As the fall 2022 shows continue, things are looking…wet. At least when it comes to hair, anyway.
Wet-looking locks in a variety of different iterations have joined Julia Fox’s eye makeup to become one of the hottest beauty trends on the runways right now, spotted at shows in all four major cities. Messy, scraggly takes on the style – which in some cases featured locks slicked against the forehead in dramatic fashion – has appeared on models at Ferrari, Maisie Wilen, Ac 9, Act N.1, Altuzarra, Bevza, Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini and Rokh. Meanwhile, for Acne Studio, Nensi Dojaka, Kenneth Ize, Jil Sander, Koché, MM6 Maison Margiela and Sacai, models wore wet, shiny and smooth looks towards the roots, with ends kept dry and even textured, in some case. case. And then there were iterations like the ones from Fendi and Dur Doux: neat, hairless, almost shelly styles. (The Fendi look also came with a simple barrette that held the models’ deep side parts in place.)
“I think [wet hair] going on because people got stuck inside, so they’re bored and want to have a high-impact, eye-catching hairstyle,” says hairstylist Helen Reavey, whose celebrity clients include Harry Styles and Tilda Swinton. (She’s also the founder and COO of hair-care brand Act + Acre.) “The wet look can make people look like they’ve dressed up and almost transformed into an elevated personality.”
Reavey points out that in real life and off the runway, this look is a bit difficult to pull off. It is certainly the most comfortable on vacation and on the beach. “Those with short hair may have the easiest time achieving this look,” she says. (Finally, a win for short hair!)
Another surprisingly practical thing about the wet look is that it’s a style that works on all hair types and textures, according to Reavey. But the technique and the products needed to achieve this vary considerably from one type of hair to another.
“If the hair is fine and limp, it dries very quickly, so you need to use a lot of product. With curlier hair, it can expand with a lot of humidity, so you need a lot of product, no water. Only super straight hair can achieve this look with minimal products,” she says. “Usually for that wet look to last all day, you have to use heavy products like gels, which aren’t beneficial for hair.”
Reavey has an alternative health-boosting tip: “The only way to get that look that might help the hair — but might not last as long — is to use a hair mask.”
For fine hair types, Reavey suggests using only a hair mask, smoothing it into the hair, then combing it into place as desired. For those with medium texture and a bit of wave, her technique is to combine a hair mask with gel for extra longevity and hold. As for thick, curly hair, the pro suggests combining a mousse with gel, then adding a shine wax or cream.
Check out how the look appeared on the Fall 2022 runways in the gallery below.
And because wearing wet faux hair is a little trickier than simply unplugging your hair dryer, click through the gallery below to check out our list of products to help you get the look.
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