As someone who washes their hair every day, finding the right shampoos for my fine, damaged hair has been a game-changer. I know it’s better to not wash your hair every day, but between daily workouts, extra time outside, and lots of puppy snuggles, I just prefer to shampoo daily and have acclimated my hair to it. My fine, straight hair is also highlighted, so I need a mix of shampoos in my arsenal - clarifying, hydrating, and toning. I don’t want anything that will dry out my hair, cause scalp irritation, or that will leave a moisturizing film instead of genuinely hydrating it from the inside out. Keep reading for my favorite shampoos that I can’t live without.
The best shampoos for fine, damaged hair
Amika The Kure Bond Repair Shampoo - Intensely hydrating without weighing your hair down, this smells incredible and is easy to wash out. It’s also clean beauty-certified, which is something I really keep in mind when it comes to anything that close to my scalp. This is the #1 shampoo I travel with, especially since hotel water can be extra-drying or cause frizziness.
Davines NouNou Shampoo - This is the shampoo I recommend to everyone because it’s gentle, doesn’t dry out your hair/scalp, and keeps your hair color looking fresh. You can find it online (no need to go into a salon), but the person who does my hair allows me to buy it in a jumbo size which makes it worth it. I also like the Melu formula, which is a little lighter (but still hydrating).
Ouai Detox Shampoo - If you need a detox shampoo, this is the best one for fine, damaged hair. I’ve tried so many different brands, and they’ve all left my hair feeling like dried out straw. For fine, damaged hair, I would not recommend using a clarifying shampoo more than 2x a month to minimize dryness. Ouai’s formula is effective yet gentle and worth the money; I won’t use anything else.
UNITE Hair BLONDA Purple Shampoo - If you need a toning shampoo, this is great. I personally prefer using toning conditioners instead of shampoos because they’re less harsh, but this one is hydrating and really pulls all yellow and brassy tones out. If you’re looking for a blue toner instead, I like Aveda’s Blue Malva Conditioner.
Amika Big Shot Voluminizing Shampoo - Fine, damaged hair can sometimes look limp and lifeless. If you want to add extra volume, I really like this shampoo. Amika’s products are clean-beauty and smell great without being overpowering; I haven’t met anyone who hasn’t liked at least a few of their products.
The best budget shampoo for fine, damaged hair
Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Shampoo - This is what my boyfriend uses, so I use it anytime I’m over there. Truthfully, I was a little scared to use it the first time because I’ve heard so many horror stories of the product adding a film, drying your hair out, and stripping it of its color. I’ve used it on and off for months now, and haven’t noticed any difference. Because it has sulfates, I would not use this daily, but if you’re someone who only washes your hair 1-2x a week, I don’t think it would be damaging, especially if you followed it up with a hydrating mask (this one is less than $12 and my personal favorite).
Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Shampoo - Great shampoo; I used this for years and still use it when I forget to pack my Amika shampoo or need the convenience of picking something up at Target. You hear a lot about how some drugstore products damage your hair, but I don’t think that’s true for this product. If you have fine hair, you know how easily the wrong product can weigh it down. That’s because there are some ingredients that are simply too much for fine hair. “High levels of nourishing ingredients like shea butter are wonderful for dry or coarse hair but too heavy for fine strands,” explains Rogerio Cavalcante, stylist and owner of the Second Floor Salon. To help find the right balance, there are some ingredients best to avoid. “Avoid products with silicones (dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane), as they can create buildup and make fine hair appear greasy or flat. Heavy waxes and butters should be avoided as well, since they can weigh fine hair down, causing it to lose its natural volume,” says Cavalcante. With that guidance in mind, as well as my years of experience writing about hair care, I’ve interviewed experts and scoured our archives to find a list of products suitable for fine hair. Below, I’ve built a wash-day routine as well as included some clarifying options to be used less frequently and some products to help style.
Updated considerations and routine tips
New! “A prewash mask is an excellent choice for fine hair,” says Cavalcante. He recommends this one by Ouai, as it nourishes without weighing the hair down. New! Scalp exfoliation can prevent buildup of products and dirt, encouraging natural volume at the roots. Elizabeth likes this lightweight option for a “gentle but effective cleanse.” It contains Hawaiian red salt - which buffs away dead skin and any lingering product - as well as cooling peppermint oil. New! Tiffanie Richards, master colorist at the Louise O’Conner Salon, likes a home remedy. “Apple cider vinegar has the benefits of balancing your scalp pH, removing buildup, reducing frizz, the list goes on,” she explains. It can be used either as a pre-shampoo scrub or a leave-in. It’s crucial to dilute it correctly with water, though: one tablespoon of the product with one tablespoon of water. “For fine hair, a lightweight but effective shampoo and conditioner are essential,” says Cavalcante.
