Best hair thickening products for african american hair

Common Questions

Shipping policies vary, but many of our sellers offer free shipping when you purchase from them. Typically, orders of $35 USD or more (within the same shop) qualify for free standard shipping from participating Etsy sellers.

Found something you love but want to make it even more uniquely you? Good news! Many sellers on Etsy offer personalized, made-to-order items.

To personalize an item:

  1. Open the listing page.
  2. Choose the options you’d like for the order. This will differ depending on what options are available for the item.
  3. Under “Add your personalization,” the text box will tell you what the seller needs to know. Fill out the requested information.
  4. Click “Buy it now” or “Add to cart” and proceed to checkout.

Don’t see this option? The seller might still be able to personalize your item. Try contacting them via Messages to find out!

Absolutely! Our global marketplace is a vibrant community of real people connecting over special goods. With powerful tools and services, along with expert support and education, we help creative entrepreneurs start, manage, and scale their businesses. In 2020 alone, purchases on Etsy generated nearly $4 billion in income for small businesses. We also created 2.6 million jobs in the U.S.—enough to employ the entire city of Houston, TX!

From handmade pieces to vintage treasures ready to be loved again, Etsy is the global marketplace for unique and creative goods. It’s also home to a whole host of one-of-a-kind items made with love and extraordinary care. While many of the items on Etsy are handmade, you’ll also find craft supplies, digital items, and more.

Byrdie / Chloe Jeong

Whether you've always had fine hair, or are experiencing thinning due to stress, hormonal changes, or aging, over-the-counter hair thickeners can add volume, body, and fullness to your hair.

Byrdie Researched & Approved

Our best overall pick is Oribe's Maximista Thickening Spray, which contains copolymers to create fullness and amino acids to strengthen. We also love that it provides protection from both heat and UV rays. For a more affordable option, consider Garnier's Mega Full Thickening Lotion, which also contains copolymers to create body without weighing down hair.

Lots of brands and product lines make big claims about their ability to fortify, lift, plump, and pump your hair with volume—or at least make it appear more voluminous. They might seem too good to be true—and yeah, some are—but we found a handful that do what they say. From shampoos, conditioners, and leave-ins to sprays, lotions, powders, and pomades,

We went to work, conducting research on the best hair thickening products from shampoos, conditioners, and leave-ins to sprays, to lotions, powders, and pomades. Our product testers tried out some of the top-rated products, using them for weeks at a time and taking note of results. Our team then combined these results with our own research and stylist-recommended products to compile this list.

Ahead, find the best hair-thickening products to add volume and body.

Best hair thickening products for african american hair

What We Like

  • Long-lasting volume

  • Strengthening

  • UV protection

What We Don't Like

  • Pricey

Who else recommends it? Women's Wear Daily and Who What Wear both picked the Oribe Maximista Thickening Spray.

What do buyers say? 82% of 1,900+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.

Coming in hot as our number one pick, we've got Oribe Maximista, which calls on copolymers to create fullness and amino acids to strengthen each hair. Working overtime to lift your roots and add all-day body—while protecting your hair from heat and UV rays—this thickening spray has a well-deserved fan following. The price point is high, but because of the protein-rich formula, we think the price is justified, especially if you use heat styling on your hair.

We also like that it's safe for keratin blowouts and color-treated hair. Spritz it onto your damp hair, working through one section at a time, then blow-dry or style as usual, and watch as your hair reaches a new level of volume.

Price at time of publish: $39

Product Type: Spray | Key Ingredients: Thickening copolymers, amino acids | Size: 6.8 ounces

Best hair thickening products for african american hair

What We Like

  • Budget-friendly

  • Lightweight

  • Reduces frizz

What We Don't Like

  • Leaves hair slightly crunchy

You don't have to spend a lot of money to make your hair look and feel thicker, thanks to this standout thickening spray from Garnier. The sheer formula creates fullness, body, and shine without weighing your hair down, which can make it look flat and limp. It contains copolymers and cotton flower extract for bouncy, silky-soft hair.

Price at time of publish: $5.47

Product Type: Spray | Key Ingredients: Thickening copolymers, cotton flower extract | Size: 5 ounces

Best hair thickening products for african american hair

Amazon

What We Like

  • Budget-friendly

  • Strengthening

  • Supports healthy growth

What We Don't Like

  • Strong smell

This leave-in spray calls on caffeine and copolymers to make hair look and feel thicker while giving your roots a volume boost. It also contains haircare's favorite ingredient, biotin, to support healthy growth.

