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

Volume starts in the shower

best shampoos for fine hair universal: a woman lathering up her hair with shampoo in the shower
Aleksandar Georgiev/Getty Images

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:

  • Mandy B is a certified trichologist and hair loss practitioner. She has over a decade of experience, starting out with cutting, styling and coloring hair, before specializing in scalp health. She offers virtual consultation and treatments through her own company, THairapy Wellness Center.
  • Sheila Guillermo is a hairstylist at NYC THE TEAM, a hair salon founded by colorist Michelle Hong. Guillermo has over a decade of experience in the industry and specializes in blowouts, keratin treatments, updos and bridal hairstyles.

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

What We Like

  • has wheat proteins and amaranth peptides that plump hair fibers

What We Don't Like

  • a bit pricey

Living Proof

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

What We Like

  • makes hair feel softer and smoother
  • lathers nicely

What We Don't Like

  • a bit pricey

Biolage

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

What We Like

  • sulfate- and paraben-free

What We Don't Like

  • has a stronger herbal scent that some might not enjoy

Mild by Nature

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

What We Like

  • is lightweight
  • adds volume and texture

What We Don't Like

  • reviewers are divided on the scent

Odele

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!”

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

What We Like

  • sulfate-free
  • gentle on strands

What We Don't Like

  • some reviewers report the cap is a little faulty at times

Jason

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

What We Like

  • has keratin and vitamin B5
  • refreshing grapefruit scent

What We Don't Like

  • scent doesn't last as long as others

Verb

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should you shampoo fine hair?

According to Guillermo, the whole “don’t wash your hair every day” rule doesn’t apply to fine hair. This type of hair tends to get greasy very easily—even just from running your hands through it throughout the day—so you need to wash it more often than other hair types. If you don’t want to lather up daily, aim to shampoo at least three to four times a week.

What is the best way to wash fine hair?

For starters, you want to soak your hair completely in water before you add shampoo to the mix. This will help your shampoo emulsify better. Then, shampoo from the back to the front of your head, taking time to really massage the suds into your scalp to break down any oils or product residue that could weigh down your hair. Rinse and repeat, and if you use conditioner, make sure to only apply it to the last few inches of your hair, where its driest.

What is the difference between fine hair and thin hair?

Fine hair speaks to the texture and diameter of each hair, whereas thin hair is about the density or how many hairs you have on your head.


Jenny Jin Headshot Vertical 2023

Beauty Director

  • Oversees all beauty content at PureWow
  • Has over a decade of experience in writing and editing, both in print and digital media
  • Produces 'Youngish' newsletter, a guide to beauty in your 30s and beyond