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Mousse vs Gel : 8 Scenarios to Decide Which is Best for your Kinks and Curls
With over a decade of experience as a seasoned hair professional, I understand the crucial role of selecting the right products for curly hair. This article is designed to assist you in making an informed choice between mousse and gel for your wash day needs.
A curly girl’s method to their madness regarding wash days and styling can be easy or complicated. All the information online and on social media can be overwhelming and confusing.
In my humble opinion, as a veteran spanning a career of over a decade.
Searching for the best products and techniques for your lifestyle, texture, hair type, and needs can be empowering. It lets you control your hair care journey, boosting your confidence and self-assurance.
One central question and concern many ask when styling their curly main is.
Which Should I use ,mousse or gel?
Depending on your unique hair needs and styling preferences. You can choose between mousse, gel, or layering both. The versatility puts you in the driver's seat of your hair needs and concerns.
What is mousse? and how can it help My Curls?
What is mousse, you ask? It’s like a fluffy soft cloud of goodness. That smells of sunshine and coconuts with a slightly tacky feel, perfect for combating humanity, enhancing volume, and defining your curl pattern.
If you have low density and fine hair the extra lift at the roots will add extended soft, touchable hold.
This super hero product may cause unwanted buildup if used incorrectly. My advice is to apply on soaking wet hair and add mousse to roots and mid-shaft. Medium to High density add from mid-shaft to ends on wet hair and seal with oil of choice to seal in the moisture to avoid frizz and dryness.
What ingredients are the best for your hair type?
Deciding on the perfect ingredients per hair type and texture can be tricky for either mousse or gel products.
For example, if you have oily hair with excessive sebum, it is best to avoid mousses with oils and glycerin as the first three to five ingredients listed.
Alcohols such as fatty acids with beneficial long-chain alcohols like cetyl and cetearyl should be your first choice. Next are enriched humectants and oils towards the bottom of the list with a smaller concentration percentage.
(I will go more in-depth in another article discussing how to read and research information on ingredients for the your particular hair texture and density.)
Next there are mousse products for thicker, coarser hair prone to dryness and breaks with excessive handling.
Mousses with yummy, rich humectants such as honey, glycerin, and beeswax should sit as the top three ingredients, and fatty alcohols should be at the bottom.
With new technology and consistent changes in formulations. Modern mousse is no where close to its 1980s counterpart. Which provided dry, crispy noodle-shaped curls, without the touchable feel and softness of today’s formulations.
What is gel, and how does it help your curls?
Gel has a steelier reputation than Mousse and has had the opportunity to achieve a larger following as the technology shifts each year. The shelves at your local pharmacy hold a great, diverse arsenal of gel products.
For example, selections range from a gooey or glue-like texture for a stronger hold or light and watery feel with holding powers for a light or medium hold.
Gel as a product has had a lot of time to reinvent itself and change and shift with time.
What ingredients are best for your hair type?
Like mousse, gel can provide volume with fatty alcohols to define roots or curls in fine hair textures.
For coarser hair curly or naturals rich oils and humectants were added, with moisturizing proteins for further hydration and definition.
It’s possible to focus on gels for frizz control, volume, definition, and extreme hold.
The list goes on. No matter your hair concern, there is a gel.
Does your Curl Type Matter to Choose?
Does your hair type matter when it comes to product selection? The answer may surprise you.
When selecting either product in the past (mousse or gel). Tighter curl patterns in the 3s and 4s had to distance themselves from the drying mousses and preferred the high inclusion of gel.
Meanwhile, looser curl patterns from 2s to looser 3s used the lightness of the mousse to bring out their loose waves or soft curls.
(The drying effect was still a challenge no matter your curl type)
Product selection now is no longer a one-size-fits-all approach.
With a more inclusive selection. The modern mousse offers as much moisture and hold without the crisp, dry feeling of the alcohol infused mousse of the past.
This shift in the curly hair market caters to the diverse needs of curly hair, making everyone feel understood and catered to.
Does your hair curl differently?
Mousse and gel can have different functions depending on the curl type hair density, and porosity. Mousse for tighter type 3s and 4s may work differently depending on these factors.
However, mousse may excel at low-maintenance or low-manipulation styles such as twist-outs, braid-outs, and wet-set curls. A moisture-rich gel may work better for washgos and have a more lasting effect.It will depend on the texture and porosity.
(Always remember not every head or curl is created equally)
Meanwhile, looser curls in the 2s and 3s may benefit more from mousse.
Tighter curls may need more moisture, while a looser curl pattern may need more fatty alcohols to avoid excessive oil buildup at the root.
Gels may provide more diversity in styling options without the dryness or flaking that mousse can sometimes cause.
