beauty
By Sarah Stiefvater
•
Published Sep 28, 2021
Additional reporting by
Anna Smutny
PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and some items may be gifted to us. Additionally, PureWow may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here.
So you have limp, fine hair that looks more like a wilting houseplant than it does those luscious locks on Pantene commercials. Good news: From thickening shampoos and conditioners to oils and masks promising to breathe new life into your 'do, there's loads of options out there to help you achieve that va-va-voom factor. Our personal fave? Volumizing mousse.
In the past, mousse helped thin haired gals far and wide achieve gloriously full locks. But despite it bodifying even the thinnest of strands, mousse became more infamous for leaving us with crispy, residue-coated hair. Yum. So, if you've shied away from the foamy stuff in recent years we totally get it, but we're happy to report that mousse has evolved since then. Newer iterations thicken lackluster tresses with light-as-air formulas full of ingredients your hair will love.
Here, 10 of the best volumizing mousses to add to your routine ASAP so you can say bye bye to crunchy, lifeless hair and hello to silky, weightless body.
RELATED
The Best Hair Oils for Every Hair Type
Sephora
1. Amika Plus Size Volume & Body Mousse
Compatible with all hair types—pin straight, wavy, coiled, you name it—this brightly colored bottle takes your hair to new heights. (Literally.) Its whipped formula works into the hair with ease, preventing frizz and protecting it from heat. And thanks to shaping polymers that coat each strand and obliphica extract that nourishes and softens, you're left with a longlasting, weightless 'do that has all of the body without any crunchiness.
Nordstrom
2. Aveda Phomollient Styling Foam
The more volume you want, the more product you use. And the more product you use, the more buildup gets trapped on your scalp, ultimately making your hair look lifeless and even thinner than before.It's a curse all thin-haired gals know well. But never fear, this styling foam adds both body and volume, while improving shine, and does it all sans buildup. (It gets bonus points for being paraben-, sulfate- and phthalate-free.)
Buy it ($24)
Dermstore
3. R+co Rodeo Star Thickening Style Foam
Featuring a cocktail of aloe vera, fruit extract and vitamins, Rodeo Star's formula not only thickens and dramatically lifts your hair at the roots, it fortifies and strengthens it, too. Massage a handful of the stuff into damp, freshly washed hair, gently coating it over your scalp. Once dry, you're left with soft, touchable tresses that are full of body and density. Its delicious scent of lavender, citrus and other warm aromas is just an added bonus.
Buy it ($32)
Sephora
4. Oribe Grandiose Hair Plumping Mousse
Dealing with the dreaded double whammy of having thin, but also dry and brittle hair? It's time to add products that give your thirsty locks the hydration it needs into your regimen. We suggest this mega-moisturizing mousse that pumps the hair shaft full of all the good stuff like vitamin E, while Oribe's Signature Complex protects against moisture-sapping UV rays.
Buy it ($39)
Sephora
5. Living Proof Full Thickening Mousse
Made specifically with thin hair types in mind, this thickening mousse from Living Proof delivers on the drama. Formulated with the brand's special thickening molecule, it adheres to each strand of hair during application, leaving you with thicker, more luscious looking strands altogether.
Buy it ($16)
Sephora
6. Alterna Caviar Anti-aging Multiplying Volume Styling Mousse
A dose of caviar extract, omega fatty acids, vitamins and minerals protect against future breakage, while lifting limp roots and leaving behind a silky smooth finish. Basically, the more you use it, the healthier your hair becomes. What's not to love?
Buy It ($30)
Bed, Bath & Beyond
7. Herbal Essences Body Envy Volumizing Mousse
For $3, this bright little canister gives you major volume. With a zesty, citrus-y fragrance, Body Envy provides all-day protection from humidity and frizz, while giving you a more volumized, but still touchable style.
Buy It ($3)
Sephora
8. Kérastase Mousse Bouffante Volumizing Hair Mousse
With a super light formula that won't weigh fine hair down, this mousse covers each strand with hydrating, thickening fibers to give you a noticeably fuller mane. The friendly-for-all-hair-types formula is buildable, letting you use as much as you need to achieve your desired hold. Even better, it protects your tresses, blocking it from heat, pollution and UV rays, so your hair gets healthier over time.
Buy It ($29)
Drybar
9. Drybar Southern Belle Volume-boosting Mousse
This cruelty-free product from Drybar is designed to pump limp strands full of moisture to yield beautiful, bouncy volume that makes your hair feel so soft, you'll forget you used any product at all.
Buy It ($29)
Sephora
10. Virtue Volumizing Mousse
If you have a head full of curls, this mousse is for you. The formula works on all curl types, no matter how loose or coily. Packed with Virtue's signature keratin complex, it works to repair damage over time, as well as hydrate dry hair, so you can bid adieu to breakage and frizz. And while some products stiffen and clump curls together, this lightweight formula does the complete opposite: It gives you supple, buoyant locks.
Buy it ($36)
RELATED
11 Super Chic Hair Accessories That Will Elevate Your Look
Sarah Stiefvater
Wellness Director
- Oversees wellness content
- PureWow's resident book reviewer
- Has worked in lifestyle media for 11 years
read full bio
Anna Smutny
Commerce Editor
Anna Smutny covered a range of beats, from fashion and beauty verticals to home decor (and everything else in between) for PureWow from 2021-2022. With a background in wedding and beauty content, she's worked with designers and beauty gurus alike, developing a trained eye for spotting industry trends a mile away. Whether you're looking for a dress to wear to your friend's wedding, are in need of some skincare recs or are simply searching for the perfect gift for your BFF, she's going to have an answer for that.
read full bio