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Side by side

KRISTIN ESS HAIR Instant Lift Volumizing Mousse vs KRISTIN ESS HAIR Ultra Light Styling Cream

61% function match · 7 of the 13 functions we compared match Formula overlap 2%. KRISTIN ESS HAIR Instant Lift Volumizing Mousse and KRISTIN ESS HAIR Ultra Light Styling Cream share 4 ingredients among each other's most prominent.

Based on your consultation

Which of these fits your hair?

We check your pattern, moisture need, scalp, fragrance tolerance, weight sensitivity and more against each formula — and say which one lines up.

Your profile at a glance

  • Your answers appear here
  • Your answers appear here
  • Your answers appear here
  • Your answers appear here

When each one is the right call

What each formula is built for, from its own ingredient list.

  • Instant Lift Volumizing Mousse — protein-hungry hair
  • Ultra Light Styling Cream — protein-sensitive hair

Side by side

Every trait, aligned

One row per trait, read from each product’s own ingredient list and record. A dash means we have not researched that field for that product — it is not a “no”.

Trait
KRISTIN ESS HAIR Instant Lift Volumizing Mousse — brand photograph KRISTIN ESS HAIR

Instant Lift Volumizing Mousse

  • Styler
  • Masstige
  • Sulfate-free
KRISTIN ESS HAIR Ultra Light Styling Cream — brand photograph KRISTIN ESS HAIR

Ultra Light Styling Cream

  • Styler
  • Masstige
  • Sulfate-free
  • Silicone-free
Price, size & price per ounce
about $15 8.1 oz · $1.85/oz
$13–15 5 oz · $3.00/oz
Value / price positioning
Priced with its peers $$$$$ Masstige tier · costs less than 68% of the 138 mousses we’ve priced
Lower cost than most smoothing creams $$$$$ Masstige tier · costs less than 87% of the 56 smoothing creams we’ve priced
Best for hair types
All types Nothing in the formula or the claims narrows this to one pattern. Your hair
Straight–Curly Smoothing and thermal products span straight through curly hair. Your hair
Moisture level Differs
Moderate Humectants in the working part of the formula. Your hair
Low Humectants appear, but low enough to be a minor part. Your hair
Hold (as stated)
Light A light hold, as stated by the brand. Your hair
Light A light hold, as stated by the brand. Your hair
Slip / detangling Same
High Conditioning agents sit high in the list — this is a detangling formula. Your hair
High Conditioning agents sit high in the list — this is a detangling formula. Your hair
Weight on hair Same
Medium Middle of the range — noticeable on fine hair, light on coarse hair. Your hair
Medium Middle of the range — noticeable on fine hair, light on coarse hair. Your hair
Fragrance
Present Fragrance is listed; it sits below the working ingredients. Your hair
Prominent Fragrance sits in the first eight ingredients — a larger share of the formula. Your hair
Protein Differs
Prominent Protein high in the list — a strengthening formula, not a moisture one. Your hair
None No protein or amino acids in the list. Your hair
Silicone / wax buildup Differs
High Water-insoluble silicones or waxes: a detergent wash is what removes them. Your hair
None Nothing here needs a detergent wash to remove. Your hair
Clarifying wash needed
Moderate Your hair
Low Your hair
Hold system Same
Mixed Gums and synthetic polymers together. Your hair
Mixed Gums and synthetic polymers together. Your hair
Cast risk Same
Unlikely Softening ingredients sit alongside the film formers, so a hard shell is unlikely. Your hair
Unlikely Softening ingredients sit alongside the film formers, so a hard shell is unlikely. Your hair
Oil absorption Same
None No absorbent powders or starches. Your hair
None No absorbent powders or starches. Your hair
Oils and butters Same
Present, lower down Oils are present, but low enough to be a finishing touch. Your hair
Present, lower down Oils are present, but low enough to be a finishing touch. Your hair
Fast-drying alcohol Same
None No fast-drying alcohol in the list. Your hair
None No fast-drying alcohol in the list. Your hair
Formula completeness
out of 10
Complete for its job
out of 10
Complete for its job
Who should choose this
  • Protein-hungry hairthat stretches and stays stretched when wet
  • Maximum slipfor hair that tangles the moment it is wet
  • Curl definitionfilm formers hold a clump together
  • Soft-hold stylesthat should stay touchable
  • Protein-sensitive hairthat stiffens when protein is added
  • Maximum slipfor hair that tangles the moment it is wet
  • Curly-method routinesno sulfates and no water-insoluble silicones
  • Curl definitionfilm formers hold a clump together
Why you might skip it
  • Scents bother youthis product carries a scent
  • Curly-method routinesthese silicones need a detergent to remove
  • Protein-sensitive hairthat goes stiff or straw-like on protein
  • Scents bother youthis product carries a scent
  • Styles that must holdthe brand states a light hold at most
from the formula stated by the brand reported by reviewers Scale: 1 dot low · 5 dots high, within this product type.
More facts about each one
Type
Stylerfoam
Stylercream
Where to buy
Ulta · Target
Ulta · Target
Free of
  • sulfate-free
  • sulfate-free
  • silicone-free
  • protein-free
  • curly-method compatible
Cruelty-free
Cruelty-free · PETA-listed
Cruelty-free · PETA-listed
Scent
Scented, not described
Scented, not described
Hold
lightLightweight, flexible, lasting hold
lightLightweight hold
How often
as needed
as needed

