These 12 Mousses Will Bring Limp Curls Back to *Life*
- 1/13
These 12 Mousses Will Bring Limp Curls Back to *Life*
Trust me: If you have curly hair, mousse needs to be your new holy-grail product. And, I know that the first words that come to mind when you think of mousse are probably "crunchy" or "drying" (which they used to be!!), but I promise today's formulas are really effing good. The right mousse will define your curls, smooth out frizz and flyaways, boost volume, and add a major dose of hydration to your hair. Oh, and it does all of this without leaving a trace. They're incredible for braids, too, and work equally well for thick and thin curly hair. But where oh where to find the perfect mousse for your specific curl type (which, btw, you absolutely need to know alongside your hair porosity)? Well, I gotchu.
Look no further because I consulted a TON of curl experts—hi hairstylists, Addam Artist, Jasmine Rilington, Sabrina Rowe Holdsworth, Alicia Bailey, Anthony Dickey, Adam Federico, and Cynthia Alvarez—and handpicked the 12 best mousses for curly hair that won't leave it feeling stiff or looking droopy. But don't you worry, here's a sneak peek to get you amped for what's to come...
Our top picks for the best hair mousse for curly hair in 2022:
Enticed? Cool. Keep reading for the entire list, and allllll the info, below.
Getty - 2/13
African Pride Moisture Miracle Rose Water & Argan Oil Curl Hair Mousse
African Pride
amazon.com
$7.95
This curl mousse is formulated to set braids, prevent flyaways, and extend the life of your styles. It's made with argan oil and rose water which conditions and adds shine to natural coils, curls, and sets.
THE REVIEW: "It makes my braids shiny and beautiful for up to three weeks," writes one tester, adding, "usually, when I braid my daughter's hair, the ends don't turn out smooth, but she's had a twist for more than a week and it still looks fresh."
Courtesy Image - 3/13
Evo Whip It Good Moisture Mousse
Evo
ecosmetics.com
$27.55
This is Addam Artist's choice for the best lightweight curl mousse due to its medium hold and moisturizing abilities. Not only will it keep flyaways in check, but it's also a vegan formula.
THE REVIEW: "I have fine curly hair and I use it after every shower; it gives my curls bounce and definition and doesn’t leave it greasy or weighed down!" reads one tester's review.
Courtesy Image - 4/13
Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Boosting Mousse
Herbal Essences
walgreens.com
$2.79
If you have fine curls that seem to get weighed down no matter what you use, try this lightweight mousse that defines and volumizes your spirals, no heaviness included (proof: Cosmo’s deputy beauty director, Chloe Metzger, has used this mousse since high school for her flat curls). Just rake two golf-ball-size puffs through your damp hair, scrunching to distribute.
THE REVIEW: "If you have fine, easily pulled-out curls (hi, me), you need this mousse," writes Chloe Metzger. "The mousse will keep your curls bouncy and voluminous all day long, while also protecting against frizz—without any stiffness."
Courtesy Image - 5/13
Ogx Locking + Coconut Curls Decadent Creamy Mousse
OGX
amazon.com
$6.66
This part-foam, part-cream mousse truly gives you the best of both worlds. With coconut oil and shea butter, this creamy formula holds your curls and hydrates your hair. And even though its definition level is on the stronger side, it doesn’t dry stiff or flaky.
THE REVIEW: "I have naturally curly hair that is so frizzy, and I love, love this product—plus, it's not sticky and smells GREAT!" reads one review.
Courtesy Image - 6/13
John Frieda Frizz-Ease Take Charge Curl-Boosting Mousse
John Frieda
ulta.com
$8.99
This mousse is basically a requirement for whenever your curls are feeling a bit meh. The lightweight, alcohol-free formula will give your hair the right amount of volume and shine without drying it out. Scrunch three pumps of the product through damp hair with your fingertips. The result? Defined, super-bouncy curls that still have definition.
THE REVIEW: "With naturally wavy hair, it is hard to hold a style that is 'just' right for my face, yet this is the bomb to hold curls in check," writes one tester.
