My ultra-fine, pin-straight hair has been my nemesis for as long as I can remember. Growing up, every time I tried to infuse even a little bit of volume — whether with a curling iron, blow dryer, or any combination of those plus whatever devices or tools promised to give my lifeless locks a lift — they'd fall flat within minutes. But something I've learned in my quest for fuller-looking hair is that styling doesn't start with the actual styling part. In fact, the key to any style starts during the washing process, which is where shampoos and conditioners for fine hair come in.
Luckily for people with hair like mine, volumizing products have come a long way. Sephora has become my one-stop-shop for hair care, so I never have to go without a shampoo and conditioner duo that injects full bombshell volume into my fine hair. These products ensure that any voluminous style, especially curls and blowouts, stays all day and never falls flat.
Living Proof Full Shampoo and Conditioner
For an immediate commercial-worthy before and after, I reach for the Living Proof Full Shampoo ($34). It's packed with plumping peptides to give my hair ultimate bounciness — perfect for days when I'm doing an at-home blowout. It also uses the brand's proprietary amino cleansing complex to thoroughly cleanse my hair without stripping it.
A wash-day routine wouldn't be complete without the Living Proof Full Conditioner ($34). It contains phytantriol, which is a compound that assists with water retention to help reduce damage from heat styling, as well as hemisqualane, which seals the hair cuticle to leave it feeling super soft and so reflective I can almost see my reflection in it.
Nutrafol Root Purifier Scalp Shampoo and Defender Lightweight Strengthening Conditioner
Fine hair like mine is prone to oiliness at the scalp which can lead to loss of volume. This is where the Nutrafol Root Purifier Scalp Shampoo ($44) comes in. Vegan proteins, prebiotics, and biosurfactants in the shampoo deeply cleanse my scalp without stripping my hair, so it can stay fuller longer — an absolute must for naturally straight and flat hair.
The Nutrafol Strand Defender Lightweight Strengthening Conditioner ($44) is the perfect product to keep my hair sleek and shiny, especially on days when I want to air-dry. It contains ximenia oil and glucose fibers to moisturize and nourish the hair cuticles from the inside out.
Ouai Fine Hair Shampoo and Conditioner
The Ouai Fine Hair Shampoo ($32) has quickly become a go-to in my hair-care routine. It visibly adds volume and bounce to my hair without reducing my shine or smoothness. Plus, it's scented with Ouai's dreamy Mercer Street fragrance (with notes of Italian lemon, Turkish rose, jasmine sambac, iris, lily, and white musk), which makes every wash feel like a spa day abroad.
The conditioner counterpart to Ouai's Fine Hair line contains chia seed oil to help thicken my strands while biotin strengthens them. I love that the Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner ($32) also has the same scent as the shampoo to leave me with a fragrance that lasts through heat styling; I get a whiff of it every time I turn my head.
Vegamour GRO Revitalizing Shampoo and Conditioner
I've been a fan of Vegamour's lash and brow growth serum for years, so I knew that anything hair growth-focused from the brand would be worth a try. Since my hair is so thin, it's really obvious whenever I'm shedding more than usual. I like that the Vegamour GRO Revitalizing Shampoo ($48) includes red clover and mung bean to help prevent hair fall.
The microencapsulated phytoactives in the Vegamour GRO Revitalizing Conditioner for Thinning Hair ($48) enhance hair density and volume to make my strands look visibly thicker, and a vegan form of keratin keeps my hair smooth and shiny. It also protects my hair from free radicals, thanks to marula, baobab, and murumuru butter.
