Andrew Peloquin
11 min
6.1K
After 23 hours of research evaluating 78 products, we picked Thermafuse Fixxe Volume Mousse as our top choice.
For years, the style industry has been telling you that hair mousse is back.
Of course, they don’t mean the heavy, crunchy mousses of the 80s that work (and look) more like gel.
Modern hair mousse offers the same benefits, but they do it without the negatives.
The answer is simple - pretty much everyone that has more hair than a simple pixie cut (or crew cut for men).
But, anyone with fine or curly hair should pay special attention.
That doesn’t mean that those with straight or thick hair should turn away.
When you know how to use hair mousse properly, it’ll soon become clear that you, too, will benefit from the moveable hold that makes your hair look and behave the same as the hair of your fave celebs on the red carpet.
Now, on to our list of the best hair mousse.
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The price is right, old is long lasting and non-crunchy, and lcohol and paraben free (which seems to keep dandruff in check).
Not animal-friendly.
The ingredient list is better than some others, the hold is more than passable even as hair remains flexible and natural.
It also gives some shine and the scent is generally non-offensive. Just take a look.
Hold: This mousse holds very well, though it's not nearly as strong as the marketing would suggest.
Still, it's a good, long-lasting, non-crunchy hold.
Shine: Not only does this product seem to add a touch of extra, healthy-looking shine, it seems to be flake fee.
Scent: The fragrance is light and non-lingering. It's mostly nothing at all and is closer to fresh than anything else.
What's inside: On the plus side, this mousse is alcohol and paraben free. It also has good-for-your-hair ingredients such as keratin amino acids and lanolin.
No, it's not vegan, nor is it cruelty-free.
You can apply this thick, very typically textured mousse on both dry and damp hair, but it's definitely better on damp hair, followed by hair drying.
The price is very good on this product; you get 10.5 ounces for $8, which is 76 cents per ounce (a steal, really).
And, even though it's not a Prime product, it comes with free shipping.
If you're on a budget, you really do want to get your hands on this mousse.
It's a cost-effective 3-pack product and available on Subscribe & Save. Adds volume and bounce and comes in a non-aerosol can - the environment will thank you!
Ingredients are far from natural or animal-friendly and the scent can be very strong.
Hold: It's all about hold here. Yes, it adds volume, but this mousse is all about hold; it's strong and long-lasting.
And, at the same time, your hair will stay soft and bouncy, not stiff.
Shine: Don't expect any extra shine. It doesn't make your hair appear dull, mind you; but don't think this will give you any gloss.
Scent: The scent of this mousse is not its strong point. It's got a strong flowery, almost fruity aroma and while some like it, others find it unrealistically strong.
What's inside: If you're looking for a totally responsible product, you're in the wrong place. Pantene isn't cruelty-free.
In addition, you'll find added fragrance, alcohol, and parabens here - as well as propane. (Get a good hair mask!)
There are pros and there are cons. On the downside, the ingredient list is far from our favorite and the scent can be a little too strong.
But, you just won't find another mousse with this level of hold - especially while maintaining soft, flexible hair. And, the price is right.
The manufacturer suggests applying this to damp hair and spreading before blow-drying.
There's a note about allowing it to air dry for a more natural look, but that almost completely negates the point of this mousse.
As far as price goes, you should be very happy. You'll pay much less than $1 (roughly 86 cents) per ounce - and you get nearly 19 ounces of product.
You can save even more with Subscribe & Save.
It's humidity resistant, works across hair types (thick, thin, long, short), and lifts flat hair at the roots.
The nozzle can clog (to fix, run it under hot water and wipe clean).
Hold: This spray mousse lifts and holds hair surprisingly well. But, keep in mind that this isn't really for holding curls in place as much as it is for holding your hair up and away from your scalp. You may want to top with hairspray.
Shine: This isn't going to give you any shine; in fact, it may even go so far as to add a matte finish. If you need gloss, you'll need to add it separately.
