L'Oreal vs. Frizz Ease: What's the Better Mousse?

Fighting frizz can seem like a never-ending battle. But don't give in to fly-aways just yet. In my search for a good mousse that will keep my curls smooth all day, I've found two that seem to measure up to their claims. Here's a look at L'Oreal's Springing Curls vs. Frizz Ease's Corrective Styling Mousse.

Ease of use

Mousse is the easiest hair product to use on a daily basis. Whereas gel can get hard and crusty as the day progresses, mousse will not weigh down your hair or leave a residue look. Frizz Ease's Corrective Styling Mousse comes in a 6 oz, long can, with a tube-like top dispenser. Just make sure to shake it up really well before dispensing and you'll get a cloud of mousse on your palm. L'Oreal's Springing Curls comes in a 6 oz can as well, but the dispensing top is wide and more easily comes out in your hands. The Frizz Ease brand has a watery consistency compared to the firmer feel of the L'Oreal variety. But both are very easy to use-just dispense and scrunch in to wet hair.

Hold

The hold is slightly different for each of these products. L'Oreal's Springing Curls can best be used on medium to long hair, and will hold corkscrew curls with smooth ease. The Frizz Ease Corrective Styling Mousse is better for those that have naturally wavy or looser curls, as the hold is not as tight. Both of these products will give you soft curls, not rigid and crusty ones. There is no sticky or white residue that will show up in your hair and they will both last even in humid weather.

Best for your buck

L'Oreal's Springing Curls formula is usually a dollar cheaper than Frizz Ease's $5 Mousse. Although both will give you similar results, the Frizz Ease brand will need other products as well. Frizz Ease has a 'system' for those that have extremely hard to manage curly and frizzy hair. You need to use all of their products to come out with a frizz-free do; using only the Corrective Styling Mousse will not do the trick. You will need to also use the hair spray and the smoothing serum. On the other hand, the less expensive L'Oreal Mousse can be used alone without any gels or hair sprays and produces a shiny head of "springing curls." If you, like me, hate to load on hair products when it isn't necessary, than try L'Oreal's Studioline Springing Curls. It gets the job done on its own.

For best results

As with any mousse there are really only two ways to apply it. You can use the recommended method and simply scrunch it into your wet hair to form curls, or you can lightly form curls with your fingers after you put the mousse in. I've found that the L'Oreal mousse will work very effectively if you put the product in your hair, run your fingers through it to straighten the hair somewhat, form curls with your fingers, and then apply some more mouse and scrunch. This will give you a smoother, less frizzy look when you dry it naturally. Frizz Ease's Corrective Styling Mousse is best when used with a Step 5 product of their same line. Step 5 products include hair spray or finishing gels. To get best results, use the mousse on wet hair, and then use the hair spray. If you are using a finishing gel, however, don't apply Step 5 until your hair is completely dry. This will tame the frizz better.