How to Master the Wet Hair Look in 5 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 hair look. 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 nail the look, 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.

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 long hairstyles because it helps seal fraying, frazzled ends. Or, for extra moisture and bounciness, 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.

As with straight hair, you’ll need a long-lasting hair gel to keep your wet hairstyle intact. For that, we recommend the L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Head Lock Mega Gel—Extreme Hold, which provides lasting control, structure, and hold for stay-all-day styles.

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.

How Do You 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 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. Spritz on a glossing spray

Once you’re satisfied with your style, spritz a glossing spray throughout your mid-lengths and ends. This will help give your strands a wet-looking finish without making them feel stiff the way hair gel might. Again, don’t be afraid to use a lot of product—for the wet look, more is more.

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. You can also use the hair spray to control any baby hairs or flyaways that may have cropped up along your hairline. 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.

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Photo Courtesy of L'Oréal Paris