Wet Hair Styling

Whether the steamy summer heat has turned styling your hair into a nightmare, or you just don't have time for a post-shower blowout, wet styling is the hair hack you need this season. Especially if you have very curly, damaged or thin, fragile hair — wet styling can be incredibly beneficial to your strands. Wet styling helps reduce frizz, promotes hair health, and helps you get the most out of your products. Plus, excessive heat styling is damaging to your hair. Whether you’ve got curls, straight or wavy hair, we’ve got you covered with the best looks and summer hair care tips for styling wet hair.

The Pros of Wet Hair Styling

Wet hair styling is the technique of applying hair products to soaking wet hair and then squeezing out the extra water. Damp hair styling, on the other hand, refers to when you squeeze water out before adding in styling products. Wet styling comes with a slew of hair benefits—not only does it make hair smoother, shinier, and less frizzy, but it keeps your hair nourished and healthy until the next time you wash. Some of the benefits of wet hair styling include:

Healthier looking, hydrated hair. Applying styling products to the hair when it’s soaking wet helps strands retain moisture, making them less prone to brittleness and frizz, for smoother, shinier hair.
Easier styling. Wet hair is easier to style, especially if you have very curly or natural hair. The moisture helps to prevent knots and keep your style intact throughout the day.
Saves on time. Because you don’t have to wait for your hair to dry before styling it, wet styling saves time.
Works on all hair types. Whether your hair is straight, curly, wavy, or coily, wet styling delivers the same effects, even though it looks different on each one.

How does wet styling affect certain hair types?

Wet styling has different benefits for different hair types. If you have straight hair, wet styling is a great way to change your hair texture without using heat. You can add waves, curls or texture to your hair by styling when wet. If you have curly hair, wet styling loosens your curls, resets your natural curl pattern, and allows you to precisely style each curl. Plus, for those with tighter textures, dry styling can pose some major challenges. When the water from your hair dries and it already has a coat of hydrating products in it, it's less susceptible to frizz, dryness, and brittleness. Also, since hair is pliable when wet, wet styling gives curly hair types an opportunity to pull their strands into a smoother shape that lasts.

The Best Ways to Wet Style Your Hair

Read ahead for the best no-heat wet hairstyles to master this season.

Slick Back

To the untrained eye, the slick back might look like you've just stepped out of the shower, but there's more to this edgy look than you might think. Rub a cream gel between your hands and smooth through your soaking wet hair from front to back, squeezing the excess water from your strands. Comb through to get it all in place and finish by smoothing out the comb lines with your fingers. Place a bobby pin behind each ear to hold the look in place.

Braids

Divide your hair into four sections. Rake a palmful of curl cream through each section, and starting at your hairline, create a three-strand braid where you cross the strands under, rather than over each other. Repeat with each section until you have four