Typically reserved for red carpets and runways, the wet-look slicked-back hairstyle appeared in droves during fashion weeks abroad – a far cry from the soft, matte, blown-out styles we’ve become accustomed to. To put it plainly: volume is out, gel is in.

And while this wet-look styling isn’t a new concept, its presence on the runways of minimalist aficionados Victoria Beckham, Rick Owens, and Sacai suggest that this style is going to slip into the mainstream soon enough. The shine inherent in gel adds a level of polish to any outfit and is seemingly easy to execute – with the right products, that is. And let’s face it, we may even be able to secure an extra day between shampoos, if you’re that way inclined. 

During Chanel’s Spring Summer 23 runway show, the smoothness drew all hair away from the face into a deep, lowly slung straight ponytail. At Louis Vuitton, the wet hair look was seen with deep side partings and minimal make-up. 

For those with longer lengths, a sparing application of gel will give you a lived-in, glossy sheen to your natural texture. For cropped lengths, interesting partings will give your hairstyle a definitive edge.

How to recreate the wet hair look:

When it comes to adopting the wet hair look for yourself, speak to your hairstylist about which products will give you the level of ‘wetness’ you so desire. Do you want to look like you’ve just surfaced from the ocean, borrowed Kinickie’s comb from Grease, or been partially frozen in time? All iterations are chic, but it’s a polarising trend for a reason. From there, they may recommend a gel, mousse, conditioner, or combination of all of the above to apply to your wet, towel-dried hair.

Scroll for our favourite  wet hair looks from international runways below: