Ah, hair mousse. Has there ever been a beauty product that’s gone in and out of style more than this? I may have missed the XXL perms of the Eighties, but I was very much around for the late Nineties/early Noughties crunch phase.
You know the one, from back at school: where everyone, no matter their hair type – poker-straight, curly, fine or coarse – scrunched mousse into their hair like there was no tomorrow.
The result? Rock-hard waves and curls encased in a shell-like glaze. Often paired with a straightened side fringe. Did our hair move? Not at all. Did it look good? Also no. But that was then.
Now, our luck has changed. Mousse has had a major makeover, and the new formulas on the block are less about shell-like helmet hair and more about creating a soft-textured finish that still has serious hold – and even added haircare benefits.
Mousse is also curly hair’s best friend: removing frizz and flyaways while providing maximum hold, for defined spirals that actually last all day.
How should you apply hair mousse?
Start with clean, damp hair – I usually gently squeeze off excess water with an Aquis AON Lisse towel, £22, LookFantastic, or you can use a cotton T-shirt. Then, squirt a blob of mousse into your palm.
Don’t go mad here – it expands quickly and you can always add more later. I usually end up using a few egg-sized amounts for my 3b curls.
For curly hair post-wash day, I’d suggest dampening your hair (I always use a mist spray bottle, like
Flairosol’s Fine Mist Spray Bottle Black, £5.95, FeelUnique), then use a little leave-in conditioner and a wide-tooth comb to detangle before applying a much smaller amount of mousse to avoid major product build-up.
And, a tip: when you do get to wash day, use a clarifying shampoo to remove residue (try Bouclème Scalp Exfoliating Shampoo, £26, Sephora).
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How can mousse help you style your hair?
To style, it’s simple: just scrunch away. With the blob of mousse on my palm, I like to run my fingers through the lengths of my hair, and when I reach the bottom, I scrunch my hair up into my palms. And repeat.
You can finger curl any front bits for definition, then leave your hair to air dry for a low-maintenance approach. But if you do have a little time on your hands, I’d suggest tipping your head upside down and using a hairdryer on a low heat with a diffuser for voluminous, smooth-as-silk spirals that won’t drop as the day goes on.
Looking to attempt a slicked-back bun? Mousse 2.0 is also your friend here – use on wet hair first, then smooth a little extra over your finished style to stop any potential flyaways in their tracks.
The best modern hair mousses in the game
So, you’ve got the technique down (though it’s so simple, I’m not sure you can even call it a ‘technique’), but which formulas to choose?
Hershesons Zhoosh Foam, £14
This do-it-all wonder works well across a wide range of hair textures, from fine strands to coarse coils. The innovative formula uses a blend of alcohol and starch for a ‘dry’ foam texture that won’t leave hair feeling greasy. It’s versatile, too: use on wet hair for soft yet defined curls, or you can apply it to dry hair to absorb grease and add volume. Win, win.
Aveda Nutriplenish Liquid Styling Foam, £28
This is not your average mousse. In fact, I’m pushing the boat a bit by even calling this a mousse, as it’s technically a foam. But it acts in a similar way, with the bubbling formula making the product easy to distribute through damp hair. It’s infused with castor oil, coconut oil and mango seed butter to moisturise dry ends, while pomegranate seed oil protects against environmental aggressors. This offers a very soft hold – great for gentle waves. But if it’s a firmer hold you’re looking for, this pairs perfectly with a gel for curls that have natural movement and shine.
Umberto Giannini Curl Whip Curl Activating Mousse, £8.25
I’m obsessed with Umberto Giannini’s entire curl range. For price, I think you’re hard-pushed to beat this line for its Curl Shampoo, £8.75, Boots, Scrunching Jelly, £8.75, Boots, and now, this Whip Curl Activating Mousse. The product provides definition without the crunch and adds plenty of body at the same time. A little goes a long way with this one, meaning even more bang for your buck.
Davines Curl Moisturizing Mousse, £21
Another brand whose curly hair range deserves a shout out (especially its Curl Cleansing Cream, £31, and Curl Cream, £23), this mousse does exactly what it says on the tin: it leaves hair feeling super soft and hydrated, thanks to it being paraben-free. Davines’ mousse also offers a medium hold without being sticky, for bouncy curls that are easily revived with a spritz of water the next day.
Larry King Haircare My Nanna’s Mouse, £19
This product gets a spot on this list for the name alone. But also because it’s one that delivers. It’s not surprising that this mousse works well on textured hair, as celebrity stylist King is known for his Curly Hair Remedy approach. He has developed a mousse that, thankfully, is nostalgic for his Nanna’s beauty regime without replicating the old-school formula. The one thing this does have in common with Eighties mousses is its hold: it offers great definition with just enough crunch to know your hair is in safe hands for the day, without having to worry about looking like you’ve just been doused in water.
Moroccanoil Curl Control Mousse, £15.85
This mousse gives you all the smoothing benefits of Moroccanoil’s cult argan oil, while also adding definition. The dream, no? Containing an anti-static agent derived from coconut, this formula is specifically designed for very curly and coarse hair types, but I also found it worked well on my finer strands – I just avoided applying the product near my scalp. A tip: reapply on dry hair for extra definition post-wash day.
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