Get Fuller, More Voluminous Locks With These Hair Thickening Products

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If you were born with fine hair (it’s me, hi), you know how hard it can be to add volume and—for lack of a better word, pizzazz—to your style. I mean, it’s tough to wake up with flat hair and have no idea how to style it when you don’t know how to achieve volume in the least bit. That’s where hair thickening products come in.

Preview some of the best hair thickening products below:

Unlike home remedies like peppermint oil or techy new products like protein treatments, thickening products provide a more temporary effect. “They're fantastic for giving your hair that extra lift, making it appear fuller and more voluminous,” says Dawna Jarvis, a master hairstylist based in Los Angeles. And hair thickening products are available in a ton of different varieties: Sprays, mousses, serums, powders, and more.

So, it’s easy to pick which type of product best suits you, depending on your routine and hair texture. I.e., if you have fine hair—especially of a lighter color—you might want to pick something lighter, like an airy spray, than won’t show up looking greasy in your hair.

Meet the experts: Dawna Jarvis is a master hairstylist based in Los Angeles. Clariss Rubenstein is a celebrity hairstylist based in Los Angeles.

Experts also have some words to the wise about applying hair thickening products: "'Less is more' when it comes to hair-thickening products," Jarvis says. If you use too much, "it not only weighs down your hair but also ends up being a waste," she adds.

One more thing: Remember to still use a conditioner on your hair. "Often, people think to maintain volume you should skip the conditioner for fear of weighing the hair down," says Clariss Rubenstein, a celebrity hairstylist based in Los Angeles. But this is a myth: "Conditioners actually lend themselves to maintaining the volume in the hair," she continues. Noted.

Ready to get working? Check out the 13 best hair thickening products, tested by professional hairstylists, WH’s beauty director, and reviewers.

Destined for Density Peptide Hair Serum

Women's Health beauty director Brian Underwood raves about this hair serum from Briogeo and highly recommends it. "This oil-meets-serum has a fantastic texture that makes it easier to get the active ingredients—thickening biotin, scalp-stimulating caffeine, and follicle-boosting peptides—to the areas of thinning, where they're needed most," he says. He's used it on the crown of his scalp and has seen a noticeable thickening effect.

Rave review: "This serum has been great for my struggling hair. It makes it look and feel very voluminous, and I appreciate that it is not a heavy oil that weighs hair down."

Volumizing Blow Dry Mist

Underwood also loves this mist from Olaplex. "This thickening mist, from the brand that really spearheaded the bond-building movement really works," he says. "A few spritzes at the roots gives volume that lasts all day long and helps to temporarily mask sparse spots. The mist is also super-buildable and won't leave your hair feeling crunchy!" It also protects your hair from any damage that comes with styling. That's a W.

Rave review: "It's like a repair and protection system for your hair. With each use, my hair feels stronger and healthier. Bottom line, if you're looking for major volume."

Body Builder Volumising Mousse

Jarvis backs this volumizing mousse from Kevin Murphy, doting on its versatility. "Ideal for fine hair, this product is incredibly versatile, offering volume without leaving hair stiff or crunchy," she says. It's weightless and creates flexible strands with fullness and hold. Plus, it's moisturizing, with tangerine oil, which is rich in antioxidants, as well as vitamin B5.

Rave review: "This really adds body without making your hair sticky or greasy...a little goes along way"

Maximista Thickening Spray

"This spray not only thickens but also strengthens your hair," says Jarvis. "It adds a luxurious fullness and richness to your hair's texture." It's also a thermal protectant and creates lift that lasts, in addition to a medium level of hold. Reviewers who have tested it say it genuinely does make their hair feel thicker while providing volume.

Rave review: "I have pretty thick, long-ish hair, and somehow this spray makes it feel so light and airy after using it! It also gives just the perfect amount of volume, without drying out my hair."

Read more: Best Shampoos For Thinning Hair And Hair Loss

Thick Again Treatment

If you struggle with thinning hair, you're not alone—that's why Kevin Murphy's Thick Again Treatment was created. "This product helps in creating a thicker and healthier appearance," says Jarvis, who recommends the product. It's a leave-in treatment that will leave your hair looking thicker and fuller as time goes on.

Rave review: "I saw visible thickness in the hair around my scalp before the bottle was even halfway empty! And I love the woodsy scent."

I Want Body Volume Foam

This hair foam is amazing for thickening the hair follicle and ensuring you'll have volume. "This foam is user-friendly and effective for various hair types," says Jarvis. "It provides a balanced lift and volume, perfect for everyday styling." All you have to do is apply it to damp hair and spread it from the roots to the ends, and blow it dry. Reviewers say they *actually* notice a difference after using it.

