The 6 best mousses for defining curls, according to Consumer Reports
Frizz-free curl definition is possible without a stiff, crunchy hold. Consumer Reports testers tried out different mousses to find the best ones
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Curly hair loses its definition fast without the right styling product. Frizz creeps in as the day goes on, leaving curls flat or shapeless by evening.
Consumer Reports enlisted four testers with different curl types to try mousses over several weeks. Their results reveal which formulas are worth adding to a curly hair routine.
1 / 6
Pattern Curl Mousse
Credit: Sephora
Only two of the seven mousses Consumer Reports tested won over all four testers, and Pattern's $14 Curl Mousse was one of them. CR's panel described soft, bouncy curls with little frizz right after applying it, along with a touchable hold and an herbal scent that stood out among the sweeter, fruitier formulas in the test. CR's testers said the hold began slipping by the second or third day, especially when hair was still partly damp after a commute or a walk outside. CR also cited SkinSafe data showing fragrance was the only one of 11 common allergens present in the formula.
2 / 6
Aussie Miracle Curls Mousse
Credit: Amazon
At $4.97, Aussie's Miracle Curls Mousse costs less than any other pick in this test and carries a strong hold with an artificial, sweet scent. Consumer Reports said this budget-friendly formula gave good curl definition and calmed frizz across coily, wavy and looser hair types, making it one of only two mousses the full panel agreed on. CR's panel felt the strong, artificial scent was a real tradeoff, noting it stayed noticeable until hair fully dried. CR also noted that testers found the continuous-flow bottle messy to use, scattering foam in the shower, though it rinsed away easily and left no clumps once combed through.
3 / 6
Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Curl Enhancing Mousse
Credit: Amazon
The fruity scent of Design Essentials' $8.95 Almond & Avocado Curl Enhancing Mousse impressed nearly everyone on Consumer Reports' testing panel. CR said the formula also produced more volume than any other mousse tested, though that fullness didn't last, with curl definition fading within 24 hours for some testers. CR's panel found the flexible hold gave way quickly, and one tester had to restyle her hair the next day after frizz took over. CR also cited SkinSafe data showing the formula was about 82 percent free of common allergens, and only two of the four testers said they would suggest it to a friend.
4 / 6
SheaMoisture Coconut + Hibiscus Frizz-Free Curl Mousse
Credit: Amazon
SheaMoisture's Coconut + Hibiscus Frizz-Free Curl Mousse costs $9.87, and its formula is a lightweight, watery foam with a sweet, coconut scent. Consumer Reports said the panel split evenly on it, with two testers seeing good curl definition and less frizz than usual, while the other two found the formula too thin to hold their hair through the day. CR's panel liked that the label specified how many pumps to use for different hair lengths, and testers said the foam spread evenly without leaving clumps or stiff patches. CR concluded the mousse suited testers with shorter, finer hair more than those with longer, thicker curls, and noted it isn't listed in the SkinSafe allergen database.
5 / 6
Camille Rose Spiked Honey Mousse
Credit: Amazon
Reactions to Camille Rose's $9.99 Spiked Honey Mousse varied widely across Consumer Reports' four testers, from a stranger's compliment on one tester's waves to a flat no from another. CR's panel said two testers with coily and wavy hair saw well-defined curls with good hold and little frizz, while the fourth found her hair dry, frizzy and unsalvageable by the second day. CR's panel found the right amount tricky to gauge, since testers who used more than a handful of pumps ended up with excess foam that was hard to work through their hair. CR also cited SkinSafe data showing fragrance was among the few common irritants flagged in the formula.
6 / 6
Innersense I Create Definition Styling Foam
Credit: Amazon
Innersense's I Create Definition Styling Foam costs $28 and carries a strong hold with a lavender scent. Consumer Reports said one tester loved the touchable, long-lasting hold enough to skip her usual next-day upkeep routine, while two others needed extra product to keep frizz under control, especially with tighter curl types. CR's panel disliked the instructions, which read more like a wellness mantra than a usage guide and gave no clear amount for different hair lengths. CR flagged the lavender scent as a major drawback, noting the formula worked better for testers with wavier, looser hair textures than for those with tighter curls.
