We tell you what the effect of wet hair is, what products to use for styling, and how to achieve the desired look, given the structure and length of the hair.

Creating the effect of wet hair on strands of different lengths is not so difficult. We figure out together with experts how to do it right.

What is the Effect of Wet Hair?

The Wet Hair Effect is a specially crafted look that makes your hair look like you just got out of the shower. At the same time, it retains its appearance until the next shampooing. 

The trend has repeatedly appeared and disappeared from fashion shows, and this technique was tried on by stylists Balenciaga, Balmain, David Koma, Christopher Kane, and Victoria Beckham. Celebrities also often appear at ceremonial events with “wet” hair.

Hairstyle options look great with both a strict jacket and an evening dress. The effect of wet hair can be a relief if you do not have time to wash your hair before going out or if the hot water is turned off in the house and there is little time left for getting ready. At the same time, “mermaid styling” can be done on any texture and length of hair.

Wet Hair Styling Products

Try to create this trendy styling yourself with the help of diverse hair cosmetics. Prepare the necessary tools and tools in advance before laying.

Gel

Depending on the degree of fixation of the gel, more or less may be needed. It is mainly used on short strands or only at the roots of the hair. It is not worth applying the gel on long strands – in this case, they will stick together and hang ugly. Some brands produce products labeled “wet hair effect” – such a tool is sure to work. 

It is important not to overdo it. Otherwise, the head will have a hard crust that looks unnatural. The gel is applied to wet hair. For maximum smoothness, use a fine-toothed comb through the strands; style with your fingers for a more careless effect.

Penka

The airy agent is more suitable for medium-length hair and is often used by stylists for all types of styling. To create the effect of wet hair, you need to apply a small amount of mousse to damp hair, style your hair, and let your head dry naturally or blow-dry the strands without combing them.

Milk and Leave-in Conditioner

A good option for maintaining the elasticity and softness of the strands. When applied in larger quantities, milk and conditioner saturate the hair with oils. For light-flowing styling, they must be used very carefully; take just a few drops. If you create the effect of wet hair, do not skimp on moisturising. Leave-in products weigh down the hair and help fix it in the desired position. To fix the finished styling, use varnish.

Wax and Clay

Universal tools are convenient for styling short haircuts and maintaining structured strands. Waxes and clays for hair differ in degrees of fixation – from light to as strong as possible. If you have no experience with the tool, consult with the master in the salon or bet on the average degree of fixation. Both clay and wax can be mixed by hand with foam or conditioner to hydrate and set hair.

Salt Spray

A sea salt product that sticks hair together when applied liberally. Some sprays are designed specifically for the effect of wet hair, and this information is usually on the bottle. If your hair is dry, saturate your hair with a leave-in conditioner or oil before applying the sea salt spray. These cosmetics will also help create the desired effect – the strands will become smoother and shinier.

What else to Consider:

• If you do not want to wait until the hair dries after applying the products, you can use a hair dryer;
• Smooth versions of “mermaid” styling require additional combing – prepare a soft brush or comb with fine teeth;
• For some styling, hairpins, invisible hairpins, and hairpins are useful.

Ivan Subota believes that hot tools are usually not used for this styling, except perhaps with a diffuser – a hair dryer nozzle that forms a curl.

How to Create the Effect of Wet Hair

The proportions and combinations of styling products depend on the structure of the hair. Therefore, set aside time for experiments so as not to conduct them for the first time before an important publication. Follow the step-by-step instructions to create a hairstyle with the effect of wet hair at home.

1. Wash your hair or wet your hair and pat dry with a towel.
2. Apply the most suitable styling product evenly to wet strands.
3. Run a wide-toothed comb or fingers through your hair.
4. Shape your hair – tousled or smooth. You can squeeze the strands and fix the curls with your fingers.
5. Secure with bobby pins if necessary.
6. Wait for the strands to dry naturally, or speed up the process with a hair dryer.

During drying, the hair should not be combed so as not to disturb the resulting “glued” strands.

Hairstyles With the Effect of Wet Hair

Wet hair styling looks spectacular in the evening, at a gala event, and during the day at a picnic. Vary hairstyles depend on the mood, event, and chosen image.

The effect of wet hair can be created on strands of different lengths.

For Short Hair

Smooth strands look equally good on both grown-out pixie haircuts and super-short hair. Please do not overdo it with the tool so that the hairstyle does not become too fixed and motionless. You can select several strands, glue the ends of the hair or comb them back.

For Medium Hair

To create wet curls, apply mousse to wet strands, twist them into bundles, and then fix them with varnish. Medium-length hair gives more options for parting on different sides, additional braids, and jewelry – rings or hairpins.

For Long Hair

Creating the effect of wet hair on long strands is a difficult task. It is important to keep the natural look so the strands fall freely over the shoulders. You can highlight them with a texturizing spray. Complex styling and weaving are possible on long hair: braids, buns, and tails.

“Wet hair curling has turned the heads of many. In the end, there is only one option: you still have to apply styling, which will visually make the curls wet. My shortlist for wet hair looks like this:

• Low bun, knot;
• Loose hair;
• Strands combed along the marginal hairline with gel (as in the Yves Saint Laurent show);
• Smooth tail;
• Waves similar to Kim Kardashian wore when she wore a wet Mugler gown to the Met Gala in 2019.”