Shawna Hudson
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
- Best Overall: Oribe Curl Shaping Mousse
- Best for Frizz: Moroccanoil Curl Control Mousse
- Best for Coily-Curly Hair: SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Frizz-Free Curl Mousse
- Best for Wavy-Curly Hair: Crown Affair The Texturizing Air Dry Hair Mousse
- Best for Shine: Pureology Style + Protect Weightless Hair Mousse
The Best Mousses for Curly Hair of 2025
Best Overall Mousse for Curly Hair: Oribe Curl Shaping Mousse
Pros: Offers incredibly hold and protects against frizz
Cons: Contains alcohol, which can be drying
Size: 5.7 ounces
Key ingredients: Hydrolyzed amaranth protein, sweet almond oil, Oribe signature complex
Both Korab and Kelly consider this Oribe number one of their favorites. "This mousse is great for fine, loose curls. It will enhance your curls without creating any stiffness. It also enhances shine and hydration to your hair," Korab notes. I can definitely attest to that claim; my own strands appeared glossy and full, nary a flyaway in sight. "This is [also] a little more hydrating than most mousses," adds Kelly.
I will say that a little bit goes a long way. The first time I used it, I applied way too much product, and my curls did feel a little stiff. Trust, just a small pump is all you need for incredible hold.
Customer Review: "Great mousse. Leaves curls soft, defined, and with reduced frizz. Only downside is it doesn't have the Oribe scent I love. I will repurchase this. Wish they had a curl-shaping spray."
Best for Wavy-Curly Hair: Crown Affair The Texturizing Air Dry Hair Mousse
Pros: Never makes hair feel crunchy, no matter how much you use, great for those looking for soft, touchable hold
Cons: Not as much hold as other options
Size: 5.1 ounces
Key ingredients: Plant protein blend, pink Bolivian salt, Tsubaki seed oil, meadowfoam seed oil, aloe vera juice
If you have 2C waves like me, you will adore this mousse. Unlike other mousses, which typically have a dense, silky texture, this Crown Affair formula has a much foamier consistency with larger air bubbles. That said, it doesn't offer quite as much hold as other options, but it delivers tousled, touchable texture like no other product I've tried. It's essentially "effortless hair" in a bottle. The application is also foolproof; no matter how much product I pump into my hands, my strands never feel crunchy.
Customer review: "I love the touchable hold this gives my wavy/curly hair! I have a LOT of hair but the texture is very fine and it can be difficult to find products that give my curls definition without weighing them down. This product provides definition, supports volume, and makes my hair nice and bouncy. Definitely recommend giving this a try!"
Best for Coily-Curly Hair: SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Frizz-Free Curl Mousse
Pros: Great for tighter curl patterns
Cons: Might weigh down looser curl patterns
Size: 7.5 ounces
Key ingredients: Silk protein, shea butter, coconut oil, neem seed oil, hibiscus extract
Friends with coils, you will fall in love with Shea Moisture's juicy foam. With a healthy blend of butters and oils, it deeply hydrates strands while enhancing the spirals' natural bounce. "It also adds shine, a boost of volume, and extra hydration with coconut and hibiscus," notes Hudson. Just make sure you have a good clarifying shampoo to sub in regularly, as coconut oil can potentially dry out curls over time.
Customer Review: "Been using this mousse for about five years. Live in Florida, so heat and humidity really make my hair frizzy. Can't say enough good things. The smell is wonderful, and the ingredients are the best. Works when my hair is short or long and doesn't affect the color. The price is reasonable considering the high quality. My hair is never crunchy and shiny all day long. Can't live without."
Best for Frizz: Moroccanoil Curl Control Mousse
Pros: Has high-tech anti-frizz ingredients, nonsticky and lightweight
Cons: Fragrance is very strong if you're sensitive to scent
Size: 5.1 ounces
Key ingredients: Argan oil, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, polyquaternium-11 (an anti-static agent), cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine (another anti-static agent derived from coconut)
"This is great for [those with] tighter curls that love definition," says Korab. "I [also] love this mousse for frizz control." See, it contains two anti-static ingredients—polyquaternium-11 and cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine—that keep pesky flyaways at bay and extend the life of your style. As Korab mentioned, it's fabulous for defining tighter curls, especially if those ringlets happen to be fine. The lightweight texture ensures those spirals won't get weighed down or feel too stiff.
