Best Shampoo for Fine Hair: Creating Ultimate Volume

Hello, ladies! It’s Monica, and today I’m going to bring up quite a challenging topic. Yeah, fine and thinning hair. You want it to look fuller and thicker, but all the shampoos you’ve tried on just made things worse? Hair looks flat and limp right after washing? If that is the case, you probably haven’t found the best shampoo for fine hair yet. And there are quite a few of them!

Product
Top Pick
Good Value
Premium Choice
Rating
Price
$39.99
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$22.95
Prime
-
Pros
The best salon shampoo for fine hair
This Redken shampoo features a lightweight formula
The best shampoo for fine oily hair I’ve tried out
Top Pick
Product
Rating
Price
$39.99
Prime
Pros
The best salon shampoo for fine hair
My review
Good Value
Product
Rating
Price
-
Prime
-
Pros
This Redken shampoo features a lightweight formula
My review
Premium Choice
Product
Rating
Price
$22.95
Prime
Pros
The best shampoo for fine oily hair I’ve tried out
My review

Looking for the best drugstore shampoo for fine hair that doesn’t cost a fortune? Do you need a dandruff shampoo for fine hair that combats flaking and itching? Want to try out the best dry shampoo for fine hair to reduce the number of washes? Then this post is just for you!

Here, I will review my favorite shampoos for thin, limp hair. Also, I’m going to tell you how to make a shampoo for thin hair on your own, using liquid castile soap, essential oils or even oatmeal. Have I just piqued your curiosity? If so, let’s get down to business.

Best Shampoo for Fine Hair: 15 Reviews & Pros and Cons

Here are 15 of my favorites that will make thin hair look fuller, thicker, and more voluminous. Enjoy!

1. Living Proof Full Shampoo – Best Shampoo for Fine Color-Treated Hair

This sulfate-free shampoo for fine hair features a gentle formula that is safe even for color-treated locks. It’s a great product for those with baby thin hair – it looks thicker, fuller, and lifted after the wash.

9.2Expert Score

Also, this Living Proof shampoo will leave your locks shiny, soft, and frizz-free. You need a small amount of shampoo for each wash, so the bottle lasts quite a while.

Performance
9.4
Ingredients
9.3
Scent
9
PROS:
  • best sulfate-free shampoo that boosts volume and fullness;
  • great for both short and long hair;
  • doesn’t fade color;
  • doesn’t leave a residue;
  • sulfate-free and silicone-free.
CONS:
  • might cause extra oiliness.

2. Best Thickening Shampoo for Fine Hair – Kenra Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner Set

For me, this is the holy grail of protein shampoo and conditioner for fine hair. These products gently clean and condition your locks without weighing them down. The protein-enriched formula restores hair manageability and strength.

9Expert Score

After using these products, hair feels soft, smooth, and frizz-free. It has lots of body and volume – just what you want from the best shampoo and conditioner for fine hair.

Performance
9.2
Ingredients
9
Scent
8.9
PROS:
  • set provides body and fullness to thin, limp hair;
  • helps to reduce frizz and flyaways;
  • safe for color-treated hair;
  • great shampoo for fine and oily hair;
  • amazing peach scent.
CONS:
  • in rare cases, might cause dandruff;
  • may dry out hair.

3. Schwarzkopf Essence Ultime Biotin Volume Shampoo – Best Shampoo for Baby Fine Hair

Just like many other shampoos in this rating, this one was developed specifically for fine, limp hair. Its formula gently cleanses and strengthens your tresses without weighing them down. As a result, you get incredibly soft hair that has body and volume.

8.8Expert Score

This Schwarzkopf shampoo is an excellent choice for those with baby fine hair – it adds lift and fullness to it.

Performance
9
Ingredients
8.9
Scent
8.4
PROS:
  • gently cleans and fortifies your locks;
  • adds volume and fullness to limp hair;
  • helps with the thinning mane;
  • doesn’t weigh hair down.
CONS:
  • one may not like the smell.

