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Ask any hairstylist, and they’ll tell you the top styling request is always volume. Luckily, there’s a wide range of products designed to thicken, plump and create the look of fuller, lusher hair. These hair-thickening products work in various ways. “Some, like serums, contain active ingredients that thicken each strand’s diameter for a fuller look and feel,” explains Craig Ziering, D.O., F.A.A.D, a dermatologist and hair transplant surgeon.
That said, the only FDA-approved over-the-counter ingredient for hair loss treatment is Minoxidil, says Danusia Wnek, a senior chemist in the Good Housekeeping Institute. “Minoxidil is known to slow down hair loss and stimulate hair growth, but we still don't have a lot of data on exactly how it works,” she notes. Other products, like volumizing sprays and mousses, coat hair to create thickness and stiffness, while dry shampoos use powders to increase volume through friction.
To help you navigate the options, the GH Institute Beauty Lab evaluated over 400 formulas, analyzing performance on human hair swatches and gathering feedback from consumer testers on ease of use, results and satisfaction. Along with the top picks below, you can also boost volume with volumizing shampoos and conditioners as well as styling products like sprays and mousses that temporarily bulk up strands.
While you can achieve the look of thicker, fuller hair with styling products, consult a doctor for a health assessment if you have new and/or increased hair loss.
Pros
- Makes individual strands feel thicker
- Non-tacky formula
- Ranked as the tester favorite
Cons
- May not spray evenly
- Volume was less lasting than others tested
Spritz your way to fuller hair instantly with this GH Beauty Lab top-tested thickening spray from Bumble and Bumble. In volumizing spray evaluations, it received the highest score for making hair feel thicker, although the volume didn't last as long as some of the others. Testers ranked the salon brand as their favorite mist, with 86% agreeing that they were satisfied with the product and would continue using it.
Testers say: “My hair looked and felt three times fuller than normal!" one raved. "I really loved the fullness it gave my hair without feeling like I had product in it," said another.
Pros
- Instantly volumizes
- Long-lasting fullness
- Affordable
Cons
- Nozzle squirts rather than sprays
Kristin Ess earned the highest score for performance in the GH Beauty Lab volumizing spray study at a fraction of the cost of its competitors. Testers rated it best for making hair look voluminous and full without deflating, with 82% of testers agreeing it kept hair voluminous all day long. One note about application: some users said that the nozzle squirts rather than sprays.
Testers say: “I’ve never used a product that works this well on my fine hair," a user marveled. “It provided great volume that lasted two days, until the next shampoo," shared another. "I did not use hairspray, and I did not need it. Fantastic volume!"
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3
Best Hair Thickening Spray
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo
Pros
- Increases volume
- Freshens hair
- No powdery or gritty feel
Cons
- Can leave white residue on hair or hair brushes
- Pricey
The winner of the GH Beauty Lab dry shampoo test, Living Proof not only made hair feel fresh and clean but also lifted strands. An impressive 88% of testers agreed that this product added volume to hair. Darker hair beware: it can leave a white residue if not rubbed in properly.
Testers say: “It made my hair look full and great, not greasy," one shared. "I like the volume and freshness it gave my hair," said another.
Pros
- Thickens hair
- Softens strands
- Doesn't leave hair feeling crunchy
Cons
- Can weigh hair down
If you are seeking both fuller and smoother hair, look no further than Aloxxi's serum. GH Beauty Lab data showed that it actually increased the thickness of individual strands and consumers ranked it tops for leaving hair looking fuller and touchably soft, although one noted that it can weigh hair down if you use too much.
Testers say: "I like how the serum made my hair feel thicker after I applied it and styled it," a tester said. Another one shared that she likes everything about the product: "It's not sticky, easy to apply and made my hair really feel and look fuller."
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Pros
- Increases hair growth
- Easy-to-apply formula
Cons
- It takes time to see results
The active ingredient in Rogaine, Minoxidil, is the only FDA-approved over-the-counter topical ingredient for the treatment of hair loss. Containing 5% of the active, this lightweight foam helps stimulates hair growth and slows down hair loss. Consistent application is key for best results — and any results do take time and patience — so be sure to thoroughly read and familiarize yourself with the directions before use.
Reviewers say: "It took a little time to notice more drastic changes, about four to five months," said one Walmart reviewer. "I almost gave up, but it was worth the wait. My hair is no longer falling out and I have lots of re-growth."
Pros
- Doesn't weigh hair down
- Affordable
Cons
- Dispensing mechanism squirts rather than sprays
This drugstore bargain spray from Garnier is a GH Beauty Lab chemist go-to and performed well in testing, delivering speedy volumizing effects. In Lab evaluations, testers ranked it tops for its ability to instantly volumize without heaviness and for its fruity scent. Apply slowly as the applicator tends to squirt instead of spray.
Testers say: "The lightweight leave-in imparts nice volume to strands whether you are styling your hair or letting it air dry," a reviewer said. Another loved that "it eliminates the need for an additional styling product for fullness and texture" and that "there was absolutely no build-up with this product either."