Scent: This volumizer has a floral scent, though it's a little difficult to figure out exactly what that aroma is. Nonetheless, most people like it.
What's inside: If you ever wanted to look at a long list of chemical names that you don't understand, look no further.
There aren't a lot of natural ingredients here. It's also not vegan, nor can the brand call itself cruelty-free. It also includes added fragrance, though it's paraben-free.
All in, it can make a person cringe, though the product works.
Once you get over the ingredient list of this spray mousse, everything else is so praiseworthy that it would be difficult to ignore it - especially if you have flat hair (of any length or texture).
It's non-sticky, non-crunchy, pleasant smelling and adds a huge amount of volume with a fair amount of hold. That, and it sells at a terrific price. You've got to love that.
This really must be applied to damp hair; don't attempt to apply it to dry hair.
It's a spray on that goes into the scalp and root areas and is then blow-dried out.
The MSRP is $19, though it's usually available on Amazon for less than $12. That makes it less than $1.25 per ounce (and there are 10 ounces in a bottle) which is a really terrific price for a mousse.
Plus, it comes with Prime shipping.
It's great for building hold and sculpting, truly inflates hair, and ong-lasting hold - even with humidity.
It can be a little heavy for some hair types and the price is on the high end.
Hold: The hold is somewhere between light and medium, as you would expect from most mousse products.
That said, it does last all day and even does a great job through humidity.
Shine: This doesn't impart any shine, though it does have conditioning agents. Use it more for volume, combining it with a shine-adding product if that's important to you.
Scent: Most users enjoy the smell of this mousse, though it doesn't have that much of a fragrance. It's sort of a clean smell if anything.
What's inside: It's paraben, sulfate, and phthalate free, but it does have alcohol in it. Also, it's not a cruelty-free brand.
But on the good side, it has plenty of conditioning agents, including soy protein and wheat amino acids.
If you want to make your fine hair appear thicker, this is where you should start. Although, you really do need to pay attention to the application instructions or you won't get the result you want.
It's a thick, cushioning, sculpting mousse that holds throughout the day. It doesn't add shine, but you will get volume and body.
This mousse must be applied to damp hair before heat styling, otherwise you will end up with a bit of a flat greasy look.
You can actually layer this on top of itself to build a stronger, but still non-crunchy hold.
This is definitely one of the most expensive mousses on the market. The MSRP is $35, though you can get it on Amazon for $30 (most of the time), which works out to just under $6/ounce.
And while it has free shipping, it's not a Prime product.
Helps thicken and add volume to hair, creates defined curls - crunch-free, and controls frizz by balancing moisture.
Start out easy if you don’t want too strong of a hold – a little goes a long way (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing)!
Hold: Provides a touchable, medium-style hold. Works well while still allowing you to comb through your hair with the product in. Great for controlling frizz, particularly in curly hair.
Shine: Intended to add shine to that beautiful hair.
Scent: Users seem to enjoy its coconut like smell.
What’s inside: If you value knowing what exactly is in the product you’re putting in your hair this one probably won’t disappoint you. It is paraben free, vegan, and color safe.
Easy to use on wet or dry hair.
This relatively inexpensive product is available in 3 sizes, so you can test it out with a smaller size first if you so desire to make sure it’s the product for you before dropping much money.
Foam is non-sticky and non-crunchy, does a good job with curls and waves, and vegan, cruelty-free product.
It doesn't work for everyone and some users don't like the texture.
Hold: The hold on this mousse is a little difficult to explain, it is comparatively light, but it does have a strong lasting effect.
Perhaps the easiest way to describe it is that it will definitely hold waves on long hair for the whole day, but it won't do the same with artificial curls.
Shine: This definitely gives hair a little bit of shine. We wouldn't call it high-gloss, but you will definitely get a soft sheen.
Scent: The scent of this mousse is something you won't be able to escape; it's simply intoxicating.
It smells like crème brûlée - something like vanilla and toasted marshmallows. Yum...
