The 14 Best Conditioners for Fine Hair in 2021

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Folks with fine hair are always on the lookout for products that give it a little more life. Whether you've always had thin hair, lost some postpartum, are going through a stressful period, or just have somewhat sparser locks than you used to, we're happy to tell you there are plenty of ways to achieve fuller, thicker strands—and it starts in the shower.

Many conditioners out there make big promises about their ability to strengthen, plump, and thicken hair. These claims might seem too good to be true—and some certainly are—but we found several rinses that actually live up to the hype. From strengtheners and fortifiers to volumizers and thickeners, we rounded up standout options for every budget.

To give your mane the va-va-voom it craves, check out the best conditioners for fine hair below.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Christophe Robin Volumizing Conditioner at Sephora

This protective, detangling rinse is formulated specifically for fine strands.

Best Drugstore:

OGX Biotin & Collagen Conditioner at Amazon

It's formulated with hydrolyzed wheat and B vitamins, a powerhouse blend designed to give fine hair a boost.

Best Splurge:

Oribe Conditioner for Magnificent Volume at Amazon

Natural ingredients in the formula, like Japanese bamboo and shea butter moisturize and revitalize brittle strands.

Best Volumizing:

Briogeo Volumizing Conditioner at Sephora

Whether you have coily, wavy, or straight hair, the fortifying formula will immediately thicken hair.

Best Strengthening:

TGIN Strengthening Conditioner at Houseofbeautyworld.com

This conditioner offers stronger, shinier, smoother hair without any added weight.

Best Thickening:

Bumble and Bumble Thickening Volume Conditioner at Sephora

The nourishing formula contains Emblica, from gooseberries, to deliver visibly thicker strands.

Best for Hair Growth:

Kevin Murphy Plumping Rinse at Amazon

It has ingredients to help stimulate hair growth.

Best for Fullness:

Living Proof Full Conditioner at Amazon

You can expect fuller, plumper locks that behave just like naturally thick tresses.

Best Fortifying:

Keranique Volumizing Keratin Conditioner at Amazon

The unique cream-gel formula coats and enriches each strand with a fortifying keratin complex.

Best Anti-Frizz:

Verb Ghost Conditioner at Amazon

Thanks to moringa seed oil and quinoa protein, it coats each strand with lightweight protection and fixes split ends.

In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
What to Look For
Why Trust Byrdie

Christophe Robin Volumizing Conditioner With Rose Extracts

View On Sephora

Key Ingredients: Baobab leaf, omega-3s, rice protein | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 8.33 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

"I would choose the Christophe Robin Volume Conditioner with Rose extracts," says hairstylist Sky Kim of Serge Normant at John Frieda in New York City. This protective, detangling rinse is formulated specifically for fine strands.

Thanks to hero ingredients, it works to strengthen and volumize while restoring individual hair fibers and leaving a natural shine in its wake. Plus, as Kim notes, "It's super light and smells good."

OGX Extra Strength Extra Volume + Biotin & Collagen Conditioner

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Key Ingredients: Wheat protein, vitamin B complex | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 13.0 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes

OGX Biotin & Collagen Conditioner is formulated with hydrolyzed wheat and B vitamins, a powerhouse blend. The result? Plumped-up strands and a noticeably fuller, better-looking mop.

Oribe Conditioner for Magnificent Volume

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Key Ingredients: Shea butter, bamboo, hydrolyzed proteins | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 6.8 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

If you're going to splurge on hair care products, Oribe is always a safe bet. The brand's Magnificent Volume conditioner leans on natural ingredients like Japanese bamboo and shea butter, plus high-tech polymers meant to plump your locks without weighing them down.

Briogeo Blossom & Bloom Ginseng + Biotin Volumizing Conditioner

View On Sephora

Key Ingredients: Biotin, ginseng, maltodextrin | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 8.0 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

If it's volume you're after, Briogeo's Ginseng + Biotin Volumizing Conditioner has you covered. Whether you have coily, wavy, or straight hair, the fortifying formula is meant to immediately thicken and lift the follicles while delivering long-term nourishment.

TGIN Miracle RepaiRx Strengthening Conditioner

View On Houseofbeautyworld.com

Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, honey | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 13.0 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

The TGIN Miracle RepaiRx line is designed to strengthen and nourish brittle hair. By replenishing your scalp with coconut oil and black honey, this conditioner promises stronger, shinier, smoother hair without any added weight.

Bumble and Bumble Thickening Volume Conditioner

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Key Ingredients: Indian gooseberry, silk, panthenol | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 8.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

This thickening conditioner pulls out all the stops for fine hair. According to the brand, the nourishing formula contains Emblica, a strand-swelling ingredient sourced from Indian gooseberries. What's more, feather-light silk fibers are meant to help detangle and moisturize without weighing you down.