I’ve been covering the fine-hair beat for several years and know that for fine hair, there’s shampoos to address all sorts of concerns: plumping, volumizing, hydrating. This is my favorite shampoo for fine hair. Yes, it contains sulfates, but it’s not a stripping product at all. Instead, it plumps, containing “the same hyaluronic acid that hydrates and plumps the skin,” according to beauty writer Linda Dyett. As well as HA, Dyett explains that the shampoo uses “a complex called intracylane that, intriguingly, was inspired by a chemical process used in glassmaking. It appears to fill in surface gaps and thicken individual strands of hair.” There’s ceramides and gluco-peptides in there, too, for added hydration. New! This is a budget option that can compete with the bigger brands. While it does contain coconut oil (a slightly heavier oil), Strategist writer Dominique Pariso has noticed that it adds “a good amount of body and, most important, a lot of shine without weighing my hair down or making it look greasy.”
Monday is a staple Strategist drugstore brand, and I’ve used this shampoo myself on my fine hair - it smells great and adds volume after a blow-dry. New! If your hair is actively thinning out, it’s important to chat with a dermatologist or hair specialist to get to the bottom of the cause. In addition to a professional opinion, you can also tackle the issue with hair care. “Zenegen Revolve Shampoo is a great choice, as it promotes hair growth while keeping the scalp balanced,” explains Elizabeth. All products build up over time, and on fine hair, this buildup can become really noticeable, either appearing as grease or just generally weighing the hair down. Success! New!
I like this pick from Ouai, which I’ve recommended before. Our beauty columnist, Rio Viera-Newton, is also a fan and says, “This shampoo works wonders for giving your hair a deeper cleanse. As well as choosing the right conditioner, all of my experts stressed the importance of mainly applying it to mids and ends - and going extremely sparingly toward the roots. Success! New!
“A lot of volumizing shampoos can be pretty drying because if you have fine hair and use too much moisture, your hair is going to be limp,” explains stylist and salon owner Christine Bellemare. This conditioner, though, adds moisture and volume - without overdoing it. It contains plum phytoceuticals and jojoba oil (yes, a heavier oil, but remember we’re being sparing at the roots) and is sulfate-free. “It adds a ton of shiny hydration and will fluff up your hair. Success! New!
My slightly more budget-friendly pick comes from Ceremonia. It contains keratin, cupuaçu butter, and castor oil for shine and hydration - but it isn’t too heavy, says Cavalcante. I’ll say it again: The less product the better. You still need to protect your hair from heat, though, and the option I’ve included below is a four-in-one product (meaning you won’t have to add anything additional to detangle, etc.).
When it comes to leave-in conditioners, it’s far harder to overdo things with an aerosol than with a cream or mousse - that’s great news for fine hair. “You could not overuse this product,” says Mark DeBolt, a celebrity colorist and co-founder of Mark Ryan Salon. New! “It’s the best heat protectant I’ve ever tried,” says Strategist writer Ambar Pardilla. When it comes to styling, “instead of heavy creams, opt for products that add lift without stickiness,” says Elizabeth. Success! New!
I love this stuff! It’s the type of product that works straightaway, adding volume to the roots but also the mids and ends with a good blow-dry. “It’s fantastic for creating volume without leaving the hair feeling heavy or sticky,” says Cavalcante. Success! New! Elizabeth likes this lightweight and volumizing non-aerosol hair spray from Kevin Murphy. “It’s a weightless spray that provides lift without making hair feel stiff or sticky,” she says. It contains shine-boosting ingredients such as manuka honey and vitamin-rich grapefruit. Success! New!
My hairstylist put me onto this product, and it quickly became my secret weapon for fuller hair - fast. The texture spray is used on dry hair and feels like a mix of a dry shampoo and a working hairspray (a flexible hairspray used to style hair). The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. Your product is saved! Over the past eight years, I have spent hundreds of dollars and countless hours chasing volume for my limp, fine, straight hair. I’ve tried volumizing mousses and texturizing sprays. I’ve tried blow-drying my hair upside down and sideways and every angle in between. And all I’ve gotten for my tireless efforts is a depleted wallet and surprisingly buff arms.
But everything changed when I found Ouai’s Fine Hair Shampoo while working on Wirecutter’s guide to the best shampoo. After my first shower with this Ouai shampoo, I noticed a difference: My roots had a subtle lift and natural buoyancy. My scalp felt clean and buildup-free. Now, four bottles and six months of regular use later, I can report that the volume actually lasts. Best for... Sparse or thin hair will benefit from this volumizing shampoo, which cleanses without adding weight. It delivers luxe-looking fullness but has a price tag to match.
For my fine hair, the goal has always been balance: How can I get strand-plumping hydration without sacrificing root lift? This shampoo finds that happy medium. It cleanses my hair and scalp thoroughly, so my roots feel springy, and it moisturizes without leaving heavy residue. And when I blow-dry, I’ve noticed that I need significantly less mousse and hair spray - and less time with the round brush - to build body. Even my stylist noticed the change. When I sat down for a trim two months ago, she pointed out that my hair looked fuller and had less buildup. The Ouai shampoo’s combination of panthenol and lightweight proteins gently swells the hair shaft to add body throughout, she explained. My hair with my old shampoo (left) and my hair with Ouai Fine Hair Shampoo (right). Amanda Rosenthal/NYT Wirecutter.