What's inside: Not Your Mother's is a cruelty-free brand and this product is vegan. But, you should be aware that there are parabens in the mix; it also includes added fragrance.
This is the kind of hair styling product that you'll want to eat; it smells so good. Truly, we can't overstate that.
But there are other benefits here too. It really does add a superb amount of volume while remaining lightweight.
The hold is long-lasting and the non-sticky formula will leave your hair shiny and soft, working well across long hair and short.
The manufacturer doesn't recommend a specific application, so feel free to experiment with wet and dry hair.
You're likely to experience more volume if you apply to damp hair and blow dry it in - but be careful not to use too much. Luckily, it doesn't leave your hair sticky.
You'll pay roughly $29 or $30 for 2 bottles of this mousse - that's 14 ounces, which isn't bad at all. It works out to a little more than $2/ounce.
It's not a Prime product, but it does have free shipping which is a plus.
Makes it easy to create soft but defined waves by adding the needed texture to do so. Great for straight hair, but it's also amazing with curly hair and doesn't include parabens or sulfates.
It doesn't work for everyone (especially longer, thicker hair) and some users experience tangles.
Hold: This does offer the strongest of holds, though it's enough to keep most wavy, textured styles in place. It's not strong enough for those that find their hair never holds a curl.
Shine: While you may find a little extra shine in your hair when using this, you shouldn't expect it to give you a lot. But, that's not why you turn to this mousse.
Scent: This smells like a rich and decadent flowery perfume - most people love it and many find it somewhat light and neutral, but there are some that find it's a little too "old lady".
What's inside: The sea kelp extract imparts the same sort of texture and volume to your hair that sea salt does.
So, if you love your hair at the beach, you definitely need to give this product a try. Also, of the few ingredients inside, you won't find parabens, sulfates, or alcohol. But, it does include added fragrance.
We really like the way this smells and the ingredients on the inside.
We also like the texture it imparts and the hold it provides most users. But you do need to remember that if you have stick-straight hair, it's not a miracle worker.
That said, if you want good volume and texture without the curls, you'll get it. And if you have some texture, you can make waves. Either way, you won't end up with crunchy hair; it will stay touchably soft.
To get the waves you want, you should use this mousse after washing, conditioning, and towel drying your hair.
Work this through your hair before drying and styling. All of 2 pumps of mousse is enough for fine or short hair, and unless your hair is to your knees, you shouldn't need more than 5.
While the MSRP for this mousse is just over $16, you can find it for under $14 on Amazon - with Prime shipping.
That's for a 5.1-ounce bottle, which works out to a little less than $2.75. That's not exactly cheap, but finding mousse of this calibre is tough; just get it.
100% vegan product, offers sun protection, and adds shine and softness as well as volume and hold.
While most users love the scent, not everyone does, likening it to bubble gum.
Hold: You'll get a really strong hold, even though it doesn't make your hair crunchy.
Obviously, it's stronger for short, fine hair, but still consistent for thicker and longer hair.
Shine: The manufacturer claims it adds intense shine and users back that up, calling it both beautiful and natural.
Scent: It's described as a "blackberry vanilla musk" and you'll also spot some rose and jasmine mixed in.
What's inside: Not only is this vegan (and cruelty-free), it's also free of sodium chloride, sulfates, and parabens.
The good stuff on the inside is hydrolyzed hair keratin, vitamin B5 (which adds moisture), and wheat proteins.
There's a lot to love here and not so much to complain about.
This mousse does particularly well with fine hair, but it's not bad for a range of hair types.
Apart from a light texture, it works in easily, adds a lot of volume, plenty of shine, and a soft but solid hold. That, and it's fairly easy on the wallet too. Nice, right?
The foam isn't as thick and rich as others due to the better for you ingredients. But, it works through the hair easily and isn't sticky at all.
You can pick this up on Amazon; it's $17 for 8 ounces, which works out to $2.13 per ounce.
That's perhaps average, but on the higher side and sadly, it's not available through Prime, but shipping is free. Plus, it's worth it.
