Shampoos are integral in shaping the appearance of our hair. While most shampoos now offer hydrating and smoothing effects, they may not be the best choice if you are looking to add a volume boost to your hair. A luscious mane is difficult to achieve if you have flat, lifeless locks.

Our contributor Ghanima Abdullah, an experienced cosmetologist, explains, “Hair can lack volume when it's type one straight hair that has no wave at all. One can even lack hair fullness if the hair density is low.”

Well, thankfully, you can get your hands on the best volumizing shampoos to achieve the bouncy, full-bodied hair you've always wanted. To help you get healthy hair growth and added volume, we have tried and tested several shampoos and found the best for you. 

Chris Wenzel, a Professional hairstylist, says, “A wrong shampoo can completely derail you. It comes down to having the wrong amount of hydration. There are so many people using shampoo that has way too much hydration. They are never going to be able to get life and volume to their hair. It’s going to be heavy and product-y, it’s not going to feel good, fresh, and voluminous.” A good volumizing shampoo can be a game changer for such people who have used the wrong shampoo for ages and also for those with flat and limp hair. 

These volumizing shampoos consist of ingredients such as keratin proteins, elastin, collagen, and hydrolyzed amino acids, which are essentially the building blocks of our hair. They replenish the hair shaft and strengthen individual strands, giving them a thicker, fuller look! However, finding the right shampoo which gives the benefits of increased volume, is a clarifying formula, and is made sans any artificial fragrances is a difficult feat.

Our contributor Ghanima Abdullah, shares the ingredients that help add volume to the hair. She adds, “There are volumizing agents that coat the hair to help add volume, like powders, polymers, ceramides and proteins. Humectants attract water to the hair, making it look plumper. These include glycerin and hyaluronic acid.”

According to Dr. Vanita Rattan, “You want a shampoo that's basically going to nurture the scalp skin because a healthy scalp equals healthy hair.” Hence, it is also important to ensure that the cleanser you get your hands on also purifies and hydrates your scalp. Based on our observations and several trials and tests, we have curated a list of the 19 best volumizing shampoos for you. Take a look!

• 1
  Best Overall

  OGX Extra Volume+ Biotin & Collagen Shampoo

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The OGX Thick & Full + Biotin & Collagen Volumizing Shampoo is perfect for those with flat hair, providing the extra shine and volume your hair craves. This makes it one of the best volumizing shampoos for thin hair! Its bergamot, jasmine and vanilla scent will make your hair smell divine while calming your mind. Since it is free from sulfates and parabens, you can rest assured knowing that you're treating your tresses with the best! Adding on, the collagen and vitamin B7 infused in the formula replenishes your hair shafts for a thicker, healthier look. 

Size: 13 fluid ounces

Hair Type: Thin hair

2

Best Fragrance

PHYTO Volume Volumizing Shampoo

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Boosting hair growth and preventing hair breakage is now easy with the nourishing formula of PHYTO Volume Volumizing Shampoo. Packed with the goodness of bamboo and yarrow extract, this product does wonders in repairing your hair and adding shine to it. It not only adds weightless bounce to the hair but also strengthens hair follicles to promote new hair growth. With its amazing concentrated formula, you don’t need a lot of this shampoo to cleanse your hair thoroughly – just use a small amount and say hello to a cleaner and smoother scalp. 

3

Best for UV Protection

R+Co Dallas Biotin Thickening Shampoo

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Give your hair the ultimate protection from UV and thermal damage with the soothing thickening shampoo by R+Co. It contains biotin, Pro vitamin B5, coconut oil, and saw palmetto berry extract — all of which work together to repair hair strands, shield hair from UV rays, promote blood circulation, prevent thinning of hair, and rejuvenate your tresses. Whether you have fine hair or thick hair – it works for all! 

4

Best Thickening Shampoo

Paul Mitchell Teatree Lemon Sage Thickening Shampoo

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Protect your hair against split ends with the strengthening Paul Mitchell’s Lemon Sage Thickening Shampoo! The product is specially formulated with liquid gold to give your beautiful tresses the boost of luster need. With the aromatic scent of bergamot, lemon, and white sage in this product, you can invigorate your senses and turn every hair wash a spa-like experience. Furthermore, the goodness of natural ingredients in it makes your locks nourished and happy!