4. Nioxin System 4 Cleanser Shampoo – Best Shampoo for Fine Thin Hair

Using this product on a regular basis, you’ll see amazing results – just arm yourself with patience. It may take up to several months to renew your hair, making it clean, thicker, and healthy-looking.

This Nioxin shampoo helps with hair loss and thinning hair, encourage new hair growth, and doesn’t leave a residue.

8.5Expert Score

Also, it doesn’t seem to fade the color. For better results, use it with the matching conditioner and scalp treatment by Nioxin.

Performance
8.9
Ingredients
8.5
Scent
8.2
PROS:
  • best salon shampoo for fine hair;
  • great help for those experiencing thinning hair or hair loss;
  • gentle on chemically-treated locks;
  • doesn’t build up;
  • pleasant minty scent.
CONS:
  • not good for oily hair – doesn’t clean it as well as other shampoos;
  • expensive.

5. Best Natural Shampoo for Fine Hair – SheaMoisture Mango & Carrot KIDS Extra-Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner

Designed specifically for kids, these shampoo and conditioner are made from all natural ingredients. Mango butter and carrot oil strengthen and nourish hair while cleansing it. And organic raw shea butter moisturizes and smoothes your kid’s locks making them soft, lightweight, and manageable. Both these products are safe for daily use.

8.3Expert Score

Personally, I like the scent of this natural shampoo for fine, thin hair. However, it may be too strong for little kids.

Performance
8.6
Ingredients
8.3
Scent
8
PROS:
  • best shampoo and conditioner for fine hair that moisturize, strengthen, and nourish your locks;
  • gentle enough for kids;
  • safe for everyday use;
  • sulfate-free and paraben-free;
  • work well on thin, curly or thick hair.
CONS:
  • may leave hair a bit sticky;
  • to me, the scent is too strong for babies.

6. BIOLAGE VolumeBloom Shampoo – Best Volumizing Shampoo for Fine Hair

This BIOLAGE shampoo will leave you with shiny, voluminous, and bouncy tresses. Its gentle paraben-free formula is suitable for both natural and color-treated hair.

8.1Expert Score

BIOLAGE developed the whole hair care system for limp hair, including conditioner, leave-in volumizer, and whipped mousse. Use them to boost body and volume even more!

Performance
8.3
Ingredients
8.1
Scent
7.8
PROS:
  • best shampoo for fine, limp hair;
  • gently cleans your locks with minimal stripping;
  • suitable for color-treated hair;
  • hair feels soft, smooth, and squeaky-clean;
  • paraben-free.
CONS:
  • pricey.

7. Pantene Pro-V Sheer Volume 2-In-1 Shampoo & Conditioner

This Pantene shampoo is a part of the Pantene Sheer Volume system designed specifically to give your tresses volume, lift, and control.

This 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner gently cleanses your hair, moisturizes it, and helps to make curls more textured. It contains collagen, pro-vitamins, and antioxidants to make your hair full, shiny, and light.

7.9Expert Score

Follow up this shampoo with the Pantene volumizing conditioner for fine hair that protects your locks from damage, making them soft and easy-to-manage. Finally, reach for the Pantene Pro-V volume root lifting spray gel for extra boost and control.

Performance
8.2
Ingredients
8
Scent
7.5
PROS:
  • best shampoo and conditioner for fine curly hair that texturizes your curls pretty well;
  • safe for chemically-treated hair;
  • gentle enough for everyday use;
  • hair feels soft, light, and fuller;
  • whole Pantene Sheer Volume system gives amazing results.
CONS:
  • formula was changed, so read the list of ingredients before purchasing.

8. Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Lemon Sage Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner Set

This Paul Mitchell shampoo refreshes your scalp and mane with tea tree, sage, peppermint, and lemon extracts. It helps to boost volume, strengthen each strand, and protect against split ends. After using this shampoo and conditioner set, hair feels soft, frizz-free, and full. The only drawback is the price. On the other hand, bottles are quite large.

PROS:
  • best shampoo for fine hair with split ends;
  • this duo creates volume, body, and fullness;
  • leaves hair soft, smooth, and frizz-free;
  • pleasant scent.
CONS:
  • expensive;
  • because of the poor packaging, you may receive leaking bottles.