Price at time of publish: $14.95

Product Type: Leave-in spray | Key Ingredients: Biotin, vitamin B5, caffeine, thickening copolymers | Size: 6.4 ounces

Best hair thickening products for african american hair

What We Like

  • Noticeable results

  • Supports healthy growth

  • Strengthening

What We Don't Like

  • Pricey

If you're open to splurging on a truly promising product, we recommend Oribe Serene Scalp. The spray-on treatment fortifies with biotin and peptides to promote healthy growth, then coats every hair with copolymers to deliver a fuller, thicker head of hair.

Price at time of publish: $76

Product Type: Treatment spray | Key Ingredients: Biotin, peptides, thickening copolymers | Size: 4.2 ounces

Best hair thickening products for african american hair

Amazon

What We Like

  • Minimizes shedding

  • Stimulates scalp

  • Supports healthy growth

What We Don't Like

  • Pricey

Thinning hair? Reach for this ultra-concentrated treatment serum. The secret to the sauce is organic pea sprout extract, which has been shown to minimize shedding. It also contains caffeine to stimulate the scalp and Chinese skullcap to create instantly denser-looking hair.

Price at time of publish: $50

Product Type: Scalp treatment serum | Key Ingredients: Pea sprout extract, Chinese skullcap, caffeine | Size: 2 ounces

Best hair thickening products for african american hair

 Courtesy of The Skinstore

What We Like

  • Minimizes shedding

  • Promotes healthy growth

  • Noticeable results

What We Don't Like

  • Not ideal for styling

According to The Ordinary, this leave-in treatment is best used right before bed. The concentrated, no-nonsense formula contains redensyl and procapil, breakthrough ingredients shown to improve hair density, stimulate the scalp, reduce shedding, and promote healthy growth.

Price at time of publish: $17.90

Product Type: Leave-in treatment serum | Key Ingredients: Redensyl, procapil | Size: 2 ounces

Best hair thickening products for african american hair

Courtesy of Sephora

What We Like

  • Noticeable results

  • Softening

  • Conditioning

What We Don't Like

  • Pricey

If Jennifer Anniston, the hair goddess herself, didn't convince you of the powers of Living Proof when she was the face of the brand, allow us to sway you. Lack of texture can make the hair appear thin and flat, and this cream addresses the issue with finesse. Formulated with the brand's mysterious yet effective "thickening molecule," it deposits teensy-tiny dots on your hair, making it look bigger and fuller.

Price at time of publish: $29

Product Type: Leave-in cream | Key Ingredients: Thickening molecule, emollient blend | Size: 3.7 ounces

Byrdie / Joline Buscemi

What Our Testers Say

"I love that the cream made my hair look fuller whether I was wearing it down or just wanted to boost a simple ponytail. It actually felt like it made my hair healthier rather than just increasing volume, and for that, I think it's a must-have for thicker hair." — Joline Buscemi, Product Tester

Best hair thickening products for african american hair

What We Like

  • Budget-friendly

  • Texturizing

  • Noticeable results

What We Don't Like

  • Leaves hair slightly sticky

For salon-level hair at drugstore prices, John Frieda won't let you down. This thickening spray lifts flat hair from the roots to deliver noticeably fuller, natural-looking volume. Spritz it onto towel-dried hair, focusing on your roots, then work it through with a comb and style as usual.

Price at time of publish: $7.99

Product Type: Spray | Key Ingredients: Thickening copolymers, sea salt | Size: 6 ounces

Best hair thickening products for african american hair

sephora

What We Like

  • Versatile

  • Long-lasting texture

  • Holds styles

What We Don't Like

  • Pricey

To give thin hair a little oomph, reach for Bumble and Bumble's Dryspun Spray. This product has you covered, whether you want: beachy waves, a fuller updo, texturized curls, or just a refresher for second-day hair. It adds the ideal amount of dimension and body with a lifted and airy effect.

Price at time of publish: $34

Product Type: Aerosol spray | Key Ingredients: Thickening copolymers, zeolite, silk powder | Size: 3.6 ounces

Best hair thickening products for african american hair

Briogeo

What We Like

  • Instant fullness

  • Strengthening

  • Supports healthy growth

What We Don't Like

  • May weigh down hair

This double-duty thickening spray maximizes fullness while offering long-term healthy hair benefits. The secret ingredient? Maltodextrin. The all-natural sugar starch coats each hair to deliver dramatic volume. It also contains biotin for long, strong hair.

Price at time of publish: $25

Product Type: Spray | Key Ingredients: Biotin, maltodextrin | Size: 5 ounces

Best hair thickening products for african american hair

What We Like

  • Noticeable results

  • Not stiffening

  • Stylist-recommended

What We Don't Like

  • Contains plastic

Kevin Murphy Full Again is a favorite of Las Vegas-based hairstylist Haley Balayage, and we can see why. "It contains particles of rayon used to help surface hair appear thicker and help finer hair act thicker," she tells Byrdie. "The entire KM thickening line is great for hair types that need a little boost."

Price at time of publish: $35.63

Product Type: Leave-in cream | Key Ingredients: Rayon, beeswax, thickening copolymers | Size: 5.1 ounces

Best hair thickening products for african american hair

What We Like

  • Budget-friendly

  • Smooths split ends

  • Supports healthy growth

What We Don't Like

  • May weigh down hair

You might have to play the long game to achieve truly thicker hair, and this strengthening oil from Mielle is here to guide you through. The nutrient-rich blend is infused with biotin and contains upwards of 30 essential oils. It's formulated to nourish each strand, hydrate every follicle, smooth split ends, stimulate your scalp, and support growth.

Price at time of publish: $9.99

Product Type: Leave-in oil | Key Ingredients: Biotin, essential oils | Size: 2 ounces

Best hair thickening products for african american hair

Amazon

What We Like

  • Lightweight

  • Long-lasting volume

  • Texturizing

What We Don't Like

  • Leaves hair slightly crunchy

If you have particularly fine hair, a lightweight formula is crucial. We love Ouai Volume Spray, a virtually weightless mist that creates a natural-looking body, lasting volume, and airy texture.

Price at time of publish: $26

Product Type: Spray | Key Ingredients: Thickening polymers, vitamin B5 | Size: 4.7 ounces

Best hair thickening products for african american hair

Amazon

What We Like

  • Strengthening

  • Smooths split ends

  • Supports healthy growth

What We Don't Like

  • Not ideal for air-drying

Alterna's Multiplying Volume Mist coats your hair with a smoothing, strengthening blend of keratin, biotin, and amino acids, while algae and kelp plump the individual strands. Though it can be stiffening if you allow your hair to air-dry, a few spritzes before you blow-dry will yield stunning results.

Price at time of publish: $30

Product Type: Styling spray | Key Ingredients: Keratin, biotin, amino acids, algae, kelp | Size: 5 ounces

Best hair thickening products for african american hair

Sephora

What We Like

  • Noticeable results

  • Supports healthy growth

  • Smells amazing

What We Don't Like

  • Pricey

Amika's 3D Thickening Treatment pulls out all the stops to deliver fuller-looking hair. We're talking redensyl for density and healthy growth, hydrolyzed proteins to smooth, strengthen, and protect, and copolymers for instant oomph.

Price at time of publish: $38

Product Type: Leave-in spray | Key Ingredients: Redensyl, thickening copolymers, rice protein, vegetable protein | Size: 4 ounces

Best hair thickening products for african american hair

What We Like

  • Budget-friendly

  • Strengthening

  • Supports healthy growth

What We Don't Like

  • Not ideal for long hair

Sometimes, all fine hair needs is a little nourishment. With this in mind, Qhemet Biologics made this hair-healthy pomade. The vegan formula contains ayurvedic amla oil and castor oil to hydrate, soften, strengthen, and thicken your hair while reducing shedding and encouraging growth.

Price at time of publish: $16.50

Product Type: Pomade | Key Ingredients: Castor oil, amla oil | Size: 4 ounces

Best hair thickening products for african american hair

Ulta

What We Like

  • Budget-friendly

  • Strengthening

  • Supports healthy growth

What We Don't Like

  • Doesn't lather well

Styling products can go a long way, but you might want to kick off your hair-thickening routine in the shower. This velvety-smooth shampoo from OGX contains biotin and collagen, plus hydrolyzed wheat protein for fuller, plumper, healthier-looking hair with every wash.

Price at time of publish: $13.98

Product Type: Shampoo | Key Ingredients: Biotin, collagen, hydrolyzed wheat protein | Size: 13 ounces

Best hair thickening products for african american hair

What We Like

  • Long-lasting volume

  • Smooths split ends

  • Supports healthy growth

What We Don't Like

  • Pricey

As the saying goes, everything's bigger in Texas. Your hair can get in on the action when you use R+Co's Dallas conditioner. Made specifically for folks with thin, fine hair, the volumizing formula leans on saw palmetto to expand your hair and pump it with soft volume.

