Sorry, But There's a 99% Chance You're Using the Wrong Mousse on Your Curly Hair

Jamie Schneider testing the best mousses for curly hair
(Image credit: @jamieeschneider)

When I think of mousse, I envision the crispy, over-scrunched strands I had in middle school. Since learning how to actually enhance my 2c curls (which, I won't lie, took nearly a decade to get down pat), I've avoided foamy formulas entirely, lest I experience even an ounce of crunch. Fellow beauty editor Shawna Hudson reveals a similar journey: "At this point, let's just say I've tested quite a few [mousses], and they weren't always the right ones for me and my particular curl type (3c)," she shares.

That said, the latest advancements in the curly hair space have us totally changing our tune. Mousse is no longer synonymous with crunchy, sticky hair—our own defined, frizz-free locks are proof! Instead of playing a guessing game, keep scrolling to discover the best formulas for every curl type, along with styling advice from celebrity hairstylists Jennifer Korab, Kevin Kelly, and Dimitris Giannetos. It's time to officially separate mousse from the stiff strands of styles past.

The Best Mousses for Curly Hair, at a Glance

Jamie Schneider testing the best mousses for curly hair

(Image credit: @jamieeschneider)

The Best Mousses for Curly Hair of 2025

Best Overall Mousse for Curly Hair: Oribe Curl Shaping Mousse

Jamie Schneider testing best mousses for curly hair

(Image credit: @jamieeschneider)

Best for Wavy-Curly Hair: Crown Affair The Texturizing Air Dry Hair Mousse

Jamie Schneider testing best mousses for curly hair

(Image credit: @jamieeschneider)

Best for Coily-Curly Hair: SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Frizz-Free Curl Mousse

Best for Frizz: Moroccanoil Curl Control Mousse

Best for Blowouts: Amika Plus Size Volume & Body Mousse

Best for Shine: Pureology Style + Protect Weightless Hair Mousse

Jamie Schneider testing the best mousses for curly hair

(Image credit: @jamieeschneider)

Best for Color-Treated Hair: Color Wow Color Control Purple Toning + Styling Foam

Best Budget: Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Curl Activation Mousse

Jamie Schneider testing best mousses for curly hair

(Image credit: @jamieeschneider)

Best for Fine, Curly Hair: Kevin Murphy Body Builder Volumizing Mousse

Best Strengthening: Curlsmith Bouncy Strength Volume Foam

Woman with curly hair sitting outside

(Image credit: @biancaffoley)

Best Hydrating: Ouidad VitalCurl + Soft Defining Mousse

Best Long-Lasting: Design Essentials Curl Enhancing Mousse 

Best Scent: DevaCurl Frizz-Fighting Volumizing Foam

Is mousse or gel better for curly hair?

It depends what end result you're looking for. If airy, bouncy volume is your goal, then mousse might be the right call. "Mousse enhances natural curl shape, adds lift at the roots, and helps with frizz control—all without stiffness. It’s ideal for keeping curls bouncy and defined while maintaining movement, making it a go-to for soft, effortless styles," says Giannetos.

Gels, however, tend to provide a stronger hold, so they're likely the better choice for curl definition. "If you want curls that are structured and long-lasting, gel is the way to go. If you prefer movement and bounce, mousse should be the go-to," Giannetos adds. "Some people even layer both—mousse for volume and gel for hold."

How to Apply Mousse on Curly Hair

If using mousse on curly hair, there are a few things to keep in mind. "When using a mousse to style curly hair, you want to start out by misting the curls with water or a curl refresher," Korab says. "My personal favorite [to use] is Kérastase Curl Manifesto Curl Refresher. Then, apply a generous amount section by section through your hair. Comb through to distribute the product evenly and then lightly scrunch. For best results, finish by air-drying or using a diffuser."

