In my opinion, winter means silk press and blowout season is well underway. Take a peek back in time: beauty history suggests that when temperatures cool down, hot tools historically come out. I used to be fully on board the straightener and curling iron train, but then one day I experimented with some of the best mousses for curly hair, and my styling game forever changed.
I went back to wearing my natural curls 15 years ago and have tried almost every cream, spray, leave-in, gel, and mousse to achieve a variety of looks, from big, loose curls to super-defined spirals and sleek, slick backs. What I learned is that the proper technique is just as important as the right product, and the right mousse offers a great deal of versatility.
"There are so many different types of mousses, just make sure you use the product that caters to your specific needs," says Sophie Rose Gutterman, celebrity hairstylist and texture specialist. "The three main types of mousses are for moisture, for hold, and for refreshing."
Gutterman shares a few tips and her favorite mousses, and I personally tested out a few of my own picks. From foams that define curls to ones that nourish the scalp and offer sky-high volume, keep reading to see which formulas made the cut, below.
- Best for Defining Curls: Oribe Curl Shaping Mousse
- Best for Styling: Briogeo Style + Treat™ Hair Styling Volume Foam
- Best for Volume: Curlsmith Bouncy Strength Volume Foam
- Best for Slick Backs: Maria Nila Styling Mousse
- Best for Fine Curls: Rizos Curls Thickening Foam: 2-In-1 Treatment + Styler
The beauty of curls is that they can easily change shape with the right products. While frizz isn't inherently something to fear, it can sometimes kill the vibe. This lightweight mousse aims to enhance curls, cut frizz, and also works as a heat protectant. It also includes ingredients such as hydrolyzed amaranth protein for conditioning, sweet almond oil for shine, and the Oribe signature complex to combat oxidative stress.
Size: 5.7 oz
Key Ingredients: Hydrolyzed Amaranth Protein; Sweet Almond Oil; Oribe Signature Complex
What I Love: I love how lightweight this mousse is; Doubles as a heat protectant in case I want to diffuse my curls instead of air drying
What I Don't: It left my hair a little on the dry side
Review for MC: I used this mousse on my freshly washed hair to style my twist-out. It was simple to dispense and smelled great. I love how easily it works through my curls, although my hands did get a little sticky. However, after air-drying, the curls from my twist-out were defined and free of frizz, even after I separated them with my fingers and gently teased my hair, which typically creates a little frizz. My curls did a pretty good job of maintaining their definition even on days two and three of wear. — Jamie Wilson, Contributing Beauty Writer
Jamie Wilson before, during, after application of the Oribe Curl Shaping Mousse.
Mousse can sometimes carry a reputation for leaving hair hard and crunchy, but it doesn't have to be that way. The nourishing ingredients in this pick, like plum oil, lock in moisture and help leave hair soft without sacrificing curl definition or volume. The ultimate styling foam, this mousse can be easily used to style a voluminous blowout or create perfectly spiraled curls. It can be used with hot tools that reach up to 450°F.
Size: 5 oz
Key Ingredients: Yuzu Extract; Plum oil; Super B-Complex
What I Love: It doubles as a heat protectant; Can be used on wet or dry hair
What I Don't: It leaves a slight residue on the hair
Review for MC: I'll admit, mousse was never the first product I looked to when styling my hair, but that's going to change. This foam, infused with yuzu extract and plum oil, left my hair feeling soft and hydrated. I've had many instances when other products have left my hair feeling dry and brittle, but this isn't one of them. However, I will say that a little goes a long way since it can sometimes leave a slight residue on strands. — Jamie Wilson, Contributing Beauty Writer
Jamie Wilson before, during, after application of the Briogeo Style + Treat™ Hair Styling Volume Foam.
Mousse and foam don't always have to be used to get super-defined curls. Sometimes, a product that doesn't have a strong hold is actually that girl. Yes, this pick can help you achieve gorgeous curls, but it can also be utilized to create voluminous soft waves or a natural-looking slick back that doesn't look stiff.
Size: 7.5 oz
Key Ingredients: Hemp seed extract; Hydrolyzed rice protein; Blackcurrant; Shiitake mushroom; Green kale leaf
What I Love: It leaves my hair feeling super soft
What I Don't: I'm not a big fan of the scent
Review for MC: I'm not a huge fan of mousse, but I've had this product in my arsenal of hair products for a while now, and it's one I always come back to when I'm doing a twist-out or slick back. I often pick up when my curls are also on their last leg, and I don't want to wash my hair just yet. I'm not afraid of a bit of frizz, so I actually appreciate that this doesn't give me a firm hold. It also leaves my hair feeling incredibly soft after using, and I can easily brush my hair out to create big fluffy waves when I want to channel my inner Diana Ross. — Jamie Wilson, Contributing Beauty Writer
Jamie Wilson before, during, after application of the Curlsmith Bouncy Strength Volume Foam.
The easiest way to ruin a slick back is with unwanted flyaways. That's when a mousse with a little more hold comes in handy, like this one from Swedish brand Maria Nila. It expertly adds structure and definition while leaving hair soft with a touch of shine.
Size: 3.4 oz (travel) and 10.1 oz
Key Ingredients: Vitamin E
What I Love: It protects color-treated hair
What I Don't: Not a huge fan of the scent
Review for MC: Flyaways will be the death of me. They're the most significant issue I struggle with when trying to achieve a sleek look. This mousse from Maria Nila has a hold of 4/5, which they dub medium. With two pumps of mousse, I was able to achieve a nice slick back that really tamed my flyaways. While it left my hair a little harder than some of the softer hold products, it still wasn't incredibly stiff, which is always a good thing. — Jamie Wilson, Contributing Beauty Writer
Jamie Wilson before, during, after application of the Maria Nila Styling Mousse.