Facts as we recorded them. A dash means we have not researched that field for that product — it is not a "no".

The bottom line

The bottom line depends on your hair

Which of these two suits you is a question about your hair, not about them. The consultation answers it — and tells you what your routine needs around it.

Take the consultation

$49.00 once, for your consultation and hair profile. No subscription, no required purchases.

The detail behind the table

Where the readings above come from: the ingredient lists themselves, each brand’s claims checked against them, what owners report, and cost per ounce in context.

Shared and distinct ingredients

Shared and distinct ingredients

Computed from the ingredient lists as printed. "Shared" means both lists carry it; where it sits on each label is stated, because position is what tells you how much.

What both formulas carry

IngredientInstant Lift Volumizing MousseUltra Light Styling Cream
Water
Neutral
#1Leading
#1Leading
Fragrance
Fragrance
#26Below the 1% line
#5Below the 1% line
Phenoxyethanol
Stabilizes
#24Below the 1% line
#7Below the 1% line

What only one of them carries

Instant Lift Volumizing Mousse

Ultra Light Styling Cream

Full ingredient list — Instant Lift Volumizing Mousse (45)
Full ingredient list — Ultra Light Styling Cream (37)

Claims check

What each brand says, against what each formula shows

Claims are quoted from each brand. We only mark one supported, partly supported, or conflicting when that product’s ingredient list actually speaks to it.

VerdictsInstant Lift Volumizing MousseUltra Light Styling Cream
Supported
1
3
Partly supported
2
1
Stated by brand
1
1
Potential conflict
0
0

Instant Lift Volumizing Mousse

  • Lightweight, flexible, lasting holdSupportedStructure that lasts the day.
  • Non-sticky, non-tackyStated by brandCan’t be confirmed from label.
  • Body building and volume boostingPartly supportedNeutral on lift.
  • strand thickeningPartly supportedNeutral on lift.

Ultra Light Styling Cream

  • Lightweight holdPartly supportedDepends how fine your hair is.
  • Frizz fightingSupportedSmoother strands, less frizz.
  • Flyaway tamingStated by brandMay help, but not a primary focus.
  • Smooth finishSupportedSmoother strands, less frizz.
  • 24 Hour Frizz Control for Blowouts, Curly and Wavy HairSupportedSmoother strands, less frizz.

What owners say

What people report

Recurring themes our researchers wrote in their own words from sourced reviews. We do not store or scrape star ratings, and we never balance one product’s themes against another’s by inventing them.

KRISTIN ESS HAIR Instant Lift Volumizing Mousse draws complaints about dryness and breakage; KRISTIN ESS HAIR Ultra Light Styling Cream draws complaints about irritation.

