How To Master the Wet Hair Look In 5 Simple Steps

We love a bouncy blowout as much as the next person, but we also know that it’s best to take a break from heat styling every now and then. On heat-free mornings, we often find ourselves turning to the wet look hair trend. This chic hairstyle strikes the perfect balance between elegance and effortlessness—it’s sleek and put-together, but incredibly easy to achieve with the right products. If you want to learn how to make your hair look wet, keep scrolling. Ahead, we’re sharing a five-step wet hairstyle tutorial and offering a look at our favorite products to keep your strands looking sleek and shiny all day long.

What Products Do You Need for the Wet Hair Look?

Though the wet look isn’t difficult to master, it does require the use of a few key products—namely, a moisturizing leave-in and a strong-hold hair gel. It’s best to choose your products based on your hair type and texture. Find our recommendations for different hair types below and put together your list of wet hair look products to pick up on your next trip to the store.

Fine or straight hair

Fine hair can easily be weighed down by products, so choosing your styling aids strategically is crucial for nailing your wet hair look. You want products that can help create body and definition without leaving your hair looking oily or flat.

The L'Oréal Paris Studio Line Above it All Invisi Gel is ideal for adding volume and shine to fine, flat strands. The crunch-free formula allows for maximum control and dries down with no build-up or stiffness.

If you struggle with frizziness or split ends, give your hair some TLC with a lightweight leave-in conditioner before you add gel. The L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths No Haircut Cream Leave In Conditioner is perfect for wet hairstyles because it helps seal fraying, frazzled ends to ensure a sleek finish. Or, for extra moisture, try the L'Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluronic Plump Moisture Serum, which provides up to 72 hours of hydration without any weigh-down.

Wavy hair

Wavy hair can be susceptible to frizz—the presence of which can detract from your slicked-back wet hair look. To keep your strands looking sleek, we recommend kicking off your wet hair routine with the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Frizz Killer Serum, which, as the name suggests, helps keep frizz (and static) at bay. If your hair isn’t particularly frizzy, swap out the serum for a nourishing leave-in, like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Protein Recharge Leave-In Conditioner. The almond oil-infused formula nourishes and helps strengthen hair while helping to protect it against daily wear and tear. Just what you want for your wet wavy hair.

As with straight hair, you’ll need a long-lasting hair gel or cream to keep your wet hairstyle intact. For that, we recommend the L’Oréal Paris Elnett Anti-Frizz Slick Back Hair Styling Cream. It’s designed specifically for creating sleek wet hair hairstyles and provides long-lasting smoothness and shine with a flexible, crunch-free finish.

Curly hair

The wet hair look is a great hairstyle for curly hair because it allows you to highlight your natural texture without having to reach for damaging hot tools. Start with a curl cream to help prep hair and lock in moisture. We love the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Leave-In Conditioner, which hydrates, tames frizz, and defines curls, spirals, and coils.

You’ll want to pick your gel wisely—anything too heavy could weigh down your natural texture or make your curls feel crunchy. We suggest opting for the L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Clear Minded Clean Gel—Strong Hold, which offers flexible control without a stiff or crunchy feel, ideal for wet curly hair.

How To Get the Wet Hair Look

Once you’ve assembled your necessary products, here’s what you’ll need to do to create your wet hairstyle.

1. Start with damp hair

While the wet hair look appears, well, wet, you actually want to start with damp (rather than soaking) strands. If your hair is too wet, your hair gel or cream might not hold as well as it could, which means you won’t be able to sculpt your hair the way that you want. After stepping out of the shower, apply the leave-in that best suits your hair type and texture, then let your hair air until it’s damp, but not dripping.

2. Apply gel to your roots and lengths

When creating the wet hair look, you can be pretty generous with your hair gel—the more you use, the wetter your hair will appear (and the longer your style will stay put). Start by squeezing a dollop of your chosen gel into your palms, then work it throughout your still-damp hair, starting at the roots and working your way down. A tip: Avoid applying too much gel to your ends—doing so can make your hair appear overly stiff.

3. Brush your hair back

After applying your gel, begin brushing your hair back as if you were creating a ponytail. The specific type of brush or comb you use for this step is up to you. A boar-bristle brush will yield a smoother, sleeker look, while a traditional brush or fine-toothed comb will add separation for a more textured (but still sleek) end result. Choose whichever you prefer, then brush your hair back to remove all tangles and set your sleek, glossy look into place.

4. Smooth it down with a frizz-fighting cream

Once you’re satisfied with your style, dispense a small dollop of the L’Oréal Paris Elnett Anti-Frizz Slick Back Hair Styling Cream into your palm and lightly smooth down your hair to tame errant frizz and flyaways. This will help give your strands a wet-looking finish without making them feel stiff the way hair gel might.

5. Keep the style in place with hair spray

As with most hairstyles, using a hair spray at the end of the process can help keep your wet hair look intact. Spray a shine-enhancing hair spray, like the L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hairspray—Unscented all over your mane. From here, you’re good to go—though if you have a few minutes, we suggest throwing together a quick dewy makeup look to tie everything together.

5 of the Best Wet Look Hairstyles to Try

1. Classic slick-back style

This timeless, sleek style is perfect for a polished, sophisticated look. It works well for both day and night and is a great way for those with shorter strands to rock a wet hair look since you don’t need much length to achieve the sleek effect. Just apply your chosen products, brush your hair behind your ears, and spritz your mane with hairspray for an easy, effortless look.

2. Wet-look ponytail

A wet look ponytail is a simple yet elegant way to keep your hair in place while making a bold statement. Place the ponytail at the crown of your head for a high-fashion look, or opt for a low slicked-back ponytail for a chic, grown-up feel.

3. Textured wet waves

This summery look combines a relaxed, beachy texture with a glossy, high-shine finish. The added shine elevates the otherwise laid-back look for a unique contrast that commands attention.

4. Side-parted wet look for added drama

Create a deep side part and slick back your hair to one side for a fresh take on the classic wet look hairstyle. We’re especially fond of how this bold look pairs with straight strands, but it’s achievable for any hair type or texture.

5. Slicked-back braid

Keep your hair off of your face with a sleek, slicked-back three-strand braid—it’s easy, chic, and takes next to no time to achieve. If you want to try a slightly more intricate look, opt for a slicked-back Dutch braid instead.

How To Make the Wet Look Last

There’s nothing worse than perfecting your hairstyle only to have it fall out of place throughout the course of the day. To help your wet hair look last, follow these tips:

• Set with a strong-hold gel or spray: To keep your wet look intact throughout the day, finish with a strong-hold gel or spray. This ensures the style stays sleek and shiny without losing its shape, even in humidity or wind.
  
• Avoid over-touching to prevent frizz: Constantly touching or running your fingers through your hair can disrupt the style and cause frizz. Keep your hands off to maintain that smooth, wet finish without the unwanted texture.
  
• Use lightweight oils to maintain shine without making hair greasy: For a lasting glossy look, apply a small amount of lightweight oil. This helps keep the shine fresh without weighing down your hair. You can also touch up your hair with a lightweight hair cream for added shine and hold without risking greasy-looking roots.

Next Up: Is Sleeping With Wet Hair a Bad Idea?

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris