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The 7 best products for fine hair that boost volume and fake thickness
*Adds to basket* 🛍️
There are a lot of benefits to having fine, thin hair. Like being able to get out of the shower and have dry strands within minutes (without actually doing anything to it). Or not needing to pack loads of styling tools when you go on holiday and don't pay for extra luggage. On the flip side, there are negatives, too. I find my fine hair gets greasy really quickly. And, I often struggle to get volume and bounce (which is made even harder when certain product ingredients weigh down my already-struggling-strands).
If all of that sounds familiar, then – just as I have – you've probably tried every product that promises to boost volume and fake thickness. Whether or not any of them have actually worked? Well, that's a different story.
Luckily, here at Cosmopolitan UK, we're in the know when it comes to beauty products. Not only do we write about everything from skincare to makeup daily, but we also sample seasonal staples and just-gone-viral products to find out what works, what doesn't, and what's going to be the next best thing in beauty. Oh, and we bring you our honest reviews along the way. You can trust, then, that when we say these hair care must-haves will give you thicker, bouncier-looking hair, we really mean it.
That said, scroll on for our pick of the best products for fine hair, from volumising mousses to cleansing shampoos and thickening sprays...
Developed with ghd heat engineers and formulation scientists (how clever!?) this ghd volumising cream mimics the result of a hair salon blow dry and creates four times more volume. Use this lightweight yet conditioning cream with your ghd blow dryer for maximum effect.
Customer review: "The results are fantastic, adding noticeable volume without any heaviness. Highly recommend for anyone looking to boost their hair's volume effortlessly."
Unlock voluminous hair with Oribe's Grandiose Hair Plumping Mousse, which not only elevates strands, but looks after them as well. It's made with Oribe's Signature Complex (see: watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss flower) which protects against stressors and maintains hair colour. Also in the mix is sunflower oil and vitamin E, which infuse hair with moisture.
Customer review: "If you are looking for volume, this mousse is the ticket! Talk about elevated! I have never used anything that added this kind of volume, let alone has no crunch! A little goes a long way."
Boost volume and increase the look of thickness, all while adding weightless body and shine courtesty of Hair By Sam McKnight's Cool Girl Volume Cleanse shampoo. It's made with hair volumising and thickening active Voluminis™, hydrating pro-vitamin B5, and protein-packed fermented rice water – so you can guarantee strands are not only volumised, but also soothed and strengthened.
Customer review: "I have tried so so many shampoos for my fine hair. This one has me hooked into buying the full-sized stuff because it smells beautiful, lathers easily, a little goes a long way and it does provide weightless volume."
If you're going with the Cool Girl Volume Cleanse, then you obviously need to add Hair by Sam McKnight's Cool Girl Volume Nourish to your hair care routine as well. Like the matching shampoo, it's enriched with Voluminis™ to thicken the hair and create instant all-over volume. And, 'cause it's a conditioner, it's also packed with fermented rice water for shine, smoothness, and strength.
Customer review: "This is a lovely conditioner. I used this alongside the shampoo from the same line and had great results. The conditioner is hydrating and nourishing, but doesn't weigh your hair down. Great to add some life and volume to thin hair whilst also leaving it feeling lovely and soft. Would recommend."
This OUAI for thicker-looking hair... Formulated to thicken the appearance of hair, this lightweight spray plumps hair fibres with moisture for visibly lifted and denser strands. And best of all? Being a OUAI product, it comes in one of the brand's signature scents: Cape Town. Honestly, it's worth buying for that alone!
Customer review: "This spray is AMAZING! It smells fantastic and adds tons of volume to my curls!! It leaves my hair feeling nice and soft too, while the curls last all day!"
OLAPLEX is famous for its range of bond-building hair products, but one of the brand's lesser known – but just as impressive – products is the Volumising Blow Dry Mist. As well as delivering instant body and bounce to fine strands, this multi-purpose must-have helps to speed up drying time and protect against heat damage. Wondering which ingredient to thank for its volumising (and hydrating) qualities? Plant-derived protein!
Customer review: "I have very fine chin-length hair, which I struggle to get volume into and often goes flat throughout the day. I used this [...] and immediately my hair felt fuller and bouncier, without feeling sticky or full of product, which I really hate. Definitely recommended!"
Not just a dessert... this hair soufflé from Davines transforms from an oil to a luxurious mousse (hence the name) which smooths and softens strands while adding bounce and body. Thanks to its hero formula, this mousse also detangles tresses, tames flyaways, and offers heat protection. Like we said, not just a delicious after-dinner treat!
Customer review: "I had to order this when my hairdresser used it on me. It creates the most beautiful volume and shine. I have very fine ageing hai,r and it made my hair look so full and vital! Expensive but worth it!"
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