Both Mousse and Gel on wavy hair can be great styling options depending on the need. While occasionally you can replace one with the other, it is always good to know how each of them functions to optimize your perfect look.
Each wavy curly girl knows the age-old argument between mousse and gel to style curly hair. In fact, every product has its own distinct advantages. It’s all about understanding what type of look you want and picking the tools to help you get there. Continue to read about the science between mousse and gel and see which one is the best one to get your desires curls style.
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What is Hair Gel?
Hair gel is a transparent or colorful jelly-like substance made up of particles suspended in a colloidal liquid. When it’s still in the container, it has a thick consistency, yet it spreads readily over the hair. If exposed to the sun and air, it might also dry out.
Hair gels are mostly chemical products, however, they may be supplemented with natural elements to provide greater scalp and hair nutrition. Hair gels usually comprise PVPs, which are basically polymers that don’t get absorbed but cling onto the hair shaft.
Hair gels first gained popularity as a way to keep hair in a consistent, undisturbed state throughout the day. Mohawks and other gel-based hairstyles were not invented until much later.
Hair gels work great on all types of hair. Curly, wavy, textured, colored, and relaxed hair are all included. The amount of gel used is typically related to the length of time that the hair needed to be kept in a certain style.
Hair gel is great for curly females who want to add a lot of dimension to their hair. You may combine the gel with other curly hair treatments to make a cocktail that meets your specific hair requirements and include a frizz-fighting ingredient.
Hair Gel Pros for Curly Wavy Hair
- Anti-frizz: Gel is great for adding definition, which is especially crucial for fine-haired people who are prone to breakage and frizz, or who desire well-defined ringlets.
- Multipurpose Use: There’s a lot you can do with gel! You can seal ends to prevent frizz, finger coil for tighter curls or just scrunch your curls for a softer look and so much more.
- Works great with layers: Gel works well on its own, but it may be be topped with a cream or oil for more hydration and definition. While layering, you can also try finishing with a layer of gel to seal in the moisture from my leave-in conditioner.
- Better holding: Gel is more effective at holding hair in place than mousse. It’s so good at this that if you use enough product, your hair will stay put for a long time. It is available in three distinct strengths: mild hold, medium hold, and strong hold.
- Anti-static: Those who have curly hair know how difficult it is to combat static, especially in the winter. Hair gel may be used to define curls while also combating static.
Hair Gel Cons for Curly Wavy Hair
- Can damage your hair: Some gels include alcohol or synthetic, petroleum-based chemicals, which erode the hair shaft and weaken it. Read the label carefully and, if at all feasible, stick to natural substances.
- Can be heavy: Some gels are extremely thick or include heavy oils. When a gel that is too thick for fine hair puts your hair into a semi-greasy, flat triangular shape, it can be aggravating.
- Can be brittle or stiff: Gel may make hair feel stiff and fragile. When brushed or combed after drying, some formulations might create white flakes. Strands might seem clumped and stiff if applied to long hair from roots to tips.
What is Hair Mousse?
Hair mousse is often ignored, yet it may be one of your most effective style tools. Mousse, which is French for “foam,” has a lighter thickness than gels and a more bouncy feel than creams. It can give your hair twice as much volume, if not three times as much. Hair mousse may also make the hair appear and feel shinier and more defined without adding crunch, as long as you know how to use it properly.
Mousse is unique in that it combines several style advantages in a one, frothy composition.
Mousse is often packed in a thick foamy form. It’s usually applied from the roots to the ends, combed through, and then blow-dried in. At every price point and for every hair structure, there are fantastic mousses to choose from. Because of the increased bounce, texture, and hold in your hair, any style you choose will last longer and look better in general.
Consider mousse if you want to add definition to your curls without weighing them down. Mousse is a great way to give your strands a lot of volume in a quick and easy way. It’s also recognized for keeping your curls feeling natural without adding any crunch.
It works best on towel-dried hair, and you can use it to scrunch the mid-lengths and ends to bring out your curls after applying it to your roots for lightweight volume.
Hair Mousse Pros for Curly Wavy Hair
- Airy and lightweight: Mousse is light and airy, and it adds volume without weighing your hair down, making it excellent for delicate, low-density curls that can’t handle too much products.
- Great for Wavy and curly hair: Those with loose waves and curls will like how mousse adds additional bounce to their hair without leaving a residue or crisping up their waves and curls. Scrunching with mousse is also a fantastic idea.
- Wet hair friendly: Mousse may be used to wet or dry hair, although it is most effective when applied wet. Use mousse when your hair is still damp to give lifeless curls a lift without making your roots greasy like other treatments.
- Makes hair look thick: Mousse gives hair more volume, giving it a fuller appearance.
- Manage frizz: Mousse is a mild product that may be used many times during the day. Mousse contains smoothing ingredients that assist to control frizz.
Hair Mousse Cons for Curly Wavy Hair
- Not good for short hair: Mousse’s mild hold may not be ideal for those with short hair who desire more control. It will provide some lift and volume, but unlike gel or other styling tools like sprays, it will not be able to maintain this for an extended period of time.
- Lacks moisture: It can be drying for fine hair, and it may not provide a strong cellular seal for frizz-prone people.
- Not good for humid weather: If you’re routinely dealing with 60 percent humidity or more, unless you can locate a product that’s especially designed for humid conditions, it won’t hold up very well.
