Shampoo

Ever wonder what the celebs turn to? Miranda Kerr previously told WH she uses this natural pick “every other day” for shiny, voluminous strands. “It’s great, and as I said, I do have fine hair and it gets a little oily,” said Kerr. “It’s made with organic natural plant-based ingredients, and it smells amazing.”The key ingredient—Rahua—is an oil derived from an Amazonian tree that has been used for centuries to treat and nourish damaged hair, nourish and promote a healthy scalp environment. Lemongrass in the formula is also said to add both body and volume.

Read more: Best Natural Shampoos

Thickening Volume Shampoo

"Enriched with ingredients like panthenol and wheat protein, this shampoo helps to thicken and plump each strand, making it suitable for those with fine or thin hair who want to achieve a fuller look with added density," says Heaps. Testers agree, saying the shampoo lathers exceptionally well and makes their hair look and feel fuller, plus provides bounce and shine. We like that the color-safe formula is lightweight and won't add buildup, either.

Meet the experts

• Brendan Camp, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist with MDCS Dermatology in New York, New York.

• Brandon Kirsch, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist with Kirsch Dermatology in Naples, Florida.

• Paul Labrecque is the owner of Paul Labrecque Salons in New York City, Palm Beach, and Philadelphia.

• Bianca Hillier is a hairstylist based in Los Angeles, California.

• Laurie Heaps is a hairstylist based in Los Angeles, California.

• Azadeh Shirazi, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist founder of AziMD Skincare in La Jolla, California.

Shop more of our favorite hair products

Best Hair Thickening Products | Best Shampoos For Thinning Hair | Best Hair Volumizing Products | Best Keratin Shampoos | Best Hair Growth Oils | Best Shampoos For Wavy Hair | Best Drugstore Shampoos

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