(Part 2) Best hair styling mousses & foams according to redditors

don't brush it; use a wide-tooth comb in the shower when you have conditioner in your hair. use lots of conditioner. to dry your hair, don't rub a towel on it. flip your head over, squish the excess water out with your hands - start by putting the end of your hair in the palms of your hands, squeeze and push up toward your scalp. do the same sort of motion with a towel and wrap if you like to keep your hair in a towel turban for a while.

you can put product in your hair like mousse or a curl cream -- avoid silicones -- before putting it up in a towel and this will help coax out some curls and fight frizz. i like this.

Trust me, I know your pain. For further info, I use this:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BVMA9H0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Comb with a part, blow dry upside-down, run a comb through it when it's dry to break up the clumped hairs, then I use this:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000UPO54M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

to get the exact shape. This stuff is great, it stays flexible throughout the day but still has good hold

Fine hairs suck but this is the best method I've worked out to get good looking hair styling

For a good setting lotion, I've been really enjoying Lottabody. It keeps my curls going for about 2 days!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003Y5FHAQ?pc_redir=1411853385&robot_redir=1

This is another favorite but may be too oily for your hair type. It is more accessible than Lottabody and smells really good!

Aveda Pureformance

Tresemme Mousse

Tressemme Hair Spray

I feel for you. I was diagnosed with Alopecia Areata (basically, when I am under a lot of stress, my hair dries out and falls out in clumps) at 13. I don't know if you're open to suggestions, but in the fourteen years since my diagnosis, I've tried almost everything and the routine below is best for keeping my hair healthy, even when it's thinning out at times. My hair is fine and wavy so these products are tailored to my own hair type but recommendations might be useful for you.

Firstly, I swear by the Bjorn Axen Repair line. This line does include sulfates so if you're not into that, this isn't for you. I don't tend to mind these types of things as I am usually more concerned with efficacy though. I use the shampoo and conditioner every other day (how frequently I wash my hair). Once a week, I sub in the Deep Repair Conditioner from the same line instead of the normal conditioner. These products are, admittedly, pricey but every time I try to stray away from this line I notice a distinct difference in my hair quality about two months later. My hair suddenly lacks shine, luster, bounce, and my hair fall increases. This line also doesn't burn my scalp the way a lot of Nioxin (and similar) products do. An added bonus, these products don't list "volumizing" as a trait but by Jove, do they also all help to volumize my hair without weighing it down.

Now onto styling products. Regardless of if I've showered, I use the next two products daily, as my hair gets obscenely dry even in the best of times. My ride or die leave in conditioner is the Nashi Argan Instant Hydrating Styling mask. This stuff is absolute gold. No other leave in conditioner is as good as this and nothing will ever convince me otherwise. It hydrates, it protects, and it doesn't weigh hair down. Then, as I also use a bit of mousse for density and volume. I quite like Kerastase products for this purpose and my go-to's tend to be the Kerastase Volumifique or Densimorphose Treatment, depending on the state of my hair. (Volumifique if it's happy and Densimorphose if my hair is stressed.) Both of these do a really nice job of plumping my hair without weighing it down or making it feel sticky. It also helps enhance my natural wave pattern.

Other tips that you'll hear everywhere when you're struggling with hair loss but that really do make a huge difference include:

• Switch to a Boar Bristle Brush for dry hair and styling. Bristle brushes don't snap and crack your fragile hair quite as badly as metal or plastic bristles. I have used this brush from Kent for years and it really does make a difference with split ends and breakage. Use a comb when your hair is wet rather than a brush as well, as it's gentler on your locks.
  
• DO NOT dye your hair in any circumstance while you're trying to regrow hair. If you're like me and hate your natural hair color, it's a great exercise in self love. But hair dye is an enemy to hair loss.
  
• Use heat tools sparingly. I do still blow dry my hair every day, but I let it air dry as much as possible and then blow dry on the coolest setting available. Curling irons and straighteners are for very special events only.
  
• Do not wear your hair in a pony tail/bind it up. As a teenager, this was the hardest one for me to accept. I loved pony tails and I always thought it helped hide the thinning. However, when you pull your hair up into a bun or pony tail, you hinder your hair's ability to fall throughout the day, meaning that when you take your hair out, you'll have an alarming amount of hair fall. Up-dos also pull on the scalp and on the hair, making more hair fall out than normal.
  
• Switch to a silk pillowcase. I did this about two years ago, when my stylist recommended it. It's small, but this helps control dryness and frizz. Plus, there are supposed to be pros for your skin as well.
  
• Don't expect to see quick results. Mending hair takes a few months and unfortunately that means waiting.
  
