It's True: This Forgotten '90s Product Actually Works Wonders on Thin Hair
Hair mousse is the key to achieving bouncy, volumised hair that holds, and these are the ones we swear by.
At Who What Wear, we're always asking top hairdressers the golden question that we all want to know the answer to: How can we make our hair look thicker? You see, you just can't beat that look and feeling of stepping out of the salon with a voluminous blow-dry, but it can be tricky to recreate at home, especially if you have hair that's on the finer side or that tends to fall a little flat, even after styling with a hot brush, curling wand or hair multistyler. There are ways to boost your hair's volume—whether it be with a volumising styling product or a new hair colour to feign thicker hair—but it can be tricky to find a way to boost your hair's volume without it feeling weighed down or falling flat an hour after you've styled it.
However, there's a product we've totally been sleeping on, and it is currently being used by just about every top celebrity hairdresser right now to create full, voluminous hair on the red carpet. The product in question? Hair mousse. While it once garnered a reputation for being a little old-fashioned, we can assure you that hair mousse is firmly back on our dressing tables. "Hair mousse was first created around the '60s with the idea to create maximum volume in hair. Initially, it had a very sticky texture," says expert hairstylist Larry King.
Ahead, we've rounded up the very best hair mousses that deliver on volume, body and hold, without the dreaded stickiness.
How to Use Hair Mousse
You want to apply your hair mousse to damp hair after shampooing and conditioning. "The best way to use a hair mousse is to really pump out a golf ball–sized amount into the palm of your hands and then use your fingers to take small amounts and slowly rake it through the hair, starting at the ends and using the remaining amount of mousse to be scrunched into the roots," says King. "If you have curly hair, I would do the same thing, but always scrunch it into the hair. Do not rake through the hair because this can create frizz. So always scrunch into the hair, starting at the mid-lengths to ends and then ending with the last amount scrunching at the roots." You can then go in with your hair dryer as usual.
The great thing about mousse is that it can work for all hair types and textures. "Mousse is really good because it encourages really defined curls or coils in type 3 and type 4 hair," he says. "If you have type 1 or type 2 (think poker-straight hair or hair with a wave)—where you're looking for the maximum amount of volume, maybe looking to hold in any waves or shapes you're creating with your blow-dry—then hair mousse is the ideal product to give you that hold but also give you volume." Ahead, we've rounded up the very best hair mousses that we've tried.
Best Hair Mousses, Tried & Tested
- Best hair mousse for fine hair: Larry King Haircare My Nanna's Mousse
- Best multipurpose hair mousse: Hershesons Zhoosh Foam
- Best hair mousse for volume: GHD Body Goals Total Volume Foam
- Best affordable hair mousse: Arkive The Body Hybrid Mousse
- Best long-lasting hair mousse: Oribe Grandiose Hair Plumping Mousse
1. Larry King Haircare My Nanna's Mousse
Larry King's mousse is a nod to his nanna's penchant for glamorous, bouncy blow-dries. This formula helps to thicken the hair and leaves a soft hold, so your hair won't feel weighed down or crunchy. "The foam is encouraged to really create the maximum amount of volume whilst also maintaining a really nice shine and also giving you the movement and the naturalness. When you run your fingers through your hair, it's as if there's no product in your hair," says King.
Pros
- Adds weightless volume
- No stickiness
Cons
- More expensive than your typical hair mousse
2. Hershesons Zhoosh Foam
So much more than just a mousse, this doubles as an oil-absorbing dry shampoo for second-day hair, builds volume pre-blow-dry and defines curls. The foam texture has zero stickiness and feels lightweight and touchable as you run your fingers through your lengths. Go for this one if you want aerated volume that's akin to a '90s supermodel.
Pros
- Lightweight foam texture
- Doubles as a dry shampoo
- Adds weightless volume
- Works on all hair textures
Cons
- On the more expensive side
3. GHD Body Goals Total Volume Foam
If you regularly style your hair, you won't regret this addition to your blow-dry routine. It plumps up hair and helps to lock in your style for longer. Plus, it offers heat protection, so it's a great one to streamline your routine if you're using a multi-styler or hair dryer too.
Pros
- Offers heat protection
- Leaves hair bouncy and volumised
- Doesn't weigh down hair
Cons
- Be careful not to use too much, otherwise it can go sticky
5. Oribe Grandiose Hair Plumping Mousse
If you find that your style usually falls flat, then Oribe's offering will come to the rescue for fine hair. Not only does it make hair bouncy, but it also lasts between washes and leaves hair shiny and flyaway-free. If you have very fine lengths, go easy, as using too much can cause stickiness. A little goes a long way.
Pros
- Volumises, adds body and root lift
Cons
- May be too rich for very fine hair—a little goes a long way
6. Sachajuan Dry Shampoo Mousse
If you find that your roots get oily quickly, then this dry shampoo–mousse hybrid will solve your qualms. It works like a dry shampoo by absorbing excess oil (without a powdery residue) and is a great way to refresh your hair between washes if you're switching up your style. It's not the best for adding volume, however, so you may prefer another on this list if you want super bouncy hair.
Pros
- Doubles as a hair mousse and dry shampoo
- Refreshes roots and absorbs excess oil
Cons
- Not the best for volumising or creating hold pre-styling
7. Hair by Sam McKnight Cool Girl Volume Blow Dry Foam
Want a hair mousse with all of the volume and hold without the dreaded stickiness? Then allow me to introduce you to this mousse. This foam has a light-as-air texture that instantly absorbs, creating weightless and invisible scaffolding to your hair for bouncy, volumised hair that lasts and feels soft to the touch. Oh, and it smells incredible, too, so you'll have a halo of scent following you with every hair swish.
Pros
- Lightweight and non-sticky
- Adds volume, body and hold
- Floral scent
Cons
- Those with thicker hair may want something stronger
8. Cantu Wave Whip Curling Mousse
This lightweight, aerated formula helps to add body and definition to curls, and the shea-enriched formula helps to moisturise lengths for a shiny, frizz-free finish. It doesn't leave any residue or leave your curls crunchy, just soft, defined and bouncy.
Pros
- Ideal for curly or coily hair textures
- Lightweight
- Helps to define curls
Cons
- Can we sticky if you use too much
9. Ouai Air Dry Foam
Sometimes, you don't always want to use heat to style your hair, and that's where this air-dry foam comes in. It helps to enhance your hair's natural texture without feeling crunchy and leaves hair so shiny. And like all Ouai products, it smells amazing too.
Pros
- Adds body and movement whilst you air-dry your hair
10. Color Wow Xtra Large Bombshell Volumizer
If it's larger than life lift and next-level volume you're after, then it doesn't get better than this hair mousse, which offers big hair in a bottle. The mousse adds tonnes of volume and lift, helping to hold your style, too. This is a a great one for fine or limp lengths, as it feels weightless in the hair but delivers maximum results.
12. Kérastase Densifique Femme Thickening & Strengthening Styling Mousse
For hair that's in need of TLC from heat damage, we'd urge you to try this hair mousse. It contains peptides to help repair the hair from the inside out while giving height and volume to fine hair. It's a great one to streamline your routine and prevent build-up from multiple products.
Pros
- Thickens hair
- Nourishes dry or damaged lengths
Cons
- Some reviewers have had issues with the pump dispenser
13. Akrive The Body Hybrid Mousse
Not only is this affordable hair mousse kind to your bank account, but it's also one of the best around. Created by leading hairstylist Adam Reed, this lightweight mousse does everything you need it to. It adds volume, boosts body through the lengths and lifts at the root, all whilst remaining touchably soft.
Pros
- Affordable
- Adds lightweight volume
Cons
- Not the most hydrating formula
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