Price at time of publish: $32

Product Type: Conditioner | Key Ingredients: Biotin, vitamin B5, saw palmetto | Size: 8.5 ounces

Final Verdict

Our best overall pick is Oribe's Maximista Thickening Spray, which contains copolymers to create fullness and amino acids to strengthen. We also love that it provides protection from both heat and UV rays. For a more affordable option, consider Garnier's Mega Full Thickening Lotion, which also contains copolymers to create body without weighing down hair.

Meet the Expert

Haley Balayage is a Las Vegas-based hairstylist who specializes in balayage color.

What to Look For

Intended Use

The main thing to look for when buying a hair-thickening product is its intended use. Look for the words "thickening," "volumizing," "strengthening," "texturizing," "full," "plump," or "lift" in the name or on the label. These terms usually mean a product is formulated to thicken the hair or at least make it look thicker.

Formula

Hair-thickening products come in many forms. There's shampoo and conditioner, plus lotions, sprays, mousses, pomades, powders, and treatments. While you can stock up with one of each type, we recommend considering the unique needs of your hair and the look you're going for to figure out what'll work best.

"I would look for anything that adds fibers to the hair. It's the best bet to be sure that the hair itself will expand in size," says Balayage. Texturizing formulas often deposit product onto the hair and wrap around each hair to create a fuller look. Volumizing formulas typically penetrate each hair strand to plump them from the inside out.

Ingredients

The ingredients list can tell you a lot about how a product works and whether it can live up to its claims. Hair-thickening products are often made with ingredients like biotin, collagen, amino acids, zeolite, peptides, and niacinamide (vitamin B3), which help strengthen and plump the follicles and promote growth.

You might also see options with castor oil or essential oils, which can help nourish the scalp and help hair grow in fuller. With texturizing sprays and powdery formulas, you'll want to look for thickening agents like silica silylate and starchy ingredients like maltodextrin or silk powder.

FAQ

  • What products help hair thicken?

    Products that help hair thicken include shampoos, conditioners, masks, leave-in creams, weightless mists, and scalp treatments. Check for specific hair thickening ingredients. Look for options containing copolymers, maltodextrin, Chinese skullcap, redensyl, or rayon for instant results.

  • How do I make my hair thicker?

    You can make your hair thicker with hair thickening products, styling techniques, and (possibly) nutrition strategies. Hair thickening products can create the appearance of thicker hair while also nourishing your hair to provide strength and resilience against thinning and breakage.

  • Does biotin thicken hair?

    Biotin may thicken hair. However, the evidence is limited and inconclusive. The good news is that biotin is a nutrient that offers other benefits and cannot harm hair, so adding it to your routine may provide benefits without drawbacks.

  • Should I use hair thickening shampoo every day?

    Using thickening shampoo every day is not typically recommended. This is because shampooing cleanses the hair and often removes natural oils. Using any type of shampoo every day is not ideal for most hair types. Instead, rinse your hair and use a thickening conditioner or other thickening product.

How We Researched & Tested

To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. Our team also incorporated their own personal experiences testing products in their own lives. We then used these insights from our research and testing to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.

Why Trust Byrdie

Theresa Holland is a beauty and lifestyle product writer with over a decade of experience writing for some of the biggest publishers out there. She considered dozens of hair thickening products for this roundup, evaluating each on active ingredients, targeted results, and value. She also consulted with our product testers who tried out top-rated products for their insights.

Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

  1. Glynis A. A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study Evaluating the Efficacy of an Oral Supplement in Women with Self-perceived Thinning Hair. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2012;5(11):28-34.

  2. 16 of the best thickening hair products for voluminous strands. Women's Wear Daily. https://wwd.com/shop/shop-beauty/best-thickening-hair-products-1234683336

  3. These products trick people into thinking my thin hair is actually super thiick. Who What Wear. https://www.whowhatwear.com/best-hair-thickening-products

  4. Mahajan, Apoorva. (2016). Advancements in polymers used in hair care: a review. International Journal of Research in Cosmetic Science. 6. 6-16.

  5. Gavazzoni Dias MF. Hair cosmetics: an overview. Int J Trichology. 2015;7(1):2-15. doi:10.4103/0974-7753.153450

  6. Oberto G, Bauza E, Berghi A, et al. Cotton honeydew (Gossypium hirsutum L.) extract offers very interesting properties for hair cosmetics and care products. Drugs Exp Clin Res. 2005;31(4):131-140.