9. Aveda Pure Abundance Volumizing Shampoo – Best Shampoo for Fine Oily Hair

Made in the US, this Aveda shampoo contains organic acacia gum from Chad, Africa. In hair products, this ingredient is believed to be especially beneficial for fine, dry or damaged hair. The shampoo helps to create extra volume and body for thin locks, making them fuller. Hair feels very clean, so it’s a good shampoo for fine oily hair.

PROS:
  • so far, it’s the best shampoo for fine oily hair I’ve tried out;
  • creates fullness;
  • builds body and volume;
  • not tested on animals.
CONS:
  • expensive;
  • may dry hair out.

10. Kerastase Resistance Bain Volumifique Thickening Effect Shampoo

The ampli ciment complex of this shampoo is designed to treat fine vulnerable hair. The product gently cleans hair and strengthens each strand without weighing down. Hair looks fuller, more voluminous, and more textured. This volumizing shampoo for fine hair features light, yet creamy enough formula that is perfect for thin tresses. And the bottle lasts a long time, so it’s totally worth every penny.

PROS:
  • best salon shampoo for fine, thin hair;
  • doesn’t weigh hair down;
  • adds volume and fullness;
  • hair feels light and airy;
  • nice scent.
CONS:
  • rather expensive;
  • beware of knock-offs.

11. OGX Thick & Full Biotin & Collagen Shampoo – Best OGX Shampoo for Fine Hair

After the very first shampooing, hair looks fuller and feels thicker. This product contains provitamin B, biotin, and collagen that encourage hair growth and strengthen each and every strand. It’s suitable for most hair types, including oily, damaged, and color-treated hair. To achieve better results, use this shampoo with a matching conditioner by OGX.

PROS:
  • you can use it as a daily use shampoo for fine hair;
  • suitable for color-treated, oily, damaged, straight, and frizzy locks;
  • hair looks fuller, thicker, and more textured;
  • sulfate-free;
  • affordable.
CONS:
  • may leave a residue on hair;
  • may cause frizziness.

12. Wella Enrich Shampoo & Conditioner Fine to Normal Hair – Best Shampoo for Fine Damaged Hair

When paired with a matching conditioner, this Wella shampoo repairs and protects dry damaged strands. This duo will leave you with soft and smooth locks that have body.

I like everything about these products, but there is a tiny inconvenience. The packaging doesn’t include a pump, and you will probably need one.

PROS:
  • best shampoo for fine dry hair that works wonders if paired with the matching conditioner;
  • hair feels soft, smooth, and silky;
  • big pack (1 liter of each product);
  • amazing scent.
CONS:
  • a pump is not included;
  • shampoo takes long to rinse out.

13. Redken High Rise Volume Lifting Shampoo

The lightweight formula of this shampoo seems to be made especially for those with fine hair. Still, this product works well for all hair types. Personally, I love how soft and manageable my locks get after shampooing. As for the volumizing effect, this shampoo may be not so impressive, when compared to its peers. Still, it gets the job done.

PROS:
  • this Redken shampoo features a lightweight formula;
  • suitable for all hair types;
  • leaves hair soft, silky, and easy-to-manage;
  • paraben-free;
  • lovely scent.
CONS:
  • not so good at creating volume;
  • pricey.

14. Dove Nutritive Solutions Oxygen Moisture Shampoo

The moisturizing formula of this Dove shampoo is meant to hydrate your locks, making them soft and smooth. It’s claimed to leave your hair with up to 95% more volume vs. flat, limp tresses. In actual practice, its volumizing effect isn’t so impressive. On the bright side, this shampoo is rather cost-effective, especially when compared to its peers. To get even better results, use it with the Dove Nutritive Solutions Oxygen Moisture conditioner.

PROS:
  • leaves you with bouncy, full, and lightweight tresses;
  • doesn’t weigh hair down;
  • suitable for daily use;
  • mild clean scent;
  • affordable.
CONS:
  • not good for color-treated hair – may leave it tangled and dry;
  • not so volumizing.

