I’m pretty damn good at doing hair (I'm also very humble). I take pride in being able to turn your "annoying" hair ("it's too slippery!" "It's too short!" "It's too thick!" "It just doesn't do anything!") into a braided, twisted, magical style. So when my friend challenged me to curl her "aggressively straight" hair, I chuckled, patted her on the head, and got to work. And then it imploded.
Because no matter what I did, her straight hair would not hold a curl or even a wave. I sprayed the hell out of it with every texturizing product and hairspray I had, I kept the curl in my hand until it cooled from the best curling iron I owned, I begged and pleaded with the hairs to stay twisted still, I was left with limp nothingness. Defeated and ego-bruised, I vowed to never again let another strand conquer my soul.
So I sought out professional help from celebrity hairstylists Jasmine Burnside and Clariss Rubenstein Saraf, as well as editors, who shared their tried and true mousses to master stick-straight hair once and for all. And, thankfully, they delivered. So while you cannot change your hair texture, you can definitely lock in a curly style with these 10 professional and editor-approved hair mousses.
Best Hair Mousses for Holding Curls
- Best Hair Mousse Overall: Crown Affair Air Dry Mousse
- Best Long-Lasting Hair Mousse: Briogeo Style + Treat Hair Styling Volume Foam
- Best Multi-Use Hair Mouse: Redken Stay High Mousse
- Best Drugstore Hair Mousse: Tresemme Plumping Hair Mousse Total Volume Hair Treatment
- Best Plant-Based Hair Mousse: Rahua’s Aloe Vera Hair Mousse
This mousse will single-handedly save your stick-straight hair — no styling tools needed. "The weightless, texture-enhancing styling foam promotes effortless, tousled waves and soft, touchable volume without the crunch," Burnside says. The product boasts a combination of texturizing Bolivian Pink Salt, hydrating Tsubaki Meadows oils, and a strengthening plant protein blend. Simply run the mousse through your hair post-shower and watch as your hair air dries with beachy waves and touchable texture.
Size: 5.1 fl oz
Texture: Foam
Hold: Buildable
What We Love: Perfect for all hair types, quick and easy to use, lightweight, strengthens hair
What We Don't: Not super volumizing
Review for MC: “Left to its own devices, my straight, fine, highlighted hair will air-dry lifeless and flat, with no wave, volume, or texture. Then I discovered this miracle texturizing mousse. The word "mousse" makes me think crunchy, sticky, and stiff, but this is the anti-mousse mousse. It's a featherweight foam made with Bolivian pink salt to enhance texture (like a salt spray) and tsubaki oil to hydrate. It feels like next to nothing in my hair but somehow makes a world of difference. After I shower, I lightly towel-dry and then generously apply two pumps from my roots to my ends. The result? Voluminous, touchably soft, tousled hair with a not-too-perfect vibe.” -Brianna Peters, Contributing Beauty Writer
Briana Peters rocks beachy waves with Crown Affair's Texturizing Air Dry Hair Mousse
Burnside's number one pick for anyone with medium to thick straight hair is Virtues' Hydrating Curl Defining Whip — "A conditioning mousse that offers hold while adding volume, moisture, and shine," she explains. The product is great for enhancing curls while still reducing frizz and dryness. It's also great for adding smoothness and shine, all while being silicon-free!
Size: 5.5 oz
Texture: Thick foam
Hold: Strong
What We Love: Works on straight, wavy, and curly hair, ultra-moisturizing, reduces frizz
What We Don't: Some reviewers say the pump packaging stops working after a few uses
This product will impress anyone with any hair type — from thick to thin or straight to curly — with its 24-hour defined curl hold. The lightweight formula won't hold your hair down, and the unique gel-to-mousse texture combines the benefits of a gel and a mousse. To use, emulsify the product in your hands until the clear gel transforms into a rich, cushiony foam. Apply in sections in damp hair and watch as your how blows out beautifully and bouncy.
Size: 5.2 oz
Texture: Gel-to-mousse
Hold: 24-hour hold
What We Love: Unique texture, strong hold, long-lasting, for all hair types and textures
What We Don't: Some reviewers say their hair feels dry after use
Review for MC: "I know, I know — $30 for a mousse is steep. But trust me when I say the Redken Stay High Mousse is worth it. I have a lot of wavy/curly 2B hair, but my individual strands are pretty thin — this means my hair doesn’t really hold shape or volume on its own, especially when it gets to be as long as it is right now (see pic!). This mousse is a 2-in-1: it has the staying power of a gel and the volumizing power of a mousse without the crunchy look or feel of either. It adds so much volume not only to my roots but also throughout my strands, and the volume stays put until my next wash (of course, that’s when I care for my second-day hair by sleeping in a bonnet). Plus, the texture is unlike any mousse I’ve tried — it acts like an old-school shaving gel, in that it dispenses out of the bottle as a gel and puffs into an airy mousse as you work it through your hands. It’s fun to use, smells incredible, and, most importantly, works — what more would you want?" — Isabella Sarlija, Contributing Beauty Writer
Isabella Sarlija swears by the Redken Stay High Mousse
Flat hair? No problem. Briogeo's Style + Treat Hair Styling Volume Foam adds insane volume and ensures your curls last for not just hours, but days. This versatile, multitasking styling foam is perfect for bouncy blowouts and air-dried touchable curl definition. It even doubles as a heat protectant up to 450° F.