Or you could use Kelly's method, if you please. "When using mousse, I like to have my clients lean back or flip their head over and really get that root to control any frizziness," he says. "Then, I clamp the hair between my hands with the product. After that, I have them lean up or flip back over. I'll take some additional styling products and pick up random pieces and reshape them with my hand for the perfect curl."

No matter which route you take, you'll wind up with bouncy, defined, never-crunchy ringlets. Just be patient, as it may take a few tries to find your groove with mousse! Don't write off a certain product if you find yourself with sticky, crunchy strands the first go around; you might have applied too much or concentrated product on a certain area. And if you do face a slight crunch? "Scrunch your curls again to release the crunch and reveal a softer definition," advises Giannetos.

How often should you use mousse on curly hair?

Every wash day, at a minimum! You can also use it to refresh your curls in between wash days, if you find that your strands are losing their bounce. Just make sure you re-wet your hair with a spray bottle, as mousse works best on damp hair. Giannetos also recommends applying it lightly to avoid any buildup.

Who should not use mousse?

Generally, any hair type can use mousse. However, if you have super-dry, breakage-prone strands, you might want to use a more moisturizing styler. As a reminder: "Mousse usually has a lot of alcohol in it," says Kelly, which can exacerbate brittleness. Either find a 100% alcohol-free mousse (which do exist; we feature some in the list above!), or find success with a more hydrating, curl-defining product (such as styling creams or gels).

What to Look for in a Mousse

  • Ingredients to look for: Because curls are naturally drier, Korab recommends looking for ingredients that will add hydration and shine. "Avocado and olive oils are two great ingredients to look out for," she says. Giannetos is quick to call out hydrators like glycerin and aloe to keep curls juicy and moisturized. Many mousses also contain some type of hydrolyzed protein—rice, silk, vegetable, etc.—which helps the foam hold its shape and imparts strengthening, frizz-fighting benefits.
  • Ingredients to avoid: You'll also want to find a completely alcohol-free option if you have super-dry strands. Dimethicone (a type of silicone) tends to be a common ingredient in mousse, as it gives the hair slip and shine, but it can also accumulate on the hair strand and cause buildup. As such, some people avoid silicones entirely—something to note if you see them in a mousse!
  • Texture callouts: Some mousses have a dense, pillowy texture, while others are frothy and feel much "looser." The latter will generally offer less hold yet tends to be more moisturizing. Ultimately, it's all up to personal preference.

How We Chose

When it comes to our testing process at Who What Wear, personal recommendations always come first. Senior beauty editor Jamie Schneider and contributing beauty writer Shawna Hudson initially selected the mousses they personally swear by for their own curls, making sure to include a variety of textures, key ingredients, and price points. Customer reviews are also important to keep in mind, as everyone's curls are different, so we made sure to scour the review sections of our favorite retailers when compiling our list.

Finally, we also consulted trusted experts. Kelly, Giannetos, and Korab advised us on what to specifically seek out in a mousse for curly hair, which helped us finally whittle down our list to the 13 you favorites you see here.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear, personal testing is our bread and butter. Collectively, Schneider and Hudson have nearly 20 years of experience assessing the latest and greatest beauty products, and they both approached these mousses for curly hair with a trained, discerning eye. They have different hair types (2c and 3c), which means you'll find a range of formulas to suit every curl pattern. At WWW, we also go straight to the experts—in this case, celebrity hairstylists—to ask about the mousses that they use and recommend to their high-profile clients, so we can offer the most robust, informed product list.

This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

Jamie Schneider
Senior Beauty Editor

Jamie Schneider is Who What Wear’s senior beauty editor based in New York City. With over seven years in the industry, she specializes in trend forecasting, covering everything from innovative fragrance launches to need-to-know makeup tutorials to celebrity profiles. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in Organizational Studies and English before moving to NYC, and her work has appeared in MindBodyGreen, Coveteur, and more. When she’s not writing or testing the latest beauty finds, Jamie loves scouting vintage boutiques and reading thrillers, and she’s always down for a park picnic in Brooklyn. 

With contributions from