  7. Patel, Deepa P et al. A Review of the Use of Biotin for Hair Loss. Skin appendage disorders vol. 3,3 (2017): 166-169. doi:10.1159/000462981

  8. Uno H, Kurata S. Chemical agents and peptides affect hair growth. J Invest Dermatol. 1993;101(1 Suppl):143S-147S. doi:10.1111/1523-1747.ep12363275

  9. Grothe T, Wandrey F, Schuerch C. Short communication: Clinical evaluation of pea sprout extract in the treatment of hair loss. Phytother Res. 2020;34(2):428-431. doi:10.1002/ptr.6528

  10. Xing F, Yi WJ, Miao F, Su MY, Lei TC. Baicalin increases hair follicle development by increasing canonical Wnt/β catenin signaling and activating dermal papillar cells in mice. Int J Mol Med. 2018;41(4):2079-2085. doi:10.3892/ijmm.2018.3391

  11. Bansal, Manish et al. Role of caffeine in the management of androgenetic alopecia. International journal of trichology vol. 4,3 (2012): 185-6. doi:10.4103/0974-7753.100096

  12. Mysore V, Parthasaradhi A, Kharkar RD, et al. Expert consensus on the management of Androgenetic Alopecia in India. Int J Trichology. 2019;11(3):101-106. doi:10.4103/ijt.ijt_24_19

  13. Katoulis AC, Liakou AI, Koumaki D, et al. A randomized, single-blinded, vehicle-controlled study of a topical active blend in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Dermatol Ther. 2020;33(4):e13734. doi:10.1111/dth.13734

  14. Oliveira, Anderson & Freire, Érika & Polonini, Hudson & da Silva, Paulo & Brandão, Marcos & Raposo, Nádia. (2018). Anti-Aging Effects of Monomethylsilanetriol and Maltodextrin-Stabilized Orthosilicic Acid on Nails, Skin and Hair. Cosmetics. 5. 41. 10.3390/cosmetics5030041.

  15. Kang JI, Kim SC, Han SC, et al. Hair-Loss Preventing Effect of Grateloupia elliptica. Biomol Ther (Seoul). 2012;20(1):118-124. doi:10.4062/biomolther.2012.20.1.118

  16. Alyoussef A (2020) Comparative Study of the Online Over-The-Counter Hair Loss Products. J Dermatol Res Ther 6:077. doi.org/10.23937/2469-5750/1510077

  17. Murugusundram S. Serenoa Repens: Does It Have Any Role in the Management of Androgenetic Alopecia?. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2009;2(1):31-32. doi:10.4103/0974-2077.53097

  18. Patel, Deepa P. et al. A Review Of The Use Of Biotin For Hair Loss. Skin Appendage Disorders, vol 3, no. 3, 2017, pp. 166-169. S. Karger AG. doi:10.1159/000462981

  19. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health The Nutrition Source. Biotin – Vitamin B7.

How can I make my African American hair thicker?

It is a natural beauty tip to make hair grow thicker and longer..
Eat a healthy diet, so you get all the vitamins and nutrients essential to get thicker hair..
Apply olive or coconut oil to the scalp and hair once or twice a week, about 30 minutes before washing the hair. ... .
Add a few drops of oil to your conditioner..

What's good for thinning African American hair?

There are medications such as finasteride and minoxidil, which can slow the balding process and stabilize hair loss mainly in men. Minoxidil is approved for use in women as well. Traction Alopecia appears to be caused by hair styling practices and can be improved or eliminated by an appropriate timely intervention.

What stimulates African American hair growth?

Some of the best hair vitamins for black hair growth and for the growth of other hair types are Biotin (Vitamin B7), Vitamin C and Niacin (Vitamin B3). Two of the best minerals for healthy hair growth are Iron and Zinc.

What products make your hair thicker?

Oribe Maximista Thickening Spray. ... .
R+Co Rodeo Star Thickening Style Foam. ... .
Garnier Fructis Style Mega Full Thickening Lotion. ... .
Sachajuan Thickening Shampoo. ... .
SexyHair Powder Play Volumizing & Texturizing Powder. ... .
Aveda Thickening Tonic. ... .
Boldify Hair Thickening Conditioner. ... .
Drybar Triple Sec 3-in-1 Finishing Spray..