  Other ways to help your hair include supplements and diet etc. It's important to nourish your hair both inside and out when you're facing hair loss. I don't tend to mess with supplements but there are a ton out there and I would talk to your doctor if you're interested in trying it. Otherwise, I was told a general multi-vitamin should be sufficient in helping with hair fall way back in the day.
  
  Now, lastly (this has been a beast of a comment) I also have the Mirena and I will say, it unfortunately could be hormones. I'm in my fifth year with it and during years 2-3, my hair was the best it had ever been since puberty. (And puberty is when my hair fell and thinned out.) Towards the end of year 4 though, I started noticing some thinning and drying out of my hair. (Although, I had just started a new insane job and moved and since my alopecia rears its head when stressed so there's that, I think that has something to do with it.) I would absolutely recommend discussing this with your gynecologist.
  
  Anyways, this was really long, unsolicited advice. Sorry for that. I hope you find an answer to your hair loss and I wish you luck in nursing it back to health!
  
  Edit: Formatting
  

Protein typically comes from ingredients such as:

• wheat protein
  
• keratin
  
• silk protein
  
• soya protein
  
• collagen
  
• oat protein
  
  For some people, oils can have a similar effect.
  
  Also, if you're using this V05 mousse, it contains denatured alcohol, which can dry hair out. You could try skipping the mousse and seeing if that helps with the dryness.

Leave in conditioner is the best for me. I have wavy hair that frizzes the second I run my fingers through it. I can't brush it at all if it's dry.

I use Garnier leave in conditioner. It's usually around 4$ for a smaller bottle. I put that in right after a shower (My doctor told me that it's best to put lotion on right after a shower, so maybe it applies to hair as well?), and comb it through. Next is mousse, I use aussie and finally is this. Lots of product but it has made my hair really healthy and I get complements on it from my hairdressers whenever I go.

I also heard mayonnaise makes good deep conditioner and may help? I haven't tried it though!

*I also use a bit of olive oil sometimes as well. But be sure not to put a ton in.

Well I’m not military, but I found something that works for me. I’ve actually very recently discovered that if I use root boot/volume products, specifically ones with PVP on my scalp/the crown of my head close to the roots, it dries much much faster. For some context I have very fine but dense hair, maybe 1 1/2’ long. It would usually take 5+ hours of air drying for my hair to mostly dry, now it takes an hour and It’ll be bone dry. Bonus: my hair would also get greasy looking in about 8 hours, but because PVP is a film former, I can go 2 days without looking greasy! These are the two products I’ve tried, but I’m sure there are lots of other ones that would work:
Theorie Altitude Volumizing Spray & Rock Your Hair Size Matters

Sweet! OK, here goes. I think hold/volume go hand-in-hand to an extent, but I'll try to separate by my favorites. Adding some sort of texturizer is CRITICAL for me to give my hair enough grip to hold curls and volume (I have slippery-straight hair, as I assume you do. Mine's pretty fine but there's a lot of it.) Also note that I choose between big hair and soft hair sometimes. At its biggest, not a chance will I run my hands through it without getting snagged.

Volume

• Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray: A spray directly at the roots is magic. Instant root lift in a can. Also works as a bit of a dry shampoo. (Bumble and bumble Dryspun Finish is similar but runs out SUPER fast.)
  
  
• L'Oreal Professionnel True Grip: Tiny tube; not cheap for the size. It does last a long time, though. It's a powder you shake at the roots and fluff up. Instant volume. Shaken through all hair will give more grip for hold. (Other similar options: Bumble and bumble Pret-a-powder is less grippy but smells good; I hear Schwarzkopf Dust It is good)
  
  
• Kerastase Volumactive Mousse: A little goes a long way with this stuff. This one's very good if you're going to blow-dry, as you apply on wet hair. (Similar products: Big Sexy Hair Root Pump Plus, but it's not as dense and smells kind of weird; Bumble and bumble Full Form Mousse is wonderful but is easy to go through quickly)
  
  Texture
  
  All the ones above will add texture. For allover texture, though, I'd put in something after you shampoo. I'm still experimenting to find my HG. I've been using samples of Bumble and bumble Styling creme (not the lotion-spray) with a dab of Brilliantine to keep shine. My hair stays way longer with this. Sometimes I also use the B&b Thickening spray, because I've had samples on hand. Also, Bumble and bumble Texture used VERY sparingly will give me a root boost. Too much and you'll look like a greaseball in minutes!
  
  Hot Tools
  
  
• BioIonic 1" iron with rotating barrel: Tricky to use at first, but once you get it it's great. Does not pull on your ends or leave creases, but has a clip. Mine's the Drybar yellow one, but is identical to this except for its steep price tag. I also have a Sedu curling wand but I burn myself and cri evrytym.
  
