Collage: Jemeria Davison; Source images: Courtesy of brandsSave this storySave this story
Ever feel like your hair seemingly thinned overnight? One day, it’s full and bouncy; the next, it looks a little sparse around your hairline. The best products for thinning hair can help create immediate volume or promote healthier scalps and strands, even if genetics, hormones, or stress aren’t doing you any favors. “Hair thinning is a normal, shared experience that tends to happen as we mature, and hormones are a major factor,” says Carlos Vieira, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Philadelphia. Lifestyle factors can contribute, too. “Stress and diet play a big role, and deficiencies in iron or copper can contribute to hair thinning,” says Sandra Petrut, a stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. “Chemical treatments, excessive heat, and even scalp conditions like contact dermatitis can also lead to hair loss.”
Our Top Products for Thinning Hair
- Best Overall: Living Proof Full Volume & Root-Lifting Spray, $34
- Best for Hair Growth: Cécred Restoring Hair & Edge Drops, $56
- Best Styling Foam: Bumble & Bumble Thickening High Drama Styling Foam, $35
- Best Root Cover: Madison Reed The Great Cover Up Root Touch Up + Brow Filler, $36
- Best Scalp Serum: Nécessaire The Scalp Serum, $48
Actual hair regrowth takes time, a lot of patience, and a handful of science-proven ingredients, but volumizing hair products can work right away—giving you the illusion of fuller, thicker hair. “There’s no magic bullet for instantly thicker hair in a permanent sense, but styling products with the right ingredients can create the illusion of temporary volume,” says Jerome Lordet, founder and owner of Jerome Lordet Salon, based in New York City.
Powder-based products will often use ingredients like silica and fibers, says Los Angeles-based cosmetic chemist Amanda Lam, while foams and mousses “rely more on hair fixatives—like PVP, acrylates copolymer, or VP/VA copolymer—to create volume.” And these days, a lot of new products on the market, “not only target thinning hair but also support overall hair health, helping hair grow stronger and healthier [over time],’ adds Lordet.
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- What is the best-proven product for thinning hair?
- Can hair grow back after thinning?
- What are the “Big 3” for thinning hair?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Living Proof Full Volume & Root-Lifting Spray
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Living Proof
Full Volume & Root-Lifting Spray
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Former Allure content director Kara McGrath applying the Living Proof Full Volume & Root-Lifting Spray
Kara McGrath
Why we love it: When Allure’s former content director Kara McGrath says this spray “completely changed her at-home blowouts,” you know it’s worth paying attention to. Designed for thinning or baby-fine hair, Living Proof’s Full Volume & Root-Lifting Spray brings the drama in the best way. It’s boosted by the brand’s thickening molecule, plus water-soluble resins that lift your roots without any crunch. Amaranth peptides help plump each follicle so your hair looks fuller, bouncier, and way more blowout-y. Add in a blend of volume-locking polymers, and you’re looking at bumped-up hair density that actually sticks around, too.
McGrath before applying the Living Proof Full Volume & Root-Lifting Spray
Kara McGrath
McGrath after applying the Living Proof Full Volume & Root-Lifting Spray
Kara McGrath
Tester feedback from former content director Kara McGrath
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“It added noticeable volume without making my fine hair feel crunchy or dry. I can still run my fingers through my roots when I use this stuff, which can’t be said of some other volumizers that give me similar oomphy results.” —Kara McGrath, former content director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: resin blend, peptides, mushroom extract, proprietary time-released styling technology
- Fragrance-free: no
Best for Hair Growth: Cécred Restoring Hair & Edge Drops
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Cécred
Restoring Hair & Edge Drops
Ulta Beauty
Allure editor in chief Jessica Cruel applying the Cécred Restoring Hair & Edge Drops
Jessica Cruel
Why we love it: Six years in the making, Cécred was built around the straightforward idea that stronger hair starts at the root, and great formulas should work across every texture. The brand’s Restoring Hair & Edge Drops focus on a concern many people with textured hair know well: thinning around the hairline, which is often caused by tension from tight styles. This lightweight, fast-absorbing serum is designed for fragile edges and thinning spots, helping hair look fuller and stronger over time. Omer Ibrahim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Chicago, says the peptides in the formula show promising evidence for supporting hair growth, while Brattleboro, Vermont-based cosmetic chemist Sherry Backman notes they may help influence follicle signaling and encourage thicker strands.
