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Curls Guide
Volume Mousse by Wella Shockwaves
mousse

Wella Shockwaves

Volume Mousse

"The cheapest volumising mousse that actually works. Not CG-friendly, but a secret weapon for fine, flat wavies on a budget."

Best for:
Fine, flat hair needing volume Budget-conscious wavies Those not following strict CGM Low-density hair
Avoid if:
Following strict Curly Girl Method (contains silicones) Want natural/clean ingredients Coarse or thick hair (not enough hold)

Hair Compatibility

Curl Pattern

2A 2B 2C 3A

Strand Thickness

fine
medium

Porosity

low
medium

Performance

Definition 3/5
Hold 3/5
Shine 3/5
Crunch Potential 2/5
Buildup Risk 3/5
Hold Level
Medium Hold
Weight
Very Light
Finish
Soft, No Cast
Buildup Risk
Medium

What's Inside

VP/VA Copolymer

Flexible hold and volume

Panthenol

Conditioning and strengthening

● Contains Protein
✓ Sulfate Free
View Full Ingredients List

Aqua, Propane, PVP, Butane, VP/VA Copolymer, Isobutane, Chitosan, Phenoxyethanol, Polyquaternium-16, Parfum, Formic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Methylparaben, Laureth-4, Cetrimonium Chloride, Linalool, Citronellol, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide

Analyze these ingredients with our Ingredient Checker tool.

How to Use

Best as: Styler

Pairs Well With

Giovanni

Direct Leave-In Weightless Moisture Conditioner

leave in

Alternatives to Consider

Umberto Giannini

Curl Whip Activating Mousse

CG-friendly alternative

Innersense

I Create Lift Volumizing Foam

Premium clean alternative

Overview

Wella Shockwaves Volume Mousse is the guilty secret of budget-conscious wavies. No, it’s not CG-friendly—but at under £3, it delivers volume and hold that rivals expensive alternatives.

Key Ingredients Breakdown

  • VP/VA Copolymer - Creates the volume-boosting, holding structure
  • Panthenol - Adds conditioning and helps prevent dryness

The CGM Question

Let’s address it directly: this mousse contains silicones, which means it’s not Curly Girl Method approved. However, many wavies find that:

  • Modified CGM works better for fine, wavy hair
  • Regular clarifying removes silicone buildup
  • The volume benefits outweigh the ingredient concerns
  • Strict CGM isn’t for everyone

What We Love

  1. Unbeatable price - Under £3 everywhere
  2. Genuine volume - Lifts flat roots effectively
  3. Widely available - Every drugstore and supermarket
  4. Lightweight - Doesn’t weigh down fine hair
  5. No crunch - Soft, touchable finish
  6. Reliable results - Consistent performance

What Could Be Better

  1. Contains silicones - Not CG-friendly
  2. Not natural - Synthetic formula throughout
  3. Basic fragrance - Generic drugstore scent
  4. May require clarifying - To prevent silicone buildup

How to Use

For Volume

  1. Apply to damp (not soaking) hair
  2. Focus on roots and mid-lengths
  3. Flip head upside down and scrunch
  4. Diffuse on low heat, lifting at roots
  5. Shake at roots once dry for extra lift

If Concerned About Buildup

  • Clarify weekly with a gentle sulfate shampoo
  • This removes any silicone accumulation
  • Prevents hair becoming weighed down over time

The Verdict

Wella Shockwaves Volume Mousse is proof that you don’t need to spend a lot for effective styling. At £3, it’s essentially risk-free to try. Yes, it’s not CG-friendly, but for fine-haired wavies who’ve struggled with limp hair, sometimes the non-approved option is the one that works.

Our Rating: 4/5 (for the right user)