Instant Lift Volumizing Mousse

A little goes a long way and it works great for the intended volumizing effect

Ulta reviewer Kristin, Wellsville PA, 5 stars

Gives good volume without looking overly big, and left hair looking smooth and healthy-textured

Ulta reviewer Sara, Texas, 5 stars

No visible difference versus just blow-drying without product, on long fine hair

Ulta reviewer, 2 stars, long fine hair type

After roughly 6 months of regular use, traced resulting hair breakage back to this product's drying effect

Ulta reviewer, 1 star, long-term user

Found it very drying with too much alcohol feel and returned the product

Ulta reviewer, 1 star, titled 'Drying, Returned'

Ultra Light Styling Cream

Lightweight and smoothing, never greasy, tames frizz and adds soft shine without weighing hair down

Ulta reviewer Lulu, wavy hair, 4 stars

Keeps fine, straight hair in place in hot humid weather without looking plastered down

Ulta reviewer Noreen, straight hair, 5 stars

Added noticeable shine to blowouts and works on both wet and dry hair; a little goes a long way

Ulta reviewer Madeline Rose, Long Island, 5 stars

Good consistency, holds hair well, felt worth the money and would repurchase

Ulta reviewer Brianna, straight hair, 4 stars

Caused a skin reaction on the face — hot, red, itchy sensation

Ulta reviewer Maya, wavy hair, 1 star

Price check

Cost per ounce, in context

Cost per ounce against every product of this type we have priced, each at the size it is most often sold in. Value labels are computed from that percentile and from how many products that do the same job cost less; they are comparisons, not judgements about a brand.

$1.85/oz vs $3.00/oz — KRISTIN ESS HAIR Ultra Light Styling Cream costs about 1.6× more per ounce than KRISTIN ESS HAIR Instant Lift Volumizing Mousse.

Instant Lift Volumizing Mousse

Against 138 mousses with a computable unit price.

Ultra Light Styling Cream

Against 56 smoothing creams with a computable unit price.

Value readInstant Lift Volumizing MousseUltra Light Styling Cream
Label
Priced with its peersSits in the middle of the range for mousses per ounce.
Lower cost than most smoothing creamsCosts less per ounce than most smoothing creams we have researched.

Computed from cost per ounce against every product of this type we have priced, and from how many products that do the same job cost less. It is a comparison, not a judgement about the brand.

Compare with something else

Close formulas to each of these, as their own comparison pages.

Instant Lift Volumizing Mousse vs Caviar Anti-Aging Multiplying Volume Styling MousseAlterna · 83% function matchUltra Light Styling Cream vs Ultra Light Styling CreamKristin Ess Hair · 100% function matchInstant Lift Volumizing Mousse vs Coil Infusion Give A Boost Styling + Shaping Gel CreamOuidad · 82% function matchUltra Light Styling Cream vs Sea Salt Air Dry MousseKRISTIN ESS HAIR · 96% function matchInstant Lift Volumizing Mousse vs Advanced Climate Control Featherlight Styling Cream - 5.7 ozOuidad · 82% function matchUltra Light Styling Cream vs Sleek Styling Cream + Taming WandRizos Curls · 89% function matchInstant Lift Volumizing Mousse vs All In One Multi-Benefit Magic Styling CreamSuave · 81% function matchUltra Light Styling Cream vs Invincible Volume Moisturizing Gel to Mousse Styling FoamCurlsmith · 89% function match

Instant Lift Volumizing Mousse · Ultra Light Styling Cream · All mousses in the library

How this page was made

  • This page is assembled from the same researched records the individual product pages render: identity, each ingredient list as printed, each brand's own claims, dated price observations, and review themes written in our researchers' own words. Nothing on it is written per comparison.
  • We do not rank these against each other. Which of them suits you depends on your hair, and that is what the consultation works out.
  • The formula similarity percentage is a stored, precomputed number: position-weighted overlap of the two ingredient lists blended with agreement on the attributes we derive. It measures how alike two formulas are, not how well either works.
  • The value band is a fixed label over two stored numbers: this product’s cost per ounce as a percentile of every product of this type we have priced, each at the size it is most often sold in, and how many products we score as doing the same job cost at least a quarter less per ounce.
  • The "Is this right for you?" panel reads only your own consultation answers, and it applies exactly the filters our recommendation engine applies. It is computed when you load the page and is never stored on it.
  • 4 sources were consulted across the products on this page.
  • Ingredient order tells you relative amount only above roughly 1%. Prices are observations on the dates shown and change without notice. We do not sell these products and take no placement fees.
  • This is cosmetic information, not medical advice, and nothing here diagnoses or treats a health condition.

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