15. Davines OI Shampoo – Best Davines Shampoo for Fine Hair

Besides other beneficial oils, this Davines shampoo contains roucou oil that helps to strengthen hair and protect it against the effects of aging and environmental change. All in all, this shampoo performs nicely and pairs well with the conditioner from the same product line. It leaves hair voluminous, shiny, soft, and nourished.

PROS:
  • best shampoo for fine wavy hair;
  • reduces frizz;
  • strengthens hair without stripping it of its natural oils;
  • compact bottle;
  • you need just a small amount of this shampoo for one wash, so it will probably last a long time.
CONS:
  • extravagant;
  • unattached cap is a bit inconvenient;
  • may strip hair of color.

How to Make a Homemade Shampoo for Fine Hair?

It’s thought that using an organic shampoo for fine, thin hair is the best option. There are no harsh chemicals in such a product, but it’s hard to find, and the price isn’t that attractive. If you want to be absolutely sure that your shampoo doesn’t contain sulfates, parabens, and so on – another option is to make a homemade shampoo. There are quite a lot of various recipes, and I don’t want to copy-paste them. I’d rather share with you one of my favorite homemade shampoos that works great on fine hair.

Many homemade shampoos are based on liquid castile soap that works as a cleanser. You can add essential oils of choice like olive oil, lavender oil, jojoba oil, and more. Some people wash their hair using the mix of oatmeal and baking soda or egg yolk and honey. That’s a way of trial and error, and you may need some time to figure out what works for you.

Keep in mind that homemade shampoos with essential oils aren’t tear-free, so it’s better to keep your eyes closed when shampooing (just be careful not to lose your footing in the slippery shower). Make sure that you’re not allergic to any ingredients of your homemade shampoo.

Pregnant women and people suffering from epilepsy should avoid using bay-laurel, lemon, and rosemary essential oils because they can trigger contractions or seizures. Lemon oil can also cause photosensitivity.

To Sum Up

So, here are 15 shampoos for fine hair for every taste and budget. Some of them work for both men and women. Whether your hair is prone to oiliness, dry or damaged – you have some options to choose from. Many products on my list are safe for color-treated hair, and they can give you amazing results without fading the color. The primary goal of these shampoos is to make your tresses look thicker and fuller, giving them body and texture. And this shiny, voluminous, and full of life look is just priceless, right?

Ladies, do you have any questions? What is a good shampoo for fine hair for you? What other products do you use to keep your tresses looking full and thick? Please, leave your comments below!

Last update on 2022-12-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

6 Comments
  1. The best OGX shampoo for fine hair you’ve suggested is awesome, I like it very much. I bought it for daily usage and have no complaints. And there is no frizziness at all, don’t know why you mentioned it as a side effect. The only thing that seems inconvenient to me is that it’s hard to wash that shampoo off sometimes.

  2. I’ve searched the web for best shampoos for fine color treated hair. The problem I have is that the shampoo I used before was fading my hair color. I don’t dye my hair very often because it can be harmful so it’s important to me to save my hair color after washing. I hope Living Proof Full shampoo will be ok with that

  3. Kenra volumizing shampoo is awesome! I have a feeling that the volume increases right after using it so I’m not disappointed with the purchase, thank you, Monica, for such great advice! I was searching for the best shampoo for thicker hair for a long time, tried dozens of different means but nothing worked as perfect as that shampoo and conditioner, strongly recommend to everyone!

    • Dixie, Kenra volumizing shampoo for fine hair best suits for oily hair. I also like it very much because my hair is very oily and with my old shampoo I had to wash my hair every day. Everyday shampooing is very harmful to hair, I think Monica will agree with me. After starting using Kendra I noticed that my hair became silky, but not so oily as it was before. The effect is awesome, I’m completely satisfied. And the scent of Kendra shampoo is really something I’m addicted to.

  4. I like using Maple Holistics, it does good things to my hair.

  5. I love It’s a 10 Haircare Miracle Leave-In Plus Keratin. After blow-drying my hair, I spritz this product on my ends. It leaves my hair looking healthy and shiny.

    I like that it smells good, and that it is affordable.

    I would recommend it to anyone with dry, brittle hair.

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