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Pros
- Long-lasting volume
- Doesn't make hair greasy or sticky
- Affordable
Cons
- Might make hair feel stiff
John Frieda's lightweight mousse was a stellar performer in the GH Beauty Lab volumizing mousse test. In the Lab, it was the best at maintaining hair fullness over time, even through humid conditions. Testers echoed Lab results and reported that the delicately scented foam did not leave hair feeling sticky or greasy, although a few noted that it may leave hair feeling stiff over time.
Testers say: "I liked that this product made my hair look so thick, held the fullness and still felt soft," one said. "This is the longest lasting volumizing mousse I have ever tried," raved another.
Pros
- Adds body
- Makes hair feel thicker
- Leaves hair feeling clean
Cons
- Twist off caps may be tough to open in shower
Get thicker, fuller hair in the shower by sudsing with Kérastase. A winner of the GH Beauty Lab volumizing shampoo and conditioner test and definitely a splurge, it ranked tops for adding volume, making hair feel thicker and leaving hair feeling clean. Note that the shampoo and conditioner set have twist-off caps which might make dispensing a bit difficult in the shower.
Testers say: "My hair has so much volume and bounce when I use this product," one raved. "This is the best I have found that gives all day body," says another.
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9
Best Hair Thickening Mask
Joico HydraSplash Hydrating Gelee Masque
Pros
- Adds volume and movement
- Moisturizes fine to medium hair
- Lightweight gel formula
Cons
- May not be conditioning enough for thicker hair
Finding a lightweight hair mask that adds body and hydrates strands can prove to be difficult for those with fine, thin hair. GH Beauty Lab evaluations found that Joico's ingenious gel formula gave strands movement, while making them feel smooth and manageable without any weigh down. FYI: If your hair is already thick and you are just looking for extra body, this mask may not have enough nourishment for your strands.
Testers say: "The natural-looking bulk and movement lasted about three days on my hair," one noted. Another tester called it “one of the best masks I have tried for my fine/medium strands."
RELATED: Best Hair Masks
10
Best Dry Shampoo
Bumble and bumble Prêt-à-Powder Dry Shampoo Powder
Pros
- Makes hair look clean
- Easy to brush out
- Adds lift
Cons
- May leave visible residue on hair
Bumble and Bumble's dry shampoo was the best powder formula in GH Beauty Lab dry shampoo evaluations, thanks to its hair-boosting ability. Testers reported that it lifted limp strands, was easy to brush out and didn’t irritate the scalp. They also noted that it has a pleasant powdery fresh scent. Just be aware that it could leave visible residue on hair if not rubbed in properly.
Testers say: “My hair felt thicker and it definitely added volume,” one said. “It made my hair easier to style, and seemed to thicken it up a bit," added another.
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11
Best Hair Thickening Serum
Nioxin Ultimate Power Serum
Pros
- Stimulates hair follicles to extend growth cycle
- Breakthrough technology
- Has an instant volumizing effect
Cons
- Pricey
Behind the launch of this Nioxin spray serum is a groundbreaking hair discovery: Hair follicles have receptors for scent (essentially a sense of smell!). Researchers identified a specific aroma, Sandalore — a patented sandalwood scent — that can stimulate the follicles, prompting them to extend hair’s growth cycle. The fragrance is mixed into this spray-on serum along with caffeine, niacinamide and lauric acid, resulting in effective hair-loss reduction, per GH Beauty Lab patent review.
Testers say: “It immediately lifts roots for a fuller look, and over time my hair has felt and appeared thicker,” says GH Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann.
12
Best Thickening Hairspray
It's a 10 Miracle Finishing Spray Plus Keratin
Pros
- Superior hold
- Lightweight
- Doesn't flake off
Cons
- Some found it left hair feeling crunchy
Set your freshly-styled voluminous strands all day long with It's A 10, a GH Beauty Lab hairspray test winner. Lab evaluations showed that it had the strongest hold through humid conditions, while most testers reported that it felt invisible on hair, although a few felt it left hair crunchy.
Testers say: "Even with the humid days this last weekend, it kept my hair looking great," one noted. Another raved about the sheer texture: "It's light enough so that I can barely tell I'm wearing it," she said.
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Pros
- Temporarily masks the appearance of small hair loss areas
- Covers gray roots well
- Easy to apply
Cons
- Won't physically thicken hair
Create the illusion of thicker, fuller hair with this Color Wow root coverup, which comes in eight shades to match your hair color. In GH Beauty Lab root touch-up testing, users reported that not only did the powder cover gray roots, blending in well with the rest of hair, but some also noted that it can be brushed onto the scalp near the hairline or part to mask thinning spots. While it's a great temporary fix, it doesn't actually thicken hair.
Testers say: "Covered the gray and a few hair loss spots," a tester noted, while another commented that "it might not be bad for the occasional small thinning areas too."