Hair Mousse for Curly Thick Hair
Frizziness is common in thick or curly hair throughout the day or under humid weather conditions. Mousse is wonderful for frizzy hair since it helps to tame the frizzes while also providing a good grip. If you have thick or curly hair and want to add mousse to your daily routine, start with a half-dollar-sized amount of mousse particularly designed for curly hair.
Hair Mousse for Coarse Hair
On coarse hair, mousse is frequently used to help tame and hold loose strands in place. For this application, you’ll need a thick mousse that doesn’t require a lot of product to provide a good grip. You should only need approximately a quarter-sized quantity of mousse to keep your hair in place if you’re using it.
Mousse vs Gel on Wavy Hair
Hair may be trimmed and styled in a variety of ways. However, the final effect differs depending on hair colour and texture. Mousse and Gel are two excellent ways of hair styling products. They may be used after the hair has been washed and dried using a blow dryer or a natural technique, or they can be used on wet hair.
Both are hair styling products, however, they are not the same. They produce various outcomes and have different chemical compositions.
The difference between Gel and Mousse is that Gel provides a long-lasting firm hold, whereas Mousse is used to give the hair a clump-free hold with a great sheen and more volume.
| Parameter | Mousse | Gel |
| Packaging | Usually comes packaged in spray cans | Usually comes packaged in tube or jar |
| Used for | Used for achieving a great shine and volume to the hair | Used for getting a strong hold |
| Hold type | It offers a short lasting clump-free hold. | Gels usually offer strong hold. There are also some gels that offers a soft hold as well as very strong hold. |
| Hair type | Depending on the style, it works great with all types of hair, including very long and short hairs. | Usually preferred on short hair due to strong hold nature. |
| Texture | Foam-like texture. | Sticky, and like Jelly |
Both products are fantastic for different hair types and may create awesome styles depending on what you want out of your hair for an occasion. While considering the hold balance of hair vs. volume in a product, fine hair will always require some more work, so try new things! For added hold, layer a tiny quantity of gel over foam-based products, apply a conditioning foam if your hair is dry, or forego the heavy gel in favor of a thin, slippery product that won’t weigh down your roots and discover what works best for your curl type and density.
Summary
Mousses and gels each have their own set of advantages and may be used for a variety of reasons and hair types. Some ladies like to use simply mousse, which is wonderful for fine hair, while others prefer to include a gel for more control and definition.
For some people, gels are too heavy, while mousse is too light. Lift and volume are provided by mousse, while definition and hold are provided by gel. Some individuals combine mousse and gel to get the best of both worlds. However, if you have thick, curly, or frizzy hair that has to be tamed, hair gel is a good option. Mousse is your best choice if your hair is thin and needs to be volumized.
The trick is to try different things until you figure out what works for your hair and desired look.
FAQ
What hairstyles are mousse best for?
Any style that requires definition and mild grip can benefit with mousse. Mousse works best on wet hair for Wash & Go style, but it may also be used to fix a dry twist-out and redefine curl patterns.
Any harmful ingredients to watch out for in Mousse?
You should avoid ingredients like Prolyene, Isopropyl, and sodium laurel sulfate (SLSthat can dry out your hair or cause breakage. A balance between moisture and protein is the easiest approach to maintain healthy hair.
How often can we use hair mousse?
Hair mousse may be used on a weekly or daily basis because there are no safety or health concerns. It’s worth noting, though, that many mousses include alcohol and other drying chemicals, which might cause your hair to become dry. However, it’s better to only use it when absolutely necessary, and then monitor any changes in your hair’s texture or condition. If you find that your hair is starting to dry out, you should cut back on how often you use it.
Is Hair Mousse good for straight Hair?
People with straight hair usually use mousse during the day to give it more body and movement. For this sort of application, mousse can be quite useful. To give body to your hair on a daily basis, take a little quantity of mousse and massage it into your strands until it is fully dissolved. This quantity of mousse should be sufficient to give your daily styling structure and texture.
Is Hair Mousse good for Thin or Fine Hair?
You’re probably utilizing mousse to add volume to your daily hairdo if you have thin or very fine hair. If this is the case, try massaging a quarter-size quantity of moves through your hair for a little additional volume. Keep an eye on the quantity of mousse you apply, as it’s possible to weigh down fine hair with it, causing it to get sticky.
Is washing hair needed after using mousse?
The majority of people wash their hair after applying mousse. The reason for this is because moving your hair might dry it out or make it feel sticky and heavy at the end of the day. If you notice that washing your hair too often after applying mousse causes it to become drier, try using a mousse with moisturizing ingredients, or use a deep conditioner once a week to help counteract the drying effects of the mousse.
The greatest approach to protect your hair from getting damaged and brittle due to over-styling or hair products is to keep it clean. If you’re trying out a new mousse, it may take some trial and error to figure out how often you should wash your hair after each application, so keep track of your hair’s condition on a regular basis to see what works best.
Creative, versatile, and passionate about her craft, Rupa Das is a well-recognized name in the world of fashion and makeup! This is a woman who has been in the fashion and makeup industry for 24 years and is still one of the leading international makeup artist in the circuit! She has worked in big brands like Lakme, Green Trends, Colors and transitioned to become a Beauty (Hair & Skin) Trainer.