If your hair tends to go flat, don’t skip the best thickening sprays. With so many styling products available, it’s easy to think they all do the same thing—but each has a unique role. “Consider a thickening spray as a lift in a bottle,” says professional hairstylist Sky Kim in Vogue. “It lightly coats each strand with polymers or volumizing ingredients that gently plump the hair shaft, making it look and feel fuller.”
Vogue’s Top Thickening Sprays
– Best for Fine Hair: Rōz Hair Air Thickening Spray
$39 at ROZ HAIR
– Best Drugstore: Kristin Ess Instant Lift Thickening Spray
$15 at AMAZON
– Best with Keratin: Virtue Flourish Density Booster
$50 at BLUEMERCURY
Thickening sprays aren’t just for those with thin hair. Both Kim and fellow stylist Laura Rugetti agree that all hair types can enjoy extra root volume—think of the voluminous blowouts from the ’90s supermodel era. Below, shop the 9 best thickening sprays, recommended by experts for hair that reaches new heights.
In This Story
– What does a thickening spray do?
– Difference Between Thickening Spray vs. Texture Spray
– How To Apply Thickening Spray
– How We Tested
– Meet The Experts
Best for Fine Hair: Rōz Hair Air Thickening Spray
$39 at ROZ HAIR
Why We Love It: Flat hair is no match for Rōz’s thickening spray. Rugetti suggests this for fine to medium hair that needs more fullness. “The main ingredients are rice protein and rice water, which smooth, strengthen, and add shine,” Rugetti tells Vogue. “They also include mushroom root extract for hair and scalp health.” Kim adds that while it gives hair more body and fullness, it still feels weightless.
Editor’s Note: “This is my go-to spray after showering to keep my bob full and bouncy—’90s Christy Turlington is my inspiration! I love that it’s never sticky or crunchy.” —Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, mushroom extract, rice seed protein, rice seed water, sandalwood extract
Best For: Fine to medium hair
Size: 5 fl oz
Love It: Adds lightweight volume and texture, leaves hair soft
Leave It: Not for strong hold
Best for Bangs: Oribe Maximista Thickening Spray
$42 at BLUEMERCURY
Why We Love It: When your style needs both height and hold—especially for daily curtain bangs—Oribe’s spray is a reliable choice. It keeps fringe bouncy and offers heat protection. “This formula uses thickening copolymers for instant volume and hold, amino acids to moisturize and strengthen, and an antioxidant blend to protect from UV and heat damage,” says Rugetti, calling it a great multitasker.
Editor’s Note: “During my Pamela Anderson bangs phase, my stylist recommended this spray to keep my fringe lifted. ’90s bangs can get greasy and flat easily, but this kept mine bouncy and full of movement without any stickiness.” —Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
Key Ingredients: Thickening copolymers, amino acids, glycerin, Oribe antioxidant complex (watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss flower extract)
Best For: A polished finish, medium to thick hair, bangs
Size: 6.8 oz
Love It: Provides volume and lightweight hold, adds heat and UV protection
Leave It: Texture can feel slightly gritty
Best Drugstore: Kristin Ess Instant Lift Thickening Spray
$15 at AMAZON
Why We Love It: If your hair loses volume quickly after styling, Kristin Ess’s Instant Lift Thickening Spray is an affordable and effective fix. It gives noticeable root volume without stiffness or crunch. The lightweight formula creates soft, airy lift.This product provides a natural lift, perfect for everyday styling or a quick refresh on wash-and-go days. Among drugstore thickening sprays, it delivers salon-quality results at an affordable price that fits easily into your routine.
Key Ingredients: Volumizing polymers, hydrolyzed wheat protein, panthenol, glycerin
Best For: Root lift and soft fullness for fine or medium hair
Size: 8.1 oz
Love It:
– Budget-friendly
– Adds shine with light hold
Leave It:
– Some users find the scent too strong
Best Hold: Bumble and Bumble Thickening Blow-Dry Prep Spray
Price: $36 at NORDSTROM
Why We Love It: This Bumble and bumble spray doubles as a thickening treatment and blow-dry prep. It acts like a light primer, giving hair subtle grip and lift while helping it hold its shape. Instead of feeling sticky or rigid, it leaves hair smooth, soft, and ready for heat styling. It’s ideal for fine or medium hair that needs structure without heaviness. Plus, it works well with other styling products, making it a versatile everyday staple.
