Dae Dreamriser Volumizing Mousse Review
Finding a volumizing mousse that actually lifts fine hair without leaving it crunchy or sticky can be surprisingly difficult. Many mousses either don't provide enough volume or leave hair feeling stiff, weighed down, or full of product build-up.
When I saw that Dae was coming out with their own mousse, I knew I had to try it. Dae is beloved on social media, and some of their products are absolutely worth the hype, but I’ve learned that I have to test the products out on my own to get a true gauge of how well they work, since there are so many sponsored reviews or demos online.
I purchased the Dreamriser Volumizing Mousse with my own money (the brand has no idea who I am or anything about my website) and want to share my full, unsponsored review with you. Meant to create soft, touchable volume while adding body, movement, and fullness, the Dae mousse is marketed as a lightweight mousse that boosts lift without sacrificing shine or flexibility, making it especially appealing for fine or limp hair.
Below, I share exactly how well the Dae Dreamriser Volumizing Mousse delivers on its promises. Keep reading for my before-and-after photos, pros, cons, tips for using it, and if it’s worth the hype (and price).
dae dreamriser volumizing mousse review
Overall, I feel very neutral (meh if you are a glass-half-empty person) about the Dae Dreamriser Volumizing Mousse. It’s easy to use, ultra-lightweight, and doesn’t your hair feel heavy, sticky, crunchy, or like you have a ton of product in it. That said, the volume was less than I expected and the mousse accentuated my frizz/ baby hairs near the root.
My hair is naturally fine and straight, so volume is something I have to work at no matter what. When I applied the mousse to damp hair and then used a blow dryer to create a subtle blow-out, the mousse gave me noticeably more volume, and I liked that it felt weightless in my hair, but I did have to “fluff” my hair with my hands throughout the day to keep the volume up. On the downside, when I applied the mousse to damp hair and let it air dry, it really didn’t do anything. My hair wasn’t crunchy or heavy, but still felt limp and flat.
My mom has thicker, wavy hair and loved the mousse (both the blowout and air-dry results), so this is a product that will be hit-or-miss depending on your hair type. I think if you have curly or wavy hair, the Dae mousse will give you “your hair but better” results. Those with straight hair will need to work with the product to get full results, whether it is via blow-out or beach waves/ curls.
Two universal benefits of the Dae mousse (regardless of your hair type) are added shine and the scent of the mousse, which is Dae’s signature citrus scent. The product smells gorgeous in the can, yet the scent is subtle once it’s on your hair, so it’s safe for those who are sensitive to fragrance (like me).
Unlike texturizing spray, the Dreamriser Volumizing Mousse does not make your hair unmanageable, rough, gritty, or hard to work with.
The Dae Dreamriser Volumizing Mousse is best for those with wavy, curly, or coily hair. For those with straight hair, if you want an apply-and-go product, skip it, but if you want added volume and are willing to style your hair, it’s worth trying.
pros
Adds volume
Touchable feel
Ultra-lightweight on the hair
Provides heat protection up to 450ºF
Adds subtle shine
Tames light frizz (closer to the body/ mid-lengths of hair)
Makes hair feel softer, not sticky or crunchy
What is a “pro” for some that may be a “con” for others is the scent. The Dreamriser Volumizing Mousse has Dae’s signature citrus scent. It’s light, fruity, and fresh - not too sweet or heavy. That said, it may be too strong for some. I am personally sensitive to fragrance (migraines) but don’t mind Dae’s scent.
cons
Hair will feel crunchy if you use too much or don’t blend it out
Does not do anything on straight hair if you air-dry it
Accentuates frizz/ baby hairs around the crown/ part
Results only last a day or two
dae dreamriser volumizing mousse before and after
dae dreamriser volumizing mousse before and after on straight hair
how to use dae dreamriser mousse
You use Dreamriser Volumizing Mousse just as you would other mousses:
Shake the can well to ensure the ingredients are uniformly distributed.
Dispense a palm-sized amount into your hands.
Distribute the mousse evenly on towel-dried hair from roots to ends.
You can apply the mousse to dry or damp hair. I personally find that the mousse works best when my hair is slightly damp.
Blow dry or air dry.
Note: if you have straight hair (like me), you will want to blow-dry your hair! When I tested this mousse on damp hair, then let it air dry, it didn’t really do anything at all (even if I did the scrunch method).
key ingredient
Known for their desert-inspired formulas, the key ingredient of Dae’s Dreamriser Volumizing Mousse is capilipid. This boosts volume, increases hydration, and protects hair from heat damage up to 450ºF.
is dae dreamriser volumizing mousse worth it?
