From beauty magazines to sultry hair commercials, one thing’s for sure: we all want the volume we see in print or on screen, and the best hair mousses can help you get there.
As someone who loves testing all the hair products lined on beauty counter shelves (read: best hair straighteners we reviewed and best shampoos we reviewed), I decided to take a leap of faith and learn about hair mousses. Specifically, to find the best hair mousse.
Sure, I’ve seen them and used them sporadically, but I never knew exactly how. I knew the basics — they typically boast a foam-like texture and are known for lifting your roots a bit to provide that coveted volume — but I decided to research top brands, call in products for testing and interview a hairstylist for the 411.
- Best Overall: Virtue Volumizing Hair Mousse for Fine Hair
- Best Vegan: amika Plus Size Perfect Body Mousse
- Best for Curls: Bumble and bumble Curl Mousse
- Best Volumizing: Kristin Ess Instant Lift Volumizing Mousse with Castor Oil
- Best Budget: L’Oreal Paris Boost It Volume Inject Mousse
RELATED: Best shampoos for fine hair, per experts
“Hair mousse is a weightless styling product for full-bodied volume, root lift and plumping strands that feel soft to the touch,” Amy Abramite, creative director and hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, told the New York Post. “Big volume blowouts will benefit from mousse from thickened density when applied from roots to the ends and dried with a round brush for a long-lasting blowout.”
More, it also boosts waves and curly textures when air dried or used with a diffuser without being stiff, sticky or crunchy. Abramite provides more hairstyling expertise in our in-depth FAQ section.
Best Overall: Virtue Volumizing Hair Mousse for Fine Hair
Pros:
- Adds shine
- Long-lasting hold
- Creates volume at the root
- Also one of the best mousses for fine hair
Cons:
- May not be a fit for those who dislike fragrance
If we could place a crown on a particular hair mousse for the best overall, it would be Virtue’s Volumizing Hair Mousse for Fine Hair. It has the perfect whipped consistency that wasn’t too dense nor too light (and, it smells like your best salon trip ever).
After styling my hair, I noticed my blowout had a vivacious lift and bounce. It’s also super long-lasting, allowing my style to remain virtually unmoved for three days straight. Moreover, it helped add shine to my hair, thanks to its signature Alpha Keratin 60ku blend that’s color-safe, paraben-free, gluten-free and vegan. It’s the whole package.
Size: 5.5 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Key ingredients: Keratin, Baobab Seed Oil, Panthenol
Best Vegan: amika Plus Size Perfect Body Mousse
Pros:
- Lightweight and moisturizing formula
- Keeps hair feeling soft — not crispy
Cons:
- Overall, we found reviews for this mousse positive. However, one customer who purchased through Sephora found the smell too heavy
I’ve been a long fan of amika’s products for a while (read: amika Blow-Dryer Brush review). Not only does the brand carry some of the freshest scents (gorgeous packaging aside) but its Plus Size Perfect Body Mousse had a hydrating, almost creamy consistency that’s perfect if you have dry or damaged hair.
Wonderfully, this mousse is vegan and great for volumizing your look. With a few shakes, a little of this product goes a long way.
Size: 8.5 ounces | Scent: Berry | Key ingredients: Copolymer, Dimethicone, Sea Buckthorn Berry
Best Hair Mousse for Curly Hair: Bumble and bumble Curl Mousse
Pros:
- UV-filters to protect from sun damage
- Moisturizing ingredients
- Cruelty-free
Cons:
- May not provide enough hold for those with tighter curls
One word: wow. The way Bumble and bumble’s Curl Mousse helped shape, elevate and add shine to my naturally wavy hair was impeccable. With a fresh scent, this cruelty free formulation was extremely airy and lightweight too, allowing myself to work the product into my hair seamlessly.
Additionally, it’s jam-packed with avocado, coconut and jojoba — a trifecta of rich oils, in addition to cocoa and shea butter, that even helped to mitigate frizz.
