Oh, the days of scrunching mousse over dry curls and creating brittle, crunchy, not so attractive curls. Sound familiar?
If you are like me, you probably spent a good amount of high school and college with those stringy curls and weren’t sure how to change them.
Today I’m sharing How To Style 3A Curls Using Mousse.
I remember the first time I was introduced to styling mousse. It was back in high school and was intrigued by its fluffy texture but didn’t exactly know what to do with it. The result was less than appealing but there wasn’t nearly as much information regarding the curly world back then.
Fast forward to my thirties when I finally started embracing my curls, I stayed away from mousse because I didn’t know there was a better way.
I’m here to tell you that mousse can be a great styling product for those with curly and wavy hair. If used correctly.
Want perfect curls? You’re going to want in on this!
If you are feeling a little lost on your curly journey then girl, you are in the right place! I created a 5-day curly hair challenge just for you!
In this challenge I break down the basics steps of caring for and styling curly hair.
>>>>CLICK HERE to join the curly challenge
Before we get into the best way to use and apply mousse, let’s talk about some of its benefits.
Benefits To Using Mousse
Mousse has many different benefits for all hair types. Because it is light weight, it doesn’t weigh your hair down which makes it a great product for those with wavy and curly hair
- Help revive curls and fight frizz on second and third-day curls
- Can increase volume
- Define and hold curls
- Protect hair from heat
- Hold curl pattern without weighing it down
Food for thought: When it comes to products, I always recommend starting with one complete line.
It can be tricky trying to balance moisture and protein when you are pulling from different lines because they are designed to complement each other.
That’s not to say you can never piecemeal products together. Once you become comfortable with your curls and understand what they need, you will be able to mix and match products.
But for the best results, I always recommend sticking to one complete line.
I realize this is an investment but it can end up saving time and money because you will get better results quicker.
I am always trying and testing new products but the one product line I always come back to is EVOLVh.
EVOLVh is a high-end curly hair product line that that is committed to formulating innovative products that heal your hair from the inside out.
Many companies fill their products will harmful ingredients that act as a band-aide for your hair but don’t deal with the root issue. Long term, this causes your curls to become dependent on harsh ingredients.
EVOLVh’s products are formulated with clean ingredients that are friendly to the environment. Their goal is function and performance.
A couple of things I love about EVOLVh
- The products have a light pleasant smell – Strong smells in products give me a headache after a while
- Formulated with clean ingredients – It’s a great way to swap out your toxic hair care line with a clean toxic free line
- The products last a long time – A little bit goes a long way
- Free from: Sulfates, gluten, parabens, propylene glycol, silicones, phthalates
- Hydrates, without weighing down – It’s the perfect amount of moisture for my 3a curls
- Medium hold – I love the super defining cream because it offers the perfect amount of hold.
I use and highly recommend EVOLVh. My curls are loving these products!
>>>>>>Click here to shop EVOLVh products
How To Style 3A Curls Using Mousse
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Start With A Leave-In Conditioner
This is pretty standard across the board, especially during the winter months. Always start with a leave-in conditioner as a baseline of moisture for your curls.
Apply it using praying hands method focusing on the tips. Be sure to use an appropriate leave-in conditioner for your hair type. Using the wrong leave-in conditioner can weigh your hair down and make it stringy.
My two favorite light leave in conditioners are my hair dance and curls. I linked them below.
Use A Light Gel Or Custard
Applying a light gel or custard to your curls helps to layer products and hold your curl pattern without causing build-up.
Rake your favorite gel or custard with slip (meaning it is light and allows your fingers to glide over it) through your hair, then apply another coat using praying hands method. This helps gather and hold curls clumps.
Using a product with slip makes it easier to finger coil or manipulate your curls using the Denman brush.
My two favorite curling custards are Kinky Curly Curling Custard and Mop Top Curling Custard. They are both affordable and offer light hold and great slip.
- Kinky Curly Curling Custard
- EVOLVh super curl defining cream (this is my favorite product for hold) It’s cream based and does a great job of holding your curl pattern without getting crunchy.
- Denman Brush
Add Mousse To Add Extra Hold Without Weighing Hair Down
Once you have applied custard or gel and styled your curls as desired, add mousse.
Don’t be afraid to be heavy-handed. Adding mousse will help hold your curl pattern and lock in moisture. Just be sure to apply it to wet or heavily damp hair.
My favorite two mousse brands are
Finish With Oil To Seal The Ends
Finish styling your hair by adding oil to the ends once it is completely dry. Use the scrunch out the crunch method to break your curl cast and seal moisture.
Read more here about how to gently break a curl cast.
I use and love Righteous Roots.
Always Always Always Protect Your Hair Overnight
Because styling your hair takes a lot of hard work, it’s super important that you are protecting your hair at night using a silk cap. Silk allows your hair to retain moisture and because it is slick, it doesn’t cause friction leaving your hair with less frizz.
This is my favorite silk cap because it stays on your head (use code colleen for 10% off). You can read my full review here.
In Conclusion:
Mousse can be a secret styling weapon when used properly. As everything with curls, it all depends on how and when you apply it.
Always start with a good leave-in conditioner, use custard or light gel, add that delicious mousse for hold, then seal those ends.
Once this technique is mastered it will yield soft, bouncing, voluminous curls.
Xoxo
P.S>>>>CLICK HERE to join the curly challenge
Is it necessary to use a regular conditioner first, followed by a leave-in conditioner? Or just the leave in conditioner after a low-poo??
it depends on what works for your curls. I still like to do a condition for a boost of moisture.