Do your curls feel more like limp waves some days? You love your natural texture, but when your hair is thin, those beautiful coils can sometimes lack the volume you crave. Finding the perfect product can feel like a treasure hunt where the map is written in confusing ingredient lists and empty promises.
Thin, curly hair presents a unique challenge. Many products meant to add thickness end up weighing down your delicate spirals, leaving them flat and lifeless. You want volume without the crunch, body without sacrificing definition. It’s frustrating when products designed to help actually seem to make things worse!
Don’t worry! This guide cuts through the noise. We will explore the best thickening hair products specifically designed to lift and support thin, curly strands. By the end, you will know exactly which ingredients to look for and which products will give your curls the bounce and fullness they deserve.
Top Thickening Hair Products For Thin Curyly Hair Recommendations
- HOW TO USE: Spray liberally through towel-dried hair Styling with blow-dryer as desired Can be used alone as a styling product, or in addition to other hair products, such as RUSK Str8 Anti-Frizz and Anti-Curl Hair Lotion To use as a finishing spray, mist lightly and evenly over finished look for maximum results
- SAVE MONEY & YOUR HAIR: Color and chemically treated hair needs extra care to keep color vibrant and moisturized Low-quality hair products dry hair out and strip out the dye Investing in RUSK products will repair the damage on hair and keep hair healthy, full of body and vibrance, and create beautiful curls or textured straight hair free-of-frizz In the long run, using these products will save you money and save your hair from future damage further down the road
- VALUE YOU CAN EXPERIENCE: RUSK hair care products are designed to achieve fabulous looks and long-lasting results Experience tailored service by choosing RUSK products suited to your individual needs and desired style Look forward to having healthier hair by using professional quality hair products
- FOR ALL HAIR TYPES: RUSK hair care products can be used on all hair types whether you're looking to bring back vitality to fine, limp, and faded hair, or need a styling product to define and tame unruly curls Best of all, these products are safe to use on color and chemically treated hair The versatility of RUSK products make styling simple and easy With a variety of products to choose from your entire hair care routine begins and ends with RUSK, leaving all hair types feeling healthier and beautiful
- PROFESSIONAL QUALITY: RUSK provides top-of-the-line salon quality hair products made with high-grade ingredients and innovative hair technology to produce consistent and excellent results Choose from an array of shampoos, conditioners, styling hair gel, finishing hairspray, and heat styling hair straighteners and blow-dryers Whatever products you're looking for, with RUSK you'll never have to worry about finding quality hair care products ever again
- Fuller Hair Starts Here: Thicker style with strength and shine. Marc Anthony’s Instantly Thick + Biotin Plump & Lift Styling Cream helps hair look thicker, fuller, and more voluminous, making it perfect for thin or flat strands. 4.93 oz
- Prep for Heat or Air-Dry Styles: Apply to clean, damp hair sparingly from scalp to ends. For the best results, apply heat with a blow dryer. For a full body, volumizing blowout, flip your head over when you dry the roots.
- Prep for Heat or Air-Dry Styles: Apply to clean, damp hair sparingly from scalp to ends. For the best results, apply heat with a blow dryer. For a full body, volumizing blowout, flip your head over when you dry the roots.
- Smooths & Shapes: This styler adds body, fullness and hold while reinforcing fine, weak strands. It brings out shine and modern movement in layers, with a finish that is lightweight and natural.
- Endless Innovation: With formulas free from harmful sulfates, parabens, and phthalates, the Instantly Thick collection is perfect for men and women with thinning hair or fine hair, straight, wavy, colored and everything in between.
- Thickening Styling Spray for Thin, Fine Hair: Thickening Tonic is an easy-to-use styling spray that instantly thickens thin or thinning hair.
- 96% Naturally Derived*: Certified organic amla, wheat, and corn instantly thicken hair from root to tip.
- Won’t Weigh Hair Down: Thickening Tonic is a lightweight spray that can be applied directly at the root before styling and won’t leave hair feeling heavy, limp, or greasy. It’s perfect for creating hair styles for thin hair.
- How to Use: Shake well. Spray thoroughly from root to tip on towel-dried hair. For an even fuller look, section hair as you style. Comb through, then blow dry and style as desired.
- Aveda is 100% Vegan, a Certified B Corp, and Leaping Bunny Approved.
- Take Your Roots Higher: Marc Anthony’s Big Volume Weightless Lift Root Boost Spray transforms fine, limp roots into fuller, thicker-looking hair with weightless body and bounce — all while maintaining moisture and softness. 6 fl oz
- Powered By Fiber Filler Complex: Formulated with our micro-light Fiber Filler Complex like those used in volumizing mascara, this root lifter spray delivers maximum volume while maintaining your hair’s natural movement and softness.
