These Are the Only 11 Shampoos That Give My Thin Hair Any Life

Along with my stubborn dark circles, having thin hair is my biggest beauty nuisance. While having thin hair certainly has its perks (hello, super-speedy drying time), I personally struggle to get any lift or life into my limp, thin strands—and that makes styling it very difficult. Whereas thicker hair tends to have natural volume, my thin strands require time-consuming styling.

Why time-consuming? Well, styling thin hair is no mean feat. Everything from hair spray to supposedly clever creams just seems to add weight, leaving things looking flat and limp in no time at all. As a result, I have spent many years trying to figure out ways to add lightweight volume to my thin hair without excessive use of styling products… or wasting an entire morning, for that matter.

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(Image credit: @ANNABELROSENDAHL)

Sure, opting for a complementary cut helps, but I have found that the most effective way of getting some volume and texture into thin hair is in the washing stage—more specifically, when shampooing. You see, opting for a shampoo that cleanses the roots and adds volume while it’s at it helps remove any need for excessive amounts of heavy styling product afterwards.

And getting your thin hair–appropriate shampoo right isn’t easy either. You’re looking for something that will provide a deep clean without stripping the scalp of vital moisture or inhibiting hair growth, while at the same time not providing too much extra nourishment so as to weigh the roots down. Luckily, I have dedicated a big portion of my adult life to finding the best shampoos for thin hair. So from budget buys to luxurious treats, keep scrolling for the 11 products I'd recommend.

1. Philip Kingsley Body Building Shampoo

2. Ouai Fine Hair Shampoo

3. Virtue Flourish Shampoo for Thinning Hair

4. Aveda Sap Moss Weightless Hydration Shampoo

5. Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Joia Strengthening & Smoothing Shampoo

6. Charles Worthington Grow Strong Activating Shampoo

7. Redken Volume Injection Shampoo

8. L'Oréal Paris Elvive Fibrology Thickening Shampoo

9. Briogeo Blossom & Bloom Ginseng + Biotin Volumizing Shampoo

10. Oribe Gold Lust Repair and Restore Shampoo

11. John Masters Organics Shampoo for Fine Hair With Rosemary & Peppermint

Next up, these are the only products that give my thin hair serious volume.

Freelance Beauty Editor

Shannon Lawlor is a renowned beauty journalist and has contributed to Who What Wear’s beauty content since 2020. As a leading beauty editor, expert and brand consultant, she has over eight years of experience working for some of the industry’s most esteemed titles, including Who What Wear (of course), Glamour UK, Stylist, Refinery29 and Fabulous. Having also worked behind the scenes with some of the industry’s biggest brands and retailers, Shannon has a unique insight into what people really want from their beauty routines. Understanding that beauty lovers seek honest, open and responsible advice, she has it made her mission to demystify the intimidating world of beauty, taking a no-frills approach to the most relatable topics. While Shannon is the first to admit she doesn’t hold the answer to every beauty question out there, she is dedicated to sharing her expert insights in a bid to help. As a self-proclaimed lazy girl, Shannon has an affinity for easy-to-use, foolproof beauty products and has made it her mission to scope out the best of the best. When she’s not working, Shannon is likely soaking in the bath or giving no-holds-barred beauty reviews on Instagram from her bathroom floor.