When you think of mousse, what may jump to mind is 1980s-vibes puffs of cream that leave your hair sticky and stiff. The best mousses for curly hair today are far more advanced. These foams reduce frizz and give your natural pattern volume, hold, and bounce without weighing it down. “When done right, mousse makes your shape pop and last,” says Aaron Grenia, a professional hairstylist and cofounder of hair care brand IGK.
Mousses’ textures range from airy to fluffy—the type you choose depends on your curl type. “Looser waves can get away with something lightweight for definition and body,” says Grenia. “Tighter curls and coils usually need more moisture, so you want something richer and more conditioning.” To use mousse, rake and then scrunch it into clean, damp hair (after applying a good shampoo for curly hair and leave-in conditioner for curls). It can serve as the final step in your curly-girl routine, or layered under gel if you want extra hold before you air-dry or diffuse.
Of course, not all curls—or hair styling products—are created equal. We asked 14 Glamour editors and contributors with hair that ranges from fine and wavy to coarse and coily to put expert-recommended, best-selling mousses for curls to the test.
The best mousses for curly hair, at a glance
- Best Overall: Bumble and Bumble Curl Mousse (5 oz.), $36
- Best for Type 3 Curls: SheaMoisture Mousse for Curly Styles (7.5 oz.), $8
- Best for Wavy Hair: Ouai Air Dry Foam (4 oz.), $28
- Best for Humidity: Amika Plus Size Perfect Body Mousse (8.5 oz.), $30
- Best for Frizzy Hair: John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls Curl Reviver Mousse (7.2 oz.), $18
- Best for Volumizing: Curlsmith Bouncy Strength Volume Hair Foam (7.5 oz.), $28
- Best for Definiton: Davines This Is a Curl Moisturizing Mousse (8.54 oz.), $37
- Best for Type 4 Curls: IGK Class of '93 Curl Perfecting Whipped Cream (5.5 oz.), $32
1. Best Overall: Bumble and Bumble Curl Mousse
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- What we love: Curl definition lasts multiple days; appealing scent; leaves soft, touchable curls
- Worth noting: Works best when used with other stylers like cream and gel
This lightweight, whipped mousse delivers voluminous, bouncy curls with lasting definition—no crunch or buildup. Infused with nourishing avocado, coconut, and jojoba oils plus rich shea and cocoa butters, it deeply moisturizes and softens curls while protecting against frizz and sun damage. Our tester with 3B, medium-fine curls noticed tighter, more sculpted curls on wash day—and less frizz and shapelessness on days two and three. It layers beautifully with creams and gels, and dries to a soft, touchable finish.
Our tester says: “I shampooed and conditioned my hair like normal, and then used a curly-hair styling cream and gel before raking a generous amount of the mousse through my wet hair. I used a diffuser to dry,” says Glamour reviewer Nina Ford. “It smelled nice, which was crucial for me, as I typically shop for appealing fragrance in hair products. The most surprising result was how tightly curled my hair was post-blow dry. My curls were poppin’. I had more curl definition than I typically do, but without the crunchy sensation I associate with mousse. Because my curls were so tight and defined on wash day, I found that days two and three looked better and less shapeless than usual.”
2. Best for Type 3 Curls: SheaMoisture Mousse for Curly Styles
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- What we love: Leaves natural curls soft and light; not overly scented; hydrating for dry, coily curls
- Worth noting: Best paired with a styling cream or gel
Coily hair tends to struggle with dryness because it’s harder for natural oils to travel down a tight curl’s hair shaft, so intense moisture is essential for maintaining frizz-free definition. This curl mousse combines deeply hydrating coconut and neem oils with hibiscus extract to boost natural shine and smoothness. The formula keeps curls voluminous and soft without weighing them down, and our tester says her coils felt noticeably softer, glossier, and lighter after use.
Our tester says: “I have a mix of 3B and 4A curls, with some corkscrews and others that are more loosely coiled,” says Glamour reviewer Clarice Henry-Tracht. “I usually use creams or leave-in conditioners, which tend to leave my curls a bit stiff until the cast breaks. With the Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Mousse, my curls felt shiny, light, and bouncy from the start. It has a subtle, fruity scent—not overpowering, which I really appreciate. It was super easy to use and fits perfectly into my quick, style-and-go routine.”
3. Best for Wavy Hair: Ouai Air Dry Foam
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- What we love: Feels light and nongreasy; enhances natural wave pattern; no stiffness or crunch; fast-drying
- Worth noting: May not offer enough hold or definition for coarse curls or tighter textures
If heavier styling products weigh your curls down, this lightweight foam is a game-changer. It enhances natural hair texture without adding crunch, grit, or grease. Our tester, who has fine, type 2C/3A waves, found that it left her hair looking soft and refreshed with no stiffness—and without the buildup that often comes from layering multiple curly-hair products. It’s especially suited to wavy and looser curl types looking for soft hold and frizz control. Styling foams always dry the fastest, so take this into consideration when it comes to your getting-ready routine.