Size: 5.0 ounces | Scent: Fruity Floral | Key ingredients: Castor Oil, Coconut Oil, Jojoba Oil
Best Volumizing: Kristin Ess Instant Lift Volumizing Mousse with Castor Oil
Pros:
- Adds body
- Good at creating lots of body
Cons:
- May not be best for those with tight curls or textured hair
I’ve been using Kristin Ess hair products for years, namely because it’s an affordable beauty brand. Its Instant Lift Volumizing Mousse with Castor Oil is an impressive styling product for $15, too, thanks to its creamy mousse and hydrating nature.
While the mousse wasn’t as airy as others tested, it’s wonderful for medium to thick hair types and worked quite well on my fine to medium hair. You’ll also appreciate its lasting hold and attention to body-building.
Size: 8.1 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Key ingredients: Copolymer, Keratin, Castor Oil
Best Budget: L’Oreal Paris Boost It Volume Inject Mousse
Pros:
- Affordable price point
- Long-lasting
- Feels fresh
Cons:
- Scent may be too powerful for some
The L’Oreal Paris Boost It Volume Inject Mousse is a wonderful option for those who don’t want to spend too much to inject their hair with a bit of a boost. This long-lasting formulation feels fresh whenever I use it and is one of the best for volume and body.
While it’s not completely “unscented,” its freshness and longevity make it great to use. It’s great on all hair types — from thin to thick — and also offers heat protection. So, it’s versatile and makes your hair feel its very best whenever you use it.
Size: 8.3 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Key ingredients: Copolymer
Best Budget that’s Long-Lasting: TRESemme Total Volume Plumping Mousse
Pros:
- Affordable price point
- Long-lasting
- Feels fresh
Cons:
- Packaging could be better
- Scent may be overpowering for some
The TRESemme Total Volume Plumping Mousse is a show-stopping mousse. Complete with a long-lasting formulation and body that’ll last for days, my hair not only feels fresh and airy at the root but also full and bouncy at the bottom. For the price, it’s wonderful.
It feels fresh, is budget-friendly and has more than 4,000 shoppers purchasing the bottle each month on Amazon making it a favorite hair volume mousse of many. It also helps tame frizz and flyaways, which is why I especially love to use it in warmer temperatures.
As a respected drugstore brand, it’s one to try if you’re in the market for a new mousse and want a product that’ll up the ante on your hair volume. Plus, it works well on all hair types.
Size: 10.5 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Key ingredients: Copolymer
Best Anti-Aging: Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Clinical Densifying Styling Mousse
Pros:
- Works on a variety of hair types
- Adds volume
Cons:
- One customer who reviewed the product on Amazon felt the mousse was drying but did provide adequate volume
Say hello to a premium beauty brand that should be on your radar: Alterna. Its Caviar Anti-Aging Clinical Densifying Styling Mousse is top-notch, feels as light as a cloud and is super buildable, working well for fine to thick hair textures alike.
If you’re looking for an excellent product line that helps target hair growth, this is the one for you. After frequent use, I noticed that it helped strengthen my hair, leaving it naturally thick and healthy.
Size: 5.1 ounces | Scent: Fresh | Key ingredients: Caviar Extract, Seasilk, Keratin
Best for Frizz: Drybar Southern Belle Volume-Boosting Mousse
Pros:
- Amazing smell
- Creates volume without making hair feel sticky
Cons:
- Product pump could be better
With a name I can’t help but love (Southern Belle, for high-to-the-sky, Texas-style hair), the Drybar Southern Belle Volume-Boosting Mousse is an iconic formulation to add to your hair-styling collection. It’s the best I found for giving your hair that much-needed lift, too — indicating that this product lives up to its name, and lives up to its name well.
Though its pump can tend to dispense product in a messier fashion than most, it’s not a deal-breaker, especially considering how effective the product is on my hair.
Size: 6.5 ounces | Scent: Jasmine, Sandalwood & Vanilla | Key ingredients: Pracaxi Oil, Essential Oils
Best Lightweight: AG Care Cloud Air Light Volumizing Mousse
Pros:
- Adds shine
- Doesn’t have any silicones or sulfates
Cons:
- Some customer reviews found the bottle size too small for the price
Truth be told, I initially thought the AG Care Cloud Air Light Volumizing Mousse was a blow-out gel. Its consistency is unlike any I tested (it’s truly light as a cloud!) and helped revitalize my naturally wavy hair’s texture. It’s also one of the best for smoothing your hair and giving it shine, perfect for the gals who suffer from frizzy hair.