Size: 10.14 fluid ounces

Hair Type: All hair types

5

Best Weightless Formula

Moroccanoil Extra Volume Shampoo

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Moroccanoil Extra Volume Shampoo is enriched with argan oil and linden bud extract that boosts shine in your hair and generously replenishes its lipid barrier. It has a hydrating formula that ensures your hair retains moisture even after you rinse the product off. Free from harsh chemicals that are commonly found in shampoos, this product provides nourishment that will make your hair feel better than ever. Not to forget about its signature Moroccanoil scent that makes it so deliciously addictive, you won't want to use anything else!

Size: 8.5 fluid ounces

Hair Type: Fine hair

6

Best for Colored Hair

Aveeno Scalp Soothing Hair Care Fresh Greens Blend Refresh & Thicken Shampoo

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Infused with the nourishing extracts of oat, rosemary, peppermint, and cucumber, this volumizing shampoo by Aveeno has all the nourishing components your hair needs to come back to life. It clarifies, thickens, and adds just the right amount of moisture to make it perfect for fine to medium hair. And if you're worried about harmful chemicals, then don’t worry, as this shampoo is free of sulfates, dyes, and parabens. The farm-to-shower-inspired magic potion will soothe your scalp with the properties of oats sourced from the Mississippi River Valley - an absolute delight for nature lovers!

Size: 13.44 fluid ounces

Hair Type: Color-treated hair

7

Best Vegan Shampoo

Paul Mitchell Extra-Body Shampoo

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This volumizing shampoo for fine hair by Paul Mitchell contains the moisturizing and strengthening goodness of panthenol, making it the perfect addition to your daily hair care routine. The formula gently cleanses your hair while replenishing the building blocks, making it look fuller and bouncier. Its vibrant and crisp apple scent leaves your hair smelling fresh and fruity all day long. Plus, it is color safe, vegan, paraben-free and suitable for all hair types. 

Size: 12 fluid ounces

Hair Type: Suits all hair types. Ideal for fine hair

8

Keranique Scalp Stimulating Shampoo

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This top-notch Keranique Scalp Stimulating Keratin Shampoo not only strengthens your hair but also creates a smooth texture and improves the elasticity of your hair strands. Enriched with hydrolyzed keratin, the product stimulates the scalp by deeply cleaning your hair and forming a protective shield on its shafts. Its repair formula defends your hair against environmental damage, keeping it healthy and beautiful. And of course, the shampoo improves your hair’s appearance by boosting fullness and volume.

Size: 8 fluid ounces

Hair Type: All hair types

9

Best for Frizz-free Hair

Burt’s Bees Very Volumizing Shampoo

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Burt's Bees Pomegranate Seed Oil Very Volumizing Shampoo is here to breathe life into flat, lackluster hair. Formulated with antioxidant-rich pomegranate seed oil and avocado oil, this top rated volumizing shampoo helps turn up the volume of your locks, reducing frizz and adding shine. Gentle on hair and easy to rinse, this sulfate-free shampoo is enriched with natural ingredients, making it the perfect choice for safely cleansing and nourishing your tresses. And with the delicious scent of pomegranate, you'll feel like you're treating yourself to a luxurious salon experience! 

Size: 10 fluid ounces

Hair Type: Flat and fine hair

10

Boldify Hair Thickening Shampoo

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With the power of aloe, chamomile, and calendula extracts in it, you can transform your hair care game with this top-rated volumizing shampoo by Boldify. This invigorating product deeply nourishes each individual strand to promote thicker, fuller, and softer hair. By leveraging the goodness of rosemary extract, this color-safe shampoo complex clears your hair and scalp of oil and dirt, while other essential vitamins and minerals in it provide them with unparalleled nourishment. 

Size: 8 fluid ounces

Hair Type: Fine hair

11

Best for Hydration

Majestic Pure Cosmeceuticals Biotin Shampoo

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Look no further than this biotin volumizing shampoo by Majestic Pure, if you want to boost your hair’s growth in addition to volume. The formula also benefits your hair by replenishing the shafts of your hair with nutrients, to strengthen them effectively. Besides, its superstar ingredients like rosemary oil and castor oil spruce up your hair texture by boosting moisture, and reducing frizz, making this product an important addition to your haircare routine. 