- Instant Lift – Style Wet or Dry: Create instant, sky-high lift exactly where you need it. Designed for targeted root application, it gives you long-lasting fullness and hold that defies gravity for up to 72 hours*. Style on damp or dry hair for a quick and easy lift.
- Lightweight Hydration + Heat Protection: Unlike traditional root sprays, this volumizing spray infuses lightweight moisture while maintaining weightless lift. Plus, it offers heat protection to defend hair during styling.
- Endless Innovation: With paraben-free, sulfate-free, and phthalate-free formulas, the Big Volume collection is perfect for men and women with thin hair or fine hair, from straight to curly to colored and everything in between.
- THICKER, MORE VOLUMINOUS HAIR IN 60 SECONDS! Apply lightly and evenly through damp hair then dry for enhanced thickness and instant volume. Sprays in easily, and gives a layered, textured finish, and provides a light hold that looks great and lasts the entire day. It's a hair texture spray for maximum hair volume. "packaging may vary"
- UNIQUE NON-STICKY FORMULA - Our super lightweight formula won't leave sticky residue or buildup like sea salt spray for hair can, which means it won't weigh down locks like other products! A hair spray for fine hair without the gunky residue, this thickening tonic + hair texturizer washes out cleanly & easily.
- MADE RESPONSIBLY IN THE USA, RESULTS GUARANTEED - Boldify hair volume products are proudly made in the USA under GMP guidelines - WITHOUT harmful chemicals like Parabens - and NEVER tested on animals. You can rest assured you’ll see thicker hair and a fuller finish from this PURE, POTENT, SAFE hair thickening products for men and women - or we’ll refund you the purchase price. NO questions asked, NO return required!
- MAKES HAIR EASIER TO STYLE - Perfect for use as a pre-styler as it gives a light hold, natural definition, and effortless finish, this volumizing spray + hair texturizing spray is versatile enough to suit all hair types and lengths! BOLDIFY, a premium hairspray for women and men, is the professional stylist's secret weapon for achieving great-looking, easy-to-manage styles!
- GREAT FOR YOUR HAIR - Packed with minerals and nutrients, our thickening tonic’s ability to absorb excess oil and moisture makes it one of the best volume hair products for healthy hair and a clean, happy scalp!
- Nourishing cream that adds volume, thickens hair, and strengthens strands for fuller-looking results.
- Enhances volume, strengthens hair fibers, moisturizes scalp, and supports healthy hair growth.
- Apply to damp hair before styling. Distribute evenly. Style as usual for natural volume and texture.
- Visibly thicken the appearance of hair and add lasting hold during styling with flexible Amaranth Protein that helps strengthen fine hair.
- Thicken and protect fine and fragile hair while blow drying with flexible and medium hold.
- VOLUMIZING FORMULA: Lightweight mist treatment specially formulated to add body and fullness to fine, thin, and flat hair
- INSTANT RESULTS: Provides immediate volume and lift at the roots while helping to thicken individual hair strands
- EASY APPLICATION: Quick-absorbing spray mist can be applied to damp or dry hair, focusing on roots for maximum lift
- DAILY USE: Gentle enough for everyday use without weighing hair down or leaving sticky residue
- VERSATILE STYLING: Works well as a pre-styling treatment or throughout the day for touch-ups, perfect for all hair types
- Instantly Thick Biotin Styling Cream: This lightweight thickening styler for thin, flat hair infuses Biotin, Polymers and Phytokeratin making this the perfect multi-benefit cream, providing strength, thickening and conditioning. This styler adds body, fullness and hold while strengthening and reinforcing fine, weak strands. It brings out modern movement in layers, with a finish that is lightweight natural. Use on damp hair for a full-body, root-lifting blowout. Two 4.93 oz tubes.
- Strength and Volume: Marc Anthony's Instantly Thick + Biotin collection not only delivers fuller body and shine but helps boost strength to invigorate thickness one strand at a time. The inclusion of Biotin in this targeted formula increases the volume impact even with fine and dry hair. See the difference, instantly.
- How to Use: Apply a small amount of product to clean, damp hair, working the product through from roots to ends. For best results, apply heat with a hair dryer. For added volume, flip your head over when you dry the roots. If desired, volumize your hair with the entire Instantly Thick + Biotin collection.
- Endless Haircare Innovation: Marc Anthony’s team of style-makers and beauty lovers never sit still, traveling the world to bring you the best ingredients to create professional quality products. Paraben-free, sulfate-free, and phthalate-free.
- True Experts in Hair: Hair doesn’t need to be complicated. Marc Anthony’s mission is to make your hair play easy with premium, fool-proof products at an affordable price. All the styles. All the fun. We do what it takes to make hair play possible.
