Best Hair Mousses to Help Tame and Define Curls
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Editor’s note: This article was last updated on May 3, 2023.
Curly or wavy hair? We salute you! As many of us know, the curlier your hair is, the harder it usually is to manage, which is why there are specific styling products and techniques that can help you gain better control of your locks. One of our favorite methods is to use a great mousse! When applied on wet, freshly-washed hair, a mousse can help define your natural curls or even create wavier hair if your strands have trouble finding definition.
There are tons of mousses that serve different purposes. Some offer more hold for a longer-lasting style, while others provide moisture for dryer hair. If you’re not exactly sure which type will benefit you most, we can help you out with some handy pointers!
Which Type of Mousse Will Suit My Hair Best?
If you have wavier or fine hair:
- Focus on a mousse with a lightweight feel
- Heavier formulas may weigh your hair down and have the opposite effect!
If you have thicker and curlier hair:
- Look for a denser formula
- Some light mousses can still give you the same curl definition, but your style may not last as long!
Also, think about overall goal before buying a mousse. Most are beloved for curl definition, but mousses can also be used to add general volume to your hair. So even if you don’t have curls, you can still find an option to suit your specific needs! With these tips in mind, check out our definitive list of the best mousses you can buy right now. We guarantee there’s a product in our lineup for every shopper!
13 Amazing Mousses to Help Shape and Define Curls and Waves
Moroccanoil Curl Control Mousse
Shoppers say this mousse has helped them spend less time styling their hair, which is major for managing curls. All you have to do is take a couple of pumps of the product and work it through washed wet hair, and allow it air dry. That’s all, folks! Reviewers also note their curls are incredibly soft, and claim they don’t have the awkward crunchy feeling that other mousses cause.
Pros
- Lightweight formula
- No crunchy feeling
- Non-sticky
Cons
- More expensive
Available at: Amazon, Nordstrom, Sephora
Maui Moisture Flexible Hold + Coconut Milk Curl Foam Mousse
If your hair gets frizzy easily, this mousse can help tame that! While defining your curls, it can also help your hair to look far smoother and shinier. The best part is that it locks in moisture incredibly well, so you don’t have to worry about summer humidity messing up your style!
Pros
- Moisture-locking formula
- Ideal for both curly and wavy hair
- Light scent
- Affordable
Cons
- May leave a slightly stickier feel
Function of Beauty Zero Gravity Styling Hair Mousse
If your hair is simply wavy, it can be hard finding a product made just for your hair type. That’s why we love that this Function of Beauty mousse is specifically formulated for wavy hair. It’s extremely lightweight too, producing a “cloud-like foam,” making it a nice choice for thinner hair!
Pros
- Made to defend hair against heat, urban pollution, UV stress and color fading
- 91% naturally-derived
- Cruelty-free and vegan
Cons
- Won’t be strong enough for more defined curls
Available at: Target
amika Plus Size Volume & Body Mousse
Want big, voluminous, goddess-like hair? This whipped mousse is ready to deliver! It’s designed to provide long-lasting hold without the crunch, and shoppers say it has a “great smell” — as all amika products do. This mousse may also protect hair against heat and frizz for day-long perfection!
Pros
- Contains shaping polymers for long-lasting hold
- Free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, more
- Actually recommended for all hair types!
Cons
- Might be a little drying if your hair is already on the dry side
SheaMoisture Curl Mousse
This mousse was specifically designer for curly hair that’s thicker and extra frizzy, though shoppers who say they have thinner hair use it successfully. It has excellent smoothing power, so if you find that your hair feels like it’s totally unmanageable, this mousse may be the right stuff for you!
Pros
- Works for thicker hair
- No crunchy feeling
- Anti-frizz
Cons
- May be too heavy for fine hair
Available at: Amazon, Ulta, Target
OGX Locking + Coconut Curls Decadent Creamy Mousse
This mousse is a little bit different, because it’s a hybrid of both a hair foam and cream packaged into one can. Blending the two essentially can give you the staying power of a mousse — with the hydration that cream products provide. This product works for any type of hair and leaves your locks feeling soft — while holding curls or waves intact.
Pros
- Hybrid formula
- Affordable price
- Suitable for all hair types
Cons
- May not have enough hold for thicker hair
- Some shoppers don’t love the sweet scent
TRESemmé Flawless Curls Mousse
If you’re looking to score a major deal on a quality product, this mousse may be your best bet. You can snag a whopping 15 ounce bottle, which is the largest size out of any other mousse on this list! This salon-quality formula is infused with coconut and avocado oil to help make your hair soft while keeping its hold, which shoppers note feels amazing.
Pros
- Suitable for all hair types
- Large quantity
- Affordable price
Cons
- Hold may be too light for some
Available at: Amazon, Walmart, Target
Mixed Chicks Morning After Redefining Hair Foam
This mousse is a little bit different, because it’s actually designed to use on dry hair! This innovative product is made to be used on your curls the next day if they need sprucing up. Most mousses simply do not work on dry hair, so instead of going through another shampoo routine to get your curls in check, use this to bring your style back to life!
Pros
- Designed for next-day curls
- Made for dry hair
- Non-sticky formula
Cons
- Some shoppers don’t love the scent
- May not help tame extra frizzy hair
tgin Honey Whip Hydrating Mousse
If your hair is extra dry and needs all the hydration it can get, this is the mousse for you! It’s made for natural hair types, though we noticed some reviewers with wavy and straight hair who love how it works for them. It’s infused with honey, which promotes shiny hair and may keep frizz and flyaways at bay. And as a bonus, buying this product supports a small business!
Pros
- Extra hydrating
- Perfect for natural hair
- Long-lasting hold
Cons
- May leave a slight sticky feeling
Available at: Amazon, Walmart, Ulta
Biolage Styling Whipped Volume Mousse
You may be on the hunt for mousses even if you don’t have curly or wavy hair, which is why we included this specific product! It’s made for every hair type, but is more of a volumizing product than anything else. It can help lift your roots and strands to give your locks more body!
Pros
- Great for all hair types
- Clean scent
- Won’t weight down fine hair
Cons
- Hold may not be the strongest
- Feels slightly sticky
John Frieda Frizz-Ease Take Charge Curl-Boosting Mousse
For extra frizzy hair, this mousse is a true saving grace. It helps define curls or waves while combatting frizz, plus offers your locks heat protection if you want to go in with a diffusing tool afterwards!
Pros
- Extra frizz control
- Hydrating formula
- Heat protection
Cons
- Hold may be too light for some
- May be too moisturizing for oily hair
Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Curl Activating Mousse
Every type of curl will benefit from this mousse’s defining capabilities! It can help you make sure that each coil is perfectly intact all day long — without getting frizzy or messy. You’re left with soft, touchable hair that lasts!
Pros
- Lightweight formula
- Affordable
- Fights against humidity
Cons
- May not be best for fine hair
Available at: Ulta, Target, Walmart
Bumble and bumble. Curl Mousse
If you’re willing to invest in your hair, this mousse is definitely worth the splurge. It may be pricier than others, but shoppers swear the way it combats frizz is a cut above the rest. The extra lightweight formula also makes it excellent if your hair is on the finer side!
Pros
- Great for all hair types
- Adds shine
- Gives hair extra volume
Cons
- More expensive
- Hold may be a bit too soft for some
Available at: Sephora, Amazon, Ulta, Target
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