Look backstage at just about any fashion show lately and you’ll find hairstylists wielding cans of mousse like it’s 1985. But while the look and feel may be similar, hairstylists are using this product in a very different way.
Whether it’s been used to create a wet look at Missoni a/w 2012, or softly swept at The make-up, hair and nail trends from NYFW last week, mousse is shedding its daggy reputation. Earlier this year, Eugene Souleiman, Wella Professionals’ global creative director of care and styling, told a room of beauty editors, We’re not using it like we used to” – we’re now drying it out with a hairdryer, or we’re using it as a gel to create the wet-look finish that’s been paraded up and down catwalks for several years now.
As most things on the catwalk do, the trend has trickled down to street style, meaning it’s now a must-have in every woman’s bathroom. Another thing we’ve learnt in the last couple of decades? Mousse is now formulated to achieve a variety of different looks – not just crunchy, scrunched hair. Here are just a few to come across the beautydirectory desks in recent months:
– this one offers a maximum hold, with the added bonus of heat protection up to 200 degrees.
– the name sounds good enough to eat, but applied to your hair, this product provides the perfect base for creating big, bouncy curls.
– similar to the Whipped Créme above, Fudge’s version offers a stronger hold, and protects hair from heat and frizz.
Indola Color Style Mousse – this hard-working mousse allows users to colour and style hair in one step. It’s ideal for increased colour intensity, refreshment, neutralisation, and toning in one step. The hold is gentle and natural looking.
Sunsilk Co-Creations Daring Volume Plumped Up Volume Mousse – for maximum volume in blow-dried hair, this product is easy to use and features a step-by-step how-to on the packaging. For the curly-haired user, Sunsilk has developed Captivating Curls and Waves, a similar formula but with slightly more flexibility and frizz control.