RELATED: Best Root Touch-Up Products
14
Best Lightweight Hair Thickening Treatment
Hair Biology Full and Vibrant Thickening Treatment
Now 45% Off
Pros
- Product sinks right in
- Doesn't leave hair sticky or tacky
- Easy to apply
Cons
- Strong scent
GH testers loved that this spray added fullness (especially at the roots) without leaving hair feeling crunchy or weighed down. They also agreed that it was easy to apply, thanks to the targeted spray nozzle, and to style hair after applying. While some loved the coconut scent, a few users felt it was too strong.
Testers say: "I saw noticeable volume without using rollers," said one. "My hair feels very soft; I can barely tell that there's product in it." Another shared that "it was completely invisible, and not sticky, tacky or greasy."
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15
Best Hair Thickening Root Touch-Up
Clairol Root Touch-Up Color + Volume 2-in-1 Temporary Spray
Now 20% Off
Pros
- Water-resistant
- Not messy
- Multitasking
Cons
- Can make hair a little damp after applying
Hair color meets volume in this 2-in-1 GH Beauty Award-winning spray. It uses the brand's proprietary colorfill technology to blend color particles with micro-volumizers to cover root regrowth and provide fullness in an instant. Plus, it's safe to use on all hair types and textures including color-treated hair. The GH Beauty Lab evaluated this touch-up spray on gray human hair swatches and found it provides strong color coverage that is water-resistant.
Testers say: "The nozzle distributes color evenly and covers hair well in the first spray, yet doesn't appear messy," says Wizemann, though hair can get a bit damp before the product dries. "The result looks even and natural."
Pros
- Doesn't weigh hair down
- Gives good lift at the roots
- Leaves hair soft
Cons
- Can be hard to brush after using
Another GH Beauty Award winner, this spray leaves hair soft and touchable, while adding a ton of lift at the roots and all over. Pro hairstylist testers love that the sheer formula doesn't weigh the hair down at all, which is not an easy task to accomplish. Plus, it has heat protection, is good for all hair types and works well with other styling products.
Testers say: “It gave movement, texture and maximum lift,” one shared. "It is very lightweight and is a good layering product," said another.
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How we test hair thickening products
To find hair thickening products that actually work, the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab has assessed over 406 volumizing hair products, analyzing them on real human hair swatches for changes in the density of individual fibers using a laser micrometer instrument for hair thickening serums, and conditioning ability for shampoos and conditioners using the Instron machine.
In addition to Lab data, label-masked products (above) were distributed to consumer testers to use and evaluate at home in order to provide feedback on ease of use, performance and overall satisfaction. GH Beauty Lab scientists tallied over 2,169 data points to round up the best hair thickening products on the market.
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For the microscopic measurement needed, products were sent out to a third party lab for testing. TRI Princeton in Princeton, New Jersey, used their laser micrometer to measure diameter changes on hair strands before and after treatment.
What to look for when shopping
"The rule of thumb here is to use products that are gentle on the hair but pack a big punch," says Dr. Ziering. Look for the following:
✔️ The right ingredients. Look for products with biotin, collagen, amino acids, peptides and niacinamide. "These ingredients are key for overall hair health to keep the individual hair follicles strong and thick," Dr. Ziering says. Celebrity hairstylist and curl expert Sophie Rose Gutterman is also a fan of biotin and recommends castor oil and aloe vera as well as they "work great for general hair health."
✔️ The right formulation. There are many types of hair thickening products that provide different benefits; choose the right match for your needs or layer them in your routine as desired:
- Leave-in products (like serums, mousses, creams and gels) are generally applied to damp hair and can provide the biggest fullness boost, according to Wnek. "They coat hair to make it feel thicker and give it grip to help you manipulate strands into a voluminous look," she says.
- Rinse-off products like shampoos and conditioners "have fewer conditioning ingredients so they won't weigh hair down," Wnek explains. "They can set a good foundation for fullness but are not a replacement for styling products."
- Finishing products like texturizing sprays and dry shampoos are another option to use solo or complement leave-in and rinse-off products, as they "usually contain powders like starches to increase the friction between strands and absorb oil, which creates volume," Wnek says.
Dori Price
Contributing Beauty Editor
Dori Price is a New York City-based freelance writer and editor and beauty, style and wellness expert who was the Beauty & Fashion Director at Family Circle for 13 years before she joined Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman’s Day as a freelance beauty editor. She has also written for WomensHealthMag.com, Elle.com and HealthCentral.com.
Reviewed byDanusia Wnek
Senior Chemist
Danusia (she/her) is a senior chemist in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she evaluates haircare, skincare, cosmetics and beauty tools. She holds a B.S. in chemistry from St. John’s University and a M.S. in pharmaceutical sciences with concentration in cosmetic science from the University of Cincinnati. Danusia has over 10 years of experience in the personal care industry including formulation, product development, claim evaluation and efficacy testing.
Reviewed byChiara Butler
Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab Reviews Analyst
Chiara (she/her) is a reviews analyst in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she conducts hands-on testing of health and beauty products. She earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Columbia University. Before joining GH in 2022, she worked as a cosmetic chemist, formulating skincare products for a variety of brands and learning to decode ingredient lists, evaluate ingredient efficacy and scrutinize product claims.