How To Get The Wet Hair Look According To A Celeb Hairstylist

 

If there’s one hair trend that dominated the SS21 runway, it’s the wet hair look. And we totally understand its appeal – it’s sexy, fierce, and playful. With that said, while we always obsess over the look, it doesn’t often appear to be the most achievable or attainable hairstyle. However, when we consulted our go-to celebrity hairstylist Eduardo Bravo, he assured us that with the right technique and product formulas, you can perfect the look (relatively) easily. Here’s Eduardo’s step-by-step guide and need to know tips for slaying wet-look hair.

First, Consider Your Hair Type

 

Eduardo begins by explaining that, “To achieve a wet look, you need to consider what “kind” of wet look you want. Do you want a slick straight looking finish? Or a more natural curly look?” Adding, “Your hair type and the look you want to achieve will determine the process.”

 

However, Eduardo advises if you want to stay on-trend and take inspiration from the SS21 runway, opt for a natural beachy finish. Eduardo said for this look it’s important to consider, “What happens when your hair comes into contact with water… If you have curly hair, you’ll need to do this look using hair oil on dry, straightened hair. While if you have wavy to straight hair, you can achieve the look with water and mousse on damp hair.” 

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For Straight & Wavy Hair

 

Don’t panic when you see the number of steps it requires to achieve this wet look, as it’s mostly just repeating two application techniques – spritzing your hair with water and distributing mousse with a comb! Here’s Eduardo’s step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Start by brushing through your hair with a comb. If your hair is dry, spritz the hair with water in a spray bottle. You can find them on Amazon here, $10.

Step 2: Next, apply a strong hold mousse like the TIGI Catwalk Strong Hold Mousse, $10, to set the hair. Start by separating the hair into two sections from ear to ear across the head’s back. Begin by spritzing the lower section with water, then apply the mousse from root to tip, using a wide-tooth comb to evenly distribute the formula. Repeat this process with the top section, then comb the hair backward. 

Step 3: Now, comb the hair in the direction you want it to sit: you can either brush it backward or part your hair to the left or right as pictured below. Once again, to move the hair in the correct direction, dampen the hair with water, then add a pump of mousse and comb your hair into place and secure with hair clips just above the ears.

Images courtesy of Eduardo Bravo 

Top tip: If you want a sleek look, use a fine-tooth comb like the Harry Josh Pro Tools Carbon Tail Comb, $20, so the hair is pressed closer to the head; for more volume, use a wide-tooth comb, like the Wet Brush Detangling Comb, $8, so the hair is lifted from the scalp. You can even push the hair forward for more “oomph” on top.

Step 4: Secure the hair using a net and cover clips, then let the hair dry naturally. You can also use a diffuser on medium heat and speed if you’re short on time.

Step 5: Once the hair is dry, the hair will be a bit “hard.” This is a sign that the product has thoroughly dried. Use your fingers to “mess” it up a bit by bringing some pieces out, including baby hairs and wispy’s. If the hair is too hard to do this step, you can soften it with the water bottle, only in the areas you want to tweak.

Step 6: Finish the look with a hard hold hairspray like the Redken Forceful 23 Super Strength Hairspray, $20, Remember, the more natural and undone it looks, the better. The devil is in the details; think about the baby’s and wispy bits and let them be the main focus!

For Curls & Coils

Images courtesy of Eduardo Bravo

If you want to achieve a stunning wet look on your kinky, coily, or curly hair, instead of using a mousse, use hair oil and hairspray. Here’s Eduardo’s step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Start with dry hair, brushing out your curls with a boar bristle brush. Then, add some hair oil to your tresses – our go-to is Tropic Isle Living Jamaican Black Castor Oil, $7. Not only does it give your hair that wet finish, but it also’s super nourishing and even stimulates hair growth.

Step 2: Next, blow out and flat iron the curls. If you want to add some texture, use a curling iron to create some soft waves. 

(Sidenote: You can also skip this step if you want to play up your curls for a sexy, curly wet look do, like Rihanna’s.)

Source: James Devaney/WireImage/ Getty Images

Step 3: Apply more oil to your hair working from the root to tips using a wide-tooth comb to evenly distribute the formula.

Step 4: To set the hair, use a hard hold hairspray such as the Redken Forceful 23 Super Strength Hairspray, $20, and use your fingers to “mess” it up a bit by bringing some pieces out, including baby hairs and wispy’s.

Step 5: Once you have the hair set, use a diffuser to lock in the style.

For more amazing tips from Eduardo, check out how to revive your hair in three easy steps.

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