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Key Ingredients: Amino acids, shea butter, nettle extract | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 8.4 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

"Out of the lines I use, I like the Plumping Rinse by Kevin Murphy. It has ingredients to help stimulate hair growth," Portland-based hairstylist Caprice Hammon of Session Studio LLC tells Byrdie.

View On Amazon View On Sephora

Key Ingredients: Healthy Hair Molecule (patented), wheat protein, soy protein | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 8.0 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Featuring the brand's patented "Healthy Hair Molecule," Living Proof's Full Conditioner is formulated to give thin, limp hair new life. You can expect fuller, plumper locks that behave just like naturally thick tresses.

Keranique Volumizing Keratin Conditioner

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Key Ingredients: Ginseng root extract | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 8.0 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Keranique Volumizing Conditioner is designed to protect and strengthen fine or brittle hair. The unique cream-gel formula coats and enriches each strand with a fortifying keratin complex to create a smoother, more voluminous mane, according to the brand.

View On Amazon View On Sephora

Key Ingredients: Moringa seed oil, quinoa protein, sunflower seed extract | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 12.0 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

If you're dealing with thin, frizzy hair, you'll want something that smooths without weighing you down, like Verb Ghost Conditioner. Signature ingredients coat each strand with lightweight protection while addressing split ends and leaving a shiny, sleek finish in its wake.

The Mane Choice Ancient Egyptian Anti-Breakage & Repair Antidote Conditioner

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Key Ingredients: Baobab oil, castor oil, silk amino acids, panthenol | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 8.0 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Containing Kalahari, mongongo, and baobab oils, this conditioner by The Mane Choice is inspired by the formulas used by ancient Egyptians. It's lightweight and gentle enough for daily use and delivers nourished, restored, and strengthened locks.

View On Amazon View On Ecosmetics.com

Key Ingredients: Hydrolyzed silk, panthenol | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 12.0 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

For fine, curly hair, we recommend CHI Magnified Volume Conditioner. It effortlessly detangles while working to strengthen, volumize, and smooth coily strands, leaving your hair shiny, bouncy, and more manageable.

View On Amazon View On Sephora View On Ulta

Key Ingredients: Pink pomelo, artichoke leaf | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 6.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

"Another option is Virtue's Full Conditioner, which smells good and is nourishing, too," says Kim. This thickening rinse delivers weightless moisture while creating lift and body that lasts all day.

View On Amazon View On Dermstore View On Saks Fifth Avenue

Key Ingredients: Pro-vitamin B5, biotin, coconut oil, saw palmetto extract | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 8.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

R+Co Dallas Conditioner leans on hydrating ingredients to soften fine hair while coating each strand with the strength and protection it needs. And with saw palmetto berry extract, you can expect thicker-looking hair with the body you crave.

Final Verdict

When it comes to conditioners for fine hair, Christophe Robin Volume Conditioner shines above the rest. Featuring rice protein, omega-3s, and baobab extract, the lightweight formula promises to volumize, restore, and strengthen while leaving behind natural shine and a delicious scent. For something a little more affordable, you can't go wrong with OGX Extra Volume Biotin & Collagen Conditioner. And if you're all-in for a high-end product, you won't regret splurging on Oribe Conditioner for Magnificent Volume.

What to Look For When Buying Conditioner for Fine Hair

Intended Hair Type

One of the most important things to look for when buying conditioner for fine hair is the intended hair type. Many options indicate that they're made for thin strands on the label or product description. However, if it doesn't say so explicitly, look for keywords like "volumizing," "thickening," or "full." These terms typically imply a conditioner is formulated to either plump the strands or at least make them look thicker.

Biotin

Many shampoos and conditioners for fine hair contain biotin (vitamin B7). The nutrient is often claimed to help nourish and fortify thin strands while encouraging hair growth.

Other Ingredients

Aside from biotin, there are a few other ingredients to look out for when buying conditioners for fine hair. There are nourishing ingredients like collagen, coconut oil, shea butter, avocado, and other omegas.

If you want something that promises to plump your hair, look for conditioners with amino acids, Emblica, hydrolyzed soy protein, saw palmetto, niacinamide, peptides, silk powder, or silica silylate. These thickening agents are meant to either swell the individual strands or wrap them in a starchy texture that makes them temporarily thicker.

Why Trust Byrdie

Byrdie contributor Theresa Holland specializes in cosmetics and self-care products. As someone with inherently fine hair, she's tried many thickening conditioners over the years. From this list, she's partial to Kevin Murphy Plumping Rinse, R+Co Dallas Conditioner, Aussie Miracle Volume, and CHI Magnified Volume Conditioner.

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