(Beauty)

These Lightweight, Volumizing Shampoos & Conditioners Are Game-Changers For Fine Hair

by Andrea Pyros
The Zoe Report/Amazon

When you have fine hair, you have to be extra careful about the shampoos and conditioners you use — as you probably know, the wrong ones can easily leave your hair looking greasy and flat. Instead, opt for any of the best shampoos and conditioners for fine hair featured ahead: Though you can't change the type of hair you have, these products are formulated to add volume, enhance the appearance of fullness, and provide lightweight hydration and nourishment without weighing down your hair.

When shopping for shampoos and conditioners for fine hair, look for keywords on the label like "volumizing" and "thickening." Fine hair often tends to get oily quickly, so opting for products designed for oily hair is a safe bet, too. Avoid heavy-duty hair masks and deep conditioners, as these will probably wind up weighing down your hair. It's probably a good idea to use a clarifying shampoo a few times a month, too, as these will help eliminate any product buildup or excess oil that may be contributing to the appearance of limp hair.

A note: Shampoos and conditioners that work for thin hair typically work for fine hair, too (and vice versa), because both help promote thicker-looking hair. However, fine hair is not the same as thin hair. Fine hair means you have thin individual strands of hair, whereas thin hair refers to the amount of hair on your head.

Now that you're fully informed on fine hair 101, scroll on to shop some of the best shampoos and conditioners that won't weigh you down.

We only recommend products we love and that we think you will, too. We may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was written by our Commerce team.

1The Overall Best Shampoo & Conditioner For Fine Hair

There's a lot to love about Living Proof's shampoo and conditioner for fine hair, starting with its dirt- and oil-repelling formula that gently cleans hair — and keeps it that way — while enhancing the look (and feel) of fuller, thicker hair, courtesy of the brand's patented Healthy Hair Molecule. Formulated without silicones and other heavy moisturizing ingredients and oils, the products are also sulfate-free, so they're safe for color-treated hair.

2The Best Affordable Shampoo & Conditioner For Fine Hair

For a much cheaper alternative, pick up this under-$15 set from L'Oreal's EverPure line. Designed to enhance volume and preserve your color, the products are both sulfate-free, yet the shampoo still produces a nice, creamy lather. Bonus points for its delicious, floral fragrance.

3The Best Shampoo & Conditioner For Fine, Thinning Hair

Though fine hair and thin hair are not the same, you can have both at the same time. If that's your case, try this Re:Line Biotin Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner, which works to both enhance thickness and promote new hair growth using a blend of natural ingredients like biotin, rosemary oil, and saw palmetto. Both products are sulfate-free and safe for color-treated hair. Over 1,500 Amazon reviewers have left the set a perfect five-star rating.

4The Best Shampoo & Conditioner For Fine, Color Treated Hair

While most of the products on this list are color-safe, Pureology's Hydrate Sheer Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner work to actively enhance and prolong the vibrancy of your hair color. The sulfate- and silicone-free formula is nice and moisturizing (yet lightweight — hence the "sheer" in its name), so it can also help soften and restore moisture to hair that's become damaged from bleach and dye.

5The Best Clarifying Shampoo For Fine Hair

As previously mentioned, using a clarifying shampoo a few times a month (about once every one to two weeks) is a good idea if you have fine hair, as it'll remove all that excess product buildup and oil. This, in turn, will make your scalp feel refreshed and squeaky clean, while your hair should look bouncier and more voluminous. As far as clarifying shampoos go, Nexxus's Clean and Pure shampoo is a solid, affordable choice. It's the only product on this list that contains sulfates, but it is silicone- and paraben-free. Plus, while it works to deep-clean your hair, it'll help restore hydration using a blend of proteins and marine minerals. You can buy a matching conditioner, too.

6The Best Standalone Conditioner For Fine Hair

If you're interested in picking up a standalone conditioner for your fine hair, go with this ACURE Vivacious Volume Conditioner. The clean, vegan formula contains a blend of botanicals like peppermint, blackberry, echinacea, rosemary, and pumpkin to nourish and hydrate hair without weighing it down. Some people even use it as a co-wash, because it's so lightweight. Plus, it has a lovely, minty scent that will leave you feeling completely refreshed.