The 10 Best Volumizing Products Will Overhaul Your Fine Hair Routine
Tested for maximum volume.
Samantha Holender
I almost certainly learned about volume in middle school science class, but they didn't teach me anything worthwhile about adding it to my fine, flat hair. For those lessons, I had to turn to John Hughes movies and the stuck-in-the-last-century styles of the ladies at my grandma's hair salon. The consensus was "use lots of hairspray," but I'm happy to report I've found solutions that are more of-the-times.
"Voluminous hair has a kind of effortless confidence to it. When hair has lift and movement, it reads as healthy, youthful and intentional even if the styling itself is very minimal," explains professional hairstylist Goldie Locks CEO Devin Graciano. "Most of my clients aren’t necessarily looking for big hair, but they do want presence. That could mean more lift at the crown, more fullness through the mid-lengths, or simply hair that doesn’t collapse by lunchtime.
That's what I wanted: presence. Not necessarily the best outcome of the formula base area x height, but volume around my face and some necessary shape. It took a lot of testing, and of course some expert advice, but I got there: a routine full of the best volumizing products on the market.
"Volume communicates presence. It shifts posture. It changes how you enter a room. There is something psychological about lift at the root," Sarah Hindsgaul tells Marie Claire. And while we're definitely seeing '80s silhouettes return (a situation the Emmy-nominated stylist is obviously fine with), our modern approach to volume is slightly different. "Those shapes were beautiful. But the difference now is refinement and freedom," Hindsgaul explains.
Ahead, discover 10 of the best volumizing products for some impressive modern lift.
The Best Volumizing Hair Products
- The Best Volumizing Hair Product Overall: Oribe Maximista Hair Thickening Spray
- The Best Dry Volumizing Hair Product: R+Co Balloon Dry Volume Spray
- The Best Hair-Loving Volumizing Product: K18 Astrolift Reparative Volume Spray
- The Best Volumizing Hair Mousse: Hindsgaul Hair The Mousse
- The Best Dry Shampoo Powder for Volume: Goldie Locks Dry Shampoo Powder
If you know you won’t stick to a multi-product hair routine, keep it simple and efficient with this three-in-one formula. It’s going to build long-lasting body and volume thanks to thickening copolymers, moisturize and strengthen the hair with amino acids, and protect against environmental aggressors with Oribe’s signature complex.
Type: Thickening spray
Size: 6.8 fl. oz.
Key Ingredients: Thickening copolymers (volume and hold); Amino acids (moisturize); Oribe signature complex (defends from environmental aggressors)
What I Love: Multi-benefit; UV protection; Good for color-treated hair; Great smell
What I Don't: Nothing
Review for MC: "I've had this product in my cabinet for years, and take it out whenever my hair needs a literal and figurative boost. While you can use it on damp or dry hair, I love to spritz it in before an Airwrap blowout and see how impressive my volume can get. The answer is incredibly impressive, but at the same time my hair still feels just like my hair. I love it." — Sophia Vilensky, Contributing Beauty Writer
Oil is the enemy of hair volume, so it's in your best interest to eliminate that grease. This mineral-rich, aptly named spray does just that, soaking up oil to make sure roots have the dryness they need to stay standing up. To counteract its drying effects, the formula is infused with ingredients like calendula and mica to restore hydration and moisture. And If you need a little extra love? Just add some hair oil to your ends.
Type: Dry texturizing spray
Size: 5 fl. oz.
Key Ingredients: Silica (absorbs moisture); Zeolite (delivers texture and grip); Flower and algae complex (moveable hold)
What I Love: Absorbs oil; Can be used on dry hair; Offers massive volume
What I Don't: Can take a little shine away
Review for MC: "If I needed volume fast, R+Co is the first brand I'd turn to. They're good at other things too, of course, but the fact that they named their Thickening Spray Dallas, and this volumizing option Balloon, tells me we're on the same page. I love all of their offerings (the volume boosters in their Bleu line are also amazing), but this one gets extra points for how easy it is to use. I might not know how to give myself a perfect blowout, but you know I can flip my head upside down and spray away." — Sophia Vilensky, Contributing Beauty Writer
For me, at least, day-two hair typically means whatever volume I achieved during my post-shower styling session is long gone. Formulated with K18's signature peptide to fight damage, the buildable formula can be applied on damp or dry hair, with or without heat styling, to increase hair-fiber diameter (and thus visible volume!) without added weight.
Type: Spray
Size: 4 fl. oz.
