Wet Hair Look: The Ultimate Guide For Shiny, Sleek Styles

Kim Kardashian’s viral ‘wet’ outfit moment at the 2019 Met Gala will forever remain iconic and the hairdo is now making a comeback with an elevated twist. From the ‘I woke up like this’ vibe, the latest wet-hair looks have evolved to feature sleek updos and styles that highlight the natural texture of your hair. All the recent wet-hair looks are also influenced by the ‘mermaid core’ trend, making soft waves and curls the norm as opposed to the crunchy and stiff feel.

The wet-hair look lends a sultry appeal with the ‘just out of shower’ appearance it lends. It is also great for curly-haired girls who love their wet hair but hate that it loses its definition when dry. If you too wish to recreate the glossy wet hairstyle seen on celebs, read this guide that breaks down the process into 4 easy steps you can follow and must-have products to master the look.

What Is The Wet-Hair Look

Wet hair just out of the shower or right after coming out of the pool has a natural shine and texture that adds a sultry appeal. The wet-hair look resembles exactly that and highlights the root-to-tip wet aesthetic, just like Kylie Jenner and many other celebs who have tried this hairstyle. Let’s dive right into how you can achieve this wet hair aesthetic, the products you will need, and celeb-inspired looks you can recreate for the weekend and more.

Step 1: Make The Hair Damp

Well, you do need to start with wet hair to get the look but not too much! If you're starting with dry hair, use a spray bottle like the bestselling option from Bronson. It is refillable and allows for a continuous flow of ultra-fine mist that is perfect for many different hairstyles. If your hair is dripping wet after a shower, use a gentle hair dryer like the top-rated Philips HP that protects your hair from overheating. Ensure your hair is evenly damp and there is no excess water left.

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Step 2: Apply Products

You can pick from a hair gel, mousse, or serum for the glossy look and hold. The right product for you will depend on the level of hold you want and the hair volume. While serums will simply add shine, a mousse will provide minimal hold and gels will lock in the style. We recommend the Arata hair gel that provides a medium-to-strong hold for 12 hours or the Wella Professionals mousse that profiles a strong volumising hold. When you’re ready to apply, start small in sections and apply the product from root to tip. Start with small amounts and take more as needed to get the desired look.

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Step 3: Start Styling

Once you’ve ensured even the application of a product, it’s time to start the fun process of styling. If you want a sleek look, comb back your hair with a comb or a multi-use tool like the Majestique Tail Comb, which is heat resistant for styling, has a fine tooth for teasing, and can be used to part the hair into sections. For curly hair girls, we recommend the Alan Truman DT-01 Detangling Brush, which is gentle on the hair and maintains the texture of your hair. While you can simply use the finger-coiling method for a more defined curl pattern, using a brush will disperse the products evenly and lock them all in.

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Step 4: The Finishing Touch

We need to begin this step with a fair warning to not overdo it. While hair sprays are great for enhancing the wet-hair look and out-of-this-world shine, begin with light mists over your hair to avoid the excessively crunchy texture. Try the BBLUNT Hotshot Hold Spray, which provides an instant firm and hold for party-ready hairstyles or the TIGI Bed Head Masterpiece hair spray that adds an extra strong hold and glossy finish.

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Wet Hair Looks For Different Hair Types

For different hair types, there are different ways of styling it to perfection. Whether you have thin hair or thick hair, straight or wavy, the way to style a wet hair look differs and here’s how you do it.

Thin & Fine Hair

If you have thin and fine hair, make sure you start with damp hair. Whether you spritz your hair with water or even towel dry it after a shower, make sure the hair is moisturised enough to absorb the products. Run a comb or your fingers through the hair to make sure the product reaches everywhere and doesn’t clump up and make your hair heavy.

Thick & Coarse Hair

If you have thick hair, you can start the wet hair look with slightly drier hair. Thick hair absorbs products well and unlike thin hair, the product won’t slip away. Don’t run a comb through your hair, as it can ruin your naturally frazzled look. Instead, we recommend scrunching your hair and tying it up for that extra bounce once opened.