Key Ingredients: Hydrolyzed wheat protein, copolymer, honey extract
Best For: Hydration and hold
Size: 8.5 fl oz
Love It:
– Creates full, bouncy blowouts
– Safe for color-treated hair
Leave It:
– No added heat protection
Best for Blowouts: R+Co Dallas Thickening Spray
Price: $34 at BLUEMERCURY
Why We Love It: Inspired by the Texas saying, “the bigger the hair, the closer to God,” this spray delivers impressive root lift. Stylist Rugetti uses it to create voluminous, bouncy blowouts for her clients. It contains pro-vitamin B5 to thicken and add volume, aloe leaf extract to lock in moisture and smooth hair, and ginger root extract with amino acids for conditioning and heat protection. It works well on medium hair types and longer lengths.
Key Ingredients: Aloe leaf extract, ginger root extract, pro-vitamin B5, amino acids
Best For: Fine to medium hair; holds volume and shape
Size: 8.5 fl oz
Love It:
– Strong root lift
– Includes heat protection
Leave It:
– Can be slightly drying for some
Best for Shine: Ouai Thickening Spray
Price: $30 at AMAZON or REVOLVE
Why We Love It: Ouai’s spray not only adds thickness but also shine, giving you glossy hair in seconds. Stylist Kim advises not to underestimate its lightweight mist—it’s surprisingly effective. It provides instant volume and shine while protecting against heat damage, without making hair feel stiff. It’s great for fine to medium hair that wants fullness without sacrificing movement.
Key Ingredients: Copolymers, sodium hyaluronate, glycerin, carob seed extract, hydrolyzed soy protein, corn starch
Best For: Fine hair seeking lightweight volume
Size: 6 fl oz
Love It:
– Lightweight volume and texture
– Adds shine and heat protection
Leave It:
– May feel slightly sticky to some
Best Long-Lasting: Kenra Platinum Thickening Spray 5
Price: $25 at AMAZON
Why We Love It: Kenra’s spray stands up to humidity. Kim recommends it for hair that needs lasting body and control. Its protein-rich formula ensures volume and flexible hold, extending your style’s longevity. Rugetti adds that it includes rice amino acids, bamboo extract, and film-forming polymers to increase diameter, add shine, and fight frizz. The flexible hold leaves hair soft and brushable.
Key Ingredients: Lanolin, copolymers, dimethicone, wheat protein, rice amino acids, bamboo extract
Best For: Long-lasting, brushable hold
Size: 6.7 fl oz
Love It:
– Flexible, soft hold
– Protects against humidity
Leave It:
– Some find the formula drying
Best for Damaged Hair: Philip Kingsley Density Thickening Protein Spray
Price: $56 at BLUEMERCURY
Why We Love It: Philip Kingsley’s spray is designed to strengthen and thicken damaged hair, providing both volume and repair.This thickening spray is designed to strengthen the hair fiber while providing soft, flexible volume. Rather than just coating the strands, it uses strengthening proteins to support the hair’s internal structure, making it ideal for weak, fine, or breakage-prone hair. The lightweight formula lifts at the roots and adds fullness along the lengths without stiffness, so hair appears naturally thicker and feels stronger with regular use.
Key Ingredients: Biotin, pea protein, panthenol, caffeine, hydrolyzed almond seed cake
Best For: Short-term results with long-term benefits
Size: 4 fl oz
Love It:
– Adds volume while reducing breakage over time
– Provides heat protection
– Non-sticky feel
Leave It:
– Those with nut allergies should avoid
Best with Keratin: Virtue Flourish Density Booster
Virtue Flourish Density Booster
$50 at BLUEMERCURY
Why We Love It: Virtue’s density booster is more than just a quick fix—it genuinely supports hair health. It uses the brand’s signature Alpha Keratin 60ku, a bio-identical keratin that bonds to damaged areas of the hair shaft, reinforcing weakened strands from the inside out. Botanical extracts and scalp-supporting ingredients also help create an environment for thicker, more resilient hair. It’s lightweight enough for daily use and blends easily into any routine without leaving residue.
