Want to show off your natural waves and cut down on heat styling? May we suggest two hairstylist-approved go-tos: a brilliant hair mousse and the insider's trick to reactivate your curls when you wake up without having to wash your hair all over again.
If your hair has lost its natural curl pattern from relying too heavily on straighteners and hairdryers, you might not be the biggest fan of mousse. Plenty of people steer clear because they think it leaves hair crunchy, stiff and lifeless.
But according to top hairstylist Pablo Bogado, you might want to give today's mousse formulas another chance.
"For years, hair mousses were formulated with rigid setting polymers aimed at defining curls as much as humanly possible and locking them in place," he says. "The problem was that this excessive hold left hair rock-hard, weighed down with product, and completely lacking movement."
Thankfully, as Pablo confirms, "Formulas have come on leaps and bounds. Today's mousses are far lighter and more flexible, defining waves and curls while keeping the hair's natural bounce—minus that crispy finish we all remember."
What to actually look for in a modern hair mousse
The secret to picking a mousse that doesn't strip your hair of its movement is finding one that "offers shape memory without adding stiffness", says Pablo.
How do you spot one? Look for lightweight, conditioning, and hydrating formulas that tame frizz while helping your waves take shape. "A good mousse for natural waves should leave your hair soft, shiny, and full of body—never crunchy."
© Getty ImagesPablo recommends applying it to damp, towel-dried hair. "Work a small amount through from mid-lengths to ends, then scrunch the waves upwards with your hands to encourage their natural shape," he says. "After that, leave it to air-dry or pop on a diffuser." He also stresses that "getting the amount right is everything."
How to refresh flat overnight curls and waves without rewashing your hair
If you get your hair looking great on day one, only to feel forced into washing it again on day two because your waves have gone frizzy overnight, there's an easier way.
"In most cases, you just need to lightly spritz the hair with water or a curl-reactivating spray, then scrunch the waves back into shape with your hands or a diffuser," Pablo reassures us. "A lot of waves bounce right back as soon as you reintroduce a bit of moisture."
He adds: "I always suggest sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase and loosely tying your hair up to protect the curl pattern overnight."
© Getty ImagesThe simple hairstylist's trick to stop mousse going crunchy
"More often than not, the issue isn't the mousse itself, but using far too much of it," Pablo notes. "It's the single biggest mistake I see." He shares a brilliant top tip: "Cocktailing a couple of drops of hair serum into your mousse gives an extra hit of shine and helps define your curls."
It helps to know what each product actually does:
- Mousse gives structure, definition, and shape memory—helping your waves last longer.
- Serum adds shine, softness, and controls frizz, but won't do much to create or hold a wave on its own.
The truth about blow-drying hair mousse (and avoiding heat damage)
It's a myth that applying mousse before blow-drying damages your hair. You might assume mousse traps heat in the same way certain heavy oils can, but Pablo confirms that isn't how it works.
"The main thing is keeping your heat tools at a sensible temperature and using a heat protectant when working with hairdryers, hot brushes or straighteners," he says.
"In fact, many modern mousses are specifically designed to be used before blow-drying to help set the style and make it last longer," he reveals. "Used alongside professional products and reasonable heat settings, mousse poses no threat to your hair's health."