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Thickening Hair Products for Thin Curly Hair
Thin, curly hair needs special care. You want volume, but you also need moisture. Finding the right product makes a big difference. This guide helps you choose the best thickeners for your beautiful curls.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping, look for products that do more than just coat your strands. Great products actually help your hair look fuller.
Volume Without Weight
- Lightweight Formulas: Heavy creams weigh down fine curls. Search for mousses, sprays, or light lotions. These lift the roots.
- Root Lifting Agents: Some products specifically target the scalp area. They create immediate lift right where you need it.
Curl Definition and Hold
- Non-Crunchy Hold: You want definition, not a helmet. Look for flexible hold that lets your curls bounce naturally.
- Frizz Control: Thin hair frizzes easily. A good thickener also tames flyaways, keeping your curls defined.
Important Ingredients Matter
The ingredients list tells you a lot. Some things help hair, and some things hurt thin, curly textures.
Boosting Ingredients
- Proteins (Hydrolyzed Wheat or Soy Protein): These small proteins enter the hair shaft. They temporarily fill gaps, making the hair strand feel thicker.
- Biotin and Niacin (Vitamin B3): These vitamins support scalp health. Healthy scalps grow stronger, fuller-looking hair.
- Natural Thickeners: Ingredients like flaxseed or chia seed extract create a light gel around the hair, adding body.
Ingredients to Avoid
- Heavy Silicones (like Dimethicone): While silicones add shine, heavy ones build up quickly on fine hair. This buildup causes flatness.
- Drying Alcohols: Some alcohols strip moisture. This makes curls dry and brittle, leading to breakage instead of thickness.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Product quality depends on how it interacts with your specific hair type.
Quality Boosters
- Sulfate-Free Cleansers: If you use a shampoo/conditioner set, make sure they are sulfate-free. Sulfates strip natural oils, which fine hair needs to look full.
- Heat Protectants: If you use a diffuser, always use a product that includes heat protection. Heat damages fine strands easily.
Quality Reducers
- Residue Left Behind: If a product leaves a white or sticky film, it reduces the quality of your style. Always rinse or comb through thoroughly.
- Over-Moisturizing: Curly hair needs moisture, but too much moisture weighs down fine strands. Use moisturizing products sparingly, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the product changes the result dramatically.
Best Application Tips
- Apply to Wet Hair: Most thickening products work best when applied immediately after washing. Apply to soaking wet hair for even distribution.
- Use the “Rake and Shake” Method: Gently rake the product through your curls. Then, gently shake your head to encourage the natural curl pattern to form.
- Drying Technique: Use a diffuser on low heat. Hover the diffuser around your roots first to build initial volume before cupping the curls.
When to Use Them
- Daily Refresh: Use a light mist or spray specifically designed for refreshing day-two curls. These usually reactivate the product already in your hair.
- Wash Day Volume: Use a mousse or root lifter immediately after conditioning for maximum lift.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can a thickening product really make my hair grow faster?
A: No. Thickening products do not speed up hair growth. They make the hair you already have look and feel physically thicker and add volume to your existing strands.
Q: Should I use a mousse or a gel for thickness?
A: Mousse is usually better for fine, thin curls. Gels can sometimes be too heavy. Mousse traps air, giving you lighter, bouncier volume.
Q: Will these products make my curls stiff?
A: High-quality products should not. Look for terms like “flexible hold” or “soft touch.” If a product feels stiff when dry, you used too much, or it contains too many harsh polymers.
Q: Can I use thickening products every day?
A: It depends on the product. Light sprays are fine for daily use. Heavy lotions or creams should be reserved for wash days to prevent product buildup.
Q: Are thickening products safe for color-treated curly hair?
A: Yes, most modern formulas are safe. Always check the label to ensure the product is UV protected and sulfate-free to keep your color vibrant.
Q: I have a very oily scalp. Will thickening products make my hair look greasy?
A: Oily scalps need products applied away from the roots. Focus thickening sprays just on the mid-shaft down. Avoid oil-based serums near the scalp.
Q: How do I get volume at the crown without frizz?
A: Apply a volumizing spray directly to the roots while your hair is upside down. Gently massage the roots with your fingertips while drying with the diffuser.
Q: Should I use a leave-in conditioner before a thickening product?
A: Yes. Thin, curly hair needs moisture first. Apply a lightweight leave-in conditioner, then layer your thickening product on top for the best combination of moisture and lift.
Q: What is the difference between a thickener and a volumizer?
A: A volumizer lifts the hair away from the scalp. A thickener coats the hair strand itself, making each individual strand feel slightly wider.
Q: How much product should I use?
A: Start small! For mousse, use a tennis ball size. For sprays, use 2-3 spritzes per section. You can always add more, but it is hard to remove excess product.