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When it comes to dealing with hair, shampoos, leave-ins, and oils are usually the first products that come to mind. However, hair mousse is an underrated must-have that doesn’t get nearly as much attention. Beloved for its foamy texture (the word “mousse” actually translates to “foam” in French), hair mousse is principally used to provide definition and control flyaways. That’s why those of us who are curly girls often depend on this soft, frothy substance to coat our coils and keep our styles held in place.
Hair mousse is also extremely versatile and can style a range of textures. “Mousse is the golden child of stylers because it delivers a variety of results that one may normally seek from multiple products,” says Ebony Bomani, Pattern Beauty's Brand Educator. Whether you’re looking to achieve a voluminous blowout or a humidity-defying wash-and-go, hair mousse will be your new best friend. Also to note, hair mousse products are formulated in such a way that makes them airy and lightweight, so you won’t have to worry about weighing down your strands. Ahead, shop the 12 best hair mousses to save your styling routine.
1
Best Overall
R+Co Rodeo Star Thickening Style Foam
Pros
Adds volume
Cons
- Can weigh down hair if too much is used
Fine, limp hair will get a massive boost with this thickening mousse. Not only does it add tons of volume, but it also conditions the hair with hydrating ingredients.
Size: 5 fl. oz.
Key Ingredient: Apricot kernel oil
Bloomingdale’s rating: 5/5 stars
Bloomingdale’s reviewer says: “I love R & Co products. It is such a great brand. Everything always smells so good, this thickening foam gives my baby fine hair great volume. A little goes a long way too. I’ve been on my first bottle for at least 6 months now and it still hasn’t run out.”
2
Best For Hydrated Curls
PATTERN by Tracee Ellis Ross Curl Mousse
Pros
- Has strong hold
Cons
- Some may dislike the scent
“Curl Mousse has my heart because it provides weightless volume, touchable hold, definition, and shine–without the crunch,” says Pattern’s Brand Educator Ebony Bomani. “It’s what I reach for when I need to style in one step. The formula is flake-free and the hair dries quickly!”
Size: 8 fl. oz.
Key Ingredient: Castor oil
Sephora rating: 4.6/5 stars
An ELLE Editor says: “I typically stick to mini-sized products because I am notoriously indecisive. I took my bite-sized Pattern mousse on a seven-day trip and immediately knew I had to invest in the full version when I returned home. Castor oil is the star player and nourishes and strengthens the hair. Plus, the formula doesn't leave your hair sticky or super crunchy.”—Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor
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Pros
- Moisturizes dry hair
Cons
- May be too heavy for oilier hair types
For blowouts that need an extra bounce, this argan oil-infused volumizing mousse delivers hold without any stiffness. The result is touchably-soft hair that brings the drama.
Size: 8.5 fl. oz. Key Ingredient
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “If you are looking for a product that is going to put volume into your hair, this is it! It really works and it lasts without making your hair sticky and hard. I put a handful of mousse through my hair then blow dry with a large round brush.”
Pros
- Defines curls
Cons
- The container can break
Curly girls everywhere know the power this mousse possesses. Say goodbye to frizz and enjoy soft, defined curls with a ton of volume. Plus, for less than ten dollars, you can re-purchase this product again and again.
Size: 7.2 fl. oz. Key Ingredient
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I use it after I wash my hair when my hair is halfway dry. Really makes my hair smooth and silky. I get a lot of compliments on my hair. I also straighten my hair and it looks really smooth. I will be ordering again.”
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Pros
- Reduces frizz
Cons
- Some may dislike the scent
Thick curls really benefit from using a mousse to style post-shower. This version from SheaMoisture infuses the hair with hydration, without weighing down your texture.
Size: 7.5 fl. oz. Key Ingredient
Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I love this product. It smells great and dries down soft. My hair isn’t clingy or crunchy at all. I apply it to my wet hair and let it air dry.”
Pros
- Lightweight
Cons
- Can feel drying
Haircare minimalists, get some time back in your morning routine by investing in air-drying products like this foaming mousse. It accentuates waves and curls while adding volume and decreasing frizz.
Size: 4 fl. oz. Key Ingredient
Amazon rating: 4.1/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “So lightweight! Makes my fine curls stay without weighing them down.”
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Pros
- Reduces frizz
Cons
- Can leave hair feeling greasy
Whether your hair is wavy or curly, this viral foam adds even more definition–without leaving hair feeling crunchy. The foam is lightweight, but the results are undeniable.
Size: 6.7 fl. oz.
Key Ingredient: Pro-Vitamin B5
XMONDO rating: 4/5 stars
An XMONDO reviewer says: “I love that my hair had little to no frizz after using this product! On top of that the texture of my curls were not crunchy feeling and were actually pretty soft! All this to say, I will definitely be purchasing this regularly! Much love.”
8
Best For Adding Volume
IGK Big Time Volume and Thickening Mousse
Pros
- Adds volume to fine hair
Cons
- Can weigh down hair if too much is used
“I love IGK’s Big Time Volume and Thickening Mousse, as it creates fullness and body, yet the hair is still touchable and soft. This volumizing and thickening blow-dry mousse delivers a soft, flexible body and bounces to the hair for fuller results. Its lightweight formula provides density without weighing the hair down or leaving it dry or sticky,” says IGK co-founder Franck Izquierdo.