Rave review: "I’ve tried every volumizing product on the market and this is one of the best. It doesn’t leave a sticky residue and the smell is not overwhelming."

Dryspun Texture Spray

A texture spray will be your best friend if you have hair that always seems a little, well, flat. This one has an airy texture and it's translucent, so it's not visible on the hair. Plus, it works on fine to medium hair textures and straight to wavy hair. The best part *might* be that it's made without parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, or formaldehyde.

Rave review: "I've used other texturing sprays in the past. This is hands down the best for my fine hair. It doesn't weigh it down and you can still work with it after you spray it."

Working Texture Loose Styling Powder

This product boasts its ability to thicken braids to keep them from unraveling on all hair types. Its "Zip-Up" technology also allows it to soothe split ends and protect hair from the environment. And it's color and keratin safe, which is awesome. Users love it because it works for thick hair and it's super easy to use.

Rave review: "It does add volume and texture. It smells great as well. The bottle is a lot bigger than I thought it would be, so it's great for the price!"

Read more: Best Hair Growth Oils

Volumizing Full Shampoo For Fine Or Flat Hair

With over 500 reviews and an average of 4.5 stars on Ulta, people seem to love this volumizing shampoo from Virtue. Reviewers love it for its ability to transform thinning, dull hair with breakage, and how it genuinely does thicken hair. Part of that is due to its use of keratin protein, which can def help strengthen hair. (BTW, Jennifer Garner is a big fan of Virtue products!)

Rave review: "I've been using Virtue products for over a year now, and there is a definite difference in my hair. There is more volume, so much so that I am now able to grow my hair longer without it looking straggly."

Hair Thickening Therapy Styling Spray

This affordable styling spray has hundreds of ratings on Amazon, and an average of 4.7 stars. (And 94 percent of users recommend it!) It's hydrating with hyaluronic acid and works for all hair types. Other ingredients include biotin for hair growth and vitamin B3 for scalp moisturization. If your hair is thinning or if you have a lot of damage, like split ends or breakage, this spray is a solid pick for you.

Rave review: "I love all of the Bondi Boost products but this one I can't live without! It takes my limp, flat hair and gives it LIFE!!!! Who knew I could have so much body and shine!"

Lightweight Thickening-Hair Serum

This fast-absorbing serum is a leave-in treatment made specifically for thinning hair. It's built with ashwagandha exosomes for hair thickness and strength, and none of the stuff you don't want: Like parabens, formaldehydes, formaldehyde-releasing agents, phthalates, and mineral oil. Customers love it because it's really helped their hair grow noticeably.

Rave review: "This is the best hair growth serum I have used so far. I have new hair growth, my hair shedding has gone down, and my scalp itchiness also dissipated."

Thickening Lotion

This hair thickening lotion from Moroccanoil is perfect for those with fine and medium straight and wavy hair. It volumizes, adds shine, and helps with dryness, plus, it's formulated with argan oil for antioxidants and jojoba oil for moisturization.

Rave review: "It gives my roots a needed lift. I use half a pump on my mid back length hair. It doesn't weigh down my hair or make it greasy like other products do."

Read more: Best Keratin Shampoos

Bb. Thickening Volume Shampoo

This lightweight shampoo does the trick when it comes to adding volume and softness to your hair. Reviewers say it makes their hair look and feel fuller, even bringing out waves that they didn't know they had. And it's pretty affordable, too.

Rave review: "It makes my hair incredibly soft, bouncy, and brings out the waves in my hair that I didn't know I had. I have never felt more confident."

How we chose the best hair thickening products

For a week, Women’s Health editors, including our editorial assistant Addison Aloian, have been researching the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated hair thickening products. Our team consulted professional hairstylists Dawna Jarvis and Clariss Rubenstein, then evaluated thousands of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the best hair thickening products for a wide range of needs and preferences."

What should I consider when buying a hair thickening product?

There are a few things to consider before buying a hair thickening product.

• Ingredients: If possible, avoid any product with silicones, sulfates, parabens, and phthalates, Rubenstein says.

• Formulation: Do your best to find a product that's not too heavy or sticky, Rubenstein says.

• Hair type: Think about your hair type, Jarvis says. "Look for products that boost volume without adding unnecessary weight to your hair," especially if it's on the fine side, she adds.

• Styling preferences: Also consider your needs and make sure the product aligns with your usual routine to make sure it's easy to use and will actually give you results, Jarvis says.

Do hair thickening products really work?

Yup, Jarvis and Rubenstein confirm. "Yes, hair thickening sprays can make your hair appear thicker, but the effects are only temporary," Rubenstein says. They can give your hair that little extra oomph that it might be missing.

You'll just want to make sure you pick a product that's best for your hair type and that you follow the product's instructions for use.

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