Foam · Not Your Mother’s
Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Refreshing Curl Foam
4.5
Excellent
15 opinions from 15 people
- Positive
- 12
- Mixed
- 2
- Negative
- 1
How is the Curl Score calculated?
We read 2 public Reddit discussions and logged each person's opinion of each product as positive, mixed or negative, and members add theirs when they review a product here. The Curl Score puts those on a scale of 1 to 5: every opinion positive would be 5, every one negative 1, and an even split 3, with a mixed opinion counting as half positive. Passing mentions aren't opinions, so they don't count, and each person counts once per product. Every brand is scored the same way, but these are comments, not verified purchases or a survey. Sources and method
The verdict
A light, water-based foam that's well liked for refresh days, with a softer hold than the mousse.
The full verdict
Reviewers describe it as much lighter than the mousse and not sticky, and one has rebought it about 8 times as a staple that works alone or layered. Others rate it 10/10 for making curls curlier, say it works really well on low-porosity 2B hair, or call it the only product of the brand they like. The hold is softer, it's only useful when curls are still in decent shape, and too much weighs hair down. One reviewer hates it.
- Best for
- Refreshing waves and loose curls between washes
Reviewer experiences
A representative mix, good and bad, from the commenters.
- u/dibarrier/curlyhair, 2026
I've rebought it about 8 times: a staple that works alone or layered for extra hold.
3a-3b
- u/Snickersneer/curlyhair, 2026
It works as a styler, but weighs my hair down if I use too much.
2B/C, thickish and a bit coarse but not very dense
- u/BeautifulBunny_209r/curlyhair, 2026
I hate the refresh foam; never again.
2b-3a, medium porosity, low density, fine
- u/Soggy-Pain4847r/curlyhair, 2026
It works really well on my low-porosity 2B hair.
Low porosity, 2B
- u/fireantheadr/curlyhair, 2026
My hair loves the refreshing foam.
- u/effulgentelephantr/curlyhair, 2026
I use it for refresh days.
See all 16 reviews
PositiveReddit comment
I've rebought it about 8 times: a staple that works alone or layered for extra hold.
u/dibarrie3a-3br/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
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I am a WHORE for the curl talk foam. Ive tried many things and would usually not finish the bottle. This is the first one I've consecutively bought like 8 times now. It's definitely a staple in my bathroom. It's really nice by itself for lazy days and great to layer on the days I want a bit more hold. I have 3a-3b hair. Pic is my hair with the curl talk foam and air-dried. I scrunched with ogx argan oil when it was fully dry.
MixedReddit comment
It works as a styler, but weighs my hair down if I use too much.
u/Snickersnee2B/C, thickish and a bit coarse but not very denser/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
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My hair does NOT like the gel or cream, they both make my hair very frizzy and stringy. I've had some luck with the mousse and spray leave-in conditioners, though it seems like it's been acting differently with my hair recently. I have trouble getting the right amount that is enough to give some hold but not too much where it weighs my hair down. I've used the foam successfully as a styling product but it weighed my hair down a bit if I accidentally used too much of it. Still better than a lot of products I've tried! Just not quite right for my hair (2B/C, thickish and a bit coarse but not very dense)
NegativeReddit comment
I hate the refresh foam; never again.
u/BeautifulBunny_2092b-3a, medium porosity, low density, finer/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
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I’m new to my waves/curls and this is the line I picked up first and learned with mostly. It’s just ok but definitely better products out there. Agree it tends to leave a film on my hair. Have 2b-3a, medium porosity, low density, fine hair. Most used products from the line are the leave-in, gel 3 and flash freeze. Have the refresh foam and hate it. Never again. Just the travel size mousse left and much prefer Herbal Essences or Doux.
PositiveReddit comment
It works really well on my low-porosity 2B hair.
u/Soggy-Pain4847Low porosity, 2Br/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
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The foam and flash freeze gel have worked really well for my low porosity, 2B hair
PositiveReddit comment
My hair loves the refreshing foam.
u/fireantheadr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
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My hair LOVES this brand. Especially the refreshing foam and the cream
PositiveReddit comment
I use it for refresh days.
u/effulgentelephantr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
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I use the cream and sometimes the spray gel in my routine. I use the foam for refresh days (I wet my hair first ofc lol). I used to get their whip it up mousse…it was amazing. So bummed they don’t make it anymore. I don’t love the curl talk mousse.
PositiveReddit comment
The foam is nice.
u/lobsterbanditoVery fine, low porosity 2b/3ar/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
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I have very fine, low porosity 2b/3a hair. I’m sad they reformulated or discontinued the Naturals line because they had great shampoos and conditioners and the price point is great. As far as styling products, I don’t love either of the Curl Talk gels, but the cream is nice, as is the foam. I like the scent of the Curl Talk line.
PositiveReddit comment
I love the refreshing curl foam.
u/Witty_Farmer_5957r/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
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Love the refreshing curl foam
PositiveReddit comment
10/10: lighter, water-based, and it makes my curls curlier.
u/Moth_blossomLow porosityr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
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I have low porosity hair i tried the regular Mousse first and it was heavy on my hair and with other products I was using at the time it contributed to a gross feeling on my hair after it was dry that was like waxy and prodcty. I was at ulta talking to an employee and she recommended i try the foam as it's water based and more lightweight. 10/10 recommend the foam it's so much lighter and it gets my curls so curly and it feels good in my hair. Edit: Currently using the curl cream from them as well. I like it i think i prefer the other brands i have used in the past but money is tight for me so it gets the job done. it's a little more of a medium thickness then really lightweight or heavy.