In an easy-to-use pump, this naturally derived hair styling mousse contains natural corn starch and sugar cane extract, so your hair will smell sweet and feel healthy with each use.
Size: 3.6 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Key ingredients: Natural Corn Starch, Sugar Cane Extract
Best for Fine Hair: Living Proof Full Thickening Mousse
Pros:
- Safe for chemically treated hair
- Provides heat protection
- Color-safe
Cons:
- Leaves residue on fingers
Living Proof has been a standout in the haircare space for years, and its Full Thickening Mousse is no exception. Notably, it smells like your most refreshing citrus drink and is one of the easiest to blend into your hair. Just keep in mind that it has somewhat of a sticky residue on your fingers after use, but it’s not a deal-breaker.
You’ll see wonderful volume and shine, too, which makes this product worth the money. Not to mention, a little goes a long way.
Size: 5.0 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Key ingredients: Copolymer
Best for Dry Hair: Moroccanoil Volumizing Mousse
Pros:
- Paraben-free
- Adds shine
Cons:
- May be too heavy for those with fine hair
Want to smell like a tropical resort? Moroccanoil has you covered with its Volumizing Mousse. Much like its assortment of hair products, it has a luxurious scent that’s packed with argan oil to give your locks a bit of an antioxidant and vitamin E boost.
Be sure to note that while this product was effective on my hair, it was more dense than some others tested. That said, use with caution if you have finer or straighter hair.
Size: 8.5 ounces | Scent: Original | Key ingredients: Argan Oil, Soytrimonium Chloride
Best Smelling: Oribe Grandiose Hair Plumping Mousse
Pros:
- Has UV protection for hair
- Thickens hair at the shaft
Cons:
- Some customers who reviewed on Amazon mentioned having issues with the nozzle
The Oribe Grandiose Hair Plumping Mousse is worth the splurge, and I can’t stress that enough. It has the most unique whipped consistency, smells like a dream and helps maintain your hair’s natural bounce and shine.
It’s also the hair mousse that makes me feel like I stepped out of a five-star salon, and for that, it’s surely worth every penny. Trust me, you won’t regret this purchase, and it’s one I consistently reach for, too.
Size: 5.8 ounces | Scent: Original | Key ingredients: Starch Polymer, Sunflower Seed Oil
Best Budget: Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Refreshing Curl Foam
Pros:
- Good for those with loose curls or wavy hair
- Citrus jasmine scent
Cons:
- Leaves slight residue when too much is applied
For a budget pick, try the Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Refreshing Curl Foam. Though marketed for curly hair, I found that it worked quite well for me and can be considered as a mousse for wavy hair, too wavy. Not to mention, it’s wonderful to pair with its dry shampoo for impressive volume (one of the best I tested, too).
Size: 7.0 ounces | Scent: Citrus Jasmine | Key ingredients: Copolymer, Keratin
Best for Texture: PATTERN Curl Mousse
Pros:
- Moisturizing ingredients
- Award-winning
Cons:
- Some customers who reviewed this hair mousse found it drying
I’ve always wanted to try PATTERN, and I’m so glad its Curl Mousse became a staple in my haircare routine. Its stunning packaging is one thing, but its lightweight foam is another.
Uniquely, it’s crafted from marshmallow root and castor oil, likely why it’s a luscious, marshmallow-soft texture in your fingertips. I’ve noticed that it also helps cancel out dry scalp, and is especially fitting for those who want to preserve their curls or have thicker hair. Also available as a travel-size hair mousse ($14).
Size: 8.0 ounces | Scent: Original | Key ingredients: Argan Oil
An FAQ on Hair Mousses
Ahead, Abramite gives us the 411 on all things hair mousses: what to look for, how to apply, how often to use, and more.
What are the benefits of hair mousse?
Of course, when using any mousse hair product, it’s important to understand its benefits. Luckily, our expert simply explains the array of green flags that most hair mousses bring to light.