Size: 16 fluid ounces

Hair Type: Fine hair

12

Living Proof Full Shampoo

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Living Proof Full Shampoo is a gentle, yet super-effective volumizing formula that is sustainably made with scientific formulations. The best part about the shampoo is that you can take a hair quiz on their website to determine if this shampoo is the right one for you. It is made free of silicones, phthalates, parabens, formaldehyde, SLS + SLES, making it a safe choice. It cleanses the grease from the scalp and hair shafts and prepares it to look fuller. If you are in the need of a simple yet effect volume booster, this is your best bet.

Size: 8 fluid ounces

Hair type:Flat and fine hair

13

John Frieda Volume Lift Lightweight Shampoo

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John Frieda Volume Lift Lightweight Shampoo is a good choice for color-treated hair that is in dire need of bounce and volume. The easy, squeezable tube contains 8.45 ounces of product that uses Air-Silk technology to provide a lift to the hair and help it appear fuller. Its results are visible right after the first wash. For those with dry hair, which is often the case in terms of chemically treated or colored hair, this shampoo also makes the hair soft. So, you can target two hair concerns easily.

Size: 8.45 fluid ounces

Hair type: Fine hair

14

Love Beauty And Planet Sulfate-free Shampoo

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If you ever wanted to use coconut water in your beauty and hair care, this is your chance. Love Beauty and Planet Volume and Bounty Thickening Shampoo is made with coconut water and mimosa flower which helps in cleaning the hair and adding body to it. It is a thickening shampoo that is made without any silicones or dyes. Additionally, the shampoo also has the goodness of coconut oil and works well if you have frizzy or dry hair and looking for a lightweight volume-boosting product.

Size: 32.3 fluid ounces

Hair type: Fine hair

15

MONDAY Haircare Volume Shampoo

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The alluring bootle of MONDAY Haircare Volume Shampoo is filled with the goodness of ginger extract, vitamin E, and coconut oil. These active ingredients work together to give the hair a fuller and blanched look and feel. The good news is that the shampoo is not only free of parabens, sulfates, and other chemicals, it’s replaced with shea butter, rice protein, and oils to help nourish the hair from within.

Size: 12 fluid ounces

Hair type: Thin hair

16

Best for Natural Ingredients

Mokita Naturals Regenerate Biotin Shampoo For Thinning Hair

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This volumizing shampoo by Mokita Naturals is the ultimate solution to any hair thickening regimen. Its powerful and safe botanical formula is infused with revitalizing botanical extracts such as aloe, chamomile, Chinese camellia oil, rosemary, calendula and cucumber that soothe your scalp, boost moisture and promote overall hair health. What's even better is that it contains no harmful sulfates, parabens, or alcohol, making it a safe choice for regular use. Besides, the product is suitable for all hair types. 

Size: 8.5 fluid ounces

Hair Type: Fine hair

17

Garnier Fructis Full & Plush Fortifying Shampoo With Active Fruit Protein

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This Garnier Fructis Full and Plush Volumizing Shampoo is packed with Active Fruit Protein which works as a thickening agent for fine and flat hair, leaving your locks looking fuller and more voluminous than ever before. It is an ideal shampoo for daily use, especially for oily hair. The blend of pomegranate, acai berry, and grape seed extracts work together to nourish and hydrate your dull and flat hair. Moreover, the shampoo will leave your hair smelling clean all day long. 

Size: 12.5 fluid ounces

Hair Type: Oily, flat, and fine hair

18

It's a 10 Miracle Volumizing Shampoo

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This volumizing shampoo by It's a 10 Haircare Miracle is formulated specifically for those with fine or limp hair, featuring only nature's most lightweight ingredients, including marshmallow root extract, hydrolyzed rice protein, and acai extract, that soothe your scalp and replenish the hair shafts to make them thicker and stronger. The volumizing shampoo gives you a powerful boost of hydration and nourishment, thanks to the abundant nutrients present in it.

