As the saying goes, ‘everything old is new again.’ This notion rings particularly true in the world of hair care, where once-beloved products like hair mousse are experiencing a resurgence in popularity. Gone are the days of stiff, crunchy locks; today’s hair mousse formulas have evolved to prioritize volume and thickness without sacrificing style or comfort.
For those looking to revive their hair routine with a dash of nostalgia, here’s what you need to know about the modern take on this retro classic. When it comes to selecting the right hair mousse, several factors come into play – from hair type and texture to hold and volume. We’ve also got additional benefits and differences from other styling products to consider. And for those wondering how to use their new favorite product, fear not!
Our comprehensive guide will walk you through the ins and outs of incorporating hair mousse into your daily routine. So, what are the top 10 best hair mousses on the market today? Read on to find out!
Factors to Consider in a Great Hair Mousse
Hair mousse has distinct advantages over other styling products due to its versatility. It can cater to various hair types, lengths, and textures, offering a product for everyone. Beyond adding volume, holding styles in place, and enhancing bounce and height, top-quality mouses also provide heat protection, humidity resistance, and add shine and definition, making them an excellent choice for those seeking a reliable styling solution.
Volume
While big hair may not be the current trend, there’s no need to sacrifice volume for style. Mousse 2.0 is a game-changer when it comes to adding height and bounce without leaving your locks feeling stiff or crunchy. Unlike traditional mousses that work by distributing coating agents throughout your hair, causing strands to puff out as they dry, Mousse 2.0 lifts hair at the roots, creating a more natural-looking volume boost.
The result is soft, touchable hair with added body and texture, giving you a youthful, effortless vibe without looking like you’re trying too hard.
Hold
Unlike traditional hair gels that provide a strong hold but can be stiff and sticky, Mousse 2.0 offers a more flexible styling solution that maintains the integrity of your desired hairstyle while offering greater versatility. This results in hair that not only looks softer and more natural-looking, but also feels more luxurious to the touch.
Extras
Beyond its primary functions of adding volume and holding hairstyles in place, modern mousses have evolved to offer a range of additional benefits. Many formulas now incorporate conditioning ingredients, protecting against heat or humidity damage, providing hydration, and offering other nourishing properties. As we explore the world of hair mousse, it’s clear that these versatile products are more than just a styling tool – they’re a key component in achieving the look you want.
Whether you’re getting ready for a night out on the town or simply want to enhance your everyday style, a great hair mousse can make all the difference.
Top 10 Best Hair Mousses 2024
Best Overall Hair Mousse: Living Proof Full Thickening Mousse
Our top pick, Living Proof Full Thickening Mousse, excels in delivering volume and thickness to hair while holding styles securely without leaving any sticky residue. Its proprietary polymer-based formula distributes thickening agents evenly along each strand, resulting in a full-bodied appearance with added length. This versatile product works equally well on all hair types, including very fine or thin hair.
Not only does it volumize, but it also enables styling and retention of natural texture and flexibility. The lightweight mousse features conditioning agents, heat resistance, and humidity resistance properties, making it an ideal choice for those living in hot climates. As a bonus, the silicone-free formula is gentle on sensitive scalps. Although it may not be budget-friendly, a little goes a long way, ensuring significant mileage from each bottle.
Best Premium Hair Mousse: Oribe Grandiose
While Oribe Grandiose is undoubtedly the priciest option on our list, its impressive performance makes it well worth the investment. This luxurious mousse not only delivers a long-lasting, heat-protected boost of volume but also conditions and moisturizes your locks. The star of the show is its remarkable volumizing effect, courtesy of starch polymers fortified with panthenol. This potent combination yields a dramatic increase in hair thickness that can be maintained for most of the day.
If your hair starts to lose some oomph, simply give it a gentle plumping with your fingers and you’ll be back to full volume in no time. While Oribe Grandiose does promise all-day flexible hold, it’s not entirely without its drawbacks. While it doesn’t leave a crunchy or sticky residue like some older mousse formulas, it does weigh the hair down slightly due to product buildup. This isn’t a major issue, but it’s something to keep in mind.
The formula is also enriched with vitamin E, sunflower oil, and glycerin, which work together to deeply nourish and soften your strands. Plus, it’s heat-protected and color-safe, making it an excellent choice for those who regularly use styling tools or have colored hair.