“Mousse benefits include body and volume, root lift, curl activation, strand density, and frizz control to keep hair soft and moisturized with heat protection,” Abramite told The Post.
What to look for in a hair mousse for every hair type, according to an expert
Each texture will benefit from a volume boost, root lift, and extra bounce.
“Fine straight hair will benefit from a long-lasting style that won’t weigh hair down,” she explains. “Wavy, curly and coily textures will benefit from curl activation and control without frizz.” Moreover, all textures will feel soft and be protected from heat styling.
What is hair mousse and what is the difference between hair mousse and hair foam?
While both terms can be interchangeable, there is a difference.
“Mousse has a consistency of shaving cream and expands into a firm, lightweight ball when dispensed,” Abramite explains. “Styling foam is similar, but is watery like a foaming hand soap, and takes no shape when pumped into your palm.”
How to apply hair mousse, according to an expert
First, dispense a golf ball to an orange-sized amount of mousse into your palm, depending on hair length and density. Using your fingers, work the mousse evenly into clean damp hair from the scalp to your ends.
“Hair can air dry or be diffused with a dryer to define the shape of the curls for bouncy frizz-free texture,” Abramite adds. “Another option is to blow dry hair with a round brush for a full bodied style with lightweight bounce.”
Is mousse better with dry or wet hair?
Mousse is more effective on wet hair to build body and get root lift with a blowdryer on straight hair, according to Abramite.
“The dampness also reactivates the shape of the curl and keeps it intact for separation and less frizz on curly textures,” she adds.
How much hair mousse should I apply?
According to Abramite, a healthy amount is a golf ball size for fine hair and a pouf the size of an orange on thicker hair.
“Be sure the roots through the ends are saturated for even results,” she advises.
What to look for in a mousse for thin and thick hair, according to an expert
On fine thin hair, a weightless formula with thermal protection will keep stands healthy through the heat styling session while remaining plump.
“Thick coarse textures tend to need a humidity-resistant formula with a stronger hold for a long-lasting style without frizz,” Abramite notes.
How often should I use a hair mousse?
Mousse can be used as often as you style your hair and works best when hair is still damp, where it can be evenly distribution down the strands.
“A volumizing shampoo and conditioner will prep hair best for maximum fullness before adding mousse for styling,” Abramite adds. “If the mousse needs a stronger hold, it can be mixed with a gel for a longer-lasting definition. If it’s too crunchy or stiff, a leave-in conditioner or oil can be added to soften the hold for a lightweight effect.”
How we tested
Before diving into the review criteria New York Post Shopping set in place for testing all the top hair mousses on the market for at least two weeks, l’ll begin by detailing my hair type. Naturally, I have wavy to curly hair that’s sometimes prone to frizz (though it has its oily moments if I go longer than two days without a wash). My hair blow dries straight when styling.
Simply put, my mane is a mutt of different types and textures — making my hair one of the best to review a wide set of hair mousses for volume, lift and salon-worthy results.
Ahead, here’s what I looked for when trying out each hair mousse:
- Consistency: This has to be one of the most important factors when selecting a quality hair mousse. Is it too watery? Is it too dense? Ideally, you’ll want a lightweight and airy formula to work from root to tip.
- Scent and freshness: The last thing you’ll want to find in a hair mousse is a foul odor or ‘dirty’ feel when applying. I took this into account while testing.
- End result (volume & lift): Naturally, this is what discerns an excellent hair mousse from the rest. I took note of how full and shiny each one made my hair — depending on the brand — and how long my blowout lasted after I used it.
Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post
This article was written by Victoria Giardina, New York Post Commerce Journalist & Content Strategist, who has spent countless hours researching, testing hundreds of products and comparing the latest and greatest makeup, skincare, hair and beauty items and trends to determine what’s truly worth your hard-earned cash. She evaluates formulas, textures, ingredients and more, in addition to consulting medical and industry experts. Some of Victoria’s latest conquests include reviewing the viral Korean beauty brand, Cosrx, and testing dermatologist-recommended acne cleansers. Victoria has been creating shopping guides for the New York Post since 2021 and previously held positions at Insider Reviews and CNN Underscored.
Hunting for a headline-worthy haul? Keep shopping with Post Wanted.