  Hold
  
  
• Sebastian Shaper/Shaper+: My hairdresser uses this. They just changed their packaging so I've found it pretty cheap on Amazon and at TJ Maxx (~$7). When I heat-style my hair, it's great to spray all over (sometimes too much), let your hair cool and the spray dry, then brush out. You won't lose whatever you've done with this stuff. Lasts all day. (Similarly good: Big Sexy Hair Spray & Play is less brushable; Bumble and bumble Classic leaves your hair softer but does not hold as well.
  
  Shampoo
  
  
• Bumble and bumble Surf shampoo and conditioner: FINALLY! Does not weigh my hair down, but does not dry it out. I'm on set No. 3 and don't know if I'll ever change.
  
  Products that do not work for me
  
  I've wasted lots of money.
  
  
• Bumble and bumble Surf Spray: Smells divine; gives marginal volume. Will not do anything to make my hair less straight or, in a few hours, less flat.
  
  
• Living Proof Thickening Creme/Mousse: Oh my goodness these smell good. They both makes your hair feel good but no thicker than without it.
  
  
• John Frieda Luxurious Volume Anytime Volume Refresher: Just meh. It's fine, but doesn't do enough for my Big Texas Hair dreams.
  
  
• Sally Hershberger Supreme Lift: Nothing to write home about.
  
  
• Oscar Blandi Lacca Hairspray: STICKY! Holds well, but not good for me.
  
  
• TIGI Catwalk Your Highness Root Boost: Too liquidy so it goes on too heavily and weighs hair down. Needs a rework on the nozzle.
  
  TL;DR All I want is enormous hair with body for days. One day I'll figure it out.
  

My absolute favourite is the Got 2 Be volume powder. I have notoriously thin hair following chronic illness and toxic medications but this shit makes my hair look thick and I did a wicked bouffant using it too!

FTR I have stupidly sensitive skin due to chronic illness and this is a non-irritant for me!

Got2Be on Amazon

Invest in a good dry shampoo to keep oil at bay. I like Living Proof. It's pricey but well worth it. To look a it more "adult" and put together, I'll use a hair clip like this or this rather than a hair tie. Still out of the way but a bit more elegant. Also, a hair stylist can help you with a look that is elegant and "adult" but still easy to work with. Get trims so your hair can stay healthy.

What I do is put a wavy hair mousse in my hair when it's damp, blow dry my roots for volume and go eat breakfast/do makeup/fold laundry/whatever for about 10-15minutes, my hair dries fast. Then when it's all dry I have some nice waves and put in dry shampoo to soak any oil up, run a serum through the ends for some shine and to keep fly aways down and clip it back. Sounds like a lot but it takes me about 5-7 minutes of hands-on time. Also I find that the more I take care of my skin, the more rested and healthy I look. I use a good moisturizer at night and a hydrating eye cream. A little under eye concealer and mascara goes a loooooong way in helping my self confidence when going out in public.

Invest in yourself. It's not "high maintenance" to make sure you have clean, neat and healthy hair. Taking care of your skin is equally important in my opinion. I feel so much more productive and organized when I take just ten minutes to put myself together in the morning.

Products I like:
hair clips I haven't used these particular ones, just this style.
favorite dry shampoo
argan oil serum
mousse for volume
love this face moisturizer with spf
this eye cream works wonders for me

I'm new here but have read all of the super helpful intro info, product recs, and guides. It's why I have these questions/concerns:

I got my hair cut and styled by a curly hair specialist for the first time (more about my hair/routine below). She offered me advice on methods and products. She was real enough to recommend drug store products over the fancy salon stuff.

She recommended that I cowash with Aussie Miracle Curls Co-Wash and use [ORS Olive Oil Hold & Shine Wrap/Set Mousse] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00449Q4SU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_rRYZBbH5HZ3K9) to S2C before blowdrying my hair with a diffuser. I dont know what I'm doing so I also bought Cantu Natural Complete Conditioning Co-Wash. (all links have ingredient lists)

Since then (in the past few days), I've stumbled upon this sub and have been reading. I just checked, and none of the above are CG-approved.

I'm a little confused (although I get that CG makes blanket statements and YMMV within them) -- but I'm mostly cautious. I've been shampooing and conditioning only 1-2x/week with sulfate-etc-free products for the past 4 years. I don't want to mess my hair up by introducing needless or harmful ingredients.

