Curls are beautiful, but not when they're unmanageable and everywhere on your face! When you have the right hair product to define and soften those gorgeous curls and coils, you're going to walk out of your house each day with hair that looks as if it's styled by a professional. A hair mousse is a must-have for those having a hard time taming their curls.
That doesn't stop those with straight or fine hair from using a mousse. Some formulations are designed for all hair types. But what made it to the top of our list is the Curl Enhancing Mousse from Design Essentials for its lightweight formula, unique and nourishing ingredients, and lack of chemicals. Read on to find what other products made it to our handpicked list of top mousses, and check out our buying guide, which was reviewed by a licensed cosmetologist, to help you shop wisely!
Quick List - Top Hair Mousses
Shea Moisture
Strengthen Your Hair With This Keratin-Infused Formula
Denise is a licensed cosmetologist who advises people on certain products they should get. She formally worked at Ulta and is now headed into a salon.
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
If used right, there is a lot that mousse, otherwise called a styling foam, can do for your hair. It can add volume and texture without leaving a sticky residue. For curly hair, a mousse helps shape and define the curls, whereas, for straight hair, it can add volume.
Regardless of whether your hair is thick, thin, wavy, dry, or oily, you can use a mousse to style your hair and to hold it in place. There is no other product that can tame curls as much as a mousse. However, a mousse has a weightless hold and might not work on your hair if it’s on the heavier side.
And if styling isn’t your preference, you can use mousse to control frizz and soften the hair strands. You can also find products that can extend heat defense while you’re out and about, or from a styling tool like a curling iron.
Your choice of mousse depends on some important factors. A bad mousse can mess with your hair, and a good one can make it look its best. The following guide will take you through the crucial points to consider while buying a mousse for your hair.
Although lightweight, a mousse is just enough to give you volume and hold. But if you have thick hair, you can spend some time looking for a thicker mousse to hold the coarse strands in place. Read on to find out what type of mousse suits your hair type.
Thin, fine hair needs a volumizing mousse that can add texture to the hair and make it look fuller. Despite the volume you seek, a lightweight hold that doesn’t make the hair sticky is what you need. If the formula is thick, it weighs your thin hair down and makes it look artificially volumized.
For those with thicker hair, holding up the heavy strands can be an issue. Go for a mousse with a strong hold as it can control your thick hair strands, tame the frizz, keep your hair in place and manageable.
You might want to look for a formula that helps fight humidity and wind and holds your hairstyle in place for a long time. You should choose a hair mousse that doesn't leave any sticky residues behind as they can add to the natural hair thickness and weigh it down.
The same applies to those with thick and unruly curls or beachy waves. The mousse shouldn’t add weight to the coils and weigh them down. A lightweight formula like a mousse gel with a strong hold can define the curls or waves, yet keep them as natural-looking as possible.
Unlike other hair types, straight hair needs a mousse to add movement and body more than volume. This can keep your straight mane bouncy and healthy. While that still keeps your hair straight, you’re going to need a strong hold mousse to make it wavy.
Feeling greasy? Or maybe your strands are pretty brittle? Just like skin, the condition of your hair isn't static. Choose a mousse that will combat greasiness if oil is an issue, or find a moisturizing one for your dry scalp and hair.
While a mousse might not sound like a good idea for oily hair, you can find products that can absorb excess oil from the strands and make them look healthy. An alcohol-based setting mousse can keep your hair oil-free. Plus, it can add shine to your hair and make it look healthy, too!
But in excess, alcohol can still stiffen and dry out the ends of your hair. So use the smallest possible amount of mousse that’s effective for your oily strands.
For dry hair, it’s the conditioning properties of the mousse that matters. While you look at the potential conditioning ingredients of the mousse, do not forget the extra hold it requires. A hair mousse formulated with nourishing oils such as olive oil, almond oil, and argan oil can replenish the lost oils in your strands and leave your hair with a healthy sheen.
Vitamins and silicones such as dimethicone and amodimethicone can keep your hair moisturized and smooth as well. Environmental stressors such as sun exposure might dry out your hair and lead to hair breakage, so consider a hair mousse that has UV filtering ingredients.
Consider alcohol- and sulfate-free products, too! Alcohols and sulfates might dry out your hair and lead to hair thinning or breakage.
For hair that’s dry and damaged, a conditioning mousse with thermal care ingredients helps. It can repair the heat abuses caused by styling tools and sun, or the damage caused by wind and humidity. To sum it up, what you need is a product that offers thermal defense and UV protection.
While most of these products work in conjunction with styling irons and blow dryers, it’s better to let your hair air dry after applying a generous amount of mousse.
