I've Tried Hundreds of Haircare Products—These Are the Ones That Actually Make Hair Thicker

Generally speaking, when it comes to haircare, there’s one thing that consistently tops the wish list: thicker, fuller-looking strands. In fact, whenever friends, family, or readers come to me with hair concerns, one of the questions I’m asked most often is what the best products for thin hair actually are. The truth is, though, that hair thickness has never previously been something I’ve personally worried about. While I love a good volumising formula, my individual strands are naturally fine but coarse in texture, and I have a lot of them. I’m usually more interested in testing products that boost hydration, smooth frizz or improve the overall health and shine of my hair rather than those designed to create the appearance of more volume. That was until a couple of years ago.

After having my first child, I experienced the much-discussed postpartum hair loss that so many new mums go through—and it was far more dramatic than I expected. Having enjoyed thicker, shinier hair during pregnancy, I was completely unprepared for the amount of shedding that followed after giving birth to my son. I’m someone who naturally loses a fair amount of hair day-to-day, but this felt different. Suddenly, I was watching large amounts of hair come away every time I washed or brushed it.

"We lose on average 100 hairs a day, so never worry if you see hair in the sink and plughole," says Adam Reed, UK editorial ambassador for L'Oréal Professional. "There are three main stages of hair growth, and the process differs for everyone. Some people see a faster or slower cycle, meaning everyone's shedding phase can differ in time. However, if you do begin to see visible thinning, such as being able to see the scalp through hair, which you haven't previously been able to, or any patches around the hairline, this is the time to consult your GP or a trichologist to investigate further."

I'll be honest: The hair loss that I experienced really knocked my confidence. For many of us, our hair is so intrinsically tied to our identity that any unexpected changes can be hard to handle. While my hair shedding cycle has now returned to normal, I'm still getting to grips with uneven hair length, sparse patches and a generally thinner-feeling head of hair. So to say I've spent a bit of time chatting to hair experts about the issue would be an understatement.

Ahead, I've compiled tips from five celebrity stylists and hair experts on how to make even the thinnest hair look voluminous and their recommendations for the best products for thin hair.

Best Tips and Products for Thin Hair

1. Try a Micro-Trim

While it might sound counterintuitive to talk about removing hair when you're struggling with thickness, salon owner and A-list hairdresser George Northwood swears by what he calls a "micro-trim."

"Simply taking the most minute ends off your hair every six weeks can help the hair look thicker and healthier," Northwood says. "I would also advise keeping thinner hair all one length. Ideally, a short, shoulder-length bob or any kind of blunt style can create a thicker, fuller appearance. Then you will have a great base for styling and adding volume."

2. Opt for a Quality Shampoo

There's a time and a place for drugstore shampoos, but if you really want to look after thin hair, then it might be time to switch to a more high-end formula.

"Introducing a quality shampoo to your haircare regime can really change how your hair looks day to day," explains Northwood. "If you have fine or thin hair, you may find that product builds up on it and weighs it down."

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3. Forget Classic Volumising Formulas

It's obvious that many of us will reach for texturising sprays and volume-boosting mousses when we want to create the effect of thicker-looking hair, but experts agree that isn't always the best move. "Often with finer hair, we seek out products for volume and body, but these products typically make the hair stiff, dry and coarse," explains celebrity hairdresser and Color Wow ambassador James Johnson. "While it gives the illusion that the hair strand is fuller, long-term [these products] are actually having the opposite effect on our hair."

Instead, Johnson suggests opting for gentle formulations, saying, "With finer hair being more delicate and fragile, we want to be caring towards our hair whilst still achieving fullness and bounce."

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4. Switch Up Your Hair Products 

Once you find a hair routine that works for you, it can be tempting to stick with it. But hair experts agree that thin strands can actually benefit from more of a wardrobe of hair products to choose from.

"Hair goes through a cycle of growth: an active stage where there is a lot of activity, a resting phase and then a phase where the old hair comes out and is generally replaced with a new hair," explains Jimmy Green, head of education for Redken and Pureology. "When we have changes in our diet or we take medication or we go through the menopause, the most common area that we see changes are within our hair and skin. So when the new hair comes through, it may appear different in colour, texture or diametre. This is quite a normal process to go through, which is why working with a prescription brand can benefit you. When hair changes, so does the way you look after it. The needs change. It is recommended to change your shampoos and conditioners dependent on the condition of your hair at any one time."

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5. Touch Up Your Roots

Dom Seeley, international creative director at Color Wow and hairstylist to the likes of Jessica Alba and Kendall Jenner, suggests using a root-concealing product "to thicken the appearance of your hair at the root and scalp area by colouring and shading in the areas where your hair might be finer."

It's a low-maintenance way to create the illusion of thicker hair without having to book in at the salon for a full colour transformation. Genius.

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6. Don't Leave Hair to Air-Dry

Leaving your hair to air-dry might be the most appealing, low-maintenance hair hack, but if you have thin hair, then it means you'll miss your main chance to add volume to your style. "It's important to work to build in volume and body before it has a chance to dry flat and appear thinner," explains Reed. "When adding body, dry hair on medium heat and low airspeed in sections, lifting from the roots before moving on to the mid-shaft and ends for maximum volume and control."

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7. Try a Side Parting

Although side partings have recently come under fire from Gen Z with TikTok declaring them over, I've always been partial to a parting switch-up, and hair experts think this styling trick is a bit of a power move when it comes to making thin hair look fuller.

"[Drying your hair] is also a good time to play around with the parting," says Reed. "Avoid a middle parting to help hair look thicker and fuller. Once hair is blow-dried, I love to use a texture spray."

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