15 Best Hair Thickening Products for Instant Volume

The winner of the GH Beauty Lab dry shampoo test, Living Proof not only made hair feel fresh and clean but also lifted strands. An impressive 88% of testers agreed that this product added volume to hair. Darker hair beware: it can leave a white residue if not rubbed in properly.

Testers say: “It made my hair look full and great, not greasy," one shared. "I like the volume and freshness it gave my hair," said another.

If you are seeking both fuller and smoother hair, look no further than Aloxxi's serum. GH Beauty Lab data showed that it actually increased the thickness of individual strands and consumers ranked it tops for leaving hair looking fuller and touchably soft, although one noted that it can weigh hair down if you use too much.

Testers say: "I like how the serum made my hair feel thicker after I applied it and styled it," a tester said. Another one shared that she likes everything about the product: "It's not sticky, easy to apply, and made my hair really feel and look fuller."

The active ingredient in Rogaine, Minoxidil, is the only FDA-approved over-the-counter topical ingredient for the treatment of hair loss. Containing 5% of the active, this lightweight foam helps stimulates hair growth and slows down hair loss. Consistent application is key for best results—and any results do take time and patience—so be sure to thoroughly read and familiarize yourself with the directions before use.

Reviewers say: "It took a little time to notice more drastic changes, about four to five months," said one Walmart reviewer. "I almost gave up, but it was worth the wait. My hair is no longer falling out and I have lots of re-growth."

John Frieda's lightweight mousse was a stellar performer in the GH Beauty Lab volumizing mousse test. In the Lab, it was the best at maintaining hair fullness over time, even through humid conditions. Testers echoed Lab results and reported that the delicately scented foam did not leave hair feeling sticky or greasy, although a few noted that it may leave hair feeling stiff over time.

Testers say: "I liked that this product made my hair look so thick, held the fullness and still felt soft," one said. "This is the longest lasting volumizing mousse I have ever tried," raved another.

Get thicker, fuller hair in the shower by sudsing with Kérastase. A winner of the GH Beauty Lab volumizing shampoo and conditioner test and definitely a splurge, it ranked tops for adding volume, making hair feel thicker, and leaving hair feeling clean. Note that the shampoo and conditioner set have twist-off caps which might make dispensing a bit difficult in the shower.

Testers say: "My hair has so much volume and bounce when I use this product," one raved. "This is the best I have found that gives all day body," says another.

Bumble and Bumble's dry shampoo was the best powder formula in GH Beauty Lab dry shampoo evaluations, thanks to its hair-boosting ability. Testers reported that it lifted limp strands, was easy to brush out, and didn’t irritate the scalp. They also noted that it has a pleasant powdery fresh scent. Just be aware that it could leave visible residue on hair if not rubbed in properly.

Testers say: “My hair felt thicker and it definitely added volume,” one said. “It made my hair easier to style, and seemed to thicken it up a bit," added another.

Behind the launch of this Nioxin spray serum is a groundbreaking hair discovery: Hair follicles have receptors for scent (essentially a sense of smell!). Researchers identified a specific aroma, Sandalore—a patented sandalwood scent—that can stimulate the follicles, prompting them to extend hair’s growth cycle. The fragrance is mixed into this spray-on serum along with caffeine, niacinamide, and lauric acid, resulting in effective hair-loss reduction, per GH Beauty Lab patent review.

Testers say: “It immediately lifts roots for a fuller look, and over time my hair has felt and appeared thicker,” says GH Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann.

Set your freshly-styled voluminous strands all day long with It's A 10, a GH Beauty Lab hairspray test winner. Lab evaluations showed that it had the strongest hold through humid conditions, while most testers reported that it felt invisible on hair, although a few felt it left hair crunchy.

Testers say: "Even with the humid days this last weekend, it kept my hair looking great," one noted. Another raved about the sheer texture: "It's light enough so that I can barely tell I'm wearing it," she said.

Create the illusion of thicker, fuller hair with this Color Wow root coverup, which comes in eight shades to match your hair color. In GH Beauty Lab root touch-up testing, users reported that not only did the powder cover gray roots, blending in well with the rest of hair, but some also noted that it can be brushed onto the scalp near the hairline or part to mask thinning spots. While it's a great temporary fix, it doesn't actually thicken hair.

Testers say: "Covered the gray and a few hair loss spots," a tester noted, while another commented that "it might not be bad for the occasional small thinning areas too."

RELATED: Best Root Touch-Up Products

GH testers loved that this spray added fullness (especially at the roots) without leaving hair feeling crunchy or weighed down. They also agreed that it was easy to apply, thanks to the targeted spray nozzle, and to style hair after applying. While some loved the coconut scent, a few users felt it was too strong.

Testers say: "I saw noticeable volume without using rollers," said one. "My hair feels very soft; I can barely tell that there's product in it." Another shared that "it was completely invisible, and not sticky, tacky, or greasy."

Hair color meets volume in this 2-in-1 GH Beauty Award-winning spray. It uses the brand's proprietary colorfill technology to blend color particles with micro-volumizers to cover root regrowth and provide fullness in an instant. Plus, it's safe to use on all hair types and textures including color-treated hair. The GH Beauty Lab evaluated this touch-up spray on gray human hair swatches and found it provides strong color coverage that is water-resistant.

Testers say: "The nozzle distributes color evenly and covers hair well in the first spray, yet doesn't appear messy," says Wizemann, though hair can get a bit damp before the product dries. "The result looks even and natural."

Another GH Beauty Award winner, this spray leaves hair soft and touchable, while adding a ton of lift at the roots and all over. Pro hairstylist testers love that the sheer formula doesn't weigh the hair down at all, which is not an easy task to accomplish. Plus, it has heat protection, is good for all hair types, and works well with other styling products.

Testers say: “It gave movement, texture, and maximum lift,” one shared. "It is very lightweight and is a good layering product," said another.

We tested this shampoo alongside its complementary conditioner and the GH Beauty Award-winning duo had high scores for making hair more manageable, giving it more volume and fullness after styling, and leaving hair feeling clean. Testers loved the light scent and felt that the shampoo had a good lather and the conditioner rinsed out easily with no residue. While most raved about the formulas, one felt that it left her hair more frizzy.

Tester Says: “My hair felt thicker and fuller after the first wash,” a tester shared.