A product that doubles as a styler and a treatment is always a plus. For anyone with fine or thinning hair, this mousse is designed to work over time with regular use to improve hair density. In the short term, it offers a root-lifting effect, giving fine strands some much-needed volume, which is a win-win.
Size: 4.2 oz
Key Ingredients: Arnica; Oat straw; L-Arginine
What I Love: It gives my fine stands a little pick-me-up
What I Don't: A little sticky on my hands
Review for MC: The foam feels refreshing, and while some mousse products irritate my scalp, this one feels more soothing. While the hair thickening effect isn't instant, the volume it provides is. It does a great job at transforming my fine strands into fuller, more lived-in curls, which is amazing for day one hair that, for me, can sometimes feel a little too structured. — Jamie Wilson, Contributing Beauty Writer
Jamie Wilson before, during, after application of the Rizos Curls Thickening Foam: 2-In-1 Treatment + Styler.
Sometimes all hair needs is a little weightless definition. This lightweight mousse from Patterns offers exactly what you need for curly and coily hair textures. It defines curls while still leaving the hair soft to the touch, and is excellent for use with protective styles, as well as the usual wash-and-go or twist-out.
Size: 8 oz and 4 oz (mini)
Key Ingredients: Marshmallow Root and Castor Oil
What I Love: Maintains big, bouncy curls without the crunchy feel
What I Don't: Might not tackle frizz
Customer Review: "This mousse makes my curls stay bouncy; however, I am unsure if it keeps my frizz at bay. I do like putting this in my hair when it’s wet and then going to bed to allow my curls to form on their own. I like that my curls don’t feel crunchy when my hair is dry. And the scent is pleasant. I definitely suggest trying this brand out!" — Sephora
This mousse is a pro at holding down any style. It sets any style, smooths frizz, and defines curls expertly. Can it get any better? Yes. This pick also has bond-building properties that help repair and minimize damage, resulting in stronger strands that look amazing.
Size: 6.7 oz
Key Ingredients: TeraBond; Wheat; Soy and Yeast amino acids; Probiotic ferment
What I Love: Great hold that lasts through the day
What I Don't: A little sticky; Has a slight formula smell because it's unscented
Customer Review: "I really like this mousse, it's a bit sticky, but it works wonders and has a good hold." — Ulta
If there were a product made for all of the curly girls out there, this is it. This product strikes the perfect balance between gels, sprays, and creams, offering a strong hold that doesn't weigh down fine strands while also protecting against frizz in more humid environments. Plus, it's hydrating and leaves hair with full, bouncy curls that aren't crunchy.
Size: 8.45 oz
Key Ingredients: N/A
What I Love: Great hold; Keeps frizz at bay even in the humidity
What I Don't: Might be a little drying on color-treated hair
Customer Review: "This is most definitely for curly girls. I air-dry my hair, so I don't like products that are too heavy. Gels and some creams can make my hair too stiff. Sprays don't have enough hold. This mousse is the perfect balance. Great hold for curls when I wear my hair down without a lot of crunch. (It was a bit crunchier when I used this and slicked it back, but I may just need more practice to find the right amount of product.) I live in a hot, humid climate and did not get too frizzy either. This is a new mainstay for my bathroom counter." — Sephora
Whether it's just too hot or you just prefer to abstain from heat by air-drying, this is the mousse that you'll want to keep close. Great for wavy and curly hair types, this product enhances your natural hair texture with pink Bolivian salt to give an effortless, tousled look with all of the volume and none of the gross crunch.
Size: 5.1 oz
Key Ingredients: Pink Bolivian Salt; Tsubaki Meadows™ Blend; Plant Protein Blend
What I Love: Great for daily styling
What I Don't: Not a huge fan of the scent
Customer Review: "I only air dry my hair, but have dry wavy/somewhat curly hair and live in a humid climate, so frizz and flyaways are a major concern. This does a decent job of keeping my hair under control without it being crunchy. Occasionally, I will have flyaways, particularly if there's a bit of a breeze, but this is the best I've found at keeping my hair smooth when I pull it back without crunch." — Sephora
Does Mousse Work Best on Wet or Dry Hair?
The short answer is both. Gutterman explains, "It acts as a second form of water, so you can put the mousse on dry hair to reactivate it like it’s wet. You can wash your hair at night and style it in the morning, and it will rehydrate and allow the curls to come back to life."
What’s the Best Way to Style Curly Hair With Mousse?
There are many ways to use mousse to style hair. It all depends on what you want the end result to be. However, some steps make it easier to achieve a good result. "After you get out of the shower and towel dry, apply the mousse in sections," says Gutterman. "You can diffuse or let it air dry, depending on how much time you have in the morning. If the hair is thicker, you can brush the product into the hair."
Why Is Mousse a Good Styling Option for Curly Hair?
Curly hair routines are notorious for including a slew of products. From gels and creams to leave-ins and sprays, why does mousse come out on top? "Mousse is great for curly hair because it enhances definition, adds volume, and helps curls hold their shape without weighing them down," explains Gutterman. "It also provides moisture and protection from heat, keeping curls soft, bouncy, and frizz-free."
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Meet the Expert
Sophie is a California-based celebrity hairstylist with a specialization in curly and textured hair. With ten years of experience behind the chair, Sophie has been featured in Italian Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and the Hollywood Reporter while growing a venerable client list including Gwenyth Paltrow, Karlie Kloss and Victoria Justice. She has styled hosts on ESPN and MTV as well as campaigns for Maybelline and Christian Dior.