Size: 5 oz
Texture: Lightweight foam
Hold: Strong
What We Love: Holds hair for days, heat protectant, very volumizing
What We Don't: Can make hair feel stiff
Review for MC: "After spending hours meticulously blowing out and curling my hair, I'm constantly looking for products to make my hairstyle last as long as possible. This hair mousse truly changed the game for me. I apply from roots to tips (mainly focusing on my roots), and my hair stays perfectly curled for multiple days. Plus, the volume!! The product does make my hair feel slightly stiffer than usual, but with its heat protecting power, I think it's totally worth it." — Emma Aerin Becker, Freelance Beauty Writer
Emma Aerin Becker was wowed by the results of Briogeo's Style + Treat Hair Styling Volume Foam
Instantly boost your hair's body with the Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Multiplying Volume Styling Mousse. This product is specifically designed for fine hair, made with a combination caviar extract and marine plumping complex that ensures your hair appears and feels thicker. The lightweight foam adds volume and lift without that sticky, stiff feel, and is sure to hold your curls.
Size: 8.2 oz
Texture: Lightweight foam
Hold: Medium
What We Love: Adds thickness, volume, shine, and hold
What We Don't: Does not work well against humidity
Applying product is a breeze with this spray-on mousse. Made for fine and medium hair, Moroccan Oil's Root Boost is infused with argan oil, and adds lift by creating strong texture at the roots before styling with heat. It’s designed to add volume for long-lasting texture, body, and movement. Simply shake the bottle, spray your wet roots, and style as you please.
Size: 8.5 oz
Texture: Spray
Hold: Strong
What We Love: Easy to use, strong style hold, argan oil adds moisture
What We Don't: Smell may be too strong for some
Best Drugstore Hair Mousse
I get it, hair mousses can be pricey. But luckily Tresemme has created this incredible product for under $10. Boasting 24-hour body and life, this mousse gives instant volume for bouncy, fuller-looking hair that holds its style all day long. Start by shaking the can and dispensing 2-3 dollops of mousse into the palms of your hands. Spread evenly throughout your hair before styling for major volume and stiff-less style
Size: 10.5 oz
Texture: Creamy foam
Hold: 24-hour
What We Love: Budget-friendly, long-lasting, extra volume
What We Don't: Makes hair feel heavier
This delicious smelling hair mousse has a unqiue, whipped texture that makes fine hair impressively big yet touchable. Structure-Forming starch polymers — the product's key ingredient — smooths, conditions, and adds hold while giving hair a thicker look. And it even protects against heat damage! Trust me when I say, it's worth the splurge.
Size: 5.8 oz
Texture: thick, whipped mousse
Hold: Strong
What We Love: Scent, salon quality style and hold, heat protection
What We Don't: Too much product makes hair feel sticky
Packed with rainforest-grown ingredients, this plant-based, alcohol-free hair mousse provides lift and hold while maintaining ultimate shine. The liquid to lightweight foam formula is perfect for voluminous blowouts, long lasting curls, and sleek ponytails. And Rahua is impressively dedicated to protecting the Amazon Rainforest — so for every bottle sold, an acre is saved.
Size: 3.5 oz
Texture: liquid-to-mousse
Hold: Medium
What We Love: Natural ingredients, enhances shine, perfect for both smooth blowouts and sleek hairstyles
What We Don't: Better for a more natural look
Review for MC: "Since I’ve entered my 30’s, my hair is not quite as thick and voluminous as it used to be, so I’m always on the hunt for that perfect product to give my hair a little something extra. Also, my hair tends to get a little oily if I use product anywhere near my roots and when you’re seeking extra volume, most of the time, you need to place product at your roots. Rahua’s Aloe Vera Hair Mousse is the only product that not only is made with pure ingredients but it actually adds quite a bit of volume to my hair and does not make my hair oily, even after a few days. Infused with aloe, sugar cane, guayusa leaf, and rahua oil, it leaves my hair extreme smooth, voluminous, and weightless. I just apply on towel dried hair at my roots, blow dry and style. I also love that the brand is dedicated to protecting the Amazon Rainforest. A great product that gives back? What more could you ask for?" — Taryn Brooke, Contributing Beauty Writer
Taryn Brooke uses the Rahua Aloe Vera Hair Mousse
This hair mousse was made to not only volumize, but also to moisturize. The thick foam texture feels surprisingly lightweight, and creates an amazing thickening effect on straight, thin hair. Bumble and bumble's Thickening Full Form Soft Mousse is sure to hold your curls and leave them with a soft, cushiony, crunch-free feel.
