Using mousse: Perfect hair styling made easy

For a long time, mousse had a bad reputation – it was too sticky, greasy looking and created “concrete” hair. But thanks to new formulations, this styling product is now experiencing a revival.

Mousse is a styling product that gives the hair more volume and texture. It is also known as styling foam. Unlike hairspray or hair gel, mousse is lighter in consistency, which allows the hair to retain natural movement while still providing sufficient hold.

The mousse covers the hair in a film that makes it appear thicker and gives it the desired shape. Mousse is particularly popular with people who have fine hair because it adds volume and body.

To get the best possible styling results with mousse, it’s important to use it correctly. Your hair should be towel-dried and well combed when you apply it.

Step 1: Protect your clothes, for example by putting a towel around your shoulders, as mousse can stain light-coloured fabrics.

Step 2: Shake the can of mousse well so that the mousse that comes out is well-foamed.

Step 3: Hold the bottle with the nozzle facing down and squeeze a ping-pong ball-sized amount of mousse into the palm of your hand. If you have long hair, you may need a tennis ball-sized amount. Be careful with how much you use, though, because too much mousse can weigh down your hair.

Step 4: Apply the mousse to the towel-dried hair. Start at the roots, applying evenly, and work your way down to the tips. If your hair is prone to oiliness, apply the mousse from the bottom up and avoid the roots to prevent it making your scalp sticky and becoming oily even faster. When using mousse on curls, apply the mousse to the lengths only. If you want more volume, you can also work the mousse into your hair upside down.

Step 5: Comb your hair after applying the mousse to distribute it evenly. If you have curls, you can scrunch the mousse into your hair with your hands. Now dry your hair as usual and style it as you like. For example, you can blow-dry curls with a diffuser, or blow-dry longer hair with a styling brush. For more volume, blow-dry your hair upside down. Air drying is also an option. The mousse helps to keep your hair style in place, ensuring long-lasting hold.

Step 6: Depending on your hair style and the weather, you can finish up with hair spray.

Mousse is super versatile and can be used for many different purposes.

• Volume: If you want to add volume to your hair, apply the mousse to the roots and blow-dry your hair upside down. This method produces great results on fine hair.
• Straight hair: To achieve a sleek look, you can use mousse to blow-dry your hair straight. The mousse gives you more hair control and a glossy finish.
• Curly hair: In combination with a curling wand, you can use mousse to create defined curls. The mousse fixes the curls in place and ensures that they last for ages.
• Texture and hold: If you want to add texture to your hair, for example for a natural beach look, mousse is an excellent choice. It provides definition without stickiness.

If you want to use hair mousse correctly, you should consider your hair type:

• Fine hair: Mousse adds volume to the hair without weighing it down. Don’t use too much to avoid weighing down your hair.
• Thick hair: Mousse can help to tame the hair. And it can even reduce frizz. Make sure the mousse is evenly distributed and use enough to ensure that all you have full hair coverage.
• Curly hair: There are special mousses for curls that give your curls bounce and definition. Apply to damp hair and scrunch into your curls for emphasis.
• Dry hair: Mousse can moisturise dry hair. It also prevents your hair from becoming even more more dehydrated. Choose a mouse with conditioning ingredients and make sure you use it sparingly.
• Colour-treated hair: Colour-treated hair often needs extra care. It’s best to use a special colour care mousse for this type of hair. This mousse has added conditioning ingredients that are beneficial to damaged hair and provide UV protection to prevent fading. Colour care mousse is more about conditioning than hold and styling.

The suitability of mousse as a styling product depends on how long your hair is. It can also be used on very short hair, though.

• Short hair: Mousse is excellent for styling short hair because it adds definition and texture to the hair. Apply the mousse to your entire head of hair and then style it as you like.
• Mid-length hair: Mousse can give mid-length hair more volume and make it easier to style. Work it into the lengths and ends to achieve a full-looking result.
• Long hair: Mousse helps to more effectively shape long hair. Distribute the mousse evenly from roots to ends – this will give you even volume. It’s best to blow-dry your hair after applying the mousse, as this will give your hair more body and movement.

Liquid styling lotion is an alternative to classic hair mousse. The product has a similar effect, but there are differences. For example, liquid styling lotion is sprayed directly onto the hair before styling. Liquid styling lotion provides hold and texture, but with less volume. It is particularly suitable for people with extremely fine hair or if you prefer a lighter texture.