The Best Mousse for Curly Hair in 2023: Top 13 Products Reviewed

Mousse is a curly-haired girl’s best friend and a lifesaver when it comes to shaping hard-to-manage ringlets or enhancing natural waves. It can also save you hours in the bathroom styling your hair during those mornings where you only have time for a quick wash-and-go.

The problem is, you’ve tried countless formulas in the past, only to be left with nothing but dry, crunchy curls or a sticky mess that was once your hair. You know, the kind of products that gave mousse a bad rap, to begin with.

Luckily, mousse has come a long way since it first hit the shelves decades ago. The days of hard, greasy hair are now a thing of the past and have been replaced with innovative formulas that won’t weigh your strands down.

 

Best Mousse for Curly Hair

If you’re in a hurry here’s our list of the best mousse for curly hair:

A high-quality mousse expands the shaft of your hair and separates your strands, therefore increasing body, texture, and fullness. Many formulas are also highly conditioning and can be exactly what you need to get those soft, supple curls.

We know you don’t want to spend your hard-earned dollars trying out different hair products to find a product that works. For this reason, we’ve done the research for you and found the best mousse for curly hair.

Whether you want to enhance the bounce of your natural curls or create waves in straight hair, there is a solution for you.

We’ve included a review of non-crunchy formulas, mousse for ultra-soft or maximum strength hold, formulas for fine hair, and much more. These top 13 products will give you both the volumizing boost and hydration that your hair craves.

1. Design Essentials Natural Curl Enhancing Mousse – Best Overall

If you’re on the hunt for perfect, long-lasting curls, this nourishing almond and avocado oil-based mousse is an absolute must-have. It’s also infused with olive oil and Vitamin B, making it the perfect treat for curly hair in need of a little extra strength and hydration. You’ll be wondering where this hair mousse has been all your life.

Specs:

• Brand: Design Essentials
• Hair type: Curly, Dry
• Item form: Cream
• Liquid volume: 7.5 fluid ounces

Pros:

• Doesn’t dry out your scalp like many other mousses
• Free of alcohol, parabens, paraffin, and petrolatum
• Creates soft, bouncy, frizz-free curls
• Dries quickly without hardening hair
• Strengthens and promotes hair growth

Cons:

• Not budget-friendly
• Doesn’t work as well on naturally straight hair

 

2. OGX Locking + Curls Decadent Creamy Mousse – Runner Up/Best Budget Option

This highly rated creamy coconut mousse lives up to its name, without a doubt. Get fuller-looking hair for less while giving your curls the ultimate moisturizing treatment with shea butter and coconut oil. Plus, we love that its pure ingredient list is inspired by Mother Nature and contains no harsh chemicals.

Specs:

• Brand: OGX
• Hair type: Curly, color-treated
• Item form: Foam, cream
• Liquid volume: 7.9 fluid ounces

Pros:

• Gives hair a voluminous and full look
• Smooths hair and prevent frizz
• Has a delightful tropical coconut scent
• Tightens loose waves into refined curls
• The great price point for users on a budget

Cons:

• Not suitable for users who like fragrance-free products
• If you prefer a softer hold, this may not be for you

 

3. Moroccanoil Curl Control Mousse – Best Splurge

This award-winning mousse is a favorite among hairstylists. Fans of this product love that it helps control the curliest, wildest hair while giving it sheen and long-lasting moisture. We’re also not complaining about the amber and floral scent blend – it’s fantastic!

Specs:

• Brand: Moroccanoil
• Hair type: Curly
• Item form: Foam
• Liquid volume: 5.1 fluid ounces

Pros:

• Gives your hair a medium, lightweight, pliable hold
• Controls curls and spirals without weighing them down
• Argan oil smooths, hydrates, and adds shine to dull hair
• Pleasant amber and floral aroma
• Creates residue-free curls

Cons:

• Not suitable for users looking for a fragrance-free product
• Not budget-friendly

 

4. L’Oreal Boost It Volume Inject Mousse – Best for Extreme Volume

If you’re in the market for an affordable and highly volumizing mousse, then this is the one. And the best part is, with its strong 24-hour hold, you don’t have to worry about your curls falling flat halfway through the day.