Textured & Coily Hair

If you have extremely textured and curly hair, soak your hair wet. The more the damp the better. Take a serum or leave-in conditioner and apply it to all your hair lengths, away from the roots. Finger coil individual strands of your hair for that straight-outta-shower, naturally glossy locks.

Celeb-Inspired Wet-Hairstyles For Different Hair Types

Now that you know how to create the basic wet-hair look, there’s no stopping! You can experiment with styles and even complement the look with makeup. Here are some wet-hair looks seen on celebs for inspo:

1. Casual Glam

Right after applying your hair gel, comb back the hair while leaving with two front pieces for a casual yet glam look. Opt for sculpted bronze makeup and glossy lips like Jennifer Lopez for brunch parties and daytime events.

2. Party Ready

Take inspiration from Simone Ashley’s and complement wet hairstyles with a brown smokey eye and a shimmery gloss for the next party you attend. This look is ideal for glamorous sequined outfits that tend to take all the focus.

3. Concert Look

This one’s for the curly-haired girlies! For a bold and luminous look, let our curls loose after following the wet-hair routine and double down on the aesthetic with a liquid highlighter and shimmer mist for the body.

4. Fierce Boss-girl

Headed to a work party or formal event? Consider this sleek wet hairstyle perfect for those with long straight hair. Recreate the look by using a wide tooth comb after applying the hair gel. You can keep this look muted with nude lipstick or recreate Deepika Padukone’s look with bold red lipstick for festive events.

5. Beach Day

Flaunt your textured hair with a side slick back wet hairstyle perfect for tropical vacations and resort getaways. Take a cue from Zendaya and complement your bright outfits with a full eyebrow look with the help of brow mascara and add a pop of colour with the perfect pink lipstick.

Now that you know how to get the slick, wet-hair look, don’t wait a moment before you embrace your bold and glamorous side! Go all out at the next party, vacation, or event with a stunning wet-hair look.

What To Avoid With The Wet-Hair Look

There isn’t a lot that can go wrong with the wet hair look if you follow the steps right. But there are a few things to keep in mind if you want to ace the wet hairstyle look.

Unlike fuller hairstyles that give you volume, the wet-hair hairstyle is aimed at flattening your hair for that naturally damp and sultry look. So don’t run your hands through your strands or fluff up your hair, let the product sit on the strands and let it spread naturally.

Don’t Skimp

For the ideal wet sleek hair look, you can’t make do with a little product, don’t hold back, the more the product, the longer the wet hair look stays. You want the gloss and sheen to last long.

Parting Thoughts

The wet hair look, contrary to popular belief, is not just something celebrities boast, even we, mere office-goers and glass-ceiling breakers, can gloat about a hairstyle that is classy, chic, and quite frankly easy to pull off. A wet hair look on women looks like a million bucks, because it makes you look effortlessly put together and chic at the same time.

FAQs

1. Can I do the wet hair look every day?

   Since the wet hair look involves a lot of product and style time, it is ideal that you don’t experiment with this hairstyle every day. Instead, gatekeep this extraordinary look for days when you need that extra bit of razzle-dazzle to go with your fit.

2. What products can I use for a wet hair look?

   For a wet hairstyle look, you can use a water-based gel, a hydrating leave-in conditioner, or a frizz-free serum.

3. Why is it important to damp hair for the wet-hair look?

   Damp hair makes it easier for the product to hold and manipulate the shape without slipping or weighing your hair down.

4. Will the wet-hair hairstyle make my hair look greasy?

   No, the wet-hair hairstyle makes the strands look damp and not the roots. Unless you apply gel, serums, and leave-in conditioners to your scalp, your hair shouldn’t look greasy.

5. Will the wet hair ruin my hair?

   Although you are not adding heavy products to your scalp, overuse of heavy hold sprays, gels, serums, and conditioners can affect the porosity, density, and overall quality of the hair.