The 33 Best Volumising Hair Products for Thin Hair in 2024

People often get a little bit confused when I harp on about my thin hair. "Your hair isn’t even that thin,” they say. However, it’s important to note that just because somebody has a lot of hair doesn’t mean it’s thick. My hair is long, sure, but when my lengths are overdue for a cut, they look scraggly and my lack of actual strands becomes all too apparent.

However, that’s not to say that my hair isn’t consistently thin all over. At the nape of my neck, I’d say I have an average amount of hair, but as you move your attention toward the crown of my head, you could probably count the individual hairs sprouting out of my scalp. Over the years, I’ve become somewhat self-conscious of the bald(ish) patch where my thin hair parts at the crown of my head and have dedicated a lot of time and money to finding ways to disguise it. But there is one thing that has made this quest exceptionally difficult: I hate the feeling of volumising product in my hair.

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(Image credit: @SHANNONLAWLOR)

I have found that most volumising hair products add so much unwanted grit, weight and density to my already-drab strands that they actually leave them looking as though they haven’t been washed for approximately three weeks. On top of that, I like my hair to feel clean, fresh and light, like a soft, fluffy extension of my being, and volumising hair products do their very best to dampen that vibe.

However, after years of turning my nose up at virtually every styling product that came my way (especially you, dry shampoo), and after one very special hairstylist showed me the difference the perfect formula could make, I started hunting out the best volumising hair products for thin, fine hair. And the truth is I’ve found a whole bunch that make my hair look much thicker and more textured than it really is. It’s just about knowing what to look for. Before we get into the products that work for me (and to save you a bunch of time in trial and error), I’ve enlisted the help of celebrity hairstylist and co-founder of Percy & Reed Paul Percival to reveal his top thin-hair tips.

Opt for Lightweight Conditioners

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(Image credit: @MISHTI.RAHMAN)

This is possibly the most important thing that I have learned in my pursuit of more voluminous hair. It makes a lot of sense too, right? The thicker the conditioner, the heavier and limper your hair will be. Percival reveals, "You have to make sure that you don’t use a conditioner that’s too heavy for your hair, as it will make achieving great volume more difficult. Avoid products that are too oily, too thick, wax-based or heavy creams that add weight.” 

Instead of reaching for thick cream formulas, I’ve discovered that my hair can get its moisture kicks in other ways that allow it to maintain its bounce. My favourite? Oil. Whereas my skin seems to detest everything about oil, my hair can’t get enough of it. "Using natural ingredients such as camellia-seed oil restores moisture and protects. Then macadamia-seed oil penetrates the scalp and hair for strength and elasticity. Finally, vitamin-rich carrot-seed oil works great to rejuvenate and regenerate,” says Percival.

1. Create Lift

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(Image credit: @VALERIALIPOVETSKY)

I’d say that lift is just about my biggest bugbear in that my hair doesn’t have any. I can backcomb to my heart’s content, but within minutes, it’s dropped out and my floppy mop is back. To counteract the issue, Percival insists that you need heat, and you need to know what you’re doing. "It’s all about the blow-dry! Make sure you are lifting from your roots in an upright motion as you dry each section, this will give you a great foundation. Finish your blow-dry with a cold blast of air and hair spray.”

So why is it that I feel as though when I give myself a blow-dry, it never seems to last longer than an hour? "It is essential to let each section cool before running your hands or a brush through it so that the style can ‘set.’ Otherwise, you will undo all your good work,” explains Percival.

2. Find the Right Styling Product

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(Image credit: @ITSHEYMORGAN)

The words styling product are enough to send a chill to the very cores of those with thin locks. For those with thick hair, it seems styling products are more or less foolproof. However, when you’re not working with a lot, fine-tuning your styling routine is a lot easier said than done. "Using the right formulation is vital,” says Percival. "Start by using less of the product to begin with. Then add more if your hair needs it. Some volumising products can be heavy, so make sure you pick a lightweight formulation and work it into the root.”

Not sure where to start? From shampoos to masks, keeping scrolling for the hair products that actually give my thin hair some volume without weighing it down.

Shop the Best Products for Thin Hair:

1. Living Proof Full Volume and Root Lifting Spray

2. Hair by Sam McKnight Cool Girl Volume Blow Dry Foam

3. Temple Spa Good Hair Day Shampoo

4. Beauty Pie The Healthy & Happy Hair Kit

5. Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Pre-Shampoo Treatment

6. GHD Root Lift Spray

7. Pureology Instant Levitation Mist

8. Dyson Airwrap Styler Complete

9. Oribe Volumista Mist for Volume

10. Grow Gorgeous Intense Thickening Hair and Scalp Mask

11. Aveda Sap Moss Weightless Hydration Shampoo

12. Briogeo Blossom & Bloom Ginseng + Biotin Volumising Conditioner

13. Redken High Rise Volume Lifting Shampoo

14. Maria Nila Power Powder

15. The Nue Co. Supa-Thick Hair Treatment

16. Amika Un.Done Volume and Texture Spray

17. Bumble and Bumble Prét-à-Powder

18. IGK Hair Big Time Volume Mousse

19. Percy & Reed Smooth Sealed and Sensational Volumising No Oil Oil for Fine Hair

20. Living Proof Dry Volume & Texture Spray

21. Christophe Robin Cleansing Volumising Paste With Pure Rassoul Clay and Rose Extracts

22. Davines VOLU Volume Enhancing Shampoo

23. Virtue Volumising Primer

24. Colab Dry Shampoo Spray Original

25. R+Co Zig Zag Root Teasing + Texture Spray

26. Hershesons Zhoosh Foam

27. Kérastase Energising Scrub

28. Sam McKnight Cool Girl Super Lift Root Boost

29. Beauty Pie Super Healthy Hair Daily Weightless Conditioner

30. Ouai Fine Hair Shampoo

31. Larry King Hair Care My Nanna's Mousse

32. Color Wow Xtra Large Bombshell Volumizer

33. JVN Embody Volumising Shampoo

This post was published at an earlier time and has since been updated. 

Opening Image: The Style Stalker

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.