How to use hair mousse, according to pro hairstylists

“Hair mousse is a lightweight foam styling product designed to add structure, volume and flexible hold without weighing the hair down,” hairstylist and Arkive founder Adam Reed tells Glamour. “Unlike gels, which tend to create stronger hold and sometimes a rigid finish, mousse gives lift and movement.”

It’s a popular choice for those wanting to achieve volume without impacting the final texture too much, but shouldn’t be confused with creams, which Spectrum One Hair Extensions founder Katy Grimshaw says are more geared towards smoothing and hydration rather than shape and support.

Mousse is known for its fun, foamy texture, but how does it actually work to create volume in your hair? “As it dries, it forms a cast that helps hold styles in place,” explains Silke London co-founder Maria Sotiriou. “It’s particularly effective for adding volume during blow-drying and for creating curls and waves without frizz and is usually applied as the final layer of styling product, after gels or creams, to lock in the style.”

Hair mousse is a versatile styling product that can be used by the majority of hair types. Adam and Katy suggest fine to medium hair might find it most useful, but it can be a great addition to your hair routine for anyone looking for volume and soft structure.

However, while hair mousse is suitable for most, there are some who should avoid using it and won’t see the results they’re looking for. “Very dry, brittle or highly porous hair, often struggles with mousse because the product contains very little in the way of conditioning ingredients,” says Maria. “These hair types usually need richer, more moisturising styling products.”

This is the most important question when it comes to how to use hair mousse and it’s often the biggest mistake that people make when using it. The answer (unhelpfully) is: neither. More helpfully, the hairstylists agree that your hair should be damp, blotted with a towel to remove most of the excess water. If your hair is too wet before you apply the mousse, it can dilute it and make it less effective at achieving the volume you’re after.

Now that you’ve figured out how to avoid one of the most common mistakes, next we asked our experts the correct way to apply hair mousse. All of them suggest dispensing the mousse into your hands rather than directly onto your hair for more even distribution. “The hair should be sectioned and the product applied methodically, working one section at a time,” says Maria.

Pay particular attention to the roots for the most volume, but be sure to smooth product through the mid-lengths and the ends so the hair is fully coated. Adam suggests using a medium-tooth comb if you’re worried about achieving this. Once you’ve finished applying the mousse to your hair, “blow-dry using a round brush or diffuser to maximise volume and shape,” says Katy.

Another common mistake – and one to avoid – is applying too much mousse, which can achieve the opposite effect. “The result is uneven curl or wave patterns, more frizz, and if you are blow-drying, the style will lack the volume and longevity you are trying to achieve,” explains Maria. A little goes a long way, so apply cautiously and evenly for the most natural result.

Hair mousse works really well with other styling products and if paired correctly, you can amplify the results. “A lightweight leave-in conditioner underneath adds moisture, while a small amount of smoothing cream through the ends can help control frizz,” says Adam. “For longer styles or curls, finishing with a flexible hairspray helps hold the shape while keeping the hair touchable.”

Katy suggests finishing your styling with a root-lifting spray for maximum volume. “I often layer it with a targeted root product like Color Wow Raise the Root Thicken & Lift Spray or O&M Atonic Thickening Spritz, which help amplify lift at the scalp while the mousse builds body through the lengths