Wet look hair: how to get it

What is the wet look hairstyle?

Wet look hair either with a ponytail or loose hair (with or without parting) is the trend that many celebrities have been choosing recently, but not only for summer, thanks to its refreshing look conferring a touch of elegance to any hairstyle.

It is basically nothing more than a look as if we had just walked out of the shower, fixing our hair so that it enhances our face. It is about keeping that feeling we get when we look in the mirror sorting our hair out after showering, always with the help of hair gel. To get the wet look though, our hair must always be dry.

We can not only get the wet look with short hair combed backwards, but also with long, curly, straight, loose or tied back hairstyles.

Wet look hair and what to combine it with

It is a very enhancing hairstyle, which reveals our face and adapts perfectly to formal and casual events alike, where we want to have a different hairstyle. Shiny ponytails, long, loose hair, medium length fixed hair, short hair behind our ears... Any of these styles can be worn with the wet look by applying hair gel and spray.

There are many variations of styles which you can find pictures of in social media:

• Low ponytail, with all your hair tied back, but leaving a loose lock to fall over your face, reminiscent of the 90's.

• Loose hair, slightly wavy, and more volume on top with the parting to one side.

• The ballerina bun never goes out of fashion, and can be very stylish with the wet look, recommended for people who are reluctant to try the wet look as it is more discrete with this hairstyle.

• With loose, very, very straight hair, with a half tied-back wet look, and some items pieces on one side. This is particularly suitable for weddings or similar events.

• The messy look ponytail can also be done with the wet look.

• Tied back hair, rather simple and shiny, with a shiny effect.

• Loose hair and side parting with a stuck down wet look.

• Centre parting either tied back or loose.

• Loose hair, all pulled back with a certain amount of volume, particularly at the front quiff.

• High, very tight ponytails with the wet look.

The products you’ll need to achieve wet look hair

• Fine-toothed comb.
• Products for fixing your hair. There are several options:
  • Wet look gel
  • Moulding gel
  • Light fix gel (without hardening effect)
  • Wet look styling gel
  • Natural effect wet look gel
  • Light fix hair cream
  • Hair wax
  • Hairspray
• Hair band if you decide to make a ponytail.

The trick is to apply the product bit by bit, first with a little gel and wax, and if necessary apply some more afterwards. We should pay special attention to the top, as it is here where we want it to be more noticeable. To fix it all and to give it shine as if it really were wet, we apply hairspray.

Step by step: wet look hair

• Step 1. It is fundamental to make sure your hair is completely dry, brushed and with the parting to the side or without a parting, since afterwards you will push your hair back. You can do it just after washing your hair or not, providing that it is dry.
• Step 2. Apply an amount of hair gel the size of walnut to your hand and spread it backwards through your hair trying not to move your hair out of place. Use your fingers to “brush” it backwards without separating your hair. It is important to make sure the hair gel is evenly spread out and does not flatten your hair or leave lumps and bumps. We can remove any excess shine or product using a comb, but always fixing our hair down. If you want to leave the parting to one side or in the middle, now is the time to mark it.
• Step 3. You can give your hair more volume by applying hairspray and back-combing it slightly underneath, i.e. where there is no gel. Once again, touch up the gel so that it soaks in to that part. Having completely straight hair is ideal for this look, since it will be much easier to set the wet look, so you can straighten it with hair tongues before applying the gels. We can also get wet look hair with wavy or curly hair, by leaving the part underneath drier, so only the top shines.
• Wet ponytail: We need to apply the same process as for loose hair when we want to get the same look with a ponytail. First straighten your hair and then brush it before applying the gel. When you have made your ponytail, touch it up with gel and hairspray using your hands.
• Tips: If you have very thick hair that won't stick to your scalp to reduce volume, you can use the hairdryer while clipping your hair down. Another option is simply to use a side parting, but as if water had just been sprayed over it.