Best Budget Hair Mousse: Dove Style + Care Mousse
We’re big fans of Dove’s Style + Care Mousse, particularly when it comes to its unbeatable price point. At under a dollar an ounce, it’s hard to find a better value in the world of hair care. The lightweight formula delivers manageable volume and definition, leaving your locks feeling soft and clean. With a texture reminiscent of whipped cream, this mousse is perfect for people with dry or brittle hair, providing irresistibly soft curls and waves without any frizz.
While it does provide some degree of flexible hold, it’s not enough to keep your style in place all day – you may find yourself using more product than you’d like to get the desired results. On the plus side, Dove’s Style + Care Mousse softens and conditions hair while offering a fresh scent. The main drawback is that it won’t provide as much volume or hold as other brands on the market. Additionally, it doesn’t offer any extra benefits beyond its basic conditioning properties.
Best for Damaged Hair: Alterna Caviar Mousse
Alterna’s Caviar Mousse is a game-changer for those struggling with damaged locks. Its unique Marine Pumping Complex, comprising omega-3 fatty acids, sunflower seed oil, kelp extract, algae extract, and other powerful ingredients, works wonders to fortify and strengthen hair that’s been ravaged by heat styling tools or environmental stressors.
While it can’t conjure miracles overnight, this mousse does an impressive job of thickening and protecting damaged hair strands, preventing breakage and promoting a healthier overall appearance. Its effects are particularly pronounced on thinning and fine hair, where it can work wonders to increase volume and strand diameter. The scent is also a pleasant bonus.
However, it’s worth noting that this product isn’t designed for healthy or ‘regular’ hair types, so don’t expect it to yield remarkable results in those cases. As far as hold goes, while not its strongest suit, Alterna Caviar Mousse does an adequate job of preserving styles without weighing them down. In terms of extras, the mousse is relatively barebones, but it’s moderately friendly towards colored hair and won’t cause any significant damage.
Overall, the pros of this product far outweigh the cons: it heals and protects damaged hair, adds thickness, prevents breakage, and smells nice – just be aware that its benefits are largely limited to those with dry, damaged locks.
Best for Fine Hair: Joico JoiWhip
Joico JoiWhip is a game-changer when it comes to adding volume to fine hair. This lightweight mousse creates a robust body without leaving any oily residue, making it an ideal solution for those struggling with greasiness. The concentrated formula ensures that you don’t need to use too much product, which can weigh your hair down. Joico JoiWhip is specifically designed to hold hairstyles in place without compromising the natural texture of your locks.
While it does achieve this goal effectively, some users may find that it leaves a stiff or even crispy layer behind. The formula also boasts the benefits of kukui nut oil, primrose oil, and heat-resistant ingredients. These additions condition, moisturize, and protect your hair, making Joico JoiWhip a valuable asset for those with fine or curly locks. However, it may not be as effective on other hair types.
Best for Wavy Hair: Ouai Air Dry Foam
Ouai’s Air Dry Foam is a game-changer for individuals with wavy or curly locks. This eco-friendly formula not only enhances natural texture but also protects it from frizz and damage. The presence of kale extract and carrot extract ensures defined waves and curls, while panthenol moisturizes and softens the hair without compromising its hold.
The absence of harsh chemicals like parabens, sulfates, and other irritants makes this product a haven for those seeking a gentle yet effective styling solution. In fact, it’s suitable for use with heat tools, allowing you to achieve the perfect blow-dried look. As an added bonus, Ouai Air Dry Foam boasts a floral fragrance and contains artichoke leaf extract for heat protection and tamarind seed extract for hydration.
While this product is primarily designed for those with wavy or curly hair, it does have its limitations, failing to deliver significant benefits for individuals with straight locks. Nevertheless, its pros far outweigh its cons, making it an excellent addition to any hair care routine.
Best for Straight Hair: Redken Stay High 18 Mousse
Despite the common perception that straight hair is dull, Redken Stay High Mousse proves that this notion is far from true. This hybrid product combines the best qualities of gels and mousses to deliver impressive volume and hold for straight, fine, and wavy hair. When used on straight or fine locks, it adds a luscious bounce and body, while also securing your chosen style with remarkable tenacity, rivaling that of a traditional gel.
In contrast, those with curlier hair types may not reap the same benefits. Redken Stay High Mousse excels at holding styles in place, making it an excellent choice for individuals seeking long-term hold. Furthermore, this product is suitable for color-treated hair, offering a safe and effective solution for maintaining vibrant locks.
While it may not be the best option for those with curly or natural hair, its strengths lie in its ability to volumize straight and fine hair, while providing impressive holding power.
