Hair to Stay: Why Mousse Is the OG Styler Your Haircare Routine Needs

What Is Hair Mousse?

Simply put, hair mousse is a foam-based styler that helps shape and hold the hair. Featuring a whipped consistency that’s bouncier than a cream yet lighter than a gel, its airy formula typically provides flexible yet natural movement that won’t weigh hair down. It’s often used to boost volume and can be a valuable addition to any haircare routine, regardless of hair type.

In the past, you might have experienced using mousse only to end up with stiff, crunchy strands that (looked great but) felt terrible. These days, mousse for hair still creates weightless volume, but there are many updated formulas that come without the undesirable effects you may remember.

What Does Hair Mousse Do?

The better question may be, what can’t hair mousse products do? The mousse formulas of today help create airy fullness while adding definition, shine, and hold. If we had to pick our favorite thing about mousses, though, it may be that they can work for every head of hair. The key is to find the best hair mousse for your hair type and styling goals. (Sit tight for our top picks below.)

Does mousse texturize hair?

Since mousses are for wet hair, they usually won’t provide that traditional gritty, tousled texture you’d normally see after using a texturizing spray on dry hair. However, mousses do add lightweight volume and, in some cases, may contain thickening ingredients that give your hair the look and feel of additional plumpness. For these reasons, they may seem similar to texturizers, though the two are not quite the same.

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Should I Use Mousse or Hairspray?

Comparing mousse to hairspray is a lot like comparing apples to oranges: Both stylers serve different purposes in your haircare routine. Mousse is your first step, meant to prep damp hair and leave it with extra body. Hairspray, on the other hand, functions as a finishing touch that gives dry hair lasting hold. There’s no reason to choose between the two—they’re often seen as bookends to a complete styling regimen, working even better together.

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How to Apply Hair Mousse

There are a few ways to use mousse for hair properly. No matter what look you want to create, a general rule of thumb is to start with the recommended amount of product (per the packaging), then add more if necessary. Hair mousse is typically very lightweight and foamy, so it can be tempting to slather tons of it onto your locks, but a little goes a long way.

Do you put mousse on wet or dry hair?

You should always apply mousse to damp strands—never dry hair. Hair mousse is intended to melt into your locks. As such, combining it with the porous nature of damp hair allows it to penetrate more effectively. For the best results, apply mousse to your hair after it’s freshly washed and conditioned but before adding other haircare products.

4 Ways To Use Hair Mousse Based on Your Styling Goals

Now that you know the basics (apply mousse to damp hair and don’t use too much product), we can get into more specifics about application. The best way to apply mousse will likely depend on the look you’re going for; for example, there are different application techniques for achieving bouncy curls versus extra-voluminous roots. Below, we’re sharing four common ways to use hair mousse based on your desired outcome.

For curl definition:

Mousse for curly hair may be the mousse you’re immediately familiar with from years past. If you have naturally curly or coily hair, mousse is an excellent way to define your curls and add volume, all while keeping your hair light and bouncy.

Simply apply the mousse throughout towel-dried hair, giving extra attention to your roots for a voluminous final look. After evenly distributing the foam, scrunch your curls to shape them, then allow the mousse to dry completely.

For voluminous hold:

Priming your mane with mousse will ensure your bouncy blowout never falls flat.

Apply your mousse hair product throughout your strands, focusing on your roots. Then, rough dry or air dry your hair to remove about 80% of the moisture (blow drying sopping wet hair with a round brush can result in damage). After, you can go in with your blow dryer and a round brush, gently pulling your hair upward to add lift at the roots.

For a root boost:

If your roots always fall limp, you should opt for a root-lifting mousse to create lasting support at your scalp. A root lifter is often the best mousse for wavy hair, like types 2A or 2B, since these curl patterns tend to be flatter at the top of the head. Applying this type of mousse is slightly different from others since they often feature aerated nozzles or targeted tips for precise application.

Working in sections on towel-dried hair, spray or release the foam onto your scalp, massaging it into your roots. You can also flip your head over and apply the hair mousse that way, using your fingertips to spread it from the nape of your neck to right above your hairline. Blow dry each section with a round or paddle brush in the opposite direction of where you want your hair to lie.

For thickening fine hair:

Some of us need more help than others in the volume department. That’s where thickening hair mousses come in. These airy formulas are especially beneficial for fine or thin hair because they won’t weigh your hair down even further.

