You can tease your hair, load up on styling products, or use a hot tool, but the easiest path to lift starts with using one of the best volumizing shampoos. Many shampoos aimed at hydration leave behind a filmy residue that weighs down the hair, but volumizing shampoos work by thoroughly cleansing your hair without adding extra weight.
While some versions boast body-building and thickening qualities, not all volumizing shampoos necessarily add volume because of some magical ingredient — it’s the fact that your hair and scalp are free of buildup that does the trick. So, unless you naturally have an oily scalp, you may want to limit the use of this type of shampoo to twice a week so you don't strip your hair of its natural moisture.
Of course, even the most popular volumizing shampoos are not one-size-fits-all. In fact, many contain ingredients that cater to those with curly, fine, delicate, and color-treated hair — and some even provide thickness and volume. Just remember that in order to retain the results from your suds session, don’t use a heavy conditioner or hair mask afterwards. Any conditioner should just be distributed on the ends, or you might want to opt for a lighter, leave-in hydrator.
These results-driven volumizing shampoos will pump your hair full of life — not product residue.
1A Shampoo Infused With Body-Building Polymers For Volume & Thickness
Oribe Shampoo For Magnificent Volume, $42, Amazon
This impressive formula contains high-tech polymers to plump individual strands and uses cleansing agents made from coconut and natural sugar thoroughly clean the scalp — but it does so much more than just create a voluminous mane. It also contains Oribe’s own blend of watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss flower extracts to guard against damage and keep hair soft, hydrated, and vibrant.
For those who regularly use hot tools like a blow-dryer or flat iron, the addition of hydrolyzed vegetable protein and keratin proteins help creates a heat-activated shield against thermal styling. And because volume starts with a healthy scalp, it's also enriched with lupine protein and saw palmetto extract, which stimulate follicles to promote healthy, full locks.
2A Shampoo That Brings Out Your Natural Curl Pattern
Devacurl Low-Poo DeLight Mild Lather Cleanser, $27, Amazon
Even naturally curly hair can lose body every now and again. So, to combat this issue, this specially-formulated sulfate-free shampoo for curly hair incorporates chia-flaxseed extract to help keep each curl defined and full of bounce. If you’ve ever put these seeds in a bowl of water, you’ll notice that a gel-like consistency forms, so this is why the extract has a holding power. In addition, rice protein and lotus flower provide body that leaves hair smooth and manageable without the addition of silicone. Because it’s sulfate-free, it’s also great for curly hair that’s color treated.
3A No-Frills Volumizing Shampoo For Fine Hair
Davines Volu Shampoo, $26, Amazon
Whether you have naturally fine hair or you’re simply seeking a volume boost, this no-frills lightweight volumizing shampoo relies on turnip to pump up volume. Along with the pleasant green aroma, reviewers love that it gives their hair noticeable body after just one wash. Although this shampoo is sulfate-free, and contains only mild cleansing agents, it still provides a nice lather, which is perfect for people who love that feeling.
4An All-Natural Shampoo That Provides Weightless Hydration & Loads Of Volume
Rahua Voluminous Shampoo, $30, Amazon
Rahua's Voluminous Shampoo deeply cleansing the hair without sulfates, and without causing dryness. The completely natural formula contains a major dose of green tea (it's the second ingredient), and relies on gentle cleansing agents like coconut-derived coco betaine to leave hair clean and full of body. Ungurahua oil — which the brand is named for — hydrates, protects, and softens every strand.
5A Thickening Shampoo That Improves Scalp Health
Kevin Murphy Plumping Wash, $42, Amazon
This formula stimulates scalp circulation and nourishes follicles, which in turn promotes healthy hair. It's formulated with ginger root and nettle extracts that work to strengthen and densify, giving the appearance of full and healthy hair. In the long term, this volumizing shampoo also aims to improve the overall health of your scalp. Bonus points for being sulfate and paraben-free.
6A Gel Shampoo That Adds Volume Without Stripping Color-Treated Hair
Christophe Robin Delicate Volumizing Shampoo with Rose Extracts, $51, Amazon
While this gel-like shampoo is aimed at fine hair types that would like a boost, it works well for anyone looking for some extra volume. The innovative formula contains rosewater and nourishing baobab extract that help it gently cleanse the hair while restoring volume and softness. Best of all, the acidic pH of this shampoo prevents against color-fade, so your hair will remain vibrant and fresh after every wash.
7A Budget-Friendly Shampoo That'll Pump Up The Volume For Less
John Frieda Luxurious Volume Touchably Full Shampoo, $6, Amazon
Despite the affordable cost, this shampoo will keep your hair healthy and full of volume. The formula incorporates a patented Caffeine Vitality Complex — designed to penetrate all hair types — that works to repair damaged hair from the inside out. And because it also targets scalp health by keeping hair follicles stimulated and free of buildup, it leaves hair voluminous from root to tip.
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