Best for Color-Treated Hair: ColorProof LiftIt Mousse
ColorProof LiftIt Mousse is a unique product that excels at providing volume, lift, and bounce for individuals with color-treated hair. Its lightweight formula, infused with Panthenol, not only adds significant body but also moisturizes and softens the hair. The key to maximizing its effectiveness lies in applying it directly at the scalp. One of its standout features is its ability to maintain the lift throughout the day without causing noticeable buildup.
While it’s a great option for those with colored locks, users without color-treated hair may find that other products better suit their needs. On the plus side, this mousse offers heat protection and humidity resistance, making it an excellent choice for individuals who frequently style their hair using hot tools or live in areas prone to high humidity.
Overall, its benefits are tailored specifically to those with colored hair, and it’s not necessary to use it if you don’t have color-treated locks.
Best for Natural Hair: tgin Honey Whip
We’re big fans of this pro-curl, anti-frizz hair mousse because it’s formulated with a signature ingredient – honey. This sweet addition is joined by coconut oil and argan oil to create a product that not only adds volume but also deeply moisturizes kinky/curly hair. The result is manageable curls without the pesky frizz that can come with using hairstyling tools like rollers or flexi-rods.
While curly/natural hair tends to crave moisture over hold, tgin Honey Whip gets it right by providing a hydration boost from coconut and argan oil. And as an added bonus, honey and coconut oil work together to enhance shine. On the plus side, this mousse volumizes and moisturizes natural hair, prevents frizz, and makes styling with tools like rollers a breeze. The only potential drawback is that it may not be the best choice for straight, fine, or wavy hair.
Best for Curly Hair: DevaCurl Frizz-Free Foam
When it comes to styling curly hair, there’s one product that stands out from the rest: DevaCurl. This game-changer maximizes curliness while preventing frizz and locking in moisture – a holy trinity for anyone with locks that lack luster or are dry. While ‘volume’ often means ‘big frizzy mess’ for curly-haired folks, Deva Curl Frizz-Free Foam defies this notion by adding definition, shine, and structure to your curls, leaving frizz firmly behind.
However, it’s essential to note the recent controversy surrounding some users experiencing scalp irritation and hair loss. If you’re concerned, alternatives like tgin Honey Whip are worth exploring. When it comes to curly hair, ‘hold’ means ‘moisturized.’ Deva Curl gets this right by avoiding common hairstyling ingredients that can dry out or damage curls – think alcohol, parabens, sulfates, and the like.
Instead, it relies on a gentle blend of lemongrass and sunflower seed oil to add moisture, shine, and volume. The pros are clear: Deva Curl Frizz-Free Foam defines and enhances curls while protecting against frizz; its alcohol-free formula preserves moisture, an essential for curly hair. And let’s not forget the added benefits of a touch of shininess courtesy of those clever lemongrass and sunflower seed oil ingredients.
As with any product, there are some cons to consider – namely the risk of hair loss in certain individuals – and it’s important to note that this product is only suitable for curly, wavy, or natural hair types. Despite these caveats, Deva Curl Frizz-Free Foam remains a top choice for anyone looking to maximize their curl potential.
The Complete Guide to Hair Mousse
When it comes to choosing the right hair mousse, individual results may vary greatly depending on your unique characteristics such as hair type, texture, and styling preferences. Unlike deodorant or other personal care products that can be easily substituted with a different brand, hair mousse is a more nuanced product that requires careful consideration of these factors before making a selection.
Additionally, there are other factors to consider when deciding between hair mousse and your go-to gel or spray.
Hair Type & Texture
Hair type is determined by the natural curl pattern of an individual’s hair, which is influenced by the shape and size of hair follicles. This genetic predisposition is unchangeable, although temporary styling can alter the appearance of curly hair. There are four primary hair types – straight, wavy, curly, and coily – each with their own subtypes.
The TCHH gene plays a significant role in determining hair type, as it produces proteins that bind together to shape hair follicles into curl patterns. While genetic variations can influence typical hair types between ethnic groups, the exact mechanism behind hair shape formation is not yet fully understood and scientists are continuing to investigate the roles of various genes. Despite this, there is hope for individuals who wish to manage their natural hair type through epigenetic means.
Straight hair is often considered a universal western hair type due to its lack of natural curls or waviness. This curl pattern is resilient and easy to style, but may require careful product selection to avoid excessive oiliness. Wavy hair, on the other hand, naturally falls into ripple-like patterns with bends and waves. Follicles in this curl pattern vary from fine to coarse, making some people more susceptible to frizzing.
