When it comes to hair styling, we want curls without the crunch, styling without stickiness, and long-lasting volume. And the good news is that the best hair mousses have come a long way since the days of crunchy ‘80s perms.
Many now boast lightweight formulas that enhance styling and curls, without leaving any unwanted frizz or stickiness.
But it can still be hard to find one with a texture you like that delivers the va-va-voom. That’s why the Good Housekeeping Institute decided to put the market leaders to the test, with the help of our at-home panel.
You’ll find their winning picks at a glance below but scroll on for the full reviews.
What does hair mousse do?
The right hair mousse can be a very versatile styling product. They go one step further than hairspray, which will just hold your style in place. A hair mousse can also add extra volume after styling with hot brushes or curlers, as well as adding sleekness to ponytails, and helping to refine natural curls.
And not only can they add height, but health too, as many of the latest formulas also contain heat and UV protecting properties.
To create your dream style before adding mousse, check out our tried and tested tools: Best curling tongs review | Best hairdryers | Best hot brushes
How should I apply a hair mousse?
“The best way to apply a mousse is into damp hair,” advises hair stylist, Chloé Swift, from Cobella salon. “Give the mousse a good shake, hold the can upside down and, depending on hair length and thickness, apply a golf-ball-to-tennis ball-sized amount in your palm.
“Gently transfer some mousse into your other hand, taking care not to knock out the air, and rake this through your strands with your fingers. You can then brush your hair to ensure the mousse is evenly distributed and blow dry to finish.”
Does curling mousse work on straight hair?
The main purpose of a mousse is to add volume and hold, so yes, it will work on straight hair. It won’t magically add ringlets to straight lengths, but it can be applied to damp hair before heat styling to avoid your look falling flat. And if you've used curling tongs to add waves or ringlets, a mousse will also help to hold those in place for longer.
How we test hair mousse
We put a range of market-leading hair mousses to the test over a two-week period with the help of over 160 panel members. We asked them to give feedback on ease of use, packaging design and, most importantly, performance. They told us how effectively it held their style and whether it helped define their curls (where relevant), add volume and protect against any unwanted frizz. You’ll find our winners marked with the GHI Approved logo below.
We’ve also included some of our editors’ picks underneath, to make sure we’re bringing you all the buzziest (and bounciest) new launches that we love for every need and budget.
Plus Size Perfect Body Mousse
Score: 86/100
Our winner is a lightweight, airy foam that adds height and health to your hair. One tester said it gave their strands “an awesome boost of flexible volume and hold.” In fact, the whole panel scored it full marks for its volumising properties. It’s also infused with antioxidants to protect against environmental aggressors such as pollution, as well as nourishing vitamins C and A, which work to build hair-strengthening collagen and fight against dullness.
It worked miracles on one tester’s “long and usually flat hair”, adding shape without weighing it down. It also has a delicious vanilla and citrus scent guaranteed to turn heads as you walk by.
My Nanna's Mousse
Score: 84/100
Hair mogul Larry King has created volume in a can with this mousse, and as the name suggests, it’s an ode to the glamorous hairstyles of the past. The lightweight formula is meant to be applied before a blow dry, to give you fuller, more voluminous hair without leaving behind any sticky residue.
“Long-lasting, flexible fixation,” was how one tester described it, which is exactly what you want from a mousse – hold with no, well, crustiness. It also means hair is still manageable the next day, so you won’t have to schedule a wash the night after use. Nanna knows best after all.
The Body Hybrid Mousse
Score: 82/100
Whether you want to add bounce to your blow dry or refine your natural curls, this mousse from Arkive delivers a welcome boost. It’s another lightweight foam that didn’t weigh our testers’ hair down or leave any unwanted texture. “This is the first mousse I’ve ever used that isn’t sticky,” confirmed one happy panellist. Now we’re listening.
It scored extra marks for its quality packaging, which makes it easy to dispense the gorgeous grapefruit-scented product.
Curl Mousse
Score: 81/100
Enriched with coconut and cactus water, this mousse from TRESemmé uses natural ingredients to keep your curls feeling and looking healthy – the divine scent is just an added bonus. To boost volume and sleekness, simply apply it to damp hair and crunch up those curls for styled definition.
Though it's formulated with gentler ingredients, this mousse “holds style for hours,” according to one tester, and for others, it lasted multiple days.
Curl Reviver Mousse
Score: 80/100
Define curls, add sleekness and protect from heat with this triple threat from John Frieda. It helps to hold your desired look, without leaving behind any residue.
One tester told us it gave them “a fresh out the salon look and made styling effortless” – a professional finish with no appointment necessary sounds ideal to us. However, one tester with very long, thick hair said it didn’t last as well as they’d hoped, so it may be a better option for short to medium length locks.
Hair Curling Mousse Twisted
Score: 80/100
From its hairspray to its mousse, Got2B takes long-lasting style seriously. This mousse is designed especially for curly hair, from 2A to 4C. You can leave it in to dry naturally or diffuse your hair upside down to put even more bounce in. The added heat protection means you'll minimise any damage, too.
Testers praised how manageable it made styling, particularly for those with thicker hair. Some did find that they needed to reapply it to keep curls in top condition, but thanks to the controlled pump, you won’t waste a drop of product.
Mega Hold Hair Mousse
Score: 80/100
Bouncy hair on a budget? Look no further than this Mega Hold Mousse from VO5, which softens curls and adds volume at a fraction of the price.
It impressed testers with its ability to hold their styles. “It even worked when outside, which is when my hair would normally lose its waves and turn frizzy,” said one impressed panel member. It’s also enriched with a protective UV filter, which will help shield those lengths from environmental damage.
Much like the bright packaging, your hair should stand out with this one.
Deluxe Definition & Protection Mousse
Score: 78/100
With a level three out of five hold, this mousse will give your ‘do gentle volume and structure, without being too firm. It doesn't leave behind any residue either and instead defines curls in a “soft, natural way,” according to one of our testers. And while it’s gentle on the hair and scalp, it’s enriched with heat and UV protection to fight against damage.
You may want to opt for a level four option for a bolder evening look, but for a little day-to-day lift, this is a reliable pick.
Editors' picks...
Power Mousse
When your hair is dry and damaged, you don’t want to add fuel to the fire, and the crunchy finish you get with some mousses can make hair more prone to breakage. That’s why we’re fans of this Schwarzkopf formula, which leaves your hair with a cashmere-like, soft touch finish. It gives great, long-lasting hold, but can also be brushed out when you’re ready for a restyle.
Densifique Mousse Densimorphose 150ml
If your hair is on the thinner side, stylist Chloe Swift recommends this densifying mousse from Kérastase, which promotes fuller-looking hair by plumping it up with nourishing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, and reparative gluco-peptides that works to repair past damage. Magnifique!
Perfect Volume Heat protecting mousse
Another great muti-tasker, this level three hold mousse has a soft-not-sticky finish and also treats the scalp with hair-growth-boosting biotin while it keeps your style in place. Plus, it provides added protection from heat styling.
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