Courtesy Image - 7/13
Suave Professionals Captivating Curls Mousse
Suave
walmart.com
$3.98
This mousse has a whipped-cream texture that allows it to define the hell out of your curls without leaving them looking gelled. The formula is also alcohol-free, meaning it won’t dry out your hair, no matter how frequently you use it (which, during the humid seasons, is probably every single day). Rake one to two golf-ball-size puffs of mousse through your damp hair, then finger-curl sections for extra definition.
THE REVIEW: "This is heavier than your regular styling mousse because it has oils that are used to tame frizz—I mean, my curls last two days in a row!" reads one tester's review.
Courtesy Image - 8/13
SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Frizz-Free Curl Mousse
SheaMoisture
ulta.com
$13.49
This ultra-hydrating mousse is loaded with coconut oil, silk protein, and neem oil, a trio of curl-loving ingredients that work to give thick, coarse hair an intense dose of hydration while also smoothing flyaways and adding shine.
THE REVIEW: "On days that I need a lightweight look for my wash and go or twist outs, I use this!" writes one reviewer, adding, "I even tried it with heat rollers and it worked wonders because it's not too sticky and dries well!"
Courtesy Image - 9/13
Carol's Daughter Hair Milk Conditioning Styling Foam
Carol's Daughter
walmart.com
$14.42
If you have tighter curls, you know how hard it can be to find a mousse that won’t make your hair stiff as hell. Enter: this conditioning foam. The formula contains honey extract, which gives it a flexible, nonsticky hold. Rub two to three pumps of mousse between your palms, then finger-comb it through your hair for defined curls that won’t flake.
THE REVIEW: "I've been using this product for over a year now, and it is my ABSOLUTE favorite!" writes one reviewer, adding, "my curls were very dry and lacked bounce from years of straightening damage, and this product brought my hair back to life!"
Courtesy Image - 10/13
Moroccanoil Curl Control Mousse
Moroccanoil
sephora.com
$28.00
Argan oil is the hero ingredient in this moisturizing mousse. Comb two pumps of the formula through towel-dried hair—not only will it bring shine and hydration back to your fuzzy curls (thanks, argan oil), but it’ll also keep them soft and defined all day long.
THE REVIEW: "I have tried every product under the sun for my curly, fine hair and this is HANDS DOWN the very best I have ever tried," writes one tester, adding, "it gives my curls bounce without being crunchy, definition, and softness."
Courtesy Image - 11/13
Design Essentials Natural Almond & Avocado Curl Enhancing Mousse
Design Essentials
ulta.com
$16.99
I get it: Those tiny, wispy hairs that won't. lie. down. can be annoying as hell to deal with. Your savior? This mousse, which contains a pro-keratin complex that helps smooth the surface of your hair to minimize unwanted flyaways and frizz during the day.
THE REVIEW: "This mousse is amazing for my very fine, 2c/3a curls; I have issues with products either weighing my hair down or not providing enough hold—not with this mousse!" reads one tester's review.
ulta.com - 12/13
Bask and Bloom Hydrating Vitamin Curl Mousse
baskandbloomessentials.com
$18.00
This foaming mousse will give your curls the volume and definition of your dreams. The formula helps moisturize your hair to add shine and smooth flyaways while somehow (magic? Sorcery? No, polymers) giving your curls root-boosting volume. Scrunch and twirl a golf-ball-size puff through damp—not wet—hair from roots to tips, then diffuse or air-dry.
THE REVIEW: "I always avoid mousse because of the drying effect it leaves on my high porosity 4c hair, but not this one!" writes one reviewer, adding, "my hair has the best definition and is well moisturized."
Courtesy Image - 13/13
Davines This is a Curl Moisturizing Mousse
Davines
amazon.com
$31.00
This bb works on both wet and dry hair, and your curls come away looking and feeling so hydrated. (And it smells great, NBD.) According to reviewers, the hold is intensely impressive. Davines is also intensely focused on sustainability, so you can feel good about getting it.
THE REVIEWS: "I finally found a product that allows my hair to hold curls for 24+ hours—this mousse is amazing," writes one tester. "Love this stuff; it leaves my curls bouncy and moisturized," writes another.
Davines