Biotin and keratin help reinforce the hair shaft to reduce breakage, while ginger extract and fermented rice proteins have been known to support a healthier scalp environment. A subtle sandalwood-musk scent and a refreshing hint of peppermint oil give it a light, cooling feel that makes it feel a little more like self-care.
Tester feedback from editor in chief Jessica Cruel
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“A year ago, I started to notice how my edges seemed to snap with even the slightest slick back. So, I put away the edge brush and picked up these Cécred Restoring Hair & Edge Drops. I'm on my second bottle! It feels like a serum, not so watery that my natural hair reverts, but not too oily either. The smell is divine, and after months of using it, I feel my hairline has become more resilient.” —Jessica Cruel, editor in chief
More to know
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- Key ingredients: bioactive keratin ferment, biopeptide-5, biotin, fermented rice powder, ginger extract, rose extract
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Shampoo and Conditioner: Harklinikken Fortifying Shampoo and Daily Conditioner
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Harklinikken
Fortifying Shampoo
Amazon
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Harklinikken
Daily Conditioner
Amazon
Why we love it: Balancing your scalp’s pH won’t magically reverse thinning or spark brand-new growth, but it does help create the kind of environment where hair can thrive. Think of it like soil for a plant: When the foundation is healthy and stable, follicles have a better shot at doing their job and producing stronger strands. Keeping the scalp slightly acidic also supports the skin barrier, helps calm irritation, and keeps the hair cuticle smoother—small factors that add up to hair that looks and feels healthier over time.
Harklinikken’s Fortifying Shampoo focuses on strengthening while it cleans, using a blend of aloe vera and glycosides to gently lift away buildup without stripping your scalp of its natural oils. The formula pairs cleansing agents with hydrating ingredients like glycerin, betaine, and panthenol. Niacinamide adds a subtle scalp-care element, supporting a healthier environment for hair over time. Follow with the Daily Conditioner, which hydrates with glycerin, another dose of soothing aloe, and avocado oil to smooth strands while keeping them light and bouncy. The silicone-free formula focuses moisture on the lengths, so fine or thinning hair stays soft and airy rather than weighed down.
Allure senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor before applying the Harklinikken Fortifying Shampoo and Daily Conditioner
Jesa Marie Calaor
Calaor after applying the Harklinikken Fortifying Shampoo and Daily Conditioner
Jesa Marie Calaor
Tester feedback from senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor
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“The day I started using Harklinikken's Fortifying Shampoo and Daily Conditioner was the day I realized I might have been settling for less from my hair products. The shampoo thoroughly cleanses without stripping my strands, while the conditioner effortlessly detangles as I work it through the lengths of my hair. The latter feels lighter than some of my other conditioners, but that doesn't mean it skimps out on the moisture. Once dry, my hair feels soft without that filmy or oily residue some conditioners leave behind. My only gripe is that I wish the bottles were bigger—I have such long hair and go through them quickly.” —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior beauty editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: shampoo: aloe, niacinamide, glycerin, betaine, panthenol; conditioner: glycerin, aloe, avocado oil, lactic acid
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Hair Oil: Marc Anthony Strictly Curls Strength & Shine Supreme Oil
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Marc Anthony
Strictly Curls Strength & Shine Supreme Oil
Amazon
Walmart
Why we love it: Despite the name, you don’t actually need curls to appreciate Marc Anthony’s Strictly Curls Strength & Shine Supreme Oil. But if you have curls that tend to snap before reaching their full length, this one is especially helpful. This lightweight oil blend is packed with nourishing oils like castor, coconut, almond, and jojoba, which moisturize strands, smooth frizz, and boost shine without leaving hair greasy. Rosemary extract and biotin support stronger-looking hair, while antioxidant-rich ingredients like rice bran, grapeseed, and vitamin E help defend against environmental stressors. Botanical extracts—including aloe, chamomile, and nettle—add an extra layer of conditioning for both the hair and scalp. The texture is surprisingly nongreasy, so a few drops can tame flyaways, add slip, or revive curls between wash days.
