When you think of a mousse or foam, do you still envision crunchy, wet-looking strands? If you answered yes, good news: With the best mousses for curly hair, there’s no reason to avoid this hero styler. These days, these foamy hair products for curls are no longer crunchy but rather touchable and lightweight, and there to deliver defined, frizz-free strands. And it does all of this without leaving any residue behind. According to Malwina Augustyn, hairstylist and curl expert at Ouidad Salon, mousse is an excellent product for curly hair, as it helps enhance curl definition and provides lightweight volume without weighing hair down—so while they work for many hair types, they’re downright essential if you have waves, curls, or coils.
So how do you know what kind of mousse to use? First, consider your hair-care goals—are you seeking volume, shine, definition, or frizz control. All these factors will determine what hold to choose (more on that later). Ahead, our list of the best curly hair mousses, curated by hair stylists and Allure editors.
Our Top Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Overall: Briogeo Yuzu + Plum Oil Full Miracle Styling Foam
Why we love it: Infused with yuzu extract for added antioxidants, plum oil for lightweight moisture, and super B-complex for healthy-looking hair, the Briogeo Yuzu + Plum Oil Full Miracle Styling Foam is a go-to, one-and-done curl styling foam. The nourishing mousse will help to reduce frizz, never feel crunchy, and leave hair super soft when you’re hair styling. And if you’re a diffuser girlie or feeling a blow-out, this one is packed with heat protecting ingredients to keep your hair damage-free for up to 450 degrees of heat styling.
Tester feedback: “I have thick, heavy hair that takes a lot of product and finagling to create volume, especially at the roots and middle of the shaft—but not with this aptly-named ‘miracle’ foam,” explains Allure shopping director Shanna Shipin, who has Type 3 hair. “This airy foam gives buildable volume and hold to my curls—without crunch—all day. Plus, it defines my curl pattern, nourishes my strands, and preps me for the inevitable blowout a few days later. It’s easily the best multipurpose product in my hair routine.”
Key ingredients: yuzu extract, plum oil, and super B-complex | Who it’s for: Type 2 waves and curls, Type 3 curls | Fragrance-free: no
Best for Type 2 Curls: Davines Oi Souffle
Why we love it: The liquid-to-foam Davines Oi Souffle adds body to curls without weighing it down, making it a go-to if you have Type 2 waves and curls (which typically need moisture but no heaviness). It uses roucou oil and chicory root extract to deliver lift, volume, and shine to hair without inadvertantly flattening it or leaving a telltale crunch, although our tester found that the curl definition didn’t hold up throughout the day. But it has other perks: As a heat protectant, it will act as a barrier against up to 446 degrees of heat styling.
Tester feedback: “I’m typically a leave-in and air-dry girl, but I reach for mousse to get more volume and lift at my roots, especially around the crown of my hair,” says contributing editor Deanna Pai, who has Type 2B waves that are fine in texture. “This made my hair impossibly soft and supple, although I would have loved a bit more definition—but maybe the tradeoff is in the hold. And my hair had a ton of body, which is a big ask for it.”