Key Ingredients: Seaweed and arginine (volumize and increase hair fiber diameter); K18Peptide (targets damage); Sustainable and renewable natural polymer (protects against humidity)
What I Love: Works whenever you need it to; Good for your hair; Weightless
What I Don't: Spendy for a little bottle
Review for MC: "K18 is well known as an innovator in the haircare world, and I'm so enchanted that they were able to combine their signature hair-healing and protecting function with some major volume boosting. Though it can fit into your routine any way you like, I particularly love to spritz this on day-two hair that needs a refresh. It's not sticky and really revives my sad strands" — Sophia Vilensky, Contributing Beauty Writer
Good hair starts in the shower (that's why you're also going to want to look into the best volumizing shampoos and conditioners), and good dry shampoo should start working pretty soon after that—long before your hair even begins to feel greasy. Applying a little dry shampoo powder, like this perfect natural starch-supported formula by Goldie Locks can do wonders in the volume department and keep your hair bouncing for longer.
Type: Powder dry shampoo
Size: 8.1 fl. oz.
Key Ingredients: Starch blend (absorbs oil and other impurities); Hibiscus and cactus flowers (maintain moisture and reinforce shine); Biotin (visibly plumps strands)
What I Love: Natural ingredients; Fun "poof" when applying; Doesn't leave white residue
What I Don't: Expensive
Review for MC: "Believe me when I say my mind was blown the first time a stylist suggested I apply some powder dry shampoo to freshly washed and dried hair. I tried it and sure enough: game changer. This one doesn't have any strong smell or concerning ingredients, it's simply a perfect powder that makes my hair more volumized, and cleaner, for longer." — Sophia Vilensky, Contributing Beauty Writer
Hindsgaul is the mind behind all the big '80s hair on Stranger Things, so it makes sense her namesake her line would have some major volumizing prowess. Airy and cloud-like, this mousse feels like nothing in your strands while giving everything in the volume department.
Type: Mousse
Size: 5 fl. oz.
Key Ingredients: Scandinavian Cloudberry (rich in antioxidants, vitamins and essential fatty acids); Nordic cotton (reduces visible effects of environmental stress); Pea petides (support health appearance)
What I Love: Super lightweight; Great ingredients; Butter yellow bottle looks great on a vanity
What I Don't: Nothing
Review for MC: "I used to be so, so scared of a mousse. They just seemed very...serious? But as it turns out, a good one is exactly what volume-less hair often needs. Once you work it in, your strands will set in whatever position you want them to set in—voluminous styles included. Anyway, I'm glad I'm not scared anymore, because I would've missed out on this brilliant product. When I use it, my hair really does do exactly what I want it to and doesn't ever get crunchy in revenge." — Sophia Vilensky, Contributing Beauty Writer
Like I said, mousse textures aren’t for everyone. If you prefer a mist that you can spritz without a care in the world, reach for this Ouai option. It’s a multitasker that can be used on dry or damp hair to add extra lift at the root and increased body throughout the rest of your lengths for thicker, fuller-looking hair with a little added texture and shine. The formula is also balanced out with panthenol, an ingredient commonly found in skincare, to keep the hair moisturized.
Type: Thickening spray
Size: 6 fl. oz.
Key Ingredients: Amaranth peptide (increases the diameter of the hair for visible fullness); Amino acid (nourishes and repairs the cuticle); Volume polymers (long-lasting volume)
What I Love: Adds both volume and body; Keeps hair moisturized
What I Don't: A little sticky
Review for MC "While I know I’m supposed to heat-style with this, I love using it on damp hair and letting my strands air-dry in the summer. It prevents the humidity from taking hold and ensures I at least have a little wave going." — Samantha Holender, Senior Beauty Editor
Packed full of hair-loving ingredients, this exceptionally lightweight formula can be sprayed right on dry hair for an added boost. Blow drying isn’t necessary, but it will give some extra lasting power. There’s no stickiness or crunchiness, and it’s safe for color-treated hair so your blonde won’t turn brassy.
Type: Thickening spray
Size: 5 oz.