Size: 6.2 oz
Key ingredients: Nordic cotton
Ulta rating: 4/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer says: “Really love this mousse. Adds good texture to my wavy hair. I pair this with a medium hold hair spray when I want a lot of volume. Apply to wet hair, but use sparingly. I use way less of this than other mousses for better results.”
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9
Best For Beginners
Not Your Mother's Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Curl Activation Mousse
Pros
- Defines curls
Cons
- Can feel sticky
Curly girls know that humidity is not our friend. If your curls are prone to frizz and you want more definition, this mousse is completely foolproof, even for beginners.
Size: 7.0 oz
Key Ingredient: Caprylyl glycol
Ulta rating: 4/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer says: “As someone with naturally curly hair, I have been through a LOT of products. I love this mousse, it defines my curls very well, scrunches out perfectly leaving behind no crunch, and is reasonably priced.”
10
Best For Flat Hair
COLOR WOW Xtra Large Bombshell Volumizer
Pros
- Adds volume at the roots
Cons
- The results fade after a few hours
Adding volume at the roots is essential if you’re trying to give yourself an updo or are headed to a fancy event. This mousse doesn’t leave a trace in your hair, but helps limp hair get an extra oomph.
Size: 6.7 fl. oz.
Key Ingredient: Polymers
Amazon rating: 3.9/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “Use for the first time today. What a wonderful styling product. My hair came out better than it ever has.”
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11
Best For Straight Hair
Oribe Grandiose Hair Plumping Mousse
Pros
- Adds grip to silky hair
Cons
- Pricey
Whether it’s genetic or the result of damage, some people don’t naturally have thick, voluminous hair. This mousse helps add a heaping amount of natural-looking drama to even limp, flat strands.
Size: 5.9 fl. oz.
Key Ingredient: Polymers
Walmart rating: 4.7/5 star
A Walmart reviewer says: “If you are looking for volume this mousse is the ticket! Talk about elevated! I have never used anything that added this kind of volume let alone has no crunch! A little goes a long way. Thank you Oribe!.”
Pros
- Increases hair growth
Cons
- Small amount of product in bottle
Even cynics believe that Vegamour products have transformative, hair-growing powers. This mousse should be applied daily in the areas where you want to see more thickness.
Size: 1.1 fl oz
Key ingredients: Circumin stem cell extract, red clover, mung bean
Vegamour rating: 4.3/5 stars
A Vegamour reviewer says: “I accidentally placed an order for this when I was trying to reorder the dry shampoo and didn’t realize I had put the wrong product in the cart until I had already paid for it and it was on its way. I decided to give it a try anyway and I was very pleasantly surprised! I use it in the morning in my damp hair (after a shower) at the roots then style as usual and my hair really has more bounce, shine and sleekness to it! I’m sold! I use almost all the Vegamour products and absolutely LOVE THIS LINE of hair care!”
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What does hair mousse do?
“Mousse is the golden child of stylers because it delivers a variety of results that one may normally seek from multiple products," says Bomani. “It provides hold, style memory, volume, and body. Additionally, mousse helps define curls, reduce frizz, and protect against humidity.”
“Mousse is usually in a thick foam form,” adds Izquierdo. “It is typically applied from roots to ends, combed through hair, and blow-dried in. Mousse offers hold, style memory, lift and bounce.”
Does mousse leave your hair feeling sticky or crunchy?
“Traditional aerosol mousses, especially those designed to add volume, are often alcohol and polymer-based. This allows the formula to provide lift and hold for a voluminous look,” says Izquierdo. “However, these ingredients, if not offset with hydrating ingredients, could lead to a dry or stiff feel. It is important to look for mousses with hair hydrators to help counteract these other materials.”
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What hair types benefit the most from mousse?
“Whether using it for blow outs, finger waves, curl defining, twists, braids, coils or roller sets, mousse is lightweight and provides a flexible hold. Therefore, it is beneficial for all hair types,” says Bomani. “However, I especially love mousse for finer hair types due to the volume that it lends.”
Meet the Experts
Ebony Bomani is a licensed cosmetologist, Pattern’s Brand Educator, and a content creator.
Franck Izquierdo is a hairstylist and co-founder of IGK.
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Why trust ELLE Beauty?
Tatjana Freund is ELLE’s Beauty E-Commerce Writer. She has interviewed countless haircare professionals, and is always testing out new and trending hair treatments.
Lauren K. Tappan is a freelance fashion and beauty editor, producing shopping pieces and covering trends for ELLE and Harper's Bazaar.
Tatjana Freund
Fashion & Luxury Commerce Editor
Tatjana Freund is Hearst's Fashion & Luxury Commerce Editor, covering beauty, fashion and more across multiple brands. Previously, she worked at ELLE.com and Marie Claire. She's a fan of whiskey neat, podcasts that give her nightmares, and one time Zoë Kravitz laughed at a joke she made.