And my long, straight hair isn’t the only type that benefits. In testing for our shampoo guide, three panelists with thin hair - of varying lengths and curl patterns - echoed my sentiments. “Somehow this makes my hair feel so much fuller, especially around my hairline," one tester noted. Ouai Fine Hair Shampoo not only does its job but is also a joy to use. A quarter-sized dollop of the pale golden gel sudses into a creamy lather - one tester called it “thick and rich” - that distributes easily and rinses with no fuss. Unlike other thickening shampoos, which can feel tacky or leave a “stick-slip” sensation, this one leaves my hair soft and easy to detangle. I also love the scent, a light floral fragrance that reminds me of summers in Los Angeles but completely dissipates once my hair is dry. Ouai Fine Hair Shampoo comes in a 10-ounce bottle. Amanda Rosenthal/NYT Wirecutter.
The biggest hurdle is the price. At a typical price of $32 for a 10-ounce bottle, it costs significantly more than most drugstore options - including some of the other picks in our guide, such as L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Hydrating Shampoo (54 cents per ounce). But I get about 40 washes per bottle, and I save money elsewhere because I no longer need as many volumizing styling products. After spending years trying to coax body out of my flat hair, I was ready to give up on my voluminous dreams. But this shampoo earned a permanent spot in my shower. It adds lift without stiffness and bounce without buildup. Most importantly, it has made my life easier. I no longer have to hair-spray my roots into oblivion and blow-dry from every imaginable angle to get the hair I want.
On the flip side, I’ve had to start weight lifting to keep my arms toned. Ask my hairstylist: my hair is incredibly fine. Volume is scarce; oil is not. I stockpile dry shampoos, dry texturizers, round brushes, and root boosters as if my life depends on it. (To be fair, my hair kind of does-without ‘em it would be flat and greasy). But the key to giving my hair even a little lift is using the best shampoos and conditioners for fine hair. I try to switch it up every wash (there are so many products to test!!), but there are a few tried-and-true options I’ll always go back to when I want a guaranteed good hair day.
Device-free guidance: what to avoid and how to style
The main thing they have in common is that they’re specially formulated to plump up fine hair strands and create a thicker, fuller feeling. But just as important as what's in the product is what's not. "You want to avoid anything with heavy silicones or oil, as that will add to the weight of the hair and pull the styling work you did down," hairstylist Aviva Jansen Parea previously told Marie Claire. But other than that, I decide which to use based on what my hair is craving. If my color looks dull, I’ll reach for a duo to tone down brassiness, or if my hair is screaming for hydration, I’ll pull richer, more nourishing formulas that still won’t weigh it down. It’s been a journey to find the products that work best for me, but these 10 sets are my go-tos.
Lightweight Go-Tos. The best shampoo and conditioner for someone with really thick hair will likely be too much for my fine, thin hair to handle. Trust me: you’ve never tried a conditioner like this before. Instead of a creamy base, this one has a gel-like texture that’s reminiscent of a water-but, for your hair. It’s not going to give you a super silky feel in the shower and you’ll really have to work on any knots, but it gives my hair more body than anything else.
Color-Safe Saviors. As a fake blonde, color-safe shampoos and conditioners are non-negotiable. But even with a sulfate-free label slapped on the box, I’ve found that certain products can distort my dye, making it look brassier or darker. I’ve said it 1000 times, but I’ll say it once more: Kerasilk makes the best shampoo and conditioner on the market. I always find myself going back to it because it gives my blonde a soft tone, gives my roots an extra lift, and my blowout always lasts a day and a half longer. When my hair starts to look dull, I know it’s probably time to get a professional gloss. But when I want to push things off an extra week or two, I reach for this duo. One wash leaves me with the prettiest shine. The blondies know that by the time summer fades into fall, your highlights are turning brassy right along with it. I keep this industry-beloved duo in my shower to brighten my buttery color and repair any UV or salt water damage.
Maximum Hydration. Fine hair gets dry, too! When that happens, my hair can feel like straw, and split ends become so much more noticeable. These sets offer deep hydration without weighing my hair down-it’s the perfect balance. These babies are classics for a reason. They’ve been a staple in my routine since middle school because they give me incredible volume and work through knots with ease. The conditioner is the real standout-my hair feels so silky the second I apply it. Never will I ever board a plane without this kit in my carry-on. I don’t trust hotel shampoo and conditioner (you never know what you’re going to get!), so I like knowing that no matter the water’s pH or pressure, my hair will be happy.
Detoxifying Duos. Because I’m constantly adding texturizers and dry shampoo to my hair to absorb oil and add a little grit, my roots and scalp end up with a decent amount of buildup. My scalp get super itchy in the winter, so I try and incorporate this scrub once every other week (I don’t want to overdue it). It helps relieve irritation and get rid of buildup, while the conditioning creme restores hydration. Hair masks and thin hair can be like oil and water. Not this guy-it delivers hydration post detox and still leaves my hair feeling light and bouncy.
