Best Shampoo

Briogeo Destined For Density Shampoo

$32

$31 at Amazon$32 at Sephora$32 at Ulta

We all use shampoo regardless of hair type, style preferences, or hair care concerns. If you have fine, flat, or thinning hair, this shampoo is designed especially for you. The lightweight formula boasts an ingredient list that sounds like a health food store haul: caffeine, ginseng root, aloe vera leaf juice, zinc, and biotin (a vitamin). These ingredients are scientifically proven to encourage scalp circulation, creating a healthy environment where hair will want to grow. Our tester, Jaclyn, was experiencing excessive dryness and thinning hair. When she incorporated this shampoo into her haircare routine, she found that it gave her hair the body it had been missing. 

Jaclyn, tester with thinning hair: “The few spots I was worried about have filled in, and my hair looks smoother and shinier than ever. It gave me my confidence back.”

Best Bonding Treatment

K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Molecular Repair Hair Mask

$75

$72 at Amazon$75 at SephoraView on K18hair.com

This little bottle is expensive but contains everything your hair needs to repair the broken bonds responsible for hair strength and elasticity. It reverses damage from bleach and color, chemical treatments, and heat styling, restoring strength, softness, and bounce. Depending on your hair type and length, you might notice fewer split ends and frizz. All you need is a dime-sized amount (further justifying the price) of this K18 Repair Mask on clean, damp hair. Once you’ve applied it, let it sit for four minutes to activate. Once those four minutes are up, style your hair as usual. 

Caitlyn Martyn, former associate editor with fine, 2B hair: “The proof is in the potion; my hair is the longest it’s ever been—it now falls to my mid-back—and even the hairdresser I’ve gone to forever has taken note.”

Best Mousse

Crown Affair The Texturizing Air Dry Hair Mousse

$38 at SephoraView on Modaoperandi.comView on Goop.com

Fine hair often lacks volume at the roots, especially a day or two after washing. This weightless foam from Crown Affair adds lift, body, and fullness to all hair types. The mousse contains Bolivian pink salt and meadowfoam seed oil (among other things) to deliver crunch-free, frizz-resistant, soft-textured hair that stays voluminous all day. Despite containing oils, it doesn’t weigh hair down or make it appear slick, but it does lack hydration. But that’s fine by us, all things considered. 

Candice, tester with 1C hair: “It adds an unbelievable amount of texture to my straight, flat hair. The effect lasted for around two days after application, keeping my hair defined and soft throughout that time.”

Best Thickening Spray

Living Proof Full Dry Volume & Texture Spray

$36

$35 at Amazon$36 at Sephora$43 at Ulta

Loaded with a volumizing and texturizing molecule, minerals, starches, and hydrophobic resins, this thickening spray provides instant volume and a soft hold that brings fine, flat hair to life. It never makes hair feel sticky, crunchy, or greasy (something all too common with similar products), and a little goes a long way. Plus, it provides heat protection for up to 410 degrees, so you can style and re-style without fear of frying your hair. 

Caitlyn Martyn, former associate editor with fine, 2B hair: “Ideal for all hair types—straight, wavy, and curly—and a wide range of hair concerns (i.e., thinning, damage, and oily roots), this miracle spray deserves a spot in your arsenal to boost volume, thickness, and fullness.”

Best Dry Shampoo

Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo

$26 at Amazon$52 at SephoraView on Dermstore

If you, like me, like to keep your blowout going for a few days, reach for this volume-boosting, oil-absorbing dry shampoo from Oribe. The formula disperses evenly and absorbs quickly with little to no residue. According to Associate Content Editor Derek Deng, the formula blends easily, too. You can expect this spray to deliver a serious boost of volume and body and a fresh, luxurious scent of Calabrian bergamot, jasmine, and sandalwood. 

Derek Deng, associate content editor with 1C hair: “My hair felt refreshed whenever I used this dry shampoo; I went without washing my hair for three days. Also, I’m super picky with my fragrances, but this one was subtle and luxurious.”

Best Hair Growth Serum

Divi Scalp Serum

$136

$123 at Amazon$48 at Ulta$48 at Target

According to pro hairstylist Michelle Hong, scalp care is key. “The scalp needs to be able to breathe in order to maintain healthy hair follicles for new growth,” she explains. If you’re looking for hair growth solutions, this scalp serum from Divi is the way to go. It’s chock-full of dermatologist-approved ingredients like caffeine, copper tripeptide-1, tea tree, peppermint, and eucalyptus oils.

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jeanette Graf, M.D., previously told Byrdie that these ingredients act like skincare for your scalp, creating a clean, healthy environment for new hair to grow and thrive. “Caffeine is an anti-inflammatory ingredient that can prevent hair loss, and copper-tripeptide, which promotes thicker hair,” she explains. “Oils like tea tree, peppermint, and eucalyptus soothe the scalp and provide hydration at the root.” To reap this magic serum’s benefits, apply a couple of drops to your entire scalp and go about your day. It won’t make your hair feel greasy, a rare (but essential) element of a daily-use leave-in oil. 

Caitlyn Martyn, former associate editor with fine, 2B hair: “I first started noticing results after finishing my second bottle. I know that doesn’t sound super satisfying (we, as humans, love instant gratification), but patience is key here.”

Best Hair Dryer

Shark SpeedStyle RapidGloss Hair Dryer

$141 at Amazon

$230

$150 at Kohls.com

This isn’t necessary for taking care of fine hair, but if you’re in the business of buying a new hair dryer, let it be this one. One of our favorites for fine hair, this tool features ionic technology to mitigate frizz (which fine hair is more prone to since thin strands are easier to break), heat-regulating capabilities to dry without damage, and one-of-a-kind attachments that make drying your particular hair type—curly, straight, etc.—very, very easy. My favorite is the RapidGloss Finisher, which tamps down remaining frizz and flyaways to give my hair a sleek but never flat finish.

Ally Hirschlag, associate editorial director with 2C/3A hair: “Testing this one after testing the Dyson was key because I could see just how well it compares, and let me tell you, it’s a very close race. It has most of the same attachments and is just as chic looking (I actually think it’s sleeker and lighter in weight). My favorite was the diffuser with spokes that you can adjust up or down for added root lift. It’s a serious game-changer.”