best in class
Our flagship shopping guide has been carefully selected and rigorously reviewed by strategists. Learn about our methodology here and find all our best-in-class guides here.
Photo: Marcus McDonald
I have fine hair, and I get jealous when my friends say they only need to wash their hair once a week. My hair is smaller and less porous (my roots often get oily and shiny hours after washing), so I feel like I’m stuck in a constant loop of washing and drying my hair. Also consider how long it takes your body to get into it.
However, we know that pursuing the perfect formula can take time, especially when it comes to shampoos for fine hair. Because fine hair often tends to be flat and dry, shampoo has several roles to play. You should look for formulas rich in peptides and proteins to thicken your hair, ingredients like turnip extract to energize your hair from the scalp, and formulas rich in acids, ceramides, and vitamins to moisturize your hair. It may even promote hair growth. That’s a tall order, so I’ve sampled six shampoos over the past six months and consulted 13 stylists and hair care experts to find the best shampoo for every type of fine hair. (If you’re looking for more hair care recommendations, read my guide to the best shampoos and conditioners.)
Updated October 2, 2024: We have updated prices and confirmed availability for all products.
Sulfates are basically powerful detergents that clean your hair. Although it is safe to use, it can cause stripping, especially on fine, fine hair types. Most of the time I’ve avoided them, but I think they are a good addition in some formulations.
Like other beauty products, shampoos are often scented. We all have personal preferences when it comes to scent, so we’ve written down what each shampoo smells like so you can choose the one that suits your tastes.
If budget is an important factor, look at the total ounces of shampoo per dollar.
Contains Sulfates | Aroma: Fresh | Size: 8.45 oz
I recently rediscovered this shampoo. Beauty writer Linda Diet put this shampoo back on my radar. “It contains the same hyaluronic acid that hydrates and plumps the skin. It has a similar effect on my hair,” she says. I’ve been using this shampoo for a few weeks now and am wondering how I was able to list any other shampoo as the best shampoo for fine hair (more on that later). Here’s the twist. Although it contains sulfates, my hair didn’t feel stripped at all. (I also love the lathering properties the sulfates provide.) Instead, my hair feels healthy and soft thanks to the hyaluronic acid and ceramides in the formula. It also gives you a noticeably plumper feel. BodyDefy shampoo contains glucopeptides, an ingredient that strengthens existing hair by thickening the hair follicles.
Diet added: “Interestingly, we also have a complex called intrasilane, which is inspired by the chemical process used in glass manufacturing. It seems to fill in the gaps in the surface, making individual hairs thicker. ” Intracycran is a molecule that penetrates and strengthens hair strands from root to tip. It also has a fresh, musky, salon-like floral scent, making it the finishing touch that makes it one of the best shampoos for fine hair overall.
Sulfate Free and Non-Sulfate Free: Sulfate Free | Aroma: Fruity | Size: 12 oz
If you’re on a budget, Mondays are not really recommended. It has quickly become my favorite drugstore hair care line. This volumizing shampoo is a quarter of the price of Kérastase shampoo, and it’s also sulfate-free (in fact, all future shampoos are sulfate-free, if you know you want to avoid sulfates. ).
It’s inexpensive, but the ingredient list is packed. Contains ginger extract and coconut oil, their respective fatty extracts and nutrients to nourish fine hair. I’ve had this shampoo in my routine for the past few months, and I can see why so many of my fellow Strategist Writers recommended it to me. It also smells really nice (a floral scent, not a synthetic fragrance), and I felt like my hair had a little more volume after blow-drying. Fellow Strategist writer Dominique Parisot found that it adds “just the right amount of body and, most importantly, lots of shine, without weighing down the hair or making it look greasy.” She added that although she has tried many more expensive options, Monday’s shampoo is “the only thing that has gotten me compliments on my hair.”
Sulfate Free and Non-Sulfate Free: Sulfate Free | Aroma: Fruity, Woody | Size: 8.5 oz
Before Kerastase came along, Davines Vol was my favorite shampoo for thinning hair. I was interested because Strategist beauty columnist Rio Vieira-Newton (who also has fine hair) recommended it. I’ve been using it for several months and it didn’t disappoint. When I let my hair air dry, it became much less supple, but I could clearly see that it had more bounce all the way from the roots after blow-drying. This is thanks to the turnip extract that gives it its richness. Kérastase lost the top spot because I believe it has much better thickening properties. But if your hair is very flat no matter how much you attack it, this shampoo is a great option for adding volume. This shampoo remains a favorite of Brooke Jordan, owner and master stylist at Bird House in Gowanus. He says he loves this shampoo because it’s free of parabens and sulfates, is gentle enough to use every day, and detangles hair. You don’t need to use conditioner (though if your hair is very long, it’s best to use a very small amount of conditioner just on the ends to get rid of knots. Otherwise, don’t use it at all. Please, he says).