Our tester says: “I have fine, wavy hair that frizzes easily and gets greasy if I use too much product—but this foam struck the perfect balance,” says Glamour commerce editor Malia Griggs. “It feels like a bubble bath for your hair: airy, light, and quick to absorb (with a pleasant floral scent). I paired it with a leave-in conditioner for curls, and after it dried, my curls felt soft, defined, and healthy. I don’t think it would do much for coarse coils, but it’s great for defining waves without the stiffness of a gel.”
4. Best for Humidity: Amika Plus Size Perfect Body Mousse
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- What we love: Provides touchable volume and definition without heaviness
- Worth noting: Not very volumizing
This whipped mousse delivers touchable volume and natural curl enhancement without heaviness or crunch. With dimethicone to lock in moisture and boost shine, plus antioxidant-rich sea buckthorn oil to nourish and strengthen strands, it keeps fine to medium waves and curls soft, healthy, and bouncy all day. Our tester loved how her curls stayed defined and soft throughout the day—no crunch or buildup—and still had bounce the next morning, even in humid weather.
Our tester says: “I hadn’t used mousse in years because I usually stick to gel and curl cream—mostly to avoid crunchy curls. But that wasn’t the case with this mousse,” says Glamour reviewer Sarah Holden. “I applied it to damp hair, brushed it through, and defined my curls with a Bounce Curl hairbrush before air-drying as usual. My curls stayed especially bouncy and held their shape all day, even while running around in humid weather. They felt soft, not crunchy, and still had bounce the next morning. My only disappointment was that I didn’t notice much extra volume at the roots compared to my usual products. That said, I loved how well my curls held their shape without any buildup, and this mousse will definitely become part of my routine!”
5. Best for Frizzy Hair: John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls Curl Reviver Mousse
- What we love: Affordable; also comes in travel size; heat protects; reduces frizz
- Worth noting: Not the most volumizing
For tousled, woke-up-like-this waves, Glamour contributor Allie Folino turns to this drugstore mousse—one she’s used for almost 20 years on her 3A color-treated curls that have a tendency to frizz. Its formula is rich in hydrating natural oils (castor and rosehip) that nourish and define your curls into pronounced patterns—without the usual frizz from humidity and styling.
Our tester says: “After testing a bunch of affordable drugstore curl products around junior high, I found that John Frieda’s mousse was the absolute best at giving my curls definition and shine, without leaving them crunchy or with that forever-wet look,” says Folino. “My hair usually air-dries into a mix of frizzy, undefined curls on top and ringlets closer to my neck. This product helps to define those ringlets from top to bottom, while eliminating frizz and adding shine. It’s hella affordable—hence why it became my go-to during my high school and college years, and its availability in a travel size made upkeep even while traveling abroad a breeze.”
6. Best for Volumizing: Curlsmith Bouncy Strength Volume Hair Foam
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- What we love: Volumizing; lightweight formula; no cast; sweet scent
- Worth noting: Won’t give as much definition as a cream or gel
This ultralight foam delivers soft, full-bodied definition without stiffness. A blend of hydrolyzed rice protein and strengthening superfoods—like kale, guava, and pumpkin seed extract—helps support shape and boost bounce. Our tester with fine, wavy-curly hair said it melted into her strands without buildup and left them feeling light, fluffy, and touchable—just the effect she was after on low-maintenance wash days. While it doesn’t offer the strong hold of a cream or gel, it layers easily when extra control is needed.
Our tester says: “I’m always looking to simplify my hair care,” says Glamour reviewer Alexandra Provo, who has fine, wavy-curly hair that ranges from waves to ringlets. “I followed my usual low-maintenance routine, flipping my head upside down in the shower and applying six to eight pumps of the foam on my soaking-wet hair, raking the product through before scrunching. I was pleasantly surprised by the mousse’s fruity but not overpowering scent. Texturewise, this product is very lightweight—it almost immediately disappeared into my hair. After diffusing, my hair had no cast at all and was quite soft. The resulting curls were voluminous and on the fluffier side (not as defined as they might be with a curl cream or a gel). I’d happily use the Curlsmith volumizing mousse again, most likely layered with another product for more hold.”
7. Best for Definition: Davines This Is a Curl Moisturizing Mousse
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- What we love: Lightweight and buildable; adds shine and bounce; can be used on its own
- Worth noting: Bottle cap pops off easily
This is a light, airy, “delightfully fragrant mousse that melts into your curls without any sticky residue,” as our tester put it. Its glycerin and panthenol (a provitamin B5) soften and smooth curls, from fine to coily, with no crunchy cast left behind—just glossy spirals and waves. It’s a classic, lightweight mousse with enough hold that you may not need any other styling products to finish.
