If you have fine hair, you’ve probably come across shampoos labeled as thickening, volumizing and/or clarifying. For the average shopper, these labels and ingredients might as well be written in another language, says hairstylist Timothy Aylward. Some are like a puzzle, and one wrong piece can be the difference between a great hair day or a greasy one.
I spoke to hair care experts about what to look for and avoid when shopping for a shampoo for fine hair. I also rounded up their recommendations for the best options to shop.
SKIP AHEAD How I picked the best fine hair shampoo | The best shampoos for fine hair | What to know about fine hair shampoos | How to shop for fine hair shampoo | What to avoid if you have fine hair | Why trust NBC Select?
How I picked the best fine hair shampoo
When shopping for a shampoo specifically formulated for fine hair, experts recommend keeping the following factors in mind:
- Gentle ingredients: I sought out shampoos that are free of harsh cleansers like sodium lauryl sulfate, opting instead for gentler ingredients like sodium lauryl sarcosinate or cocamidopropyl betaine, which are less irritating on the scalp. I also looked for lightweight conditioners that hydrate fine hair without weighing it down.
- Volumizing formula: Fine hair shampoos are typically formulated to provide fuller looking strands by either penetrating the hair cuticle to expand it on the inside, or coating the exterior of the hair to appear more full, says New York City-based trichologist Shab Caspara. The goal is to lift and volumize, not weigh hair down.
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The best shampoos for fine hair in 2025
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.
Best overall: R+Co Dallas Thickening Shampoo
- Strengthens hair
- Adds shine
- Improves scalp health
- Small size
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.
Best volumizing shampoo: Maxxam Volumizing Shampoo
- Improves manageability
- Adds shine
- Lightweight formula
- Not in pump packaging
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.
Most hydrating: Innersense Pure Harmony Hairbath
- Reduces breakage
- Combats frizz
- Refillable
- Not in pump packaging
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.
Editor’s pick: Ouai Fine Hair Shampoo
- Strengthens hair
- Has a thickening effect
- Safe for color-treated hair
- Can be hard to squeeze out
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.
Best scented: Living Proof Full Shampoo
- Gentle formula
- Protects hair from damage
- Safe for treated hair
- Nothing to note at this time
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.
Best thickening shampoo: R+Co Bleu Ingenious Thickening Shampoo
- Strengthens hair
- Only need a little at a time
- Adds body to hair
- Higher price point
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.
Best splurge: Oribe Shampoo for Magnificent Volume
- Balances hair and scalp
- Protects hair from damage
- Has a thickening effect
- Higher price point
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.
Best budget pick: Ogx Thick & Full Volumizing Shampoo
- Gentle formula
- Reduces frizz and breakage
- Rich, creamy lather
- Can be hard to squeeze out
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.
Best shampoo bar: Lush Shampoo Bar
- Soothes scalp irritation
- Softens hair
- Adds shine
- Small size
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.
Best for curly hair: Odele Volumizing Shampoo
- Has a thickening effect
- No artificial fragrances
- Safe for color-treated hair
- May not give a deep cleanse
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.
Best for repair: Suite Reyad The Shampoo Fine & Normal Hair
- Little goes a long way
- Subtle scent
- Lightweight
- Higher price point
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.
Best for oily scalps: Crown Affair The Volumizing Shampoo
- Gel texture
- Safe for color-treated hair
- Reduces breakage
- May be hard to squeeze out
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.
Best for strengthening: Verb Body Boosting Volume Shampoo
- Lifts roots
- Fruity floral scent
- Available in two sizes
- Small size doesn’t have a pump
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.
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What to know about fine hair shampoos
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.
How to shop for a fine hair shampoo
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:
- Gentle cleansers: Fine hair gets greasy easily between washes. Look for safe and effective, yet gentle cleansers, like sodium lauryl sarcosinate or cocamidopropyl betaine, says Caspara. Gentler cleaners should prevent any irritation and dryness on the scalp while removing any excess oil from the hair. If you still have questions about your shampoo or how often you should wash, consult your hairstylist.
- Lightweight hydration: If a hair care brand is boasting about the hydrating properties of its fine hair shampoo, Caspara recommends looking elsewhere. That doesn’t mean you can’t find shampoo for fine hair with hydrating ingredients — there are a plethora of ingredients that hydrate hair without weighing it down. For example, multiple options on this list offer seed or fruit oil extracts, like Moringa seed (Oribe) or palmetto berry extract (R+Co).
What to avoid if you have fine hair
Below, I list some things you should avoid while shopping for fine hair shampoos, according to our hair experts.
- Harsh cleansers: “Harsh cleansers such as sodium laureth/lauryl sulfate (SLS) can irritate the scalp and affect hair growth over time,” says Caspara. Not all stylists are in agreement on sulfates, however. Some experts told us that sulfates won’t dry out your hair if used in moderation. But for fine hair, look for shampoos without sulfates since they’re gentler on the scalp, and people with fine hair don’t have the same protection that thicker hair provides, says Caspara.
- Too much conditioner: While fine hair shampoo can be helpful for bounce and volume, the most important thing you can do is rinse out any and all conditioner, or avoid using too much in the first place to avoid flattening the hair. “Don’t put conditioner from scalp to ends. Just focus on the very ends,” says Alfonso, adding that you can also skip conditioner if you want the most volume without your hair feeling super brittle. Also, rinse your hair with cool water for “bouncy volume,” she says.
- Heavy conditioners: Fine hair does need conditioning to help rebalance and hydrate. Aylward recommends conditioners with a lighter-weight, fluid-like consistency that won’t weigh your hair down, such as the R+Co Bleu Ingenious Thickening Conditioner and Philip B Weightless Conditioning Water.
Meet our 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.
- Francesca Maria Alfonso is a New York City-based celebrity hairstylist and makeup artist.
- Timothy Aylward is a celebrity hairstylist.
- Shab Caspara is a New York City-based trichologist. She has also offered her guidance in Select’s guide to the best purple shampoos.
- Bobby Eliot is a Los Angeles-based celebrity hairstylist.
- Taylor Rose is a Los Angeles-based certified trichologist.
Why trust NBC Select?
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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