Every hairstylist I’ve ever been to has said the same thing: I have very fine hair, but lots of it. Because of this (and a lack of interest and time to blow dry my hair), my search for volumizing products that actually work is never-ending. I recently tested out quite a few products offering to cure my limp locks, and here is what worked.

eleni & chris volumin magnifying shampoo 
A mother-daughter duo created this beauty line derived from the purest ingredients in Scandinavia, like the shampoo’s volcanic minerals, glacier water and cloudberry extract. Its smell is intoxicating, a crisp and refreshing scent that stays with you. This one also creates a rich lather, and it left my hair feeling noticeably smooth after I rinsed—in a good way, with no residue.
Did it add volume? There was noticeable lift to my hair after one use, even without a blow dry.
$27 at Neiman Marcus and eleniandchris.com 

 

bosley professional strength bos-volumize bamboom volumizing & cleansing powder
Even with the word ‘powder,’ I still expected a spray to come out. Instead, I got a little pouf of just what the name says. And rather than having to mess with a white residue that made my hair look gray, this massaged in perfectly and gave it a boost right away—really! It’s easy to use and does its job. Made from renewable bamboo charcoal, it absorbs oil and removes impurities.
Did it add volume? Yes, I noticed a difference right away, and it lasted throughout the day.
$24.99 at Ulta Beauty

unwash volumizing foam cleanser 
I love the idea of a dry shampoo, especially since my stylist tells me to skip days between washing. But I work out and can’t forgo cleansing of some sort. A lot of dry shampoos leave a white residue, and many have left my hair even more lifeless than before. This product caught my eye since it’s for extra fine hair prone to going limp (that’s me!). Instructions were to put a blob of the foam on your roots, massage onto the scalp and let dry. I was skeptical that it would leave my hair greasy, but it didn’t.
Did it add volume? It did add some life to my hair and didn’t leave any residue.
$28 at Ulta Beauty

renpure bamboo coconut water volume + body shampoo
This shampoo is specifically for fine hair that is flat like mine. The company is family-owned and operated and uses no sulfates, phosphates, parabens, dyes, etc. And this collection is plant-based: Bamboo fibers strengthen and add volume; coconut water infuses weightless moisture. Usually sulfate-free shampoos don’t create the thick lather I like, but this one did. Plus, its fragrance was refreshing. One downside: I felt like I still had residue in my hair after rinsing.
Did it add volume? Nothing drastic, but neither did it weigh my hair down.
$7.99 at Whole Foods