Our tester says: “My curls, for better or worse, demand structure. Left alone, they become a halo of frizz. Anything too heavy or sticky leaves me with dragged-down-by-10-days-of-grease curls,” says Glamour reviewer Desiree Gutierrez, who usually requires a minimum of three products in her styling routine. “Davines, though, hits a sweet spot. After generously misting my air-dried curls, I raked a palm-size heap of the mousse into each quadrant of my hair. My strands soaked it up immediately, springing into formation. Once dry, my curls had bounce, shine, and structure, with no need for a follow-up gel for hold. I was left with soft, sculpted curls—with the faintest, ignorable cast—that lasted all day despite how many times I touched them. The mousse delivered hydration, bounce, and definition—replacing the usual product cocktail that clutters my vanity.”
8. Best for Type 4 Curls: IGK Class of '93 Curl Perfecting Whipped Cream
- What we love: Moisturizing; softening
- Worth noting: May feel too heavy on fine hair; best layered under other products
For tightly coiled, type 4 hair seeking weightless hydration, this whipped mousse delivers softness and moisture without heaviness. Infused with nourishing ingredients, it layers well under gels for added hold but may not provide lasting shape on its own. Our tester loved the airy texture and hydration but noted that humidity challenged the hold, making it best suited as a moisture-rich base for more durable styling products.
Our tester says: “I loved the texture of this foam—super hydrating and lightweight,” says Glamour contributor Bianca Lambert. “It layered well with my leave-in. It didn’t give me a lasting hold alone, so I had to reset my hair the next day. Once I walked outside into the Atlanta humidity, my hair shrank and frizzed. For type 4 hair, though, I think this mousse is great underneath a gel for hold.”
Your questions about mousses for curly hair, answered
We enlisted 14 testers with a range of curly-hair types to try 15 mousses from expert-recommended, best-selling brands. Each mousse was used at least twice as part of the tester’s regular routine. Their feedback was based on on the following criteria:
- Ease of use: How easily the mousse applied to damp hair and worked with the tester’s usual styling routine
- Texture and scent: The feel of the mousse—whether it was airy, creamy, or whipped—and how strong or pleasant the fragrance was
- Weight: Whether the product left curls feeling soft and buoyant or heavy and greasy
- Performance: How well the mousse defined curls, boosted volume, reduced frizz, and held shape throughout the day (and after wash day)
- Value: Whether the results justified the price based on size, effectiveness, and how much product was needed per use
With this input in mind, we identified the best mousses for different curl types, routines, and styling goals.
“Take into consideration your curl type, the amount of hold you want, and your specific needs, whether that’s moisture, volume, or control,” says Marwa Bashir, a professional hairstylist and an R+Co Collective Member. Naomi Dove, the North America artistic director of texture at hair care brand Aveda, advises thinking about your climate (do you live somewhere with high humidity, where a frizz-fighting product is especially important?) and how often you wash your hair. “Remember: A mousse is lightweight but does not provide hold like a gel or moisture like a cream,” says Dove. “Foams always dry the fastest, so take this into consideration when it comes to your drying time. It is the most versatile of the styling textures I mentioned, but they layer and play well when used together.”
| Curl type | What to look for | Our picks |
|---|---|---|
| Looser, wavy hair (curl types 2A–2C) | Lightweight mousse or foam that thickens, defines, and volumizes | Ouai Air Dry Foam, Curlsmith Bouncy Strength Volume Hair Foam |
| Tighter curls (3A–3C) | Medium-hold mousse that defines, conditions, fights frizz | Bumble and Bumble Curl Mousse, Amika Plus Size Perfect Body Mousse, SheaMoisture Mousse for Curly Styles |
| Coily, natural hair (4A–4C) | Light- or medium-hold mousse that’s very hydrating, defines curl shape, and fights frizz | Davines This Is a Curl Moisturizing Mousse, IGK Class of '93 Curl Perfecting Whipped Cream |
Curly, coily hair is typically drier than other types because it’s tougher for natural oils to travel down the shape of a spiral. You’ll want to avoid anything that further strips your hair of its much-needed moisture, such as alcohols (including isopropyl), mineral oil, sulfates, silicone, and wax. Instead, look for moisturizing ingredients—e.g., shea butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and avocado oil—that soften and smooth curls without making them crunchy.
They shouldn’t! The crunchiness associated with some heavier mousses is actually just a temporary shell that forms on your damp hair (called a cast). Once it’s dry, you can easily soften that cast by lightly scrunching and working a few drops of hair oil for curly hair through it. There are other airy mousses that define without any stiffness at all. Dove recommends always prepping hair with a leave-in conditioner before applying a styling mousse—that helps lessen any cast.
- Aaron Grenia, professional hairstylist and cofounder of hair care brand IGK
- Marwa Bashir, professional hairstylist and an R+Co Collective member
- Naomi Dove, North America artistic director of texture at hair care brand Aveda
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