Customer Review: "Yes! Just tried this mousse recently and this worked lovely with my hair type (3c). Will add this to my faves for future. Leaves my hair feeling moisturized with bouncy, soft curls. Love this."
Best for Blowouts: Amika Plus Size Volume & Body Mousse
Pros: Makes hair look noticeably thicker and fluffier
Cons: Contain silicones if you avoid those in haircare
Size: 8.5 ounces
Key ingredients: Sea buckthorn berry, dimethicone, propylene glycol
"I love this mousse because it's long-lasting and works on all hair types. Its airy, cushiony feel provides the volume and control without weighing [the hair] down," notes Korab. Reviewers especially love using it for blowouts, as it helps volumize and thicken the hair for that perfect, '90s bombshell look. A little goes a long way as well, and it's a generous size at 8.5 ounces—so it should last you a while!
Customer Review: "My stylist recommended this and it works well. A little goes a long way. Plan on using this mostly with my Dyson Airwrap tool."
Best for Shine: Pureology Style + Protect Weightless Hair Mousse
Pros: Safe for color-treated hair, protects hair from heat damage
Cons: Contains alcohol
Size: 8.4 ounces
Key ingredients: Xylose (a heat-protecting agent), hydrolyzed vegetable protein, tuberose, almond milk, cedarwood, patented antifade complex
If you're looking for glossy, juicy curls, look no further than Pureology's airy formula. Formulated with color-treated hair in mind, it puts shine on the forefront with a patented antifade complex and xylose—an ingredient that protects hair from heat damage (which quickly robs strands of shine). It also has a super-lightweight formula, adds Korab, which will "help give some volume and vibrancy to your hair."
Customer Review: "Love this mousse. Usually don't love mousse because it leaves my hair feeling sticky, but this one, you barely know it's there, and it smells nice!"
Best for Color-Treated Hair: Color Wow Color Control Purple Toning + Styling Foam
Pros: Alcohol-free, brightens color
Cons: Better for blondes since it has a purple hue
Size: 6.8 ounces
Key ingredients: Rosinate, violet tint, panthenol
"Mousse usually has a lot of alcohol in it, so it tends to be drying and make the hair look non-shiny," says Kelly. This mousse, however, comes completely alcohol-free, which means you can pile it on without fear of the dreaded crunch. Not to mention, it has a violet tint to help neutralize brassy tones in blonde hair, so you could use it in place of purple shampoo. We love a streamlined routine!
Customer Review: "I quit using mousse long ago [because] it seemed to flatten my hair and darken my highlights. This one densifies roots and lengths, no greasiness, no dulling my blonde. I've tried every volumizing medium I can get my hands on, and I'm continuously disappointed. Finally—I'm dazzled! Customer. For. Life."
Best Budget: Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Curl Activation Mousse
Pros: Protects against frizz and humidity, has a nice, subtle scent
Cons: I wish it included more ingredients for strength, shine, and hydration
Size: 7 ounces
Key ingredients: Caprylyl Glycol, citrus jasmine scent
"I love a good drugstore option, and this mousse from Not Your Mother's gets the job done," shares Hudson. "It provides long-lasting humidity control, adds major definition, and is even safe to use on color-treated hair." I can totally attest—this no-fuss, lightweight mousse ticks every box. It's also protein-free, which is important to note if you consistently use protein-infused products in your routine. You don't want to run into protein overload!
Customer Review: "Talk about a product that keeps your curls poppin' all day. This right here is my holy grail hair product. It really helps activate your natural curl pattern and controls that frizz (along with just a little bit of the sculpting gel). After applying this product on my wash day, I barely have to refresh the following day and so on. Never stop selling this!"
Best for Fine, Curly Hair: Kevin Murphy Body Builder Volumizing Mousse
Pros: Provides weightless volume, doesn't feel sticky on finer strands
Cons: Has a strong citrus scent if you don't enjoy that
Size: 11.8 ounces
Key ingredients: Panthenol, "‘memory hold" resins
"Kevin Murphy's Body Builder is great for someone with curly hair that is fine and [is] looking for a little lift at the root," says Kelly. So if your curls routinely fall flat, you'll want to give this weightless formula a try. It also contains resins with "memory hold" technology, so your curls can hold their va va voom volume for longer.
