Elegant with a touch of allure, the wet hair look has become a timeless hairstyle gracing the red carpets donned by celebrities like Zendaya, Bella Hadid, and Kim Kardashian. If you’ve been inspired to recreate this chic style but find yourself unsure of where to start, fear not—we’ve consulted experts to provide you with a foolproof guide. Justine Marjan, renowned for styling Ashley Graham and Hailee Steinfeld, and Charlotte Mensah, hairstylist and founder of Charlotte Mensah Manketti, share their insights on achieving the perfect wet hair look at home.
Essentials at Your Fingertips
Before diving into the styling process, gather essential products recommended by Marjan and Mensah. These include mousse, hair gel, a shine serum, and hairspray. For those with naturally curly hair, Mensah suggests incorporating a pomade, emphasizing the necessity of avoiding crunchy textures by blending it with gel. Hair tools such as a sectioning comb, settling clip, and, for those with curly or coily hair, a paddle brush, are also recommended.
Starting with Damp Hair
Contrary to conventional wisdom, don’t reach for the blow dryer before styling. The wet hair look begins with genuinely wet hair. Mensah advises starting with freshly washed and deeply conditioned strands, ensuring the hair remains at least damp throughout the styling process. If your hair dries too quickly, a spray bottle can come in handy for maintaining the desired wetness. Section off your hair into manageable portions and proceed to apply the recommended products.
Embrace the Gel
The key to achieving the wet hair look lies in the generous application of gel. Regardless of hair type—straight, short, long, curly—Marjan emphasizes the versatility of this style. Adjusting the application method based on hair texture, the experts provide guidelines:
1. Fine Hair
For fine hair, a modest amount of gel, like TRESemmé Extra Hold Gel, should suffice. Spread it from root to tip, allowing the gel to dry and create the desired wet effect. Section the hair and style as desired, whether slicked back or textured.
2. Wavy Hair
For waves, Marjan recommends prepping with mousse to enhance moisture. Apply gel generously from the root to the ends, emphasizing the need for more than you might think. Utilize flat clips or the end of a sectioning comb to define waves, adding a touch of drama to the look.
3. Curly/Coily Hair
Natural curls require abundant moisture for the wet look. Mensah suggests blending gel and pomade, possibly incorporating a hair oil like CM Manketti Oil with CM Pomade and gel. Work this mixture section by section, detangling with a paddle brush as you go. Don’t shy away from using ample gel for an elongated effect and added hold. Mensah recommends using hair clips to flatten curls slightly, allowing for an all-day hold.
To aid air drying, cover the hair with two silk scarves—one for the front and one at the back—to maintain the desired style.
Finishing Touches with a Serum
To achieve and retain the wet appearance, Marjan advises applying a shine serum on top. Ensure long-lasting results by not skimping on styling products, setting them with a stronghold hairspray that adds shine and reduces frizz or flyaways.
In the realm of hair trends, the wet hair look stands out as one of the more accessible styles to recreate. By following these simple steps, you can effortlessly elevate your glamour and confidently embrace this chic trend.
