Silicone free mousses for curly hair: review
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10 hair mousses I've tried

Updated: Jul 31, 2023


silicone free hair mousses

The mousse gives volume to the hair and holds it.


It is a great styling product for both straight and curly hair. This post describes 10 mousses I've tried for curly hair styles. I'll show the pros and cons of these products.


A note for those who follow the Curly Girl Method: all of the mousses in this selection are silicone-free.


1. Marc Anthony Strictly Curls Curl Enhancing Styling Foam


Marc Anthony Strictly Curls Curl Enhancing Styling Foam review

Ingredients:

WATER, ISOBUTANE, ACRYLATES COPOLYMERS,PROPANE POLYQUATERNIUM-11, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE ( VITAMIN - E), PANTHENOL (PRO VITAMIN B5), ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE, HYDROLYSED SILK, DISODIUM EDTA, AMINOMETHYL PROPANOL,BUTANE, SODIUM CHLORIDE HYDROXYETHYL CETYLDIMONIUM PHOSPHATE, PPG-10 METHYL GLUCOSE ETHER, CETEARETH-25, BENZOPHENONE-4, FRAGRANCE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, IODOPROPYNYL BUTYLCARBAMATE, DIAZOLIDINYL UREA, , LIMONENE, HEXYL CINNAMAL, BENZYL BENZOATE, CITRAL, LINALOOL.

Thanks to the polymer ACRYLATES COPOLYMERS, Marc Anthony Mousse provides a good hold. It smooths the hair surface while fighting frizz thanks to the film-forming, conditioning, and moisture-retaining substances (POLYQUATERNIUM-11, HYDROLYSED SILK, PANTHENOL (PRO VITAMIN B5)). The Marc Anthony Mousse shapes voluminous curls.

Superpower: it conditions the hair without stripping it of volume.

Main disadvantage: no curl activation. I would like a mousse for curly hair to define the curly texture nicely.


2. Syoss Keratin Mousse


Syoss Keratin Mousse hair mousse with proteins review

Ingredients:

Aqua · VP/VA Copolymer · Butane · Propane · Propylene Glycol · Polyquaternium-11 · Sodium Benzoate · PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil · Polyquaternium-4 · Cetrimonium Chloride · Glycerin · Lactic Acid · Parfum · Panthenol · Niacinamide · Phenoxyethanol · Hydrolyzed Keratin · Caprylyl Glycol · Citric Acid · Linalool · Limonene · Benzyl Alcohol · Citronellol · Geraniol · Pantolactone

A protein mousse defines the natural shape of curls. It can give a little stiffness and dryness, so I recommend using it with moisturizing leave-in conditioners. It gives hair more density.


When applying the mousse curls are split into smaller, properly shaped strands. In many ways, this is facilitated by the hydrolyzed keratin proteins added to the composition of the mousse.


In general, the hairstyle appears voluminous, weakly fixed with a little frizz remaining.

Superpower: thickens fine hair.


The mousse adds stiffness to the hair. The curls are beautifully defined without too much shrinkage.


It is perfect for fine, soft curly hair. If you like natural styling (without super smoothness, with light frizz, and texture), it will be perfect for you.


A very light hold is probably the only disadvantage. of this product. You can always apply the mousse in several layers in order to strengthen the hold.


3. Shwarzkopf Taft Power&Fullness Mousse


Shwarzkopf Taft Power&Fullness Mousse review

Ingredients:

AQUA (WATER, EAU), HYDROXYPROPYL STARCH, BUTANE, PROPANE, GUAR HYDROXYPROPYLTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE, PANTHENOL, LACTIC ACID, SODIUM BENZOATE, CAPRYLYL/CAPRYL GLUCOSIDE, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, CETRIMONIUM CHLORIDE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, PARFUM (FRAGRANCE), LINALOOL, CITRONELOL, GERANIOL, BENZYL ALCOHOL

The mousse contains polysaccharides (HYDROXYPROPYL STARCH), thanks to which many hydrogen bonds are formed. As a result, curls are fixed, more elastic, and more moisturized.


In general, Schwarzkopf Taft Power&Fullness Mousse has an impressive moisturizing finish: curls are nourished, soft, and moisturized, with an incredible shine. But the hold is very weak.


In addition to the weak fixation, there is another disadvantage: the lack of root volume. It doesn't add volume at the roots, on the contrary, it takes it away.


It works great with gels.


Superpower: moisturizing, curl activation.

Disadvantage: no root volume.


4. Wella Deluxe Pure Fullness Mousse


Wella Deluxe Pure Fullness Mousse review

Ingredients:

AQUA/WATER/EAU, PROPANE, PVP, BUTANE, VP/VA COPOLYMER, ISOBUTANE, CHITOSAN, PHENOXYETHANOL, PANTHENOL, POLYQUATERNIUM-16, FORMIC ACID, DISODIUM EDTA, CETRIMONIUM CHLORIDE, LAURETH-4, METHYLPARABEN, PARFUM/FRAGRANCE, LINALOOL, HEXYL CINNAMAL, CITRONELLOL, LIMONENE, BENZYL SALICYLATE, SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL, CITRIC ACID, BHT

This is a good example of a classic mousse, i.e. mousse makes the style voluminous and holds it quite well.