Specs:

• Brand: L’Oreal
• Hair type: Curly
• Item form: Cream
• Liquid volume: 10.2 fluid ounces

Pros:

• Feels lightweight while providing an extra strong hold for 24 hours
• Excellent price point for those on a budget
• Creates thick, bouncy curls
• Boosts and lengthens styling hold when using heat tools
• Packed with ingredients for heat protection

Cons:

• Product is not sulfate-free
• Should be used sparingly to not harden strands

 

5. Shea Moisture Mousse for Frizz Control – Best All Natural

Sick and tired of mousse leaving your locks feeling crunchy? This moisture-rich formula invigorates your hair with ingredients like shea butter, coconut, neem oil, and silk protein for frizz control and lightweight curl definition. We’re loving how creamy this product is and how it doesn’t leave any sticky residue on your hands or hair. Not only that, but the coconut and hibiscus scent is also a treat for your senses.

Specs:

• Brand: Shea Moisture
• Hair type: Curly, dry
• Item form: Foam
• Liquid volume: 7.5 fluid ounces

Pros:

• Adds lightweight volume while minimizing frizz
• Infuses your curls with silk protein for strength and shine
• Cruelty-free and never tested on animals
• Free of silicones, sulfates, and other chemicals

Cons:

• Not suitable for customers who want a fragrance-free product
• Not a vegan product

 

6. Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Activating Mousse – Best for Naturally Straight Hair

If you want to take your hair from dull to dramatic, then look no further. This mousse is incredible for creating a body in virtually every hair type, including straight. Scrunch your way to long-lasting beachy waves or enhance your natural curls.

Specs:

• Brand: Not Your Mother’s
• Hair type: Dry
• Item form: Foam
• Liquid volume: 7 fluid ounces

Pros:

• Suitable for creating curls for all hair types, including straight
• Doesn’t look oily or weigh down fine hair
• Free of parabens, sulfates, silicones, phthalates, and alcohol
• A small amount of product goes a long way

Cons:

• Slightly higher price point
• You have to use sparingly to avoid a crunchy look

 

7. Kenra Volume Mousse – Best Firm Hold

When it comes to boosting volume in limp curls, this mousse is off the charts. It also provides you with an incredibly firm hold without stiffness or sticky residue. Kenra has been serving customers for over 90 years, so believe us when we say they’ve got volumizing mousse down to a science.

Specs:

• Brand: Kenra
• Hair type: Curly
• Item form: Foam
• Liquid volume: 8 fluid ounces

Pros:

• Provides extreme hold without hardening curls
• Creates body and volume in lifeless curls
• Free of alcohol and fragrances
• Protects from heat and is humidity-resistant
• Delivers manageability for all hair types

Cons:

• Not budget-friendly
• Not ideal for customers who prefer a soft hold

 

8. Biolage Styling Whipped Volume Mousse – Best for Natural Softness

Have you tried countless products only to be left with dry, hardened curls? This whipped volume mousse is infused with botanicals that deliver incredible body and hydration to every strand. Yes, it’s as heavenly as it sounds!

Specs:

• Brand:Biolage
• Hair type: Dry
• Item form: Cream
• Liquid volume: 8.5 fluid ounces

Pros:

• Contains powerful humidity-blocking ingredients
• Leaves hair feeling soft and bouncy
• Strengthen hair while preventing breakage
• Free of parabens and mineral oil
• Holds your curls all day without stiffness

Cons:

• Not budget-friendly
• It’s quite thick, so be careful not to overdo it

 

9. Oribe Grandiose Hair Plumping Mousse – Best Celebrity Hair Stylist Recommendation

Created by celebrity stylist Oribe Canales, this moisturizing formula takes your hair to new heights, plumping and thickening from root to tip. It’s loaded with watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss flower extract to strengthen your strands and protect them from UV damage. Plus, sunflower seed oil and Vitamin E hydrate and nourish your hair while smoothing away frizz.