This varies based on your hair type.
For those with wavy, curly, coily hair that has some sort of texture (or bend) to it, this mousse provides lightweight volume and added shine. It’s easy to use, effective, smells great, and gives you a polished, bouncy look. Use it on damp hair and because your hair already has texture, you can let it air dry or blow it out for added volume, particularly at the root. My mom has wavy, wiry grey hair and she loves this mousse.
If you have straight hair like me, the Dreamriser Volumizing Mousse is worth it only if you are willing to blow your hair out. Letting it air dry won’t do anything; my hair was shinier, but there was no volume, bounce, or added texture. When I do blow my hair out, the mousse gives me added volume that mostly all day (though I did little “fluff” touch-ups periodically).
It is one of the most lightweight mousses I’ve used, making it ideal for fine hair. If you’ve tried mousse in the past and hated how it leaves your hair sticky or crunchy, the Dae mousse feels like a modern update and is absolutely worth trying. You don’t need much, but can also use a decent amount without weighing your hair down (just make sure to blend it out to avoid crunchy spots).
Price-wise, the Dae Dreamriser Volumizing Mousse retails for $30 for a 5oz canister, which breaks down to $6 per ounce. This is on par with most of Dae’s products and fairly average for a mid-range, prestige hair brand you find at Sephora. Comparing the mousse to some of the other bestsellers, it’s not the most expensive (Crown Affair) but also not the cheapest (Pattern).
Overall, it’s a great product but I don’t think it will have viral success or become a universal staple the way that Dae’s 3-in-1 Styling Cream has. I do love that it provides heat protection, so you get that plus volume and shine, but there is a little bit of a learning/ styling curve for those with straight hair.
who it's best for
The Dae Dreamriser Volumizing Mousse works on:
Wavy, curly, and coily hair
Fine hair that struggles to hold volume
Medium to thick hair
Those who want added volume for their blow-out
Those who want a little volume and texture while still air-drying their hair
Truthfully, the Dreamriser Volumizing Mousse is a pretty versatile product and is easy for everyone to use. The secret is to not use too much and to make sure it is evenly distributed, or else your hair may feel crunchy or sticky.
skip it if
You may prefer something else if:
You want volume, but also want messy beach waves - get texturizing spray.
You want a sleek blow-out or straight hair (a la Kardashians or Cher) - get anti-humidity spray.
Your hair is naturally straight and you want to air-dry - get a wave spray for added texture.
You have lots of baby hairs towards the root that tend to frizz.
frequently asked questions
is dae dreamriser volumizing mousse good for fine hair?
Kind of. I tested it on my fine hair and as you can see in my photos, Dae’s mousse added lift without weighing my hair down, though it did accentuate the baby hairs towards the root.
does dae dreamriser volumizing mousse make hair crunchy?
Only if you use too much or don’t disperse the product throughout your hair. Use a little and blend it out! I hate the feeling of crunchy hair and made sure to brush my hair after applying the mousse (while my hair was still damp) to ensure the mousse was fully blended.
can you air dry with dae dreamriser volumizing mousse?
Yes; I think it is best to air-dry if you have a little body to your hair naturally (ex: curls or waves). If you have straight, fine, limp hair, you won’t really notice any results.
does dae dreamriser volumizing mousse protect against heat?
Yes. The formula includes heat protection up to 450ºF.
does dae dreamriser volumizing mousse weigh hair down?
No.
is dae dreamriser volumizing mousse good for straight hair?
Only if you will want to style your hair (blow-out or curls). When I air-dried my straight hair, it didn’t really do anything.
how long does the volume last?
The longevity depends on your hair type, styling routine, and humidity. I’d say around a full day for those with wavy or curly hair; I had to touch-up my straight hair throughout the day.
what does dae dreamriser volumizing mousse smell like?
Dae’s Dreamriser Volumizing Mousse has their signature citrus scent.
who should buy dae dreamriser volumizing mousse?
I think Dae’s volumizing mousse is best for people with wavy or curly hair who want buildable volume with a flexible finish. If you prefer soft, bouncy blowouts instead of stiff, heavily styled hair (think texturizing spray or hairspray), this mousse is a great option to consider.
Full comparison and side by side results of the Color Wow Style on Steroids vs normal texturizing spray. Which is best for volume, hold, texture, shine, and fine hair.