Mousse or Gel for Curly Hair?

Tips for choosing between mousse or gel when your curls need some extra oomph.

What is Mousse? What is Gel?

Mousse

Mousse generally comes in a bottle or spray can and is usually not transparent. It’s used in small quantities on wet or dry hair. This product is used more for lighter sculpting technique and for additional volume. If you have to change your hair a couple times in one day, mousse can be used and reused due to its light density.

The downside to mousse is no matter how great it is for sculpting volume, it’s so light and porous as a product that it doesn't have as much hold as gel by far.

Gel

Like mousse, it does not take a lot of gel on wet or dry hair. It not only helps settle hair, frizz and flyaways, but it is perfect for thicker hair. And even though it helps define curls when applied to damp hair like mousse, it does last longer. Gel is heavier and therefore great for running around for hours on end.

Even though using gel for curly har is a great option, it does have its drawbacks. Hair gel is heavier than mousse and tends to weigh down hair. Gel, especially cheaper gels, flake a lot more than mousse. It also has higher density and lower porosity which is great for all-day wear, but if you don’t want your hair looking wet, sleek, and greasy, mousse might be a better option.

The Happy Side

With any hair product, it is all about the balance. For gel as well as mousse, your choice is based on preference as much as it is on what either product has to offer. Yes, it is true that mousse is better for sculpting and volume while gel is better for hold and frizz. But when it comes down to using mousse or gel for curly hair, neither is good option if you glob it on your hair.

If you need that all-day hold, you only need a quarter-size worth of gel on wet hair and comb it through. If you want springy locks in spite of the thinness of your hair, try a dab of mousse which you can either scrunch or work through.