Many of us have encountered hair mousse at least once in our lives. However, this styling product doesn't seem to enjoy the same popularity that hairspray and hair gel do. Call it an unsung hero if you will, but not a lot of people realize all the wonderful things that a good hair mousse can do to their hair.
Whether you're new to the world of hair mousse or are simply looking for fresh advice on which brands and formulas are the best for your hair type, you've come to the right place! In this guide, we'll show you how to use the best hair mousse products to achieve insta-worthy, gorgeous locks. Excited yet? We are!
Hair mousse is also called “styling foam” for a reason. Whatever your natural hair type and desired hair style may be, using the right hair mousse can make a noticeable difference in terms of how your hair looks and behaves.
In general, hair mousse is used to add volume and help manage waves and frizzes. It also gives you a flexible hold, which extends the lifespan of your hairstyle without making your hair overly stiff. Specific formulas, however, will also offer additional benefits. Some hair mousse brands are known to add shine to your tresses, while others can improve the texture of fine hair.
We get it. Hair mousse has a bad rap for being sticky and making your hair harder than Zac Efron’s abs. Trust us, though: this might be true for hair mousse products from more than a decade ago, but most modern hair mousse formulas don’t have this problem anymore.
Many styling companies have found a way to formulate hair mousse products that give a light hold while maintaining the softness of your hair. That’s right, you no longer have to choose between hold and manageability. With the right hair mousse for your hair, you’ll get both!
The shorts answer here is, it depends. Both mousse and gel have their own strengths and weaknesses. And although the gel is a bit more popular in the mainstream market than the mousse, it doesn’t mean that it’s automatically better.
Both products offer hold and added texture. So, how do you know which hair styling product to invest in? Check out this comparison to find out!
Hair mousse pros
Hair mousse cons
Hair gel pros
Hair gel cons
If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the years, it’s that both the hair mousse and the hair gel have a place in our vanities. Having both will let you exploit their strengths. After all, both are pretty affordable styling products. So why settle with just one?
To get the best results from your hair mousse, follow the steps below.
A good hair mousse should be able to handle even the curliest of hair strands. However, because of its relatively light hold, super thick, coarse, and curly hair may be a bit more challenging to style. That said, you should definitely consider applying a bit of relaxing balm to help soften your hair prior to styling.
Using a hair mousse will help define your curls and give your tresses an enviable bounce. Additionally, it will help manage frizz throughout the day.
If you struggle with fine hair texture or thin hair, pay special attention to your roots when applying a hair mousse. Giving your roots a nice, even coat will give you lots of added lift and volume.
If your hair isn’t normally thin but you struggle with maintaining volume because your scalp oils up fast, you may apply some dry shampoo all over your roots. A good dry shampoo will absorb oil and sweat throughout the day, helping you maintain fresh, voluminous locks all day long.
If you have dry or damaged hair, conditioning formulas are your best friend. Luckily for us, a lot of brands offer moisturizing hair mousse products these days, so soft and smooth-looking hair is totally achievable with a hair mousse.
Just because hair mousse is a constant favorite for wavy and curly hair styles doesn’t mean those who prefer a stick-straight ‘do won’t find any use for it. If you prefer straight hair, a hair mousse will give your hair body and movement.
Many girls with straight locks frequently struggle with limpness and lack of shape. The good news is applying a dollop of mousse on damp hair will make your hair come to life.
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Katie’s Cleveland proud; but she’s also lived in Australia, Switzerland and now stays in South Africa. That’s a roundabout way of saying she can’t sit still; she’s always moving, always busy.
She has a BA in International Relations from Kent State University and work towards a Masters in Human Rights. She speaks French, is learning German and used to dream in Spanish. For years, Katie worked as a producer on fashion and advertising shoots before she realized her passion was the written word.
Katie’s far more interested in guy’s gear than women’s, except she has a wardrobe brimming with little black dresses. She drinks her beer out of the bottle and is raising her two boys to be better men.
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