Size: 5 oz
Texture: Thick foam
Hold: Strong
What We Love: Moisturizing, heat protectant, smooth texture
What We Don't: Some reviewers dislike the smell
Review for MC:
How to Use Hair Mousse to Hold Curls
"There's no miracle product that will transform straight hair into wavy or curly locks. However, using the right products in the right routine may reveal more natural texture than you realized," Burnside explains. "It's about enhancing and encouraging your hair's inherent waves or curls while defining them."
While some mousses are different from the others, the majority are applied in the same manner. Simply shake the bottle, pump a dollop or two into the palm of your hand, and run the product throught your hair — focusing on the roots for ultimate grip and volume.
After application, dry and style as desired, which Rubenstein and Burnside give even more tips for below.
How to Wash Straight Hair for Ultimate Curls
"If I am curling straight hair, I would start with a shampoo and conditioner that won’t weigh hair down. Nothing too moisturizing," Rubenstein says.
Burnside adds that after "thoroughly" washing your hair with a light shampoo, you should "detangle while the conditioner is in to avoid brushing through the hair after rinsing." This is essential, as it "helps maintain as much wave or curl as possible without stretching it out."
How to Blow Dry Straight Hair Into Curls
"If hair is straight you would need to blow-dry and use a hot tool to add curl," Rubensetin admits. "When blow-drying straight hair with the intention of curling it don’t blow-dry it too smoothly. If you smooth it out too much you risk the curls falling out."
The hair mousse works to "give some grip and control" to your hair — especially at the root — when you're drying it, and she recommends to "rough dry it the whole way." This will "give the hair a bit of texture which will allow it to hold the curl," she explains.
She adds, "Go upside down and really get the root for more volume."
How to Curl Your Straight Hair with Hot Tools
"I love hot rollers," Rubenstein shares, which Burnside agrees are best for holding a curl in straight hair. "When hair is completely dry, pop rollers in and leave til they are completely cool — the longer the better. Spray with a flexible hairspray, take out rollers, brush, arrange with round brush and blow dryer if necessary, and voila."
Of course, you can also opt for a classic curling iron. "Barrel sizes ranging from 3/4" to 1.25" are recommended, depending on hair length, density, and the desired curl type," Burnside shares. The smaller the iron, the tighter the curl, so choose your barrel size wisely.
How to Set Your Curls
"The key to long-lasting hold," Burnside says, "is setting the hair in duckbill clips and letting the sections cool before releasing them." Spraying your pinned up hair with hair spray before curling as well as after also increases longevity of the curls and tightness of the coils.
"Don’t touch curls while they’re hot, wait til they have completely cooled. And don’t forget a light hairspray after you curl," Rubenstein recommends.
Jasmine Burnside is a celebrity hairstylist based in New York City, specializing in editorial, commercial, and wedding hair styling. Originally from Maryland, Jasmine attended a Paul Mitchell Cosmetology School. After graduating, she quickly developed her skill set and clientele, but knew she wanted to pursue her dream of moving and making a name for herself in New York.
Since her transition to New York City, she took a position as a stylist behind the chair at a top salon in the West Village. Jasmine refined and expanded her skill set, which landed her a role as a lead educator at the salon. Jasmine's passion for hair and eagerness to learn has propelled her to many great opportunities. Her clients include actresses Ashley Reyes, Nida Khurshid, Gus Birney, and Jessica Hecht. She’s worked on major runway shows and editorial campaigns including: Vogue, Marc Jacobs, ELLE, Ralph Lauren, Rebecca Minkoff, Alice and Olivia, Cosmopolitan, just to name a few.
Clariss Rubenstein is a Los Angeles based hairstylist. Born in Paris and raised in Washington DC, she discovered her passion for beauty and style at an early age. Her work can be seen on high profile clients such as Jennifer Garner, Sofia Vergara, Sarah Silverman, Gemma Chan, Cindy Crawford, Dakota Fanning, Mindy Kaling, Kaley Cuoco, Leighton Meester, Allison Williams, Jordana Brewster, Alison Brie and many more. Her work has been featured in editorials for Vanity Fair, Jalouse and LadyGunn. Her advertising work includes campaigns for James Perse, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Tommy Hilfiger. Clariss is a digital content creator and has partnered with an umbrella of lifestyle and beauty brands including NEXXUS, Authentic Beauty Concept, and Dyson.
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