Why Your Curly Hair Needs Mousse
Well, that’s quite a loaded title, isn’t it? I’ve been a student of the human (hair) condition since pretty much forever, and I feel I’ve accumulated a few nuggets of knowledge during that time. So, I am here to explain why your curly hair needs mousse.
Before we get into what curly hair needs, let’s speak for a quick second about that which all hair needs, regardless of its genes, type, thickness, history, etc. So, in a nutshell, hair requires nourishment. The hair follicles are the only part of the hair that is actually alive and growing. The locks themselves are dead strands of keratin. But this is not to say you can’t maintain them as well, through proper care and caution.
One of the most famous hair care products is mousse. And even though there are some who will balk at the sound of the word and look around nervously, there really is nothing to be afraid of. It’s not at all like a hair-hardening gel or a residue-leaving spray. So it has a lot of potential for styling and maintenance, along with very few drawbacks.
If you feel that your curls are down and out and you’re looking for a way to keep a solid look which lifts you and your curls up, then it could very well be that your search is over. The hair care product which will be able to provide you with one of the best curly looks is mousse. And this, of course, raises the question of what is mousse?
What Is Mousse?
Mousse is a delightful dessert of French origin traditionally involving chocolate, but that’s not important right now. I know, I know, chocolate is always important. Very well, I’ll give you that, it’s always important. So let’s start over, then. What is hair mousse? Ah, that’s a more specific question, and a different story altogether. I’m glad you asked.
Hair mousse is a styling foam. “Mousse” means foam en français, and that was the term used when the French first named the product. It was invented in the late 1970s or early 1980s and made its way across the great sea to the U.S. It was actually LÓreal Paris which brought the product from France and around the mid-1980s began the era of “Mousse Mania”, as it was known at the time.
I’ll tell you, hair mousse certainly arrived on the scene at the right time. The Big Hair culture of the 1980s was gaining favor and spreading like wildfire. Hairstylists everywhere were using the new product known as hair mousse and creating unique looks and ‘dos for their clientele. There was much joy and celebration over the appearance of a product that had so many positive attributes.
Okay, but what exactly does hair mousse do?
What Does Mousse Do For Your Hair?
So, what does mousse do for your hair? Mousse essentially adds volume to your hair, and it gives it some conditioning and grip. It’s an item that never stops being popular because it manages to combine several styling benefits into a single hair care product. Usually, people work the product into the hair, comb or brush it through, and then blow dry it. You can use it in a few different ways, depending on your goal.
The most important ingredient in hair mousse is a polymer. It is a substance that acts as a hair conditioning agent, and it forms a film on the hair strands. This allows the user to style the hair, brush it, comb it, heat it, treat it, etc. The foam comes out of the canister and breaks up almost immediately when it is worked into the hair, although that also depends on the formula. Once the foam is in there, it will work hard to keep the hair under its thumb.
A proper amount of mousse will help to style, sculpt, and provide your hair with an extra degree of mass. It’s something which can seriously make your day, when done right. You know what I’m talking about, I’m sure. A good hair day can put a smile on your face, boost your confidence, and help you out a lot whether you’re heading to a business meeting or getting ready for a hot date.
Just as with any good thing – don’t overdo it. With some products, a little amount can go a really long way. You don’t want to have to mess with an overly-moussed head. Best to slowly test the waters, especially if it is a new product or brand which you have never used before.
What’s The Best Mousse For Naturally Curly Hair?
There is no doubt about it: mousse helps curls stay nice and bouncy. Many times, curls will act out in rebellious ways and refuse to come under the spell of any hair care product. Mousse is one of the only things which can bring wild curls under a measure of control.
Don’t get me wrong, the wild look has its place, and it’s amazing in its own right. But it’s not something which we always want to sport. Unlike ordinary hairspray, which is usually a kind of half measure, mousse can help lift natural curls and make them softer and more manageable. It’s a product which many hair stylists recommend because it is so easy to handle, apply, and work with.
You may be wondering “What’s the best mousse for naturally curly hair?” I don’t think there is a “best mousse”, because it is very personal and subjective. I will say that any foam product which doesn’t do its job – and which causes clumps or bunches to form – is no good and should be chucked off a cliff. Anything else is pretty much debatable and can be tested. Again, some brands will require that you use more product than others, but you don’t need to immediately assume so. Experiment and find what works for you, taking into account your specific situation.
A good mousse for naturally curly hair will be one that not only provides bounce and flounce but also contains ingredients that nourish the hairs and roots and protect them. Ideally, it will be a product that you can use on all hair types and under different conditions. Modern-day mousses that have come out in recent years can help to fight humidity, keep away the effects of heat, and also boost the hair’s shine and natural definition. Some of them are even designed to cover up gray or white hairs.
I feel the best mousse for naturally curly hair is one like OGX Creamy Mousse. It’s a product which is part mousse, part cream. It manages to provide the user with the best of both worlds, keeping the hair hydrated, nourished, frizz-free, and with shea butter and coconut oil to boot. Obviously, there will be those who won’t find themselves comfortable with that type of product, because it is only a half-mousse.
Conclusion
Mousse works for short hair, long hair, thin hair, thick hair, curly, wavy, fine, and so on. It just works, and there are several methods for using it. Foaming up your palm and working it into the hair is probably the most popular method of application, but there are others which do the job just as well. Seriously, everyone can enjoy this product. And other than actually having hair on the top of your head, there are no prerequisites.
You’ll need to know your specific hair type and your unique conditions (like the environment and the state of your hair) and then make the right choice about which mousse to use. Not every product will work in any situation, even if the bottle or container said it would. You should experiment when you can and see what works best for you. This is precisely why it is impossible to pinpoint one product to win the title of “best mousse for curly hair”.
Does curly hair need mousse? Well, if your curly hair requires maintenance outside of the shower, then mousse is certainly one of the best products out there. You can argue over ingredients and brands and uses until judgment day. But it ultimately comes down to what you need. Mousse can provide you with a lot of styles, whether it is just a quick adjustment on the go, or a “just washed” look you’re trying to achieve before you walk out the door.