Like other applications, you’ll want to use your mousse hair product to prep your hair for styling. Simply apply mousse throughout your freshly washed, damp strands, focusing on your roots.

Now that you know how to apply mousse correctly, check out some of the best mousse formulas from L’Oréal’s portfolio of professional brands.

Best Mousses for Curly Hair

L’Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Curl Expression 10-In-1 Cream-In-Mousse

When looking for the best mousse for curly hair, you’ll want to opt for formulas that define and hydrate your curls and protect them against frizz. Luckily, L’Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Curl Expression 10-In-1 Cream-In-Mousse offers all these benefits—and then some—in just a few pumps. Our favorite thing about this curly hair mousse is that it offers heat protection, too, so you can air dry your curls or go in with a diffuser.

Mizani Styling Foam Wrap

Mizani Styling Foam Wrap is our go-to for creating wet sets on naturally wavy to curly hair. Rake this hair mousse evenly throughout wet hair, wrap or twist your locks as desired, and then sit beneath a hooded dryer to set your ‘do.

Best Mousses for Styling Hold

Redken Stay High Mousse

This unique gel-to-mousse formula melts into the hair, infusing it with 24-hour lift while giving your style maximum hold. Learn more about this innovative mousse and how to use it in our article, Redken Stay High Mousse Review for Flat Hair.

Redken Full Volume Mousse

Redken’s medium-control Full Volume Mousse adds long-lasting volume to hair lengths and ends. If that wasn’t enough, the conditioning formula enhances softness and protects hair against humidity and heat damage.

Biolage Professional Hydra Source Foaming Styler

Make brittle, lifeless hair a thing of the past with Biolage Professional Hydra Source Foaming Styler. Ideal for dry strands, this medium-hold, conditioning hair mousse adds body and natural movement to any style. Plus, the formula contains UV filters to safeguard your color from fading in the sun.

L’Oréal Professionnel Tecni.Art Full Volume Extra

Those seeking strong-hold volume should look no further than L’Oréal Professionnel Tecni.Art Full Volume Extra. When you crave runway-worthy volume, this mousse adds wearable yet controlled lift without weighing the hair down.

Matrix Styling Setter Mousse

For both shine and volume, add the Styling Setter Mousse from Matrix to your cart. This versatile mousse keeps looks like sleek ponytails on lock while enhancing luster. We also can’t get enough of its fragrance: With notes of lemon, apple, and watermelon, the formula will leave your strands lightly scented.

Check out one editor’s review of the full suite of Matrix’s Styling Collection.

Best Mousses for a Root Lift

Pureology Style + Protect On Rise Root Lifting Mousse

Add plumpness from top to bottom with Pureology Style + Protect On Rise Root Lifting Mousse. This medium-control spray is infused with vegetable protein and increases hair's ability to bind with moisture while adding shine. It’s an excellent companion to both blow-dried and air-dried looks.

Redken Root Lifter Volumizing Spray

Redken’s best-selling Root Lifter Volumizing Spray has a targeted spray nozzle that allows you to build customized volume. The results: Boosted roots with flexible fullness and a long-lasting, natural feel. Peep this root-lifting tutorial from Redken artist Sarah Bramham for styling inspiration.

Best Mousses for Fine Hair

Kérastase Densifique Densimorphose Hair Mousse

When searching for the best mousse for fine hair, you can find Kérastase Denisifique Densimorphose Hair Mousse at the top of our list. Ideal for hair that visibly lacks density, this advanced treatment mousse combines hyaluronic acid, gluco peptide, and ceramides and helps strengthen hair. With less breakage, you’ll ultimately get the appearance of increased fullness.

Matrix High Amplify Foam Volumizer

Perfect for long hair, straight hair, and fine hair, Matrix High Amplify Foam Volumizer is a color-safe styler that yields a high-impact look. This silicone-free formula is made with protein for an added boost while providing instant lift. When used with the full High Amplify Shampoo, Conditioner, and Proforma Hairspray system, you can experience up to 35 percent boosted volume.

Shu Uemura Art of Hair Awa Volume Hair Mousse

Fun fact: “Awa” in Shu Uemura Art of Hair’s Awa Volume Mousse stands for “bubble” in Japanese. The circular shape represents this hair mousse's ability to create maximum volume and a soft finish. Finer-haired folks will want to scoop this one up ASAP.

Next Up: 18 of the Best Hairsprays Based on Hold

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Header photo credits: RedkenPro, Pureology, and L’OrealPro