How To Use Hair Mousse, Based on Your Hair Type

When you hear the words “hair mousse,” big ’80s hair probably comes to mind. Whether you’ve never used the old-school styler, only remember what it was like many moons ago, or constantly wonder, “What does mousse do?” it’s time to get reacquainted with this styling staple. With new formulas that add texture and volume without stiffness or sticky residue, today’s hair mousse is a far cry from the heavy, crunchy formulas of decades past.

Ahead, we’ll dive deep into everything you need to know about hair mousse. Keep reading to learn what mousse does, how it works, and how to use mousse in your routine for full, voluminous tresses—no matter your natural hair type.

What Is Hair Mousse?

Hair mousse is a leave-in styling product designed to help add volume to the hair. It comes in a can and boasts a lightweight, foamy consistency, similar in texture to shaving cream. Mousse is typically applied to damp hair prior to styling to help add texture and volume. Some formulas may be used on dry hair, too, though this is a far less common approach.

What Does Mousse Do?

Generally speaking, hair mousse adds volume, texture, and definition to your hairstyle, typically with a light to medium hold. While it’s often used to help define waves and curls, mousse can be a helpful styling aid for fine, straight hair, too. Used properly, it can help make flat hair appear fuller and thicker, with plenty of bounce, body, and movement.

Some formulas may boast additional benefits, too. There are hair mousses that help protect your hair from humidity, tame frizz, and boost shine. Some even act as a heat protectant to help shield your strands from heat damage when you blow-dry your hair.

Is Mousse Bad for Your Hair?

When used as directed, hair mousse is generally considered safe for most hair types. However, like all styling products, mousse can contribute to build-up over time, especially if you use it frequently. Swapping out your usual shampoo for a clarifying shampoo once a week can help remove build-up and keep your strands feeling fresh.

It’s also important to note that many mousses contain alcohol, which can be drying (particularly if you already have dry or brittle hair). To keep your hair looking and feeling its best, prioritize hydration when you can and save your mousse for days when you’re looking to sport a voluminous hairstyle.

Does Mousse Work on All Hair Types?

Yes, all hair types can use mousse. Hair mousse is especially beneficial for those looking to add hold or get more volume. However, different hair types often have different needs. To get the best results when styling your hair, it’s best to select a formula designed for your specific hair type and needs.

How To Choose the Right Hair Mousse

As with any other haircare product, the best mousse for you will be one that aligns with your needs and goals. A volumizing mousse, for example, may be a great option for those with limp or flat hair. On the other hand, if you’re looking for something to help define your curls or waves, you may want to consider opting for a frizz-fighting formula that provides hold and definition without weighing the hair down.

If you’re unsure what type of hair mousse best aligns with your needs, seek out a formula designed for all hair types. The L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle Boost It Volume Inject Mousse is one of our top picks. The lightweight formula adds body, volume, and thickness with up to 24 hours of workable hold. It also doubles as a heat protectant, so if you need to blow dry your hair after using it, you can do so without having to layer on other products.

How To Use Hair Mousse

Use hair mousse correctly and you’ll be on your way to sporting bouncy hair with tons of texture in no time flat. (Yes, pun intended.) Check out these five simple tips for how to use mousse.

1. Begin with clean hair

One of the most common reasons to use hair mousse is to add volume. For an added boost, start the styling process with a volumizing shampoo and conditioner, like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Hydrating Shampoo and the coordinating L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron Plump Hydrating Conditioner. This hyaluronic acid-infused duo helps replump dehydrated hair, giving it body, bounce, and shine without any weigh-down.

2. Wring out your hair

A word to the wise: If you apply hair mousse on sopping wet hair, it’s not going to be as effective and you may be left with sticky strands. After washing your hair, flip your head over and squeeze out the dripping water. Use a cotton T-shirt or a microfiber towel to remove excess moisture (you can also use this time to gently plop your hair if you have waves or curls). Drying wet hair with a T-shirt over a regular towel also helps minimize the friction that can lead to hair breakage.

3. Apply hair mousse with your fingers

Hair mousse is very aerated, so you’ll be using a lot more than you would with a hair serum or hair gel. Still, it’s best to err on the side of caution—start with a smaller amount, and add more as needed. Generally, you’ll want to use a golf ball-sized amount for your whole head, but this may vary depending on how long your hair is and the formula you’re using. Always refer to the package instructions for an accurate recommendation.

When working the product through your hair, scrunch your hair upward, focusing the majority of the product on your roots for lift. For a natural, lived-in style that accentuates your hair texture, let the mousse work its magic and simply air dry. If you prefer a bigger blowout, grab your blow-dryer and a round brush after applying your volumizing mousse and get to work.

4. Make sure you’re using the correct blow-dryer

To keep your curls or loose waves defined, use a diffuser, which spreads the air over a large section of hair for an even, gentle blow dry that helps highlight your hair’s natural texture. For silky, straight tresses, pop a concentrator nozzle onto the end of your blow-dryer—that’s the thin attachment that creates concentrated airflow. Then, grab a hairbrush to start styling.

5. Concentrate your blowout upwards

How you dry your hair will play a huge role in how your look turns out. If you’re aiming for a wavy or curly style, position your diffuser beneath your curls and direct the airflow up. This will help keep your hair bouncy and prevent your curls and waves from falling flat.

If, on the other hand, you’re going for a straight blowout, you’ll want to grab a round, boar-bristle brush. Use it to gently pull your hair upwards at the root while blow drying, pulling the hair back (away from your face) as you go. This technique will help add lift at the roots while keeping your lengths silky, smooth, and straight.

