Gives fine-to-medium hair lift and separation without greasy weight; supports blowouts and frequent heat styling.
If your hair falls flat minutes after you style it, the right thickening conditioner can be the difference between limp lengths and touchable volume that actually lasts.
Fine, thin, or thinning hair can look oily, flat, and lifeless even when you take good care of it. A true thickening conditioner can give each strand a little extra body and texture so your style holds, your scalp shows less, and your hair feels fuller to the touch.
This guide compares five of the best thickening conditioners for different hair types and budgets, so you can skip the trial and error and go straight to something that works.
Quick picks
- Living Proof Full Conditioner – Best overall for fine, flat hair that still needs softness. Lightweight yet silky, it helps hair feel denser without greasy buildup.
- OGX Biotin & Collagen Conditioner – Best budget thickening conditioner. Adds noticeable bulk and slip at a drugstore price, ideal if you go through a lot of product.
- Redken High Rise Volume Lifting Conditioner – Best for flat roots and long hair. Targets lift at the crown while keeping mids and ends smooth.
- Briogeo Blossom & Bloom Ginseng + Biotin Volumizing Conditioner – Best clean formula. Free of sulfates and silicones, with a focus on lightweight plant based volume.
- Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Lemon Sage Thickening Conditioner – Best for oily scalp and limp lengths. Refreshing, scalp friendly, and helps hair feel thicker and more textured.
In-depth reviews
Living Proof Full Conditioner review
Best for: Fine to medium hair that gets weighed down easily but still needs real conditioning. Great if you heat style several times a week.
Living Proof Full Conditioner uses the brand’s patented lightweight conditioning technology to coat each strand without heavy oils or waxes. It aims to create the feel of thicker hair by adding separation and smoothness at the same time, so hair looks fuller but still swings and moves.
The texture is silky and spreads easily, so you do not need much. It rinses cleanly, leaving hair soft and detangled but not slippery, which helps styles like curls, waves, and blowouts last longer. If you usually skip conditioner at the roots, this is one of the few formulas you may be able to take a little closer to the scalp without instant flatness.
The tradeoff is that very coarse or very damaged hair might find it a bit light compared with richer options. If your main issue is breakage or split ends, a reparative pick such as Redken High Rise or a damage focused conditioner may serve you better. But for classic fine, limp hair that needs both volume and polish, this is a strong starting point.
OGX Biotin & Collagen Conditioner review
Best for: Budget conscious shoppers with fine to normal hair who still want noticeable fullness and slip.
OGX Biotin & Collagen Conditioner blends biotin, hydrolyzed wheat protein, and collagen to help plump the hair shaft and give that cushioned, slightly thicker feel. The formula is richer than many fine hair conditioners, so it is especially nice for hair that tangles easily or feels dry through the ends.
In the shower it feels creamy and substantial, and it leaves hair very smooth and glossy after rinsing. Used from mid lengths down, it can give the appearance of fuller, more substantial hair without a huge price tag. It also pairs well with heat styling because it gives hair some slip and protection from friction.
On the flip side, it can be too heavy at the roots if you are prone to oiliness or have ultra fine, baby soft hair. In that case, a lighter choice like Living Proof Full or Briogeo Blossom & Bloom will give more lift. If you want maximum value and like a richer, luxurious feel, OGX is hard to beat.
Redken High Rise Volume Lifting Conditioner review
Best for: Fine to medium hair that falls flat at the crown, especially if you have longer lengths.
Redken High Rise Volume Lifting Conditioner is built around a blend of filloxane and silicone polymers that help boost hair structure and shine. The goal is to build airy lift from the roots while keeping mid lengths and ends sleek, which is ideal if your hair collapses at the scalp but frizzes or tangles further down.
The texture is lightweight but noticeably conditioning. It rinses without residue, yet you can feel more substance in the hair once it is dry, particularly at the roots and crown. Many people find they can go a bit lighter on root lifting sprays and mousse when using this formula because it already gives some scaffolding.
Compared with Living Proof Full, Redken High Rise delivers slightly more traditional slip and shine, but it can feel too slick for extremely fine or oil prone roots if you apply it too close to the scalp. If your hair is more fragile or chemically treated, you might alternate this with a damage focused conditioner for extra repair while keeping High Rise for volume days.
Briogeo Blossom & Bloom Ginseng + Biotin Volumizing Conditioner review
Best for: Fine to medium hair types looking for a clean, mostly natural formula that still gives real body.
Briogeo Blossom & Bloom leans on ginseng, biotin, maltodextrin, and ginger to help create lift and separation without silicones. The formula is free from sulfates, parabens, and phthalates, which makes it a strong pick if your scalp is sensitive or you prefer to avoid heavier synthetic ingredients.
This conditioner feels lightweight and almost gel cream like as you apply it. It detangles well but rinses nearly weightless, leaving hair with a soft, slightly textured finish instead of extreme silkiness. That subtle texture is what helps hair hold volume and waves with less product.
Because it is so light, very dry or high porosity hair might want to layer in a hair oil or a leave in on the ends for extra moisture. Compared with OGX Biotin & Collagen, Briogeo is less rich but more scalp friendly, and it is a better choice if you need volume plus a low residue, clean beauty approach.
Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Lemon Sage Thickening Conditioner review
Best for: Fine hair with an oily or easily congested scalp, or anyone who loves a refreshing, invigorating wash.
Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Lemon Sage Thickening Conditioner combines lightweight conditioning agents with tea tree oil, lemon, and sage for a cooling, clarifying feel. It aims to balance scalp freshness with extra body through the lengths so hair feels clean but not stripped, and thicker instead of flat.
The texture is light and creamy, and it glides through the hair easily. After rinsing, hair feels buoyant and bouncy rather than coated, and the herbal citrus scent leaves the scalp feeling refreshed. If your roots usually look greasy the day after conditioning, this formula can help extend that freshly washed look.
The energizing tingle will not suit everyone, especially if your scalp is very sensitive. It also is not the richest option for dry, highlighted, or heavily processed hair, in which case OGX or Redken may be more nourishing. But if your main issue is limp, oily roots and you crave volume plus a deep clean feel, this is a great fit.
How to choose the best thickening conditioner for your hair
Start with your hair’s texture and density. If you have extremely fine or baby soft hair, look for phrases like “weightless,” “for fine hair,” or “volumizing” on the bottle, and avoid heavy butters and rich oils near the top of the ingredient list.
For normal to slightly dry hair, a medium weight volumizing formula like Redken High Rise or OGX Biotin & Collagen can give you both fullness and enough hydration to prevent frizz. Check whether the formula focuses more on body or repair so you can match it to your biggest concern.
Consider your scalp too. If you are oil prone or get buildup easily, clarifying or refreshing options like Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Lemon Sage or a silicone free choice such as Briogeo Blossom & Bloom will keep roots from collapsing. For sensitive scalps, look for alcohol free, fragrance conscious, or “clean” formulas.
Finally, think about how you style. If you air dry most days, a slightly more conditioning formula will help hair look polished without extra products. If you blow dry or curl often, pick a conditioner that leaves some grip and texture, like Living Proof Full, so your styling products do not have to fight a slick, slippery base.
How to use a thickening conditioner for more volume
Use less than you think you need, especially at first. Fine hair shows buildup quickly, so start with a nickel sized amount for short hair or a quarter sized amount for medium to long hair, and adjust from there.
Apply your thickening conditioner from the ears down, then lightly skim any remaining product over the top layer if your roots are very dry. For true lift at the crown, you can gently massage a small amount into the roots with lighter formulas like Living Proof Full, but avoid this step with richer products.
Comb the conditioner through with your fingers or a wide tooth comb to distribute it evenly. Let it sit for 1 to 3 minutes so the ingredients have time to bond to the hair shaft, then rinse thoroughly until hair feels clean but not squeaky.
For maximum volume, rough dry your roots with your head flipped upside down or use a round brush to lift hair away from the scalp as you blow dry. Pairing your thickening conditioner with a volumizing mousse or root spray will give extra staying power, while still relying on the conditioner to create the base fullness and texture.
See also
If you want even more lift from roots to ends, pair your thickening conditioner with the right volumizing products for fine hair and a smart brush routine for fine hair.
- Balance fullness and nourishment with a targeted pick from our guide to the best conditioners for damaged hair.
- Add lightweight shine without flattening your style using one of the best hair oils for fine hair.
- Lock in volume all day with a finishing spray from our roundup of the best hairsprays for fine hair.
Final thoughts
The best thickening conditioner for you comes down to how fine your hair is, how oily your scalp gets, and how much moisture you need. For most people with classic fine, limp hair, Living Proof Full Conditioner or Redken High Rise Volume Lifting Conditioner are the most versatile starting points.
If you are watching your budget, OGX Biotin & Collagen Conditioner delivers impressive fullness for the price. For cleaner formulas or sensitive scalps, reach for Briogeo Blossom & Bloom, and if you struggle with oily roots, consider Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Lemon Sage Thickening Conditioner. Whichever you choose, use it sparingly and focus on smart application to get the biggest volume boost from every wash.
FAQ
What is the difference between a thickening conditioner and a regular conditioner?
Regular conditioners focus mainly on adding moisture, slip, and shine, often with richer oils and butters. Thickening conditioners are designed for fine or thin hair, so they rely on lighter ingredients that lightly coat or expand the hair shaft to make each strand feel fuller without heavy residue that can weigh hair down.
Can thickening conditioners really make my hair grow thicker?
Thickening conditioners do not change how many hairs grow from your scalp or permanently alter hair thickness. What they can do is swell the hair shaft slightly and add lightweight coating ingredients that make hair feel and look denser, which creates the appearance of thicker hair while the product is on.
How often should I use a thickening conditioner?
Most people can use a thickening conditioner every time they wash, which for fine hair is often every 1 to 3 days. If you notice your hair starting to feel coated or heavy, alternate it with a clarifying shampoo day or a lighter conditioner until your hair feels fresh again.
Can I use a thickening conditioner on colored or damaged hair?
Yes, but you may need to balance it with extra moisture or repair. On color treated or damaged hair, focus thickening conditioner from mid lengths up for volume days, then rotate in a more nourishing or bond building conditioner once or twice a week to keep your ends strong and smooth.
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