Soft Curls

Glossary

Mousse

Definition

  1. Mousse is a light foam styling product that adds body and gentle hold, often used on fine or straight hair. Because it is light, it gives grip without the weight of a rich cream, which suits hair that is easily weighed down. Work a small amount through damp hair before wrapping and avoid layering several products. If curls feel crunchy afterwards, scrunch them gently to break the cast and use less next time. See also: Setting lotion, Leave-in conditioner, Strand thickness.

Related entries

  • Shrinkage

    Shrinkage is the way tightly coiled hair appears shorter than its true length when it dries and springs up. It is a normal property of coily texture, not a sign…

  • Hair density

    Hair density is how many individual hairs grow on the scalp. Dense hair has a lot of strands, tends to take longer to dry and often needs more sections than you…

  • Strand thickness

    Strand thickness is the width of an individual hair, commonly described as fine, medium or coarse. It affects how a curl holds: fine strands are light and dry…

  • Tension

    Tension is the pulling force a wrap or tie puts on the hair and scalp. Low tension is more comfortable and gentler: a wrap should be secure but not tight, and…

  • Takedown

    Takedown is the step of releasing a finished set, such as unwinding rods or unpinning curls, once the hair is fully dry. Check every section by touch first,…