Also, look for a hair mousse infused with keratin and silk protein. These two ingredients can strengthen your hair and leave it feeling smooth and healthy.
Mousses can be found in spray, gel, or cream form. The spray types are used to add volume by lifting the hair from the roots. The bottle dispenses the spray that turns into foam and that foam helps add volume and fullness to your hair. So if you have thin, flat hair, go for the spray type!
The gel-type mouse comes in a thicker form and suits those with curls or waves. It has a strong holding power to keep your hair in place and give it more texture. But use a small amount first, since too much gel might actually stiffen your hair.
If your hair is dry and difficult to manage, a cream-based formula works best for you. They have a thicker texture than gel-based mousse and mostly come with emollients to supply extra hydration to your hair.
A hair mousse might stiffen and dry out your hair, so you should look for a mousse with moisturizing ingredients to keep your hair nourished and soft.
Humectants like glycerin can absorb moisture from the environment and prevent its escape from your hair strands. Jojoba oil, olive oil, and shea butter can also offer amazing hydration to the hair. They are also packed with fatty acids and can soften your hair.
If aloe vera is an active ingredient, it’s going to improve your hair texture in addition to hydrating it. Argan oil, baobab oil, and agave oil can prevent frizz and tame flyaways. So if you have such problems, make sure to choose a formula with those moisturizing ingredients.
Your hair deserves the same love as your skin! Look out for these ingredients or do a patch test if you suspect you'll have a reaction to your hair mousse.
You might have come across the ingredients parabens and sulfates in the ingredients list while buying a cosmetic product. Parabens are preservatives added to increase the shelf life of the product, and sulfates give a lathering effect.
Studies on both are conflicting, with some linking parabens to breast cancer and sulfates found to cause skin irritation with prolonged use. If you're worried about any potential effects from both ingredients, be sure to find a product labeled paraben-free or sulfate-free.
Some mousses are scented, and not all are overpowering. But fragrances could cause redness, scaling, or other irritation to those with fragrance sensitivity. Limonene is a safer citrus fragrance derived from citrus fruits. Still, people allergic to citrus fruits should avoid this ingredient.
Many mousses contain short-chain alcohols such as ethanol, alcohol denat, and propanol. They are added to shorten the drying time of the hair mousse and increase spreadability.
However, they might leave your hair feeling dry and crunchy. If you're concerned about the dryness issues caused by those alcohols, we suggest steering away from them!
Phthalates are used in hair mousses to make them easier to spread and help other ingredients absorb more quickly into your hair. However, they have also been associated with negative impacts such as the increased risk of cancer, diabetes, and asthma. Make sure to check labels carefully if you want to avoid phthalates!
Lanolin can also be seen in some mousses. It's a generally safe moisturizing ingredient that keeps your hair smooth and shiny.
However, it's derived from the wool grease secreted from the sebaceous glands of sheep and might cause irritation to those allergic to wool. Moreover, it might clog pores. So be careful if you have oily or acne-prone skin.
Behentrimonium chloride can also be found in the ingredient list to prevent frizz and static hair occurrence. In smaller proportions, these ingredients are generally safe. But if its concentration is 0.1 percent or higher, behentrimonium chloride might be irritating to your skin and eyes.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Design Essentials Curl Enhancing Mousse | ![]() | An Excellent Enhancing Mousse for Curls and Waves | |
2 | Kenra Volume Mousse Extra | ![]() | Suitable for All Hair Types | |
3 | Schwarzkopf got2b Kinkier | ![]() | Effectively Tames Unruly Curls | |
4 | Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Frizz-Free Curl Mousse | ![]() | Strengthen Your Hair With This Keratin-Infused Formula | |
5 | L'Oreal Paris Boost It Volume Inject Mousse | ![]() | Provides Great Volume and Hold | |
6 | Sexyhair Big Root Pump Plus Spray Mousse | ![]() | Moisturizing and Humidity-Resistant | |
7 | Moroccanoil Volumizing Mousse | ![]() | Argan Oil to Soften Your Hair | |
8 | African Pride Moisture Miracle Rose Water & Argan Oil Curl Mousse | ![]() | Rose Water and Argan Oil to Add Shine to Your Hair |
Design Essentials offers you this medium-hold curl-defining mousse for wavy, coily, or curly hair from its Almond and Avocado collection. The non-sticky formula is ideal for frizz-free and crunch-free hairstyling that has a gorgeous sheen.
The goodness of the key ingredients - wheat protein, almond oil, and avocado oil - will keep your curls intensely moisturized and healthy all day long. However, some buyers found their hair feeling sticky after application. And a few others didn't like the strong, chemical scent.