Heres what I've been using for several years now:

DermOrganic Daily Conditioning Shampoo with Argan Oil - Sulfate-Free & Color-Safe and [DermOrganic Daily Hydrating Conditioner with Argan Oil] (Https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0062A47VU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_OcZZBbKZCHHN1).

About my hair:

• I had long hair (wavy with some ringlet curls) and now have hair a little longer than shoulder-length.
  
• I have never dyed or treated my hair.
  
• For the past four years, my routine has been to shampoo and condition with the above DermOrganics products around 1-2x/week.
  
• I always let it air dry.
  
• For about a year or two, I was using a curling wand to curl my hair.
  
  Should I return what I can and buy some CG-approved products? Should I return to my old conditioner (DermOrganics) but without the shampoo? Should I eat the cookie staring at me from across the room? Questions.

I don't! I find that sea salt dries out my hair too much and I've never found one that didn't just make my hair feel greasy. I prefer texture sprays like the Oribe Dry Spray, Bumble & Bumble Dryspun or the drugstore dupe from Garnier Fructis! Once my hair is completely dry, I'll spray all over and kind of scrunch my roots a bit to add volume.

I use ORIBE Surfcomber and it gives my hair so much volume and texture. I've had different pixie styles for six years and this has been my go-to from the beginning.

Do you have straight or curly hair? I have thick, curly hair and I basically swear by Shea Moisture products. Even if you have straight hair, they have a ton of different lines, and they should all help with dryness or damage in your hair.

Edit: a hair mask once a week might also help!

Edit 2: I've been using the hair mask from the Jamaican line and this leave-in conditioner from that line has good reviews: Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Conditioner Leave-In 16 Ounce (473ml) (2 Pack) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FXMPA7C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_BOYwzbWWPKGSB

A spray hair milk might also do what you want. I use this one every day that I don't wash my hair and it helps with frizz and let's me reshape my hair: Carols Daughter Hair Milk Nourishing & Conditioning Refresher Spray, 10 Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LI2ETQK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_rSYwzbZE84HJV

And this one is like $5 and is more moisturizing, I think: Just For Me Hair Milk Leave-In Detangler 10 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002MO3CG6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_xTYwzb4Q3YQVF

I would buy these at Walmart or Target if you could, so you can take them back if they don't work out. I think the most moisturizing leave-in products will be found on the "ethnic" hair care aisles. I don't even shop on the mainstream aisles anymore, just because I need that moisture! Hope this helps!

I still want to know what you do, but I finished google searching them and I found a few that seem to not have silicones! *Note: these are all from that website linked above and in the sidebar (there's more info on that website about what ingredients make them heat protectants)

• ApHogee Keratin and Green Tea Restructurizer
  
  
• Aphogee Curlific Curl Definer (has Methylisothiazolinone which isn't technically a 'cone I think!)
  
  
• Curl Re:Coil Curl Activator (has Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone which isn't technically a 'cone I think! Also has Magnesium Sulfate.)

Mrs. Lilacs has hair like that (my fine hair self is very very jealous) and she recently got an undercut that extends all around to take some of the weight off. She said it REALLY helped -- she used to get daily headaches.

I know you're not a product person, and I hear you on that -- we're both "wash and go" people -- but this mousse has given us both exactly the volume and texture we want to achieve that 'cool girl' tousled look: https://www.amazon.com/ORIBE-Grandiose-Hair-Plumping-Mousse/dp/B00DHOROQ4. Literally all I do is turn my head upside down, smoosh it through my hair, and let it do what it wants.

Alright. My hair is extremely thin and very fine, and traditional curling methods left my hair straight after 20 minutes. I did the no heat curls and my hair was curly for 24+ hours - through work at a retail store and a night of sleeping. So this works.

I showered, and got out without drying my hair. In retrospect I should have squeezed some water out, because it was a little difficult to control sopping wet hair (mine tends to tangle when wet). Then I ran Herbal Essences Curl Boosting Mousse through my hair, and then wrapped it around the headband. After that I used some Pantene gel spray for fine hair, went to bed, and took the wrap out in the morning and had super curly hair. It fell a little bit over the course of about an hour, but it looked really nice after that.

I take a small amount of [volumizing mousse] (http://www.amazon.com/Herbal-Essences-Body-Volumizing-Mousse/dp/B001E5E9UC) and scrunch it into my roots. I usually shower at night so I sleep with my hair sort of pushed up kinda like [this] (http://www.theshanamarieshow.com/hair-myth-satin-pillow.jpg) or if I shower in the mornings I will blow dry my hair upside down after it's air dried a bit. When it dries I get volume and if it's a little crunchy I scrunch it out. But I have very thick hair and it's pretty pliable since I only wash it every few days so YMMV.