I Refuse to Gatekeep the $13 Product That Helps Me Fake Fuller Hair

If you have fine hair, do yourself a favor and stop scrolling. As someone who is constantly on the hunt for products, supplements, and tools that will make my hair look thicker than it actually is, I'm well-versed in the latest and greatest options. It isn't often that I find something that actually makes a difference — and when I do, it usually has some caveats, like sticky residue or greasy roots.

That's why, when I actually find something worth sharing, I refuse to gatekeep. Recently, I tested a product that changed the game for me: the John Frieda Ultrafiller+ Thickening Spray ($13). A few spritzes before blow-drying my hair leaves it noticeably fuller without any downsides, which is honestly a bit of a miracle.

Keep scrolling to read my full review of the John Frieda Ultrafiller+ Thickening Spray and find out why it's become a nonnegotiable part of my hair-care routine.

The first time I tested this product was during a styling appointment with celebrity stylist David Stanwell. As someone who tests out beauty products for a living, I honestly wasn't expecting much in the way of results, but I couldn't have been more wrong. Stanwell started out by washing my hair with the brand's Ultrafiller+ shampoo and conditioner. After trimming my hair, he applied the Ultrafiller+ Thickening Spray directly to my hair and then combed everything through. Once he started blow-drying, I immediately noticed a difference — but it wasn't until he was finished that my jaw dropped. My hair actually looked fuller, and it felt thicker, too.

Whereas prior to the appointment my style looked stringy and flat, afterward it looked voluminous and bouncy. (Honestly, the before and after photos say it all.) Also, although I was expecting to feel some kind of residue in my hair as I had with other thickening products, my hair felt silkier and smoother than ever.

Not to mention, it's affordable. At $13, not only does it solve a problem I face on a day-to-day basis, but it's also a heat protectant as well. Normally I'd need to use two different products to meet both of those needs, but the fact that I can tackle two issues with one affordable formula makes it even more of a winner in my book.

I've tested it a few times since the initial trial run, and although my application process is a little different, the results are always the same: my hair looks thicker, fuller, and generally better — without a gross sticky residue.

The brand recommends spraying the product onto freshly washed damp hair, covering all areas evenly. Next, comb everything through from root to tip. They also suggest styling with a blow dryer to see the maximum effect.

I've used this product a few times since initially testing it out. I've found that it's easiest to apply evenly to my hair when I spritz it into my hands and run it through my hair. I find that spraying it directly onto my hair and combing it through works OK, but not as well. I also always opt to follow up with a blowout. I've found that the product does add thickness to my hair even if I let it air-dry, but I get the best results when using a blow dryer.

One thing to note before testing this product is that it is made for those with thin or fine hair. If you already have thick hair, I'd recommend skipping this one, unless you want to add additional thickness while also protecting against heat.

Rating:

★★★★★

Renee Rodriguez is a staff writer and social producer for POPSUGAR. She writes across all verticals, but her main areas of expertise are fashion and beauty content, with an emphasis on reviews and editor experiments. She also produces social content for POPSUGAR's TikTok and Instagram accounts.