For anyone with naturally dark hair hoping to go lighter — or even blonde — root upkeep can be a real dilemma. While there are so many gorgeous shades of blonde, from honey blonde to platinum, trading your dark strands for a lighter alternative certainly isn’t low maintenance. 

But what if we told you there was a lesser-known hair coloring technique that would postpone your need to head to the salon while still allowing you to rock an all-over blonde hair color? That’s exactly what we’re here to talk about: Root smudging. Read on to find out more about the root smudge technique and why it’s a match made in heaven for blondes who have naturally dark hair.

What Is the Root Smudge Technique?

The smudged root look features lived-in roots that are only a shade or two lighter than your natural hair color. Keeping the color similar yet slightly lighter than your own allows for a natural transition of shades as your roots grow out, with no harsh lines of demarcation in sight. 

Your colorist will quite literally smudge your roots with a hair gloss, demi- or semi-permanent hair color for a soft shift between shades. It is often done on brunettes looking to go blonde with little upkeep, but it can be done even if you want to go for a caramel brown hair color or any shade significantly lighter than your natural hue.

What’s the Difference Between Root Smudge and Shadow Roots?

If you’ve heard about the root smudge technique, you’ve likely heard about shadow roots, too. You may also be wondering how they differ. The two terms actually refer to the same process and can be used interchangeably when discussed in the beauty world. 

That being said, there is a difference between smudged roots and shadow hair. Where smudged roots involve applying a gloss or hair dye to just your roots, shadow hair involves your stylist painting a gloss or hair toner onto the mid-lengths of your mane for an overall more natural appearance.

What’s the Difference Between Root Smudge and Root Melt?

Root smudging and color melting are hair coloring techniques with very different results. When you melt your color, your hair takes on more of a sombré look, where the three shades are blended by highlights. The color is meant to transition softer than ombré hair, but not as softly as a root smudge. Smudged roots are just dark enough at your scalp to camouflage your regrowth, avoiding a harsh line and making it appear as if you only have two colors at once, for a chic, lived-in look.

How to Root Smudge

Now that you know what the smudged root technique is, you may be wondering the details that go into it. Since this process takes time and can easily be flubbed by a non-professional (in other words, most of us), it’s best left up to the pros. Still, we’re diving into the steps your colorist will take when using the root smudge technique on your strands so you always understand what’s being done to your mane.

Step 1. Lighten Up

First, your colorist will take the time to lighten your hair. Whether you’re getting babylights or balayage, they’ll apply bleach using your chosen technique, let it sit for the allotted amount of time, then wash it away.

Step 2. Apply the Root Smudge

Then they’ll mix together a gloss or semi-permanent dye that’s your perfect shade and apply the color to your roots using a tapping motion — this will create that smudged effect. The color will be applied about one inch down your strands to allow for a natural transition. 

As your colorist smudges your roots, they’ll work with small enough sections of hair as to not have any gaps (but not too small to take away from your beautiful blonde highlights if you opted for that look). Then they’ll gently comb out the color for an even more gradual change in hues. After the color sits, it’ll be rinsed from your mane.

Step 3. Toner

Lastly, your colorist will apply a hair toner to help neutralize any unwanted brassiness and create the final result you’re aiming for. This will be applied as the last step, so the length of your hair and your roots have the same overall tone for a consistent, seamless head of color.

Be sure to also keep a purple shampoo, like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Brass Toning Purple Shampoo, handy to fight brassiness at home. Follow it up with the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Brass Toning Purple Conditioner to keep those unwanted yellow and orange hues from peeking through your newly colored strands.

Next: 5 Ways to Expertly Cover Your Roots in Less Than 10 Minutes

Edited by: Shalwah Evans, Photo Design: Crystal Simone

Hair Mousse Compared To Similar Products

Hair mousses, gels, foams, and curl creams all offer similar benefits, but serve their own distinct purposes. If you’re having trouble selecting the best type of styling aid for your needs, we’re sharing more insight on the characteristics of each, ahead.

Hair mousse vs. hair gel

Hair mousse and hair gel offer different benefits. Mousse adds volume, defines, controls frizz, and in many cases, offers heat protection. It’s also, as we mentioned, typically applied to damp rather than dry hair. While many mousses do offer hold, it tends to be a light, workable hold. Gels, on the other hand, are designed for more structured, lasting hold. They’re typically used after styling to help perfect and set sleek hairstyles and smooth down flyaways.

Hair mousse vs. foam

So, here’s the confusing thing. Hair mousse and foam are kind of one and the same—but, also, they’re not. Mousses are typically a dense foam, while true hair foams boast a lightweight, fluffier consistency. Both, however, can help add volume to flat hair. Since foams are more lightweight than mousses, they typically have a softer hold. If you’re a little wary of using a volumizing mousse—or have super fine or short hair—foam could be a good option for you.

Hair mousse vs. curl cream

While hair mousse can help define curls and waves, that’s not their only purpose. As mentioned, these versatile styling aids are suitable for a wide range of hair types and textures. Curl creams, however, are designed explicitly for curly and coily hair. These cream formulas help define and enhance your curls’ natural texture and curl pattern. Curl creams are also typically formulated with nourishing ingredients like aloe vera, coconut oil, or shea butter, to help moisturize the hair. They coat the hair and smooth the hair cuticle, which keeps curls from tangling and leaves them looking bouncy and defined.

Can You Put Hair Mousse on Synthetic Hair?

Some hair mousses can be used on synthetic hair, others should only be used on natural hair. If you have synthetic extensions or wear a wig, it’s best to select hair styling products designed specifically for synthetic hair to ensure the best possible end results. Your hairstylist should be able to point you in the right direction if you’re unsure where to start.

Next Up: 20 Ways To Make Flat Hair Look More Voluminous

Photo Courtesy of L'Oréal Paris