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Over 500 testers noticed a difference using these

If you’re not lucky enough to be born with voluminous hair, you’re not the only one. In fact, there’s a whole category of products on the market that are designed to give you fuller, thicker locks.

We put the best to the test to find out which shampoos and conditioners really work when it comes to achieving that extra volumising boost.

If you’ve started to notice your tresses aren’t as thick as they used to be, it could be down to a few factors. For one, you could be shedding more hair than normal. Losing a few strands here and there isn’t a cause for concern - in fact we lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day on average - but if you’re starting to notice sparse patches, it’s time to tackle the problem head on.

The most common causes of hair thinning are changes in hormones, diet or stress levels, or other factors such as age, having an iron deficiency, or as a side effect to medication or medical treatment.

While a shampoo won’t be able to regrow lost hair, it can create the optimum environment to encourage growth at the scalp and make lengths more resilient.

So, whether you want extra bounce in your curls or for your poker-straight strands to look less flat, it’s time to invest in a reliable shampoo.

Our panel of 700 testers — with self-diagnosed mild to extreme hair loss or thinning — tried a range of shampoos and their matching conditioners for one month.

Their hair textures ranged from straight to afro, and the products tested all claimed to tackle at least one of the three main hair loss concerns: hair breakage, hair thickening or root stimulation.

Testers noted any changes they saw to the overall condition of their hair and scalp over the trial, as well as how hair felt after each wash.

In the lab, we also assessed anti-breakage shampoos by combing through hair switches that were treated with the product(s) and comparing them to untreated hair switches. The easier the treated switches were to comb, the less risk of hair breakages and fallout in real life.

We also conducted a separate lab test for shampoos claiming to stimulate roots and thicken strands. To do this, we used our Hair Matrix machine, which accurately assesses any improvements seen in hair density and thickness.

Our testers voted this shampoo best for anti-breakage, particularly highlighting the strengthening effect the vegan formula had on brittle ends. Nearly all noticed less fallout and some even found it made their hair so soft that it was easier to detangle and style afterwards. The girls with curls saw a reduction in flyaways, too.

Key specifications Volume: Shampoo, 250ml; conditioner, 200ml Price: Shampoo, £36; conditioner, £36 Paraben free: Yes Silicone free: Yes Sulphate free: Yes

If years of reaching for the straighteners have left your ends looking fragile, this shampoo can help. Testers found it helped revive and nourish damaged hair, while scalps felt squeaky clean. Our panel also noticed a reduction in breakage and hair loss by the end of the trial, with locks feeling stronger.

Key specifications Volume: Shampoo, 300ml; conditioner, 200ml Price: Shampoo, £12.26; conditioner, £14.32 Paraben free: No Silicone free: No Sulphate free: No

Collagen? We can't get enough of the stuff. The protein is an essential for the function of our skin, so we were looking forward to seeing what impact it had on thinning hair.

It worked wonders for our panel when it came to boosting fullness and hydration, with most left with healthier heads of hair. Strands were easier to brush through too, while many found it helped keep shedding and breakages to a minimum.

Key specifications Volume: Both 250ml Price: Set, £34 Paraben free: Yes Silicone free: Yes Sulphate free: Yes

Finding your hair’s looking a bit frazzled? Our tester with curls and waves loved this budget buy for its ability to calm flyaways and add more bounce to their natural texture. And as well as noticing less breakage, our panel also said it left hair feeling smooth and soft.

Key specifications Volume: Shampoo, 400ml; conditioner, 275ml Price: Shampoo, £4.99; conditioner, £4.99 Paraben free: Yes Silicone free: No Sulphate free: No

Split ends are a tell-tale sign of an overdue haircut, but if you haven’t had time to book an appointment, grab this shampoo instead.

Everyone noticed a reduction in the number of split ends after just four weeks, with many seeing more volume at the roots too. It stood out in our lab test for reducing breakages and making hair easier to comb through, while many testers with colour-treated strands said it helped revive their shade.