Key Ingredients: Lightweight elastomers (provide lift, volume, and spring at the root); Hydrolyzed keratin (boosts strength and moisturizes); Panthenol (heat and damage protection)
What I Love: Color safe; Can be used on dry hair; Adds some pretty shine
What I Don't: Might feel a little sticky
Customer Review: "If you’re after mega-volume, consider overhauling your routine with ColorWow. Their mousse is actually what got me hooked on the volume line, but the Raise the Root is a recent (and very appreciated) addition to my routine. I particularly love how the product doesn’t disrupt my color and actually imparts a pretty shine." — Samantha Holender, Senior Beauty Editor
Celebrity stylist Julius Michael is the go-to artist for big-haired Bravolebs who need to amp up the volume before WWHL. That is to say he has an impressive volumizing product arsenal, and says Schwarzkopf "struck gold" with this root concealing Thickening Spray. "It’s so versatile, from blending gray, hiding extensions, and adding thickness," he explains. "I always say beauty starts at the crown, and your roots are your crown so protect and spray them."
Type: Thickening spray
Size: 2 oz.
Key Ingredients: N/A
What I Love: Expert approved; Doubles as root cover-up; Affordable
What I Don't: Nothing
Customer Review: "I was really impressed with this spray! It instantly covers grays and blends perfectly with my natural hair color. It’s easy to apply, feels light, and gives my roots a fuller look. The finish is natural and helps me go longer between salon visits. I love that it’s ammonia-free, gentle on the scalp, and washes out easily. A must-have for quick, flawless touch-ups!" — Amazon
Sorry, air dry girls—this product is not for you. But if you believe in the power of a blow dryer? It's equivalent to hair magic. Use just a few sprays, focusing on the crown of the head and the top layers, and massage it in to distribute the product evenly. Once you whip out a round brush and get all the water out, you’ll be mesmerized by the lift. A bonus? The formula contains an ingredient that safeguards against static and humidity.
Type: Spray-on mousse
Size: 8.5 oz.
Key Ingredients: Argan oil (nourishing)
What I Love: Classic Moroccanoil smell; Offers major volume at the root; Good for all hair types
What I Don't: Heat styling is necessary
Customer Review: "Wow, where has this stuff been all my life? I have thin, fine hair that never holds a curl or blow out. This stuff did wonders when I sprayed it on my roots before I blow dried. I do a rough dry upside down and then finish with a blow dry brush. I put in a couple curlers to set my roots and then pow: volume!! Just buy it." — Sephora
If you forgot to spray some product or damp hair or the humidity got the best of your volume, don’t worry—Living Proof is a life saver. This is another product that was designed for use on dry hair, so you can whip out the bottle anytime your roots need a little pick me up. And if you're planning on styling afterward? It doubles as a heat protectant, too.
Type: Dry texturizing spray
Size: 7.5 oz.
Key Ingredients: Volumizing and texturizing molecule (long-lasting volume and texture); Mineral and starch blend (lived-in texture and oil absorption); Hydrophobic resins (instant, buildable, and lasting hold)
What I Love: Can be used on dry hair; Heat protecting
What I Don't: I've noticed a little buildup when I use enough
Customer Review: "This is my holy grail!! Stop thinking about it and just buy it! I have flat hair with no body no matter what I do (and I’ve spent 20+ years trying). This product gives me texture, body, and volume with just a few sprays. It doesn’t flake, itch, or cake up." — Sephora
What Should I Look For in a Volumizing Hair Product?
- Format
Search “the best volumizing hair products" and you’ll be met with dozens of search results: shampoos, conditioners, dry shampoos, dry texturizers, root sprays, thickening sprays, hot tools, the list goes on.
Here’s the thing: One particular type of product isn’t going to deliver better results. You have to use them in tandem, or figure out what works best for you on its own.
"Products only work if the foundation is right. If the scalp is not properly cleansed, you are fighting gravity before you even start. Buildup kills lift," says Hindsgaul. "Technique matters, but without the right base, no styling will last."
- Ingredients
You’re going to want to pay attention to two things on your volumizing product's ingredient list: What’s going to add volume to your hair (some use ingredients like hydrolyzed wheat protein or emblica to swell strands) and what’s going to dry out your hair.
While not inherently bad, alcohols or texturizing fibers might not be ideal for your specific hair type. They work to volumize by creating resistance between strands, and the process can be drying, damaging, or at least really tangling.
Michael also likes to use sulfate-free volumizing products that protect hair color and let you let go of scalp buildup and dull hair worries. "Another big plus is any volumizing or thickening product that contains biotin," he adds. "It increases strength and nourishes hair."
- Texture
In the styling product realm, you’ll normally find three distinct textures: A powder, a spray, or a mousse. The best option for you is largely personal preference.
“You could put the same formula in two different cans that have slightly different disbursement methods and still get the same effect. Basically, it all boils down to the ingredients and what they do. Do they create friction and thus give the illusion of density when the strands fight each other for space? Does it swell the hair shaft to give the look and feel of more density?” New York-based stylist Blake Bruck previously told Marie Claire.