Sulfate Free and Non-Sulfate Free: Sulfate Free |Scent: Floral |Size: 8.5 oz
If your hair falls into the fine and dry category (perhaps it’s natural, or perhaps you’ve fried it with bleach), addressing those concerns requires a careful balance. You want ingredients that are moisturizing but not so heavy that they weigh down fine hair. Moroccanoil Moisture Repair (another solid drugstore option) does just that. Use argan oil to moisturize your hair. This is an ingredient you’ve definitely heard of (and maybe haven’t heard of anymore), but it’s so rich in antioxidants that it’s a staple in dry hair care. This shampoo addresses the thinning aspect of your hair by using keratin, a protein naturally found in your hair, to coat and thicken your hair from root to tip. And while it’s not a budget-friendly option, stylist John Carlos de la Cruz advises using the product sparingly (“a little “Dosage goes a long way,” he says.
If your hair is thin and oily, you need to wash it frequently. “It’s easy to say you shouldn’t wash your hair too often, but many of my clients with fine hair say they go crazy if they wait too long,” says Jordan. We know that frequent washing can make your skin look a lot dirtier, so we reached out to expert stylist Gregorio Ruggeri at Salon Ruggeri to find out his recommendations for such situations. “My client, who has fine hair and washes her hair every day, found the right kind of body-boosting ingredient with New Wash,” he says. New Wash is technically a shampoo and conditioner replacement, similar to essential oil-based hair cleansers that wash your hair without lathering. Formulated without detergents or synthetic compounds, it doesn’t dry out your hair, conditions it, and prevents tangles. It’s a 2-in-1 product, so it’s hassle-free and perfect for anyone looking for an efficient, low-maintenance routine. For those who need more convincing, former Strategist writer Molly Young gives this shampoo a fierce endorsement, writing: My long hair dries completely naturally and has no “squeaky” texture. It’s shiny and has loose waves, just like I did when I was a kid. No need to blow dry. My chronic flaky scalp is gone for good. ”
Sulfate Free and Non-Sulfate Free: Sulfate Free | Aroma: Citrus | Size: 8.45 oz
Curly hair can trap oil at the roots, which is why many people with thick curls end up with dry, brittle ends and look for powerful moisturizing ingredients in their hair products. For fine hair, these formulas are not suitable as they actually add weight to the hair. Instead, we recommend Eufora’s sulfate-free formula for curly hair. Contains tomato extract and nutritious moringa seed oil to gently moisturize. It also contains keratin amino acids, which are known to act on the keratin in your hair to strengthen it. Recommended by Angela Taormino of Brooklyn-based Union Beauty Salon. She added that the formula is color-safe and can be used daily without stripping or over-shampooing your hair.
Sulfate Free and Non-Sulfate Free: Sulfate Free |Fragrance: Almond |Size: 12 oz
If you’re on a budget, Texture ID’s shampoo is a third of the price. However, keep in mind that this is a cleansing shampoo, so it doesn’t focus much on nourishing your hair. Instead, it works by removing product buildup, “freeing fine hair curls from the constraints of oils, silicones, waxes, and butters,” Patterson explains. And while it’s not full of these moisturizing ingredients, removing this buildup means your hair can receive moisture from the roots, “which revitalizes your curls.” “It helps,” he explains.
Sulfate Free and Non-Sulfate Free: Sulfate Free | Aroma: Sweet and Nutty Scent | Size 8.5 oz
If your fine hair often gets tangled (or knotted), you can prevent it by using the right shampoo. This was brought to my attention by fellow Strategist writer Katherine Gillespie. She found that most shampoos left her hair too dry and fluffy. However, Bumble and bumble shampoo is “very lightweight and moisturizing so I can use it every few days without any problem.” She added, “I always just let my hair air dry and it leaves a great result.” It gets better. I get compliments all the time,” he added. Despite the shampoo’s lack of sulfates, Gillespie says it produces a “very satisfying” lather, leaves her hair feeling “clean but not squeaky” and eliminates dryness and fluffiness. It is reported that there is no. She attributes this to the eponymous “invisible oil” blend. — Grapeseed, sweet almond, coconut, safflower, macadamia, argan oil, and more. These oils gently smooth your hair and prevent it from tangling while towel drying.
• Siobhan Benson, CutLoose BK Founder
• Maria Elizabeth Barnes (Salon deZEN owner)
• Fred Connors, FRED Salon Owner and Creative Director
• John Carlos de la Cruz, stylist
• Katherine Gillespie, Strategist Writer
• Fiona Guidice, owner of Fiona Hair NYC
• Brooke Jordan, Owner and Master Stylist at Birdhouse
• Rochelle Hunter Mosley, Trichologist
• Samantha Musco, hairstylist and founder of Beautébar
• Gregory Patterson, stylist and colorist
• Dominique Parisot, Strategist Writer
• Gregorio Ruggeri, hairstylist and founder of Salon Ruggeri
• Marco Santini, hairstylist
• Angela Taormino, hairstylist at Union Beauty Salon
Get the Strategist Newsletter
Real deals, smart shopping advice, exclusive discounts, and more.
Vox Media, LLC Terms of Use and Privacy Notice
The Strategist is designed to uncover the most useful expert recommendations for what to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our recent achievements include the best acne treatments, rolling bags, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, bath towels, and more. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