Can mousse work with curlier / tighter hair textures?
The answer is yes! Modern mousse can work on all curly textures and can now be used for many different techniques. The adaptability of mousse and gel for various hair types can give you the confidence in your hair care routine. It’s important to acknowledge you can experiment and find what works best for you.
How do you stop dryness from using both?
Both Gel and mousse can suck out the moisture from the hair. Depending on the hold. Not to mention the excessive drying can be a deal breaker for most.
Once the hair is completely dried, finer curls, coils, textures, and even looser curls can avoid dryness and frizz by. Applying a small amount of your favorite oil to break the mousse or gel cast. This will give a bounce to fine curls that don’t look stiff or noodle-like.
Try a curl cream with rich ingredients as a base for tighter curls, and then use the mousse to top it off.Of course, use your oil of choice to break the cast if needed.
Another technique is using a light gel and top it with a firm hold mousse with lots of water.
Repeat after me - water is your friend!
It helps with flaking and the use of too much product, which causes dryness and excessive residue.
The Best Products per Hair Type
How do you decide which brand works best for your hair?
When choosing the right brand for your hair, the decision is entirely yours and should align with your budget. As a professional, I strongly advise you to conduct thorough research and read reviews to make an informed choice.
Expensive doesn't always mean better; cheaper doesn’t always mean worse.
I would land right in the middle regarding price and brand.
Remember, the key is to listen to your hair's needs. You don’t have to stick to one brand or overconsume. Experiment with different products and techniques, and adapt as your hair changes.
Formulations change, and so does your hair over the years.
What ingredients to avoid by curl type?
Honestly, high amounts of drying alcohol and heavy oils are your enemies. Curly hair should represent health and resilience.
Adding too many drying ingredients with heavy oils would be counterproductive if you are seeking healthy hair.
Focus on balance and look for oils and fatty acid alcohols that help with moisture and hold without causing dryness and flyaways.
Can you layer mousse and gel?
Make sure you check the hold on both and layer the right way.
For example, start with a light-hold gel with moisturizing ingredients and then increase the hold of the mousse for lasting and refreshing power.
Less is always more; don’t use a heavy hand because that is when build-up happens, and your style for the week is destroyed.
What are the best high-quality brands to select?
My favorite brands for curls that have a great selection of gels and mousses for your curls and twirls are:
These are just a few brands that offer a great selection of gels, mousses, and price points.
There is something for everyone, and the quality of the ingredients is excellent for any curly looking to journey into the world of gels and mousses.
What product to use for the best Styles
The best styles for the use of mousse and gels will depend on your needs and routine.
If you want a lovely, frizz-free French braid, add a mousse by Pattern Beauty to wet hair and then air dry or blow dry on low to medium heat.
Focus on a lighter hold to avoid flakes, finish with a light oil, then create lasting French and Dutch braids for the week.
The holding power with this style is extremely well.
When selecting a holding strength, consider your style choice and the manipulation.
Try a strong to medium hold for wash&gos for less fuss with frizz and the ability to wear your curls all week with minimal touch-ups opt for Innersense’s I Create hold.
Will it help with humidity or hold moisture?
Gel is known to fight humidity when it comes to a lasting power. If you live in a more humid environment, opt for a gel that fights humidity such as the ouidad humidity gel.
Mousse tends to be lighter and avoids high doses of humidity-fighting ingredients to provide a light, airy appearance.
That is when you can add a light gel over mousse to fight frizz and keep your curls defined for humid climates, such as Florida weather.
The drying power of gel and mouse is very different. Mousse provides a light and airy approach, while gel is slightly heavy and requires more water to avoid dryness and flakiness.
My opinion, mousse is the winner for a faster drying experience.
Can I flatiron or blowout with either?
Heat protection can differ between brands when it comes to mousses or gels.
I recommend solely relying on blowout creams, oils, and sprays recommended for use with heat tools.
8 Styles with Mousse or Gel for Curly Hair
French & Dutch Braids
Twist Outs
Wash & Gos
Buns
Blow Outs
Special Occasion Styles, ie, Bridal
Wet Curl Sets
Braid Outs
To sum it up
Deciding between to add these two products can improve your overall styling technique and hair results. Don’t be afraid to play around with either mousse or gel. You may be surprised by what works and what doesn’t.
Where to buy and why quality matters? It does matter what ingredients you use in your hair and the results you are looking for. You don’t have to spend $100 on gel or $5 on mousse. Find a happy medium and focus on the health of your hair first and then the price. I know that it’s controversial, but sometimes you have to search for the best product for you that gives you results you are looking for.
Tie up loose ends of the article.
It’s not just hair, treat it with care and love, and you will reap the benefits and enjoy your health and growth of your curls.
