As a full-time member of the 'fine hair club', I totally understand the longing for thick, bouncy, voluminous strands. Don't get me wrong, there are benefits to having less hair – blow-drying takes no time at all, I don't get ponytail-induced headaches and my shower drain rarely gets clogged with hair. But if I'm being honest, I'd give all that up for a super-thick, glossy mane.
Because of my obsession with fuller strands, I've tried just about every hair-thickening option out there, and 90 per cent of the time they don't work. Sad, but true.
That being said, if you're intrigued by the 10 per cent of methods that actually did plump my oh-so fine locks, keep reading...
1. Try hair-thickening shampoo and conditioner
When it comes to hair washing, sulphates are not your friend. They are foamy detergents that cut through grease in no time, but will likely leave your scalp and hair super-dry – so much so, they can damage your lipid barrier and cause irritation. Not fun.
If you're looking for a sulphate-free shampoo and conditioner, try Pureology. The brand is known for having high-quality formulas that cleanse and condition fragile hair without any harsh chemicals.
The Pure Volume line helps to boost body where you need it most and leave fine strands fuller and stronger thanks to its protein-rich formula.
2. Invest in thickening styling products
It may sound obvious, but opting for styling products specifically designed to increase volume can make a massive difference to fine hair. If you're unsure where to start, here are my favourites:
To damp, freshly washed hair, apply a squirt of John Frieda's Volume Lift Kickstarter Thickening Mousse, then blow-dry for big, bouncy results. Not only is it affordable, but because the formula is powered by peptides, you never run the risk of crunchy, greasy, weighed-down roots.
Larry King Haircare Ride or Die Texture Spray 250ml
Working with dry hair? Larry King's Haircare Ride or Die Texture Spray is a failsafe option for zhuzhing up limp, lacklustre locks. Second day hair never looked so good.
Oribe Swept Up Volume Powder Spray
If powder is more up your street, we recommend Oribe's Swept Up Volume Powder Spray. A little goes a long way, so apply a couple of spritzes on the roots and style with your fingers for instant expansiveness.
3. Waves add instant volume
Use a curling tong to add waves through your lengths; not only will it give extra width, but the dimension and texture will make hair appear fuller. Avoid excess damage by prepping strands with a heat protection spray first.
4. Deep cleanse your scalp once a week
Thickening hair products work wonders – there's no arguing with that, but the one downside is that they have a tendency to build up on the scalp and strands. A weekly deep cleanse with a clarifying shampoo will help to get rid of any stubborn product residue.
5. Switch up your parting
Simply flipping your hair over to the opposite side from where it usually sits will give an instant volume boost. Add a little volume powder into the roots for extra height and hold.
6. Try hair extensions
I know what you're thinking, we've all seen what happens when hair extensions go wrong. But whether you're an extension newbie or a seasoned pro, when applied correctly, hair extensions are an incredibly effective way of getting thicker locks.
As someone who's tried pretty much every extension method out there (yep, tape-in, micro-rings, weaves...) I decided to give bonds a go for the first time, and trust me, they're 100 per cent worth the hype. I opted for Beauty Works Extensions and had the hair expertly applied by Jonathon at Hari's Fulham Road Salon in London. The whole process took a couple of hours, and the extensions lasted for almost nine months.
The best thing about bond extensions is the flexibility; the small clusters of hair can be placed exactly where you need, giving a tailored approach to extra thickness. A good hairstylist will help you figure out where and how much extra thickness you need. The result? A fuller, thicker finish...
7. Define your curls
Give any wispy curls some definition with a curl cream; this will help hair appear thicker and curls fuller.
8. Hair growth tablets can be effective
Tried it all? It might be worth considering a hair growth supplement (and no, I'm not talking about those blue gummies the Kardashians are always flogging on Insta). Opt for a trusted brand, and look out for ingredients like iron, biotin, and vitamin B, all of which help to support healthy hair growth.
If in doubt, try Philip Kinglsey's Density Healthy Hair Supplements. Formulated by Trichologists who specialise in hair loss and hair thinning, the supplement includes everything your strands need to stay thick and healthy.
Philip Kingsley Density Healthy Hair Supplements
9. Try a bond repair treatment
Hair bonding treatments are all the rage and totally worth the hype. If you're yet to give them a go, they essentially mend stressed strands by repairing the hairs' damaged bonds on a deeper level than surface-level products can manage. As a result, locks are left looking stronger, healthier and fuller. Sounds ideal, right?
K18's Biomimetic Hairscience Leave-in Molecular Repair Hair Mask is a great option. Work it into the palm of your hands and apply to damp hair for best results.
Victoria Jowett is an award-winning journalist and the former Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. She was named one of PPA’s 30 Under 30 for her work in beauty journalism and oversees the skincare, hair, makeup and fragrance content across all of Cosmopolitan’s platforms. She's worked in the beauty industry for over 13 years (and tested 1000s of products), making her an expert when it comes to recommending beauty brands that truly work. Having started her career working weekends on a makeup counter, Victoria began interning at the likes of AnOther and IDOL magazine, before landing her first Beauty Writer job at weekly fashion magazine, LOOK. Joining Cosmopolitan in 2016, Victoria has always remained a beauty fanatic and has been lucky enough to interview everyone from Britney Spears to Kourtney Kardashian about their beauty routines. Follow her on LinkedIn.
Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