Size: 10 fluid ounces

Hair Type: Chemically-treated hair

19

Pantene Essential Botanicals Volumizing Shampoo Rosemary And Lemon

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The formula of this thickening shampoo by Pantene is infused with rosemary and lemon, which improve your hair texture to make them softer and increase its natural luster. The invigorating extracts of rosemary adds a heavenly fragrance to your hair while also promoting good scalp health. The fusion of volumizing technology with natural ingredients brings a refreshing feel and airy lather, making it one of the best drugstore volumizing shampoos for fine hair.

Size: 38.2 fluid ounces

Hair Type: Color-treated hair

Now, let us look at the benefits of using a volumizing shampoo before you purchase it so that you only pick the best for yourself!

Using a volumizing shampoo for fine hair can add body and fullness to your locks, giving you the voluminous hair you've always dreamed of. Here are some benefits of using a volumizing shampoo:

• Adds volume: As it is apparent from the term itself, volumizing shampoos give a thicker, fuller appearance to your hair. They are infused with ingredients such as keratin, amino acids, elastin, etc. that are essentially the building blocks of your hair. These ingredients replenish your shafts to make your hair look healthier overall.

• Improves texture: By replenishing the hair shafts, volumizing shampoos improve the overall texture and appearance of your hair. 

• Reduces oiliness: Some volumizing shampoos are designed to remove excess oil and buildup from the scalp. This way, your hair doesn’t look greasy and flat and becomes fluffy and bouncy at the roots. 

• Enhances styling: Such bouncy, full and luscious hair is easy and fun to style. Besides, any glitches in the hairstyles, such as braids, can be concealed by the thick, gorgeous mane itself. 

• Suitable for fine hair: Volumizing shampoos are highly beneficial for people with fine or thin hair, as they can add body and thickness to otherwise limp hair.

To get these benefits, there are a few things you should consider when buying a volumizing shampoo. Refer to the following buying guide to understand the same.

The main purpose of a volumizing shampoo is to add an appearance of fuller hair and thicker hair. When the shampoo is thoroughly applied to the root and shaft of the hair, it helps proving a lift to the hair strands, thereby increasing the appearance of the hair volume and adding a natural bounce rather than making them look flat. Most of these shampoos contain key ingredients that help to control oil production that would avoid weighing down the hair. The hair strength is also improved with keratin proteins and polymers.

Choosing the right shampoo can make all the difference in achieving that full-bodied, voluminous look you've been dreaming of. 

Hair type: Look for a volumizing shampoo that is specifically formulated for your hair type. For example, if you have a sensitive scalp, then look for gentle, sulfate-free formulas and those with vegetable proteins. For oily scalps and hair types, clarifying formulations with essential oils, natural clays, and humectants are the best picks. And for hair types that are dry and dehydrated, richly emollient formulas are the way to go.

Ingredients: Ingredients such as biotin, keratin, collagen, or panthenol are effective in boosting hair quality by replenishing the building blocks of your hair. It is the effect of these ingredients that your hair looks thicker and fuller after using a volumizing shampoo. Besides, rich emollients and humectants such as argan oil, shea butter, aloe extracts, etc. are important ingredients to look for to boost nourishment and softness in your hair. 

pH-balance: Look for a volumizing shampoo with a pH level that is not overly alkaline and somewhat resembles that of your hair and scalp. This way, you keep scalp inflammation, dryness, hair static or excess sebum production at bay. 

Price: Consider your budget and look for a volumizing shampoo that fits within your price range.

Personal preferences: Consider your personal preferences, such as scent, packaging, and specific concerns (e.g., color-treated hair), when choosing a volumizing shampoo.

In conclusion, the best volumizing shampoos can be an excellent addition to your hair care routine if you have fine or flat hair and want to add volume and fullness. Remember, the key is to find a shampoo that will lift your hair to new heights while keeping it healthy and shiny. Ensure you go through our buying guide before making any purchase, so you only pick what’s best for you! We hope you like our product recommendations. Happy shopping!

Contributor: Ghanima Abdullah, Cosmetologist, The Right Hairstyles