Those with wavy hair may benefit from using a lightweight mousse like Ouai Air Dry Foam. Curly hair ranges from large, loose loops to tight, densely packed coils. While all curly hair is prone to frizziness, this is particularly problematic for those with very tight curls. Individuals with curly hair will want to use a moisturizing, anti-frizz mousse like Deva Curl. Coily hair, also known as natural hair, is dry and springy with zig-zagging curls.
This fragile curl pattern requires extra care to prevent shrinkage and dryness, making a nourishing mousse like tgin Honey Whip a good option.
Hold & Volume
While expectations around hair products often focus on their styling utility and holding properties, the reality is that they can have a profound impact on hair texture and appearance. One key aspect of this is the concept of hair volume, which refers to the perceived added bounce, height, fullness, and thickness in one’s hair. This increased volume is achieved through the strategic distribution of polymers and related compounds along the scalp and individual hair strands.
As these polymers interact with the hair, they form a film that imparts shine and thickness, while also triggering a ‘seam welding’ mechanism that lends stiffness and thus hold. In particular, hair mousse formulas tend to prioritize high volume and moderate hold, allowing users to achieve the desired level of fullness and style.
Additional Benefits
Hair mousse formulas often combine essential styling functions with additional benefits that enhance their overall performance. While their primary role is to add volume, hold, and texture, many mousse products also incorporate ingredients that provide extra advantages. These may include conditioning agents, hydrating properties, and heat and humidity resistance, among others.
One of the key distinguishing features of hair mousses compared to gels or sprays is the inclusion of these supplementary benefits, which can significantly improve their overall effectiveness.
Difference From Other Styling Products
In our previous discussion on the benefits and drawbacks of hair mousse, we touched upon its modern formulation which differs significantly from its 1980s counterpart. Unlike the original, this updated version offers a boost in volume without sacrificing flexibility or texture.
While it may not provide the same level of hold as classic mousse or hair gel, it still manages to deliver thickness, fullness, and bounce, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a styling product that can adapt to various hairstyles. One of its greatest strengths lies in its versatility – it’s a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to hairstyling products, offering a multitude of applications and secondary benefits that ensure its place as a cornerstone of cosmetics for years to come.
In contrast to mousse, hair gel relies heavily on polymer fixative agents such as polyurethane to achieve its holding properties. This results in a significantly longer-lasting hold, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a strong-hold styling product. However, this increased hold comes at the cost of reduced flexibility and style versatility. On the other hand, hair spray is best utilized as a supplementary or finishing product rather than being used as the sole stylist.
While it lacks the volumizing or holding capabilities of mousse or gel, it excels in its ability to augment the effectiveness of your chosen style agent – ensuring that your carefully crafted curls remain intact from morning until night. Just be aware that regular use of hair spray can lead to buildups, requiring more frequent washings.
How to Use Hair Mousse
When it comes to using hair mousse, there’s a right way and a wrong way – or at least a better way and a worse way. To get the most out of your chosen product, follow these essential steps.
First and foremost, make sure you start with clean hair. This might seem obvious, but it’s crucial that your locks are fresh from the shower before you even think about applying mousse.
The directions on the packaging aren’t just for show – they’re there to guide you towards achieving the best possible results.
Next, apply the mousse when your hair is still damp, preferably immediately after toweling off. A small amount goes a long way, so avoid overdoing it. Remember, Mousse 1.0 was left behind in the early days of hairstyling – we’ve come a long way since then, and our standards are much higher.
If you have longer hair, consider blow-drying it to enhance your style.
Use the right attachment for the job: a diffusor is perfect for curls or waves, while a concentrator nozzle is best for straight locks. And if you’re rocking a short ‘do, forget about blow drying and focus on massaging that mousse into your scalp and roots instead. After all, there’s no reason why short hair can’t be just as voluminous as its longer counterparts.
Final Word on Hair Mousse
For those with wavy, curly or other unique hairstyles, Hair Mousse offers a fantastic alternative to traditional style products. This versatile formula provides exceptional hold and volume, allowing for more dramatic styles that would be difficult to achieve with other types of products. While the trade-off is a slightly more noticeable product, it’s well worth it for those seeking extreme hairstyles.
The key to success lies in identifying your hair type and styling objectives, after which you can find the perfect mousse for your needs among our curated selection.