Specs:

• Brand: Oribe
• Hair type: Fine
• Item form: Cream
• Liquid volume: 5.7 fluid ounces

Pros:

• Creates big volume all day long
• Conditions hair and adds shine
• Panthenol adds extreme body by making the hair shaft swell
• Can be applied to either wet and dry hair or used as a styling enhancer
• Works to add volume for all hair types

Cons:

• Very high price point
• Smaller can, so you may have to restock sooner

 

10. Mixed Chicks Morning After Redefining Hair Foam – Best Curl-Reviving

If you’ve overslept and don’t have time to wash your hair, this formula is perfect to revive yesterday’s curls. Just reapply, scrunch, and go.

Specs:

• Brand: Mixed Chicks
• Hair type: Dry
• Item form: Foam
• Liquid volume: 8 fluid ounces

Pros:

• Simplifies your morning routine by working on dry hair
• Refreshes wavy, curly, and straight hair types
• Restores moisture within dry, day-after curls
• Works on even the most hard-to-manage hair

Cons:

• Not budget-friendly
• Heavier product, so you have to be careful not to use too much

 

11. Garnier Fructis Style Curl Construct Creation Mousse – Best Drugstore Find

This formula scores are high for removing frizz and delivering refined curls. It’s extra strength and holds your hairstyle in place all day without the stickiness, while the shea butter moisturizes your hair from the inside out. This formula gets bonus points because it’s a miracle worker for scrunching curls into fine, poker-straight hair.

Specs:

• Brand: Garnier Fructis
• Hair type: Curly
• Item form: Mousse
• Liquid volume: 6.8 fluid ounces

Pros:

• Works for scrunching straight hair or controlling natural curls
• Very affordable price point
• Delivers both hydration and frizz-control
• Silicone, phthalate, and paraben-free
• Holds your curls in place all day long

Cons:

• Can leave hair crunchy if you use too much product
• Some users report that the aerosol can is easily damaged

 

12. DevaCurl Frizz-Free Volumizing Texture Foam – Best Anti-Frizz

Say goodbye to the days of flyaways and your hair falling flat. This airy formula enhances curl definition while hydrating and going to battle against frizz. The smooth, long-lasting volume it delivers is incredible – you’ll have to try it to believe it.

Specs:

• Brand: DevaCurl
• Hair type: Wavy, frizzy
• Item form: Foam
• Liquid volume: 7.5 fluid ounces

Pros:

• Refreshing lemon and lime zest scent
• Lightly shapes waves, curls, and coils without the heaviness
• Free of sulfates, parabens, and silicone
• Gluten-free, wheat-free, and vegan

Cons:

• Not suitable for customers looking for a fragrance-free formula
• Not budget-friendly

 

13. So Cozy Curl Volumizing Foam for Kids Hair – Best for Kids

Do you ever find yourself looking for kids’ hair products but aren’t sure what’s safe? Now you can accentuate your child’s curls with this all-natural volumizing foam. It has all the ingredients that you want in a kid’s mousse – and none that you don’t.

Specs:

• Brand: So Cozy
• Hair type: Curly
• Item form: Foam
• Liquid volume: 6 fluid ounces

Pros:

• Conditions curls while holding them in place
• Eliminates frizz and flyaways
• Loaded with keratin and hydrolyzed protein to strengthen hair
• Free of sulfates, phthalates, parabens, and synthetic colors
• Gluten- and nut-free

Cons:

• Can weigh down very fine hair
• Not suitable for customers who prefer fragrance-free products

 

Buyer’s Guide – How to Apply Mousse

Now that you know about the best mousse for curly hair, it’s important to understand how to apply it properly to ensure you get the best results.

Mousse is usually best applied to wet or damp hair after your shower. With that being said, some formulas are created to be a second-day curl refresher for dry hair. Always double-check the instructions on your particular product to be sure.

We recommend applying a dime-size amount of mousse into the palm of your hand. Less is more with mousse since the foam will expand.

Next, rub your hands together and apply the product at your roots. Focus on this area, especially if you want to give your hair extra volume. Work the foam through to the ends of your hair, scrunching and shaping your curls as you go.