The Best Mousse for Every Hair Type and How to Use

Mousse has come a long way since it first made an appearance in the ’80s. You may already know that most of the formulas either weighed your hair down or created a not-so-flattering crunchy look. Nobody wants that. This is mostly because the first products were made with alcohol and other harsh chemicals that dried out your hair.

Fortunately, mousse has evolved, and the stiff look is a thing of the past. These days, most high-quality formulas are designed to provide a lightweight hold while boosting the volume of your hair. Plus, there are different formulas designed for each hair type, which we’ll get into shortly.

Achieving gorgeous hair doesn’t have to be complicated with one of the best mousses that’s right for your hair type. Mousse has to be, hands down, one of the most diverse products because you can achieve so many different looks with it. You just have to know what to look for.

In this simple guide, we’ll show you how to use mousse, and fill you in on which formulas we recommend for each hair type. If you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick look at our recommended list of mousse products.

 

Best Mousse for Different Hair Types

First things first. Before we get into the steps on how to use mousse, it’s important to choose the right product for your hair type. This will allow you to see the best results. You want to find a mousse that works with your hair, not against it.

Straight hair will require using a different mousse than the natural curls, while thin strands may need a little extra volume than thick hair. Once you determine which is best for you, the rest is very straightforward.

 

For Straight Volume

Sometimes, finding mousse for straight hair is very difficult, but whoever came up with the idea that mousse is just for enhancing curls never tried this line. For sleek, frizz-free hair that doesn’t skimp out on volume, Smooth ‘n Shine Straight Bodifying Mousse is incredible.

This formula is designed specifically to keep hair straight all day long. It also has the added benefit of UVA and UVB protection for color-treated hair.

Specs:

• Brand: Smooth n’ Shine
• Hair Type: Straight
• Liquid Volume: 9 fluid ounces
• Item Weight: 0.56 pounds

Pros:

• Helps preserve straight hair all day long, even in humidity
• The black seed oil promotes hair growth and helps reverse scalp conditions
• Smooths away frizz and keeps flyaways at bay
• The sulfate-free formula provides fade protection for color-treated hair
• Formulated with coconut oil to intensely hydrate strands
• Protects from breakage and heat

Cons:

• Not the most budget-friendly
• Formula and packaging has recently changed

 

For Thick Hair and Curl Definition

OGX Locking + Curls Decadent Creamy Mousse is one of the most popular and highly reviewed hair products on Amazon, and for good reason. Coconut oil and shea butter deliver intense hydration to each strand and smooth away frizz while enhancing your curls.

One fan raved: “Adding this product into my hair regimen changed it all. My curls have never looked better!” So, if that’s not a good enough reason to give this mousse a shot, then we don’t know what is.

Specs:

• Brand: OGX
• Hair Type: Curly
• Liquid Volume: 7.9 fluid ounces
• Item Weight: 0.5 pounds

Pros:

• Lightweight and won’t weigh down or harden hair like many curl-boosting formulas
• Tightens and enhances the shape of unruly curls
• Coconut oil deeply hydrates thick, dry hair
• The formula is free of sulfates and alcohol, making it safe for color-treated hair
• Budget-friendly price point

Cons:

• It may not be suitable for people sensitive to fragrance
• Some users report the dispenser isn’t of the highest quality

 

For Damaged Hair

Is your hair suffering from dryness due to heat and sun damage? Or perhaps you’ve bleached and colored it one too many times, so you’re looking for a product to help combat breakage.

Marc Anthony Dream Big Volume 7-in-1 Thickening Treatment Foam is the solution for hair that needs some serious nourishment while providing extreme volume. Created for celebrity stylists, it provides lift at the root while strengthening and smoothing split ends in damaged locks.

Specs:

• Brand: Marc Anthony
• Hair Type: Damaged
• Liquid Volume: 6.8 fluid ounces
• Item Weight: 0.43 pounds

Pros:

• Works as a leave-in treatment so you don’t have to apply heat
• Deeply moisturizes dry, damaged hair
• Thickens your strands without weighing them down
• The formula is free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates
• Hydrolyzed proteins and microfibers repair and protect hair from damage

Cons:

• Not the most budget-friendly
• Less mousse in the can, so it may not last as long as some products

 

To Volumize Fine or Thin Hair

When it comes to injecting volume into thin hair, Got2B Fat-tastic Thickening Plumping Hair Mousse takes the cake. It delivers collagen straight to your strands to instantly thicken and volumize even the finest hair. This product does what it says it will and more, enhancing curls or delivering sleek, straight hair. Plus, your strands will benefit from a little extra shine and hydration.

Specs:

• Brand: Got2B
• Hair Type: Fine, thin
• Liquid Volume: 8.5 fluid ounces
• Item Weight: 0.05 pounds

Pros:

• Plumps up fine, flat hair
• Provides long-lasting flexible hold
• Can be used on fine hair that is either curly or straight
• Collagen creates elasticity and strengthens strands to prevent breakage and split ends
• Doesn’t weigh your hair down or harden even after using a lot of product

Cons:

• The slightly higher price point
• Some users report it’s not suitable if you’re sensitive to fragrance

 

How to Apply Mousse & Style Hair

Once you’ve found your holy grail of all formulas, you’ll need to make sure you know how to use mousse for the best results. We’ve broken it down step-by-step for you and included styling tips for different hair types. Consider whether you’d like to incorporate blow drying into your daily routine or simply let your hair air dry.

Step 1

First, you’ll want to towel-dry your freshly shampooed and conditioned hair. It should be damp to the touch, but never dripping wet. On days where you don’t wash your hair, all you need to do is slightly dampen your strands from root to tip. This allows for the best application of mousse because it’s easier to spread through your hair.

 

Step 2

Next, dispense a dime-sized amount of product into your palm and rub your hands together. Remember, mousse expands, so you don’t want to overdo it. Start with less – you can always use more as needed afterward.

 

Step 3

Now, apply the mousse to your hair, starting at your roots. Be sure to focus on this area if you want added volume at your crown. After that, work the product down to your ends. You can also help spread the product evenly throughout your hair by using a wide-tooth comb.

 

Step 4

Lastly, it’s time to style your hair. Depending on the look you’re going for, there are several options here. Don’t worry, you don’t necessarily have to apply heat unless you want to!

For a more natural, tousled look – This is the easiest way to style, especially for those mornings when you’re in a hurry. Simply scrunch your hair in an upward motion, let your hair finish air-drying, and enjoy your naturally tousled look. Opting for heat-free styling is the best solution to help reverse the damage, especially if you regularly bleach, color, curl, or straighten your hair.

For curly hair – Similar to the previous style we just mentioned, you’ll want to scrunch your hair in an upward motion to create the look of curls. Then, you’ll need to blow dry your hair using the diffuser attachment. You can help dry and enhance your curls by cupping them in the diffuser. Continue section by section until your full head of hair is dry and curly.

For sleek, straight hair – For a voluminous straight look, you’ll need a blow dryer with a concentrator and a round brush. We recommend working your way through your hair in sections to achieve the smoothest look. Work the round brush through your hair with the blow dryer pointing downward to flatten flyaways.

 

Final Verdict

Once you find the right mousse for your hair type, achieving the look you want will be much easier. Most formulas are designed for curly hair, so be sure to find a product specifically formulated for straight hair if that’s the look you’re going for.

Lastly, remember to never apply heat to damaged hair. Opt for a mousse that works well without a diffuser and simply allows your hair to air dry.

Did you find these tips helpful for learning how to use mousse based on your hair type? If so, we’d love to hear from you. Let us know in the comments below!