How Do I Make Volume Last?
Hindsgaul notes that volume is all about how the hair sets. If it dries in the right direction with support at the root, it will hold. This might happen naturally, depending on the way you air-dry, or thanks to some controlled airflow from a dryer. The principle is the same either way, no matter what product you use.
"The hair must settle in the shape you want. You do not need excessive heat or heavy tools. You need control, direction, and the right foundation," says Hindsgaul.
A few other key points to remember: product placement should be focused—"roots for lift, mid-lengths for movement—never everything everywhere," explains Graciano—and velcro rollers will always be the best secret weapon. "A few placed at the crown while your hair cools can create soft, editorial volume without teasing," she adds.
Can I Have Too Much Volume?
As mentioned, bigger isn't always better. When you feel like you've overdone it in the volume department ("it definitely happens, especially when you’re working with texture sprays or backcombing," says Graciano) the best thing you can do is try to soften the style—not flatten it.
"A quick trick I use is warming a tiny drop of serum between my palms and lightly skimming the surface of the hair. It relaxes the lift just enough and brings back shine. You can also brush through the roots with a soft bristle brush to redistribute the product," adds the expert. "The goal isn’t to erase the volume, it’s just to refine it so it still feels natural and balanced. Hair should move when you walk into a room, not arrive five seconds before you do."
Why Trust Marie Claire
For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion, and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.
How We Tested
Sophia Vilensky's volumizing product testing process merged long-time editor favorites with new discoveries. After asking the Marie Claire team to share which leave-in conditioners they use in their daily lives, she tapped professional hairstylists to learn about their favorites and revisited her own tried-and-trues before calling in additional products for testing.
Taking many showers. using her Airwrap way more than usual, and applying her selections in between washes as well, she evaluated each product on lift, texture, grittiness, packaging, and ingredients before choosing the ten best offerings on the market.
Meet the Experts
Sarah Hindsgaul is a two-time Emmy-nominated hair designer with more than two decades of film and television experience. Originally from Denmark and now based in Los Angeles, she is best known for her decade-long tenure as Hair Department Head on Netflix’s global phenomenon Stranger Things (Seasons 1–5). Sarah designed the hair for Charlie Kaufman’s acclaimed Netflix film I’m Thinking of Ending Things, starring Jesse Plemons, Jessie Buckley, and Toni Collette - a project that earned her the prestigious Capri Award for Makeup and Hairstyling. Her feature work includes a range of celebrated films such as the Cannes-winning You Were Never Really Here starring Joaquin Phoenix; The Great Gilly Hopkins with Kathy Bates and Glenn Close; and Learning to Drive with Sir Ben Kingsley. She also served as New York Hair Department Head for Noah Baumbach’s Oscar-winning Marriage Story and for Ride, directed by Oscar-winner Helen Hunt. On the television side, Sarah has department headed ABC’s Madoff starring Richard Dreyfuss and HBO’s Show Me a Hero starring Oscar Isaac.
In 2026, Sarah launched Hindsgaul Hair, her eponymous hair care line featuring four essential products -The Puff Dry Shampoo, The Mousse Soft Hold, The Scalp Scrub Shampoo, and The Mask Conditioner. Inspired by her two decades of work in the film and TV industry, Hindsgaul Hair is a high-performance haircare line formulated with to create weightless hairstyles with movement – that last from early call times through the final take. Rooted in Scandinavian simplicity, the line is formulated with pea peptides and nourishing ingredients like cloudberry and Nordic cotton from Sarah’s native homeland, delivering healthy hair and effortless, all‐day movement.
Julius Michael is a trailblazer in the beauty industry, setting the bar high for new trends. Celebrities rely on Julius to help them create their glamorous style. Julius is known for his mastery of color, highlights, and Balayage. He is also sought after for his original, virtually undetectable, permanent or clip-on hair extensions. Julius’s signature looks can be seen on television and at red carpet events from coast to coast and internationally.
Julius has more than 18 years experience, including working with Rita Hazan and Oribe Hair Salon. He has a true understanding of what style works for any situation. Julius is passionate about his work and makes every one of his clients feel like a friend during an appointment and be a star as they walk out the door, loving the way they look.
Graciano is a seasoned product development professional with over a decade of dedicated experience specializing in the dynamic realm of hair care. Throughout her career, she has been instrumental in collaborating with a diverse range of entities—CPG giants, pioneering startups, and established brands—to sculpt and refine hair care products that transcend industry standards.