Nonetheless, there were many raving reviews about the holding power of this product. Even those with thick hair said that after using it, their curls looked more defined. Most buyers also found it resisting humidity well. For many others, it worked well towards keeping their curls healthy and lustrous.
We loved this lightweight mousse with a firm hold to tame and stylize your hair without making it stiff or sticky. The thermal protection of up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit is the highlight here besides its ability to combat humidity for up to 60 hours.
Whether your curls are permed or natural, just a bit of this rich formula can define your curls and create more volume with some shine. Some users felt it leaving a greasy and crunchy feel to the hair. Using a bit more than necessary can cause this. Some said the nozzle wouldn't work after a few uses.
Several users with fine or thin hair found the formula supplementing volume to their mane and preventing flyaways. Some users with curls complimented it for the definition and the hold it gave to their hair.
Those who want some bouncy curls should try this weightless formula from the got2B collection of Schwarzkopf! With its double curling power, it defines your curls and tames frizz, resulting in smoother and shinier coils.
Some expressed concerns about the product leaving the hair sticky. Some users said it dried out their hair as well.
But for many with curly hair, this formula worked well. Most attested to it defining their curls and preventing frizz. A lot of people were also impressed with the lightweight mousse, saying it didn't weigh down the hair. They further added that the scent was pleasant and also had no trouble using the dispenser.
Infused with nourishing ingredients such as coconut, hibiscus, shea butter, and neem oil, this moisture-rich formula can enhance your curls and fight frizz all day! It greatly suits dry hair that needs some hydration and freedom from breakage.
After application, the silk protein and keratin will leave your hair smooth and glossy. Also, those two ingredients can greatly benefit damaged hair as they provide the hair with strength and minimize the damaging effects of environmental stressors like sun exposure. Regular use will leave your hair strong, healthy, and tangle-free.
Some users found that the product makes their hair frizzy, and some said it's more watery than expected. But to those it worked for, the product was detangling, anti-frizz, and hydrating. From curly to wavy to fine to coarse hair, many users complimented that it made their locks softer and more voluminous.
Although lightweight, this mousse can add a good amount of volume to your hair and retain that for 24 hours. The thickening agents present in it boost your hair strands and give a long-lasting bounce. The extra strong hold keeps your hairstyle in place as long as the volume stays.
Some reviewers complained that the mousse stiffened their hair, while a few others experienced scalp irritation. So if you have a sensitive scalp, this might not be the product for you.
On another note, many users liked the strong hold and the lovely smell this mousse gave to their hair. They also confirmed that it gave the lift they want on their hair, especially on thin or fine hair. Another bonus point for buyers was that it didn't make their hair feel greasy.
This volumizing mousse is formulated to resist humidity, provide heat protection, and lift your hair roots to give the body you desire. Regardless of whether your hair is dry or wet, you can use this mousse if your hair is thick or coarse.
Without the need to reapply, your hair will stay resistant to humidity and frizz for up to 72 hours! Some users found it tough to use this spray to get even coverage.
Nonetheless, the majority loved how this mousse gave their hair more body and volume without making it crunchy. They further added that it made their hair more manageable. According to many reviews, this product seemed to work for both thin and thick hair.
This formula is weightless and so it suits you if you have medium to fine hair. The highlight is the presence of the antioxidant-rich argan oil and other nutrients to nourish the hair and to give it lift, body, and movement, all without leaving any sticky residue on your hair.
Some users reported receiving defective bottles. Some also felt the product didn't have the signature scent of authentic Moroccan oil products.
Those who loved the product said it worked wonders by adding great volume and texture to their hair. They further mentioned that it kept their curls in place without weighing them down. After using this mousse, many noticed their hair was soft and looked natural.
Looking for a hair mousse that can nourish and add shine to your hair? Try this mousse with rose water and argan oil. While rose water helps with hair growth and gives your hair the moisture it needs, argan oil leaves your hair smooth and glowy.
A few people complained that this mousse made their hair feel a bit sticky afterward. Some others further added that it left residue on their hair.
But most people agreed that the formula was moisturizing and didn't make their hair feel stiff. Many positive reviewers found the smell light and pleasant as well. They loved the moisturizing formula and also commented that their hair was soft, shiny, and frizz-free after using this foamy mousse.
Whether you need cleansing, conditioning, or better styling products for your hair, we've got an article to advise you!
No. 1: Design Essentials|Curl Enhancing Mousse
No. 2: Kenra|Volume Mousse Extra
No. 3: Schwarzkopf|got2b Kinkier
No. 4: Shea Moisture|Coconut and Hibiscus Frizz-Free Curl Mousse
No. 5: L'Oreal Paris|Boost It Volume Inject Mousse
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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