Allure associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tettey before applying the Marc Anthony Strictly Curls Strength & Shine Supreme Oil
Annie Blay-Tettey
Blay-Tettey after applying the Marc Anthony Strictly Curls Strength & Shine Supreme Oil
Annie Blay-Tettey
Tester feedback from associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tettey
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"I try not to overthink hair oils. Ideally, I just want something that seals moisture into my strands and scalp without leaving it greasy. This oil does just that. I love the nozzle tip which makes it especially easy to apply when I have a protective style in." —Annie Blay-Tettey, associate beauty editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: castor, coconut, almond, and jojoba oils, rosemary, biotin, rice bran, grapeseed, vitamin E
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Styling Foam: Bumble & Bumble Thickening High Drama Styling Foam
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Bumble and Bumble
Thickening High Drama Styling Foam
Ulta Beauty
Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Bumble & Bumble Thickening High Drama Styling Foam
Christa Joanna Lee
Why we love it: Thickening. High. Drama. Three words that sound pretty good if your hair likes to fall flat. Bumble and Bumble’s Thickening High Drama Styling Foam gives fine or thinning hair a noticeable lift without veering into crunchy, helmet-hair territory. The airy foam uses the brand’s Strand-Plumping Technology to temporarily expand each strand, helping hair look fuller and more voluminous. Rice peptides add instant body and thickness, while an antioxidant-rich blend with ginger root and resveratrol helps support a healthier scalp environment and defend against external stressors. It also features caffeine, which is a helpful ingredient in thinning-hair products because it can help counter some of the hormonal factors that contribute to hair loss and support the follicles where hair growth begins, says Dr. Vieira. It even doubles as a heat protectant, making it especially handy before a blowout.
Lee before applying the Bumble & Bumble Thickening High Drama Styling Foam
Christa Joanna Lee
Lee after applying the Bumble & Bumble Thickening High Drama Styling Foam
Christa Joanna Lee
Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee
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“My hair probably doesn’t look like it’s thinning, but I had at least twice as much of it seven years ago, pre-kids. Lately, I’ve been shedding in clumps, so I’m doing everything I can to make what’s left look as full as possible. The first time I used Bumble & Bumble’s Thickening High Drama Styling Foam, my hair was a little too air-dried and it didn't distribute as properly as it should—but on properly damp hair (as directed), it’s a different story. As I blow-dry, it gives just enough grip with my round brush to really lift at the roots and build volume where I need it most. There’s a slight hold, too, so the fullness sticks around until my next wash.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: rice peptides, caffeine, ginger root, resveratrol
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Root Cover: Madison Reed The Great Cover Up Root Touch Up + Brow Filler
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Madison Reed
The Great Cover Up Root Touch Up + Brow Filler
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin applying the Madison Reed The Great Cover Up Root Touch Up + Brow Filler in Ombra Dark Brown
Shanna Shipin
Why we love it: Even though Madison Reed The Great Cover Up Root Touch Up + Brow Filler is technically designed to conceal gray roots and fill in brows, this 2024 Best of Beauty Award winner can also double as makeup, concealing areas where you have sparse hair growth (like around the temples and along the hairline). Once you apply it with the included brush (or spoolie, if you want to be extra-precise), it won't budge—and can even withstand rain and sweat. It also comes in six shades, so most people can find a passable match—and no one will be the wiser.
