The Ultimate Hair Mousse Showdown: Finding the Perfect Balance Between Performance and Health
Let’s be real—hair mousse isn’t exactly a necessity like toothpaste or soap. But if you battle frizz, struggle with fly-aways, or just want your style to hold all day, it can feel pretty essential. I’ve been a longtime fan of Kevin Murphy Body Builder Volumising Mousse because it kept my fine hair in check, added volume, and tamed frizz. I had zero plans to switch things up.
Then, curiosity got the best of me. I scanned it with my Yuka app, hoping for at least a “Good” rating. Instead, I was horrified to see a big fat zero out of 100! It turns out my beloved mousse contained Phenoxyethanol, a big no-no in the non-toxic beauty world, and something even worse: Octinoxate, which is considered hazardous due to its potential to disrupt thyroid hormone activity and block female hormones. Yikes! After that revelation, I just couldn’t justify using it anymore. So, off I went on a mission to find a healthier yet still effective replacement.
Tresemmé Flawless Curls Mousse was my first attempt. It was only $7.98 for a huge 15-ounce bottle at Walmart, so the price was great. A quick scan of my Yuka app showed a 50 out of 100 “Good” rating, which seemed promising. My first reaction was how absolutely wonderful the thick and foamy consistency was. But then I got a whiff of the fragrance, which was way too perfumy for me. My hair also felt just a bit sticky with this one, so I quickly decided it wasn’t for me.
Next, I tried Suave Extra Hold Mousse, which was sitting right next to Tresemmé on the Walmart shelf. It was only $3.98 for nine ounces, making it a great deal. I guess mousse is mostly air, so it shouldn’t cost too much, right? This one also scored 50 out of 100 on Yuka. The difference became apparent when I used it. It had the same thick consistency, but the scent was much more pleasant and not overwhelmingly perfumy. My hair held its style and tamed those fly-aways really well, so I was impressed. However, I still wondered if I could find something just as good with a higher health rating.
As I Am Rosemary Styling Mousse was next on my list. It was $11.51 for eight ounces at Walmart, making it more expensive than the others, but the sleek bottle gave it a high-end feel. The Yuka score was a very respectable 79 out of 100, so I had high hopes. Unfortunately, I was let down. The scent reminded me of a household cleaner, which was disappointing because I usually love the smell of rosemary. This just did not resonate with me—it kept making me think of Pine-Sol. The consistency was also thin and watery. While it did make my hair feel a bit silkier, I just couldn’t see myself using it regularly.
Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Frizz-Free Curl Mousse was another find at Walmart, priced at $16.99 for a 7.5-ounce bottle. It had a Yuka score of 72 out of 100, just a small notch below the last one. I’m a sucker for anything coconut-scented, so I immediately loved the smell. The consistency was thinner and more watery than traditional mousses, but I started to wonder if that was just the tradeoff for healthier ingredients. Best of all, I really liked how this one performed. My hair felt smoother after styling, and it held onto that style quite well. There was nothing not to like with this one, though I still wished that 72 could have an 8 or 9 as the first number.
Finally, I found Innersense I Create Definition Styling Foam and had to give it a try because of its stellar 93 out of 100 “Excellent” rating. However, I was shocked by the price—$18.95 for a tiny 2.37-ounce bottle at Walmart. At that price, this one really had to perform to win me over. When I got home and read the wacky directions, I became even more skeptical. “Hair ceremony: Take a deep breath and become centered. Dispense 1-2 pumps of foam into hands…” Oh, brother! But despite my initial eye-roll, I actually really liked it. The consistency was that same more watery texture, so I used way more than just one or two pumps. However, I swear it held my style, and the next morning, I just ran a comb through my hair with no need to restyle. I was genuinely impressed.
If price weren’t a factor, I would stick with the Innersense Foam. The high health score, clean ingredients, and fantastic performance make it a clear winner. But at almost four times the price of the Shea Moisture mousse, it’s tough to justify for daily use. For a more affordable yet still healthy option, I would definitely recommend the Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Mousse. If you’re on the hunt for a better mousse, I hope this breakdown helps you make the best choice for your hair. Happy moussing!