Key specifications Volume: Both 300ml Price: Set; £30 Paraben free: Yes Silicone free: Yes Sulphate free: No

Hydrating fine hair without weighing it down can be quite the challenge. This shampoo aims to solve the issue by stimulating strands from the root, while nourishing proteins strengthen and moisturise the ends.

Testers said hair looked healthier and thicker after washing, with nearly all agreeing ends felt more hydrated. Those on the finer side were impressed with the amount of volume it added too, seeing a visible improvement in broken strands.

Key specifications Volume: Shampoo, 250ml; conditioner, 250ml Price: Shampoo, £7.99; conditioner, £7.99 Paraben free: No Silicone free: No Sulphate free: No

You can't achieve fuller-looking hair if your strands keep snapping. This shampoo helped nip breakages in the bud, with many testers loving how much stronger and healthier hair looked.

Less hair fallout was spotted, while the floral scent was also a hit. It didn't take long to see results either, with one tester saying hair felt “instantly thicker, even when lathering”.

Key specifications Volume: Shampoo, 250ml; conditioner, 200ml Price: Set, £43.66 Paraben free: Yes Silicone free: Yes Sulphate free: Yes

Getting stronger, longer hair all starts at the roots and our panel was pleased with the full-bodied effect this shampoo had on their ends. Some reported significant hair growth during the trial too, while others saw less breakage and fallout, leaving hair glossy and thick.

Key specifications Volume: Shampoo, 250ml; conditioner, 250ml Price: Shampoo, £8.75; conditioner, £5.83 Paraben free: Yes Silicone free: Yes Sulphate free: No

90s hair is back in full force, which means you need to embrace the volume. Instead of spending hours in rollers, opt for this haircare duo instead.

Added fullness and thickness was seen, with everyone pleased with how shiny and smooth it left their strands. It helped minimise frizz for all too, with nearly everyone experiencing fewer breakages.

Key specifications Volume: Shampoo, 240ml; conditioner, 200ml Price: Shampoo, £40; conditioner, £42 Paraben free: Yes Silicone free: Yes Sulphate free: Yes

Seeking that fresh just-had-a-blow-dry look? Our testers found this duo left their strands soft and with extra shine. Hair was easier to detangle too, with testers noticing less breakage when brushing through wet strands. One even said the set was ‘rescuing and restoring’ their hair - need we say more?

Key specifications Volume: Shampoo, 350ml; conditioner, 350ml Price: £19.95 for the set Paraben free: Yes Silicone free: Yes Sulphate free: No

Testers loved how lightweight and gentle this shampoo felt on hair, leaving ends soft to the touch. Our panel appreciated the rich lather it created, which removed any residue from scalps while still leaving hair feeling nourished. One noticed less hair fallout than usual too, and a reduction in dandruff.

Key specifications Volume: 300ml Price: Shampoo, £5.50 Paraben free: Yes Silicone free: Yes Sulphate free: No

Cheat a fresh haircut with this restoring and smoothing shampoo. Enriched with omega-3, it promises to protect fragile ends.

Our panel found the creamy consistency effectively cleaned scalps and left lengths feeling instantly smoother and softer. Overall, testers also noticed less breakage, leaving a healthier head of hair after the trial.

Key specifications Volume: Shampoo, 250ml; conditioner, 250ml Price: Shampoo, £5.99; conditioner, £5.99 Paraben free: No Silicone free: No Sulphate free: No

Is your hair dryer than normal or is your colour fading faster? This could be down to UV damage, which this shielding shampoo aims to reduce. Focusing on the scalp to promote healthy hair growth and remove product build-up, testers said this one calmed angry scalps and reduced hair loss when brushing.

Key specifications Volume: Shampoo, 250ml; Conditioner, 200ml Price: Shampoo,£27; Conditioner, £33.10 Paraben free: Yes Silicone free: No Sulphate free: Yes

Voted best for thickening, our testers loved the gradual improvements they saw on hair fullness throughout the trial with this set. Nearly the whole panel noticed less hair breakage and fallout, leaving ends with a luxurious glossy finish.

Key specifications Volume: 240ml Price: £10 Paraben free: Yes Silicone free: Yes Sulphate free: Yes