Customer Review: "I originally purchased this from my hair salon and loved it. I then purchased two other mousse products in an attempt to find a less expensive option. In the end this mousse lasts longer and gives the best results. It smells great too."
Best Strengthening: Curlsmith Bouncy Strength Volume Foam
Pros: Layers well with other creams and gels, provides touchable hold
Cons: More of a lighter hold option
Size: 8 ounces
Key ingredients: Hemp seed and rice protein complex, prickly pear, kale, guava, shiitake, mushroom, blackcurrant, and pumpkin seed extracts
Here's another light-hold option for those who cannot deal with any sort of crunch. (I certainly feel you.) Similar to the Crown Affair number above, the consistency is soft and foam-like with a weightless finish, so it helps strands look effortlessly tousled. It also comes with an impressive bouquet of superfoods to quite literally feed the hair important nutrients. Read: It strengthens your mane over time.
Customer review: "I have 3B curls and wanted more volume for curls. Basically I wanted big hair because I tend to have shrinkage. Wow! Let me tell you not only did I get volume aka big hair but my curls were so soft! I got the results I wanted and I will definitely buy this product again."
Best Hydrating: Ouidad VitalCurl + Soft Defining Mousse
Pros: Great for tighter curls prone to dryness, never gets crunchy
Cons: Hold could be stronger
Size: 5.7 ounces
Key ingredients: Chia seed oil, Japanese camellia oil, sunflower seed oil
"Ouidad's VitalCurl is enriched with oils rich in omega fatty acids, such as sunflower, Japanese camellia, and chia-seed oils, making it great for those with drier curls," notes Hudson. "It helps them retain moisture, bounce, and elasticity." Despite all those nourishing oils, it never makes hair feel greasy or weighed down.
Customer Review: "Was super bummed when DevaCurl discontinued their Arc Angel Gel, so I was on the lookout for something new. Read reviews on VitalCurl, so I thought I'd give it a try. REALLY wish I tried it sooner. LOVE this product!"
Best Long-Lasting: Design Essentials Curl Enhancing Mousse
Pros: Dries quickly without make hair feel crunchy
Cons: Contains silicones if you avoid those in haircare
Size: 10 ounces
Key ingredients: Sweet almond oil, avocado oil, panthenol,
Hudson also loves this quick-drying formula, which she notes eliminates frizz and makes hair look immensely shinier. "It strengthens your strands to help prevent breakage and provides intense hydration for all-day wear," she adds. It's also the biggest of the bunch at 10 ounces, which is a major perk, and it lasts an impressively long time (like, up to a week without a refresh) according to reviewers.
Customer Review: "3B/3C hair—I struggle with my hair being frizzy and moisturized. I have tried so many mousses from cheap to expensive brands. This one is it! The smell is amazing! It holds my hair all day with no frizz and does not dry it out. Also… no flaking!"
Best Scent: DevaCurl Frizz-Fighting Volumizing Foam
Pros: Has a fresh, delicious scent you can smell all day, very lightweight texture that doesn't weigh down curls
Cons: Those with drier hair might want something denser and more hydrating
Size: 8 ounces
Key ingredients: Airy volume complex, Super Fruits scent,
We mustn't ignore the benefits of a delicious scent. This frizz-fighting DevaCurl foam not only provides humidity resistance for up to 48 hours and gives curls a natural, flexible shape but also boasts a mouthwatering superfruit fragrance. The blend includes notes of peach nectar, lychee, and pink currant for a tart opening, followed by pink peony, hibiscus blossom, and lily of the valley for a touch of floral, and dries down to a warm coconut sugar and creamy wood base. "Your hair smells so good!" is the best compliment, IMO, and this mousse is all you need to earn those accolades.
Customer Review: "I used to use this brand before they changed the formula. Would recommend this product now after the changes. Smells great and my curls get their volume back as opposed to other brands."
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.
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