#WetLookHair

Wet-look hair—slicked-back, glossy styles resembling freshly showered hair—dominated runways and red carpets from 2018-2023. The aesthetic ranged from sleek sophistication to edgy rebellion.

The Technique

Achieving wet-look hair:

1. Apply gel or oil to damp or dry hair
2. Slick back with fine-tooth comb
3. Smooth flyaways with more product
4. Set with hairspray (optional, for longevity)

Product Options

High-shine gel:

• Eco Styler Gel ($3, affordable classic)
• Ouai Hair Oil ($28, luxury option)

Hair oil:

• Moroccanoil Treatment ($44, glossy finish)
• Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil ($30, heat protection)

Pomade:

• Suavecito Pomade ($12, strong hold)
• Layrite Super Shine ($18, wet shine)

Runway Influence

Fashion week moments:

• Prada Spring/Summer 2019 (extreme wet-gel looks)
• Versace 2020 (supermodel wet slick-backs)
• Bottega Veneta 2021 (Daniel Lee’s minimalist wet hair)

Celebrity Moments

• Kim Kardashian Met Gala 2019 (wet slick, custom Mugler)
• Kendall Jenner (signature slicked-back bun)
• Hailey Bieber (wet-look bob, 2020-2022)
• Zoë Kravitz (edgy wet pixie)

The Appeal

Wet-look hair offered:

• Effortless chic (fresh-from-the-shower vibe)
• Sleek elegance (red carpet sophistication)
• Edgy minimalism (androgynous cool)
• Humidity-proof (gel seals hair)

Variations

Slicked-back bun:

• Ballet-core trend (2022-2023)
• Severe center part

Wet waves:

• Beach-to-boardroom vibe
• Less severe than full slick

Wet curls:

• Defined, glossy curl clumps
• ’90s inspiration

Cultural Context

The wet look represented:

• ’90s nostalgia (supermodel Kate Moss era)
• Minimalism (stripped-back beauty)
• Genderless style (equally popular for men/women)

Sources:

• Vogue: Wet-Look Hair Trend
• Byrdie: How to Get Wet Hair Look