PositiveReddit comment
I like the refreshing foam; the other products don't work for me.
u/jennifer_m13r/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
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I like the curl refreshing foam but the other stuff just doesn’t work.
PositiveReddit comment
The only product I like; it works well on day 2 hair.
u/Nearby_Ad_4372Fine, curlyr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
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The only product I like of theirs is the refreshing foam. I find it works well on my day 2 hair. Their gel was too hard for my fine, curly hair. The mousse always left a weird texture. The leave in was okay, but I have had better.
MixedReddit comment
OK, but only useful when my curls are still in decent shape; no replacement for a wash day.
u/GloomyCicada9508r/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
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I like the hard hold gel. Its very viscous. Watery or lightweight gels don't work for me because my hair will just frizz up before a cast forms without something gloopy holding it in place lol. Its not too expensive either, I wish they sold it at kroger though since I never go to Target. I'm currently not using it though, I'm using gorilla snot instead because its cheap af and the consistency does a good job holding my hair in place before a cast forms. I've also used the NYM curl talk mousse. It's okay, but I've found if I use too many products in my hair I won't get a gel cast, so I only use gel. I”ve also used the refreshing foam. It's okay, but its only really useful when your curls are still in an somewhat okay state, its no replacement for a full washday.
PositiveReddit comment
Great.
u/madele44Low density hairr/curlyhair, 2023Original comment
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I've been using NYM products consistently for about 9 years. I like their shampoos and conditioners (the original line, the bond line, and the clarifying scalp clay scrub in the little tube). I always have at least one in my rotation at all times. My curls are obsessed with their mousse. I've tried so many products from salon quality brands, and I always come back to this mousse. Their refresh foam is great, also. The gel doesn't do it for me. Out of all their products I've tried, the gel is the only thing I didn't like. However, many people love that gel. My low density hair just doesn't like it. While this brand works for a lot of people, it just might not be for you, and that's okay, too.
PositiveReddit comment
Less hold, but definitely not sticky.
u/mermaidslp2B/C, low porosityr/curlyhair, 2023Original comment
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I use the curl talk refresh foam. Not as much hold as others since it’s supposed to be for refreshing curls, but definitely not sticky.
PositiveReddit comment
Much lighter than the styling mousse; doesn't weigh my hair down.
u/caffeinatedlackeyMixed curls and wavesr/curlyhair, 2023Original comment
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I love the curl talk refreshing foam! It's much lighter than the regular styling mousse so it doesn't weigh down my hair as much. I have mixed curls and waves that do best with lightweight products that allow them to bounce up.
MixedReddit comment
A decent replacement, but not as good as the discontinued Sea Kale foam.
u/mermaidslp2B/C, low porosityr/curlyhair, 2023Original comment
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I’ve been using the Blue Sea Kale line for years and love it. The foam that went with it was my holy grail, and then they discontinued it. I use the curl talk foam now which is decent, but not as good as the other foam. I suppose it’s meant to be used as a refresh vs regular foam so that’s why. I’m 2B/C, low porosity.
What reviewers say
- Praised: Light and not sticky
- Praised: Revives curls on day 2
- Complaint: Softer hold than the mousse
- Complaint: Weighs hair down if overused
What reviewers use instead
Other brands the same reviewers mentioned. A single mention is a lead, not a verdict.
Marc Anthony
Strictly Curls Mousse Positive
I love the mousse, but it's very strong hold.
u/Barfotron4000Original commentShop
Strictly Curls Mousse Positive
I use it and love it.
A deleted accountOriginal commentShop
Strictly Curls Mousse Mention
I own it.
u/actualchristmastreeOriginal commentShop
Show 6 more
Herbal Essences
Curl Boosting Mousse Positive
I switched to it from NYM; softer than NYM, but still decent hold.
u/Potential-Orchid-389Original commentShop
Curl mousse Positive
I prefer it to NYM mousse.
u/KathrynlenaOriginal commentShop
Aunt Jackie's
Frizz Patrol mousse Positive
Loving it: super lightweight and touchable.
u/gradualgooseOriginal comment
Cake
Mousse Mention
Part of my mix-and-match routine.
u/charcat-xOriginal commentShop
John Frieda
Dream Curls Mousse (old formula, pre-2022) Positive
The only other product that worked for me, but only the pre-2022 formula.
u/Super-WidgetOriginal comment
Paul Mitchell
Hydrowhip mousse Positive
Expensive, but the best mousse I've used; a little goes a long way.
u/Physical_Reveal_7397Original comment
More from Not Your Mother’s
The brand review- Curl Talk Curl Cream23 positive·5 mixed·4 negative
- Curl Talk Leave-In Conditioner7 positive·1 mixed·1 negative
- Naturals Gardenia & Mango Butter Shampoo & Conditioner4 positive·1 mixed·1 negative
Show all
Best liked: rated by at least 4 people, more than half of them positive.
How we collated these reviews
Drawn from 16 comments in 2 Reddit discussions below. We read every comment in each, logged each product a commenter had an opinion on, and classified each opinion as positive, mixed or negative. This is public commentary, not verified purchases or customer ratings. Our full method

