As a curly-haired aficionado, you know that finding the perfect mousse is essential for maintaining healthy, bouncy, and defined curls. With so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose one.
This comprehensive guide provides an in-depth review of the 21 best curly hair mousses, including their key features, benefits, and our top picks for different hair types and curl patterns.
1. Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Mousse
- Key Features: Hydrating, detangling, and curl-defining
- Benefits: Provides intense hydration without weighing hair down, leaving curls soft, manageable, and frizz-free.
- Top Pick: For dry, coarse, and thirsty curls
2. DevaCurl B’Leave-In Miracle Curl Plumper
- Key Features: Volumizing, defining, and nourishing
- Benefits: Enhances curl volume and definition without crunchiness, leaving hair with a soft, lustrous finish.
- Top Pick: For fine, limp, and lifeless curls
3. Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream
- Key Features: Hydrating, detangling, and curl-enhancing
- Benefits: Infused with argan oil for deep conditioning, promoting healthy curls that are frizz-free and resistant to breakage.
- Top Pick: For all hair types and curl patterns
4. Cantu Shea Butter for Natural Hair Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream
- Key Features: Moisturizing, curl-defining, and nourishing
- Benefits: Formulated with pure shea butter for intense hydration and nourishment, leaving curls soft, bouncy, and frizz-free.
- Top Pick: For dry, thick, and kinky curls
5. Miss Jessie’s Curly Pudding
- Key Features: Extra-hold, curl-sculpting, and moisturizing
- Benefits: Provides maximum hold for defined curls that last all day, while conditioning and moisturizing to prevent dryness and breakage.
- Top Pick: For thick, coarse, and unruly curls
6. Bumble and bumble Curl Defining Creme
- Key Features: Curl-defining, volumizing, and frizz-fighting
- Benefits: Enhances curl definition and volume, leaving hair with a touchable softness and a frizz-free, polished finish.
- Top Pick: For medium to thick, wavy or curly hair
7. Aveda Be Curly Style-Prep
- Key Features: Detangling, curl-enhancing, and frizz-reducing
- Benefits: Prepares hair for styling by deeply conditioning and detangling, while reducing frizz and enhancing natural curl patterns.
- Top Pick: For all hair types and curl patterns
8. Giovanni L.A. Hold Styling Gel
- Key Features: Hold, definition, and shine
- Benefits: Provides medium to high hold for long-lasting curls, leaving hair with a glossy finish and a frizz-free appearance.
- Top Pick: For medium to thick, wavy or curly hair
9. SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Smoothie
- Key Features: Hydrating, detangling, and curl-defining
- Benefits: Infused with coconut oil and hibiscus extract for deep hydration, detangling, and curl definition, leaving hair soft, shiny, and frizz-free.
- Top Pick: For dry, thick, and curly hair
10. Kenra Curl Defining Mousse 14
- Key Features: Extra-firm hold, curl-defining, and frizz-controlling
- Benefits: Provides maximum hold for defined curls that last for days, while controlling frizz and adding a shiny finish.
- Top Pick: For thick, coarse, and unruly curls
11. Paul Mitchell Extra-Body Sculpting Foam
- Key Features: Volumizing, curl-enhancing, and heat-protecting
- Benefits: Lifts and enhances curls, adding volume and definition, while providing heat protection against styling tools.
- Top Pick: For fine, limp, and wavy hair
12. Garnier Fructis Style Curl Construct Creation Mousse
- Key Features: Curl-defining, nourishing, and volumizing
- Benefits: Enhances curl definition, adds volume, and nourishes hair with shea butter, leaving curls soft, bouncy, and frizz-free.
- Top Pick: For all hair types and curl patterns
13. Ouidad Wave Create Curl Defining Creme
- Key Features: Curl-defining, frizz-fighting, and volumizing
- Benefits: Creates defined and bouncy waves without crunchiness, while controlling frizz and adding volume for a fuller look.