Key Ingredients: Alpha keratin 60ku, biotin, niacinamide, peptide blend
Best For: Thinning, fragile, or fine hair needing both visible fullness and long-term strengthening
Size: 2 fl oz
Love It:
– Uses advanced keratin to repair breakage
– Lightweight and non-greasy or sticky
Leave It:
– The least amount of product for the price
Everything You Need To Know
What does a thickening spray do?
“Hair thickening sprays are heat activated,” explains Rugetti. “They coat the hair shaft to create the illusion of thicker, fuller strands.” These sprays are often water- or alcohol-based to avoid weighing hair down. “Unlike heavy mousses or waxes, they’re lightweight and fast-drying,” she adds.
The Difference Between Thickening Spray vs. Texture Spray
Kim notes that thickening and texture sprays are related but not the same. “A thickening spray adds body and fullness from root to end, perfect for smooth, bouncy blowouts on damp hair,” she says. “Meanwhile, a texture spray provides grip and a tousled, piecey finish for that beachy look, and it’s applied to dry hair.”
How To Apply Thickening Spray
For best results, use thickening spray on wash days. “Apply it to clean, damp hair before heat styling so the ingredients can coat and expand each strand for maximum fullness,” advises Rugetti.
Start by towel-drying your hair to remove excess water, then shake the bottle well and spray from roots to ends. “For extra volume, blow-dry your hair upside down or direct airflow toward the roots. Finish with a cool shot to set the style and add shine.”
How We Tested
We take a comprehensive approach to product testing and reviews. First, we consult Vogue’s network of experts, including celebrity hairstylists and colorists, to identify top-performing products they use with clients. We combine their insights with our editorial standards to curate the selections you see on our site.
For thickening sprays, we evaluated them based on the following characteristics:We evaluated each product based on its ingredients, texture, and the hair types it works best with. To do this, we combined our own testing with advice from experts and feedback from reviewers to decide which ones to recommend.
Meet the Experts:
Sky Kim is a professional hair stylist and visual artist based in New York. She currently works at Jenna Perry Hair Studio.
Laura Rugetti is a celebrity hairstylist based in Los Angeles and the founder of The Beauty Can salon. Her clients include Noah Cyrus, Emily Alyn Lind, Delilah Hamlin, Amelia Hamlin, and others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a helpful and clear list of FAQs about top thickening sprays recommended by celebrity hairstylists written in a natural conversational tone
Beginner General Questions
1 What exactly is a thickening spray
Its a lightweight leavein product you spray onto damp or dry hair to temporarily plump up each hair strand making your hair look and feel instantly fuller and thicker
2 How is it different from hairspray or dry shampoo
Hairspray is mainly for holding a style in place and dry shampoo soaks up oil A thickening spray is designed to add volume and texture at the roots and through the lengths without the powdery residue of dry shampoo
3 What are the main benefits of using one
The biggest benefits are instant volume added texture that makes styling easier and a fullerlooking head of hair It can also provide a light hold and protect against heat from styling tools
4 Can people with fine or thin hair use it
Absolutely This is exactly who thickening sprays are designed for They are a gamechanger for adding body and lift to fine or flat hair
5 Will it make my hair feel crunchy or sticky
A good highquality thickening spray should not leave a crunchy or sticky feel It should add texture and grip without making hair stiff allowing you to run your fingers through it
Usage Application
6 Whats the best way to apply a thickening spray
For the best results spray it onto damp toweldried hair focusing on the roots and midlengths Then blowdry your hair as usual using a round brush to lift the roots for maximum volume
7 Can I use it on dry hair
Yes On dry hair its great for refreshing your style and adding texture and grip for secondday hair Just spray at the roots fluff with your fingers and youre good to go
8 How often can I use it
You can use it every time you style your hair Its a gentle leavein product so daily use is generally fine as long as you wash your hair regularly
9 Do I need to use other products with it
You dont have to but it works well in a routine Many people use a heat protectant first if the spray