If you haven’t used mousse in your hair since 1995, it’s time to reconsider. I too stopped using mousse for several years and then found myself wondering why.
Mousse just might be the perfect hair styling product. It leaves no detectable residue, gives volume that lasts for days (if you do a good blowout, of course, nothing in life is free!) and overall doesn’t give the hair the stiffness other products can.
Immediately after towel drying, I use a paddle brush to smooth tangles and brush out my entire head. Then, I apply about 2 golf ball sizes of mousse to my brush (you read that right, I apply it directly into the bristles of the brush) and starting from the center, then to each side, I work the mousse from my roots to the mid-shaft of my hair. Then, I apply Morrocanoil to my ends and blow out my hair with a round brush.
I set Velcro rollers into the front and crown sections of my hair, let them sit while I do my makeup (15 minutes or less), and then I used a flat iron (CHI ceramic 1 inch) to smooth the underneath parts of my hair (the parts not in rollers).
Once the rollers are removed, they give hair a great shape and perfect amount of volume. I don’t use hairspray because I don’t like the way it makes my hair feel the next day. I will only use hairspray if I have a special event.
The above technique makes my blowout last 3 days, and I will typically use dry shampoo on the 3rd day. The exception to this is if I’ve had a really intense workout, then I will wash sooner. Note that I do “touch up” my hair in the mornings after having slept on it.
IMO, mousse is the key ingredient to make a blowout last. I can’t even remember the last time I didn’t use mousse. I find it makes volume last really long, even when hair is slept on. I love Tresemme 24-hour Body Mousse, and Garnier Fructis XXL Volume Thickening Mousse. I have never tried “high-end” mousses, because I am not sure if they would be worth the money. I may invest in the Kerastase volumizing mousse because I tend to love all of the products from their various lines (I use the Nutri-Serum from the Oleo Relax line to smooth flyaways and split ends, and their “ciment thermique” as a heat protectant- though I’ve stopped using this since my love affair with Morrocanoil began).
The gorgeous Ashley Olsen-rocking a volumized hairstyle. 
Hilary Swank’s uber-voluminous do
I hope these tips will give your locks a lift!
xoxo,
Veronika.
Do you have Tj Maxx in TX? Check their accessories section, like by the perfumes and lotions. They have a lot of the higher end shampoos and stuff for a fraction of the price. I recently found TIGI Catwalk products and was floored to find products there for 4.99 when Ulta was charging 12.99 ^__^
You HAVE to try Redken's Guts or Big Sexy Hair's Root Boost. The Tresemme 24 hour mousse pales in comparision. My fine hair doesn't even need velcro rollers–both products are that awesome.
The only drugstore mousse that I liked was Sunsilk's Roost Boost (in the yellow can). I can't find it anywhere now but I was obesessed with it when I was using it.
Megs- thanks for the suggestions! I will have to try those products- I've been looking for something new 🙂
I just started Mousse again within the past few months too for when I roll my hair! I like the green bottle Garnier one with the firmer hold.
oh ya. Do you use the spray in dry shampoo?? KMs and Bedhead both have really good one. We have them at my work and I recently fell in love. I'm trying to decide which one I like better.
I just started using mousse again, and am so glad I did! My hair can't go more than 2 days without a shampoo but this has really helped with volume and letting my hair keep a "shape".
April- I typically just use baby powder as a dry shampoo, but have been thinking if buying an actual dry shampoo spray…I read Korlane (sp) is good?
I will have to check out the ones you mentioned. I would prefer one without a baby powder smell.
Veronika-
What size of velcro rollers do you use? Do they even have sizes? 🙂 Thanks and I love your blog! Just found it through the Nest!
Becky- I use jumbo velcro rollers at the back of my head and medium ones at the crown and front. I bought most of mine at Target and they come in all different sizes. The longer your hair, the bigger rollers you can use.
Thanks for the hair advice! I've always been afraid to use mousse thinking it would make my hair stiff, but your hair is gorgeous so I will definitely try it again.
Thank you for the advice! I've always been afraid to use mousse, but I will definitely try it again. Your hair is gorgeous!