- Top Pick: For fine, limp, and wavy hair
14. Kinky-Curly Knot Today Natural Leave-In/Detangler
- Key Features: Moisturizing, detangling, and curl-defining
- Benefits: Detangles and softens curls, while providing hydration and nourishment for healthy, defined curls.
- Top Pick: For dry, coarse, and kinky curls
15. Redken Curvaceous Curl Defining Cream
- Key Features: Curl-defining, volumizing, and frizz-reducing
- Benefits: Enhances curl definition and volume, leaving hair with a soft, bouncy texture and a frizz-free finish.
- Top Pick: For medium to thick, wavy or curly hair
16. Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Mousse for Travel
- Key Features: Hydrating, detangling, and curl-defining
- Benefits: Same as the full-size version, but in a convenient travel size for on-the-go hydration and curl definition.
- Top Pick: For dry, coarse, and thirsty curls
17. DevaCurl B’Leave-In Miracle Curl Plumper for Travel
- Key Features: Volumizing, defining, and nourishing
- Benefits: Same as the full-size version, but in a travel-friendly size for easy volume and curl enhancement on the go.
- Top Pick: For fine, limp, and lifeless curls
18. Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream for Travel
- Key Features: Hydrating, detangling, and curl-enhancing
- Benefits: Same as the full-size version, but in a TSA-friendly size for convenient hydration and curl definition during travel.
- Top Pick: For all hair types and curl patterns
19. Cantu Shea Butter for Natural Hair Coconut Curling Cream
- Key Features: Moisturizing, curl-defining, and nourishing
- Benefits: Same as the full-size version, but in a travel-sized container for convenient hydration and curl definition on the go.
- Top Pick: For dry, thick, and kinky curls
20. Miss Jessie’s Curly Pudding for Travel
- Key Features: Extra-hold, curl-sculpting, and moisturizing
- Benefits: Same as the full-size version, but in a travel-friendly size for easy hold and curl definition on the go.
- Top Pick: For thick, coarse, and unruly curls
21. Bumble and bumble Curl Defining Creme for Travel
- Key Features: Curl-defining, volumizing, and frizz-fighting
- Benefits: Same as the full-size version, but in a TSA-compliant size for convenient curl definition and frizz control during travel.
- Top Pick: For medium to thick, wavy or curly hair
When selecting a curly hair mousse, consider the following factors:
- Hair Type and Curl Pattern: Different mousses are formulated for different curl types and textures.
- Hold Level: Choose a mousse with a hold level that suits your desired curl definition.
- Ingredients: Look for mousses with hydrating and nourishing ingredients that promote curl health.
- Frizz Control: Opt for mousses that contain frizz-fighting ingredients to keep your curls smooth and defined.
- Apply mousse to damp or wet hair for even distribution.
- Use a small amount of mousse and work it into your curls from roots to ends.
- Scrunch your hair upwards to enhance curl definition.
- Diffuse your hair or air-dry for frizz-free curls.
Pros:
- Enhances curl definition and hold
- Adds volume and bounce
- Reduces frizz and flyaways
- Protects hair from heat and damage
Cons:
- Can weigh down fine or thin hair
- May make hair feel stiff or crunchy if overused
Q1. How often should I use curly hair mousse?
A1. Use mousse 2-3 times per week for optimal curl definition and hold.
Q2. Can I apply mousse to dry hair?
A2. Yes, you can apply mousse to dry hair, but it is more effective when applied to damp or wet hair.
Q3. How do I prevent my hair from becoming crunchy after using mousse?
A3. Use a small amount of mousse and avoid applying it to the roots. Scrunching your hair upwards can also help reduce crunchiness.
Q4. What are some alternatives to curly hair mousse?
A4. Alternatives to curly hair mousse include curl creams, gels, and custard.
Q5. Can I use mousse on straight hair?
A5. Yes, you can use mousse on straight hair to add volume and texture.
Q6. What is the best way to store curly hair mousse?
A6. Store curly hair mousse in a cool, dry place, away from direct