I would like to note that the style is not very flexible. You may feel unpleasant dryness if you overdo the amount of the product.


Superpower: strong hold.


5. Aussie Turn The Curl Up Mousse


Aussie Turn The Curl Up Mousse review

Ingredients:

Aqua, Propane, Butane, Polyquaternium-11, Isobutane, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Laureth-4, Disodium EDTA, Methylparaben, Cetrimonium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Propylene Glycol, Limonene, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Prunus Serotina Bark Extract, Geraniol, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben

It conditions the hair without weighing it down. Hair is left soft, and light, yet with shine and volume.


Superpower: moisturizing finish with volume.

Disadvantage: poor hold.


Personal preference: smells deliciously of candy.


6. Wella Shockwaves Volume Mousse


Wella Shockwaves Volume Mousse review

Ingredients:

Aqua, Propane, PVP, Butane, VP/VA Copolymer, Isobutane, Chitosan, Phenoxyethanol, Polyquaternium-16, Parfum, Formic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Methylparaben, Laureth-4, Cetrimonium Chloride, Linalool, Citronellol, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide.

It's a top product for styling curly hair.


It works on all hair types.

TOP!

It adds volume, texturizes, and beautifully shapes the curls.


The mousse has a medium hold, it's not sticky. You end up with flexible styling.


The hair looks shiny and feels soft.


Superpower: a universal product.


7. Pantene Rizos Definidos Mousse


Pantene Rizos Definidos Mousse review

Ingredients:

Aqua, Propane, Polyquaternium-4, Butane, Isobutane, Propylene Glycol, C9-11 Pareth-8, DMDM ​​Hydantoin, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Panthenyl Ethyl Ether, Hexyl Cinnamal, Panthenol, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Amyl Cinnamal, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Citronellol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citric Acid

The mousse did not impress me much. It has no obvious advantages and disadvantages as well. It adds volume and holds the hair in place. It does not contribute to the curl activation.


It can give stiffness and make hair styling less fluid.


It is better to use it in combination with a leave-in conditioner.


8. Syoss Pure Volume Mousse


Syoss Pure Volume Mousse  review

Ingredients:

Aqua (Water, Eau) · VP / VA Copolymer · Butane · Propane · Propylene Glycol · Polyquaternium-11 · Sodium Benzoate · PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil · Polyquaternium-4 · Parfm (Fragrance) · Cetrimonium Chloride · Glycerin · Lactic Acid · Panthenol · Isobutane · Phenoxyethanol · Caprylyl Glycol

It fixes perfectly and removes frizz. The hair does not feel rough.


The volume at the root zone disappears during the day. The Syoss Pure Volume mousse can weigh hair (especially soft and fine hair)down.

Disadvantage: it weighs down fine hair.


9. Lee Stafford Coco Loco Volumising Mousse


Lee Stafford Coco Loco Volumising Mousse review

Ingredients:

Aqua, Butane, Propane, Isobutane, Vp/Va Copolymer, Parfum (Fragrance), Vp/Dmapa Acrylates Copolymer, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Cocamidopropylamine Oxide, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Propylparaben, Benzophenone-4, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Helianthus Annuus Hybrid Oil, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Coumarin, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool.

It didn't work for my fine and soft hair, so I can't evaluate it objectively.


I can say that the mousse does not emphasize the curls, and weighs down fine hair. It can be greasy. It also has a strong sweet smell that accompanies you until the next time you wash your hair.


10. L’oreal Curl Expression Cream-Mousse


’oreal Curl Expression Cream-Mousse отзыв

Ingredients:

AQUA / WATER / EAU • ISOBUTANE • CETEARYL ALCOHOL • BUTANE • GLYCERIN • PROPANE • POLYSORBATE 20 • BEHENTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE • PHENOXYETHANOL • CETYL ESTERS • ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL • ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN • SODIUM CITRATE • HYDROXYETHYL UREA • LIMONENE • BENZYL SALICYLATE • BENZYL ALCOHOL • HIBISCUS ESCULENTUS SEED EXTRACT • TOCOPHEROL • PARFUM / FRAGRANCE. N285078/1.

It's a cream mousse. Do not expect it to hold your hair. Its superpower is in sculpting voluminous curls. It gives good condition (it will replace leave-in for some people), activates curl, it is perfectly spreadable. It softens the hair without weighing it down.


But to keep all this beauty, you'll need a gel.


Disadvantage: no hold.

 

You can know more about using the mousse, combining the mousse with the gel in this video:


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