Shipin before applying the Madison Reed The Great Cover Up Root Touch Up + Brow Filler in Ombra Dark Brown
Shanna Shipin
Shipin after applying the Madison Reed The Great Cover Up Root Touch Up + Brow Filler in Ombra Dark Brown
Shanna Shipin
Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin
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"After both of my pregnancies, I dealt with a horrifying amount of hair loss, and nothing worked better for me than simply applying hair makeup to my scalp to cover up the bald spots. My biggest area of concern was my hairline, which receded so far back that every time I looked in the mirror, my face just appeared off. I used this Madison Reed cover-up for both of my fourth trimesters, and loved how easy it was to powder a hairline back onto my scalp. The product has great staying powder, and easily comes out in the shower (I'd suggest a detox shampoo to really lift it out of your roots). I love that the brush helps seamlessly blend the powder into my scalp, and that it comes with a really great brow brush and spoolie to tackle your brows at the same time!" —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: keratin, argan oil, ginseng root extract
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Scalp Serum: Nécessaire The Scalp Serum
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Nécessaire
The Scalp Serum
Amazon
Sephora
McGrath applying the Nécessaire The Scalp Serum
Kara McGrath
Why we love it: If your part’s looking wider or your ponytail feels a little wimpy, Nécessaire’s The Scalp Serum might be your new, low-maintenance fix. This lightweight, fragrance-free formula features 5% capixyl—a blend of red clover extract and a peptide that helps reduce shedding and promote thicker-looking strands. “Some studies have shown it can be just as effective as 3% minoxidil,” New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Michelle Henry, MD, told Allure. But unlike minoxidil, it carries a lower risk of irritation or unwanted facial hair, making it a smart choice for sensitive scalps. It’s also approved by the National Eczema Association, which speaks to how gentle it is. To top it off, the serum includes hyaluronic acid, biotin, and niacinamide to keep your scalp calm, hydrated, and thriving, so your hair can live its best, fullest life.
McGrath before applying the Nécessaire The Scalp Serum
Kara McGrath
McGrath after applying the Nécessaire The Scalp Serum for four months
Kara McGrath
Tester feedback from McGrath
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“[At first,] I did not have high hopes. But then, several months in, my hair started to feel…different. It took two hands to hold it all. My ponytails started to more closely resemble that of the equines they’re named for: thick (for me), shiny, and bouncy. The length, which had previously seemed to tap out just below my collarbones, was reaching mid-boob territory.” —Kara McGrath, former content director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: capixyl, hyaluronic acid, biotin, niacinamide
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Mask: Ryo Damage Care & Nourishing Treatment
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Ryo
Damage Care & Nourishing Treatment
Amazon
Yesstyle
Why we love it: For those new to K-beauty hair care, it’s all about healthy hair, starting with the scalp. Take Ryo’s Damage Care & Nourishing Treatment. While it smooths and revives damaged strands with nourishing ingredients like pomegranate and camellia oil extracts, the real focus is on what’s happening at the root. Korean ginseng extract and caffeine help support a healthier scalp environment, while rice from Yeoju—an especially nutrient-dense variety grown in mineral-rich soil—adds softness and strength from the root through the lengths. Worried about applying a rich mask near the scalp? “Most masks can clog follicles, but Ryo is designed to touch the scalp,” says Cherin Choi, a hairstylist and colorist based in Los Angeles, noting that it helps lift weak hair while keeping the scalp balanced.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: pomegranate extract, camellia oil, rice, ginseng, caffeine
- Fragrance-free: no
Best for Volume: Oribe Maximista Thickening Spray
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Oribe
Maximista Thickening Spray
Amazon
Nordstrom
Why we love it: If you’re after maximum volume and thickness, look no further than Oribe—the brand stylists swear by for big, bouncy blowouts and that unmistakable luxury finish—with its Maximista Thickening Spray. It’s packed with thickening copolymers to pump up the volume and lock it in, plus amino acids to keep hair strong and moisturized. And because Oribe always goes the extra mile, its signature complex protects against environmental stressors, while built-in heat protection keeps your hair safe from hot tools. If your thinning hair is also prone to frizz, the cetrimonium chloride in this spray provides conditioning and anti-static powers—making it especially helpful for curly hair.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: amino acids, thickening copolymers, cetrimonium chloride
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Mousse: R+Co Rodeo Star Thickening Style Foam
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R+Co
Rodeo Star Thickening Style Foam
Amazon
Dermstore
Why we love it: Creating voluminous hair starts in the shower, but to keep that full, bouncy look going, the right styling products are key, like R+Co Rodeo Star Thickening Style Foam. “This styling foam delivers quick, nonsticky fullness with a soft, touchable feel,” says Petrut. It incorporates skin care-inspired ingredients, like vitamin E to deeply condition hair, kiwi fruit extract to help maintain moisture balance, and aloe vera leaf extract to minimize breakage and add shine, to give hair a fuller, bouncier look. If bold volume is what you’re after, this is your go-to.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: vitamin E, kiwi fruit extract, aloe leaf extract
- Fragrance-free: no
Frequently asked questions
What is the best-proven product for thinning hair?
If you’re experiencing hair thinning, the right products can make a big difference. The best approach focuses on hair growth, scalp health, and follicle strength. “Minoxidil is the most tried-and-true ingredient for hair loss and thinning,” says Dr. Mislankar. (You might recognize it as the main ingredient in Rogaine, which is a minoxidil foam.)
Other ingredients like “biotin, caffeine, rosemary oil, and niacinamide have also been shown to promote the temporary appearance of hair thickness,” says Jae-Manuel Cardenas, a New York City-based hairstylist, who recommends root lifters, volumizing products, and other hairstyle formulas to temporarily deliver fuller hair.
Hair-growth supplements are a dime a dozen, but dermatologists don’t agree on how much they can really help. And since they can come with side effects, it’s important to talk to your doctor first.
Can hair grow back after thinning?
Hair can grow back after thinning, but it depends on the cause. “In some cases, like telogen effluvium—temporary hair shedding caused by stress, illness, or hormonal changes—hair often grows back on its own with time and patience,” says Dr. Mislankar. (For instance, minoxidil won’t do a whole lot for postpartum hair loss, which is caused by hormone changes during and after pregnancy.)
However, if thinning is due to androgenetic alopecia (hereditary hair loss, or female-pattern hair loss), long-term treatments like medications or procedures are usually needed to maintain new growth. “While waiting for hair to regrow, avoiding excessive heat styling or harsh chemicals helps prevent further damage. Volumizing shampoos, leave-in treatments, and proper styling techniques can also make hair appear fuller in the meantime,” she says.
What are the “Big 3” for thinning hair?
The big three for thinning hair are minoxidil, finasteride, and ketoconazole. “They each play a special part in encouraging hair growth. Minoxidil works by widening blood vessels in your scalp, boosting circulation so more nutrients reach your hair follicles—helping to spark new growth and keep shedding in check. Finasteride blocks an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase—the one that turns testosterone into DHT (a.k.a. the hormone that makes hair follicles shrink and leads to thinning). Less DHT means your follicles stay active longer, helping to keep your hair where it belongs. Ketoconazole isn’t just for fighting fungus—it also helps mitigate scalp inflammation, one of the culprits behind hair loss. Research suggests it has mild anti-androgenic properties, meaning it may help minimize DHT’s impact on hair follicles,” says Dr. Mislankar. Together, they can create the ideal foundation for new hair growth.
Meet the experts
- Sherry Backman, a cosmetic chemist based in Brattleboro, Vermont
- Jae-Manuel Cardenas, a senior hairstylist at Ollin Salon NYC by Johnny Ramirez, based in New York City
- Cherin Choi, a hairstylist and colorist based in Los Angeles
- Michelle Henry, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan, based in New York City
- Omer Ibrahim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Salmalita Cosmetics, based in Chicago
- Jerome Lordet, founder and owner of Jerome Lordet Salon, based in New York City
- Sanda Petrut, a stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago
- Carlos Vieira, a board-certified dermatologist at The Dermatology Specialists based in Philadelphia
How we test and review products
We always enlist a range of testers for our makeup vertical, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While there are certainly products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind. Many are created in order to address a concern (dandruff, breakage, brittleness) or to work most effectively for a specific hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair). You wouldn’t want to pick up a purple shampoo that’s only been reviewed by someone with, say, auburn hair, or a diffuser that’s never been tested by anyone with curls—right?
For our review of the best products for thinning hair, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and hair experts—many of whom want shinier, healthier-looking hair. Testers considered performance across four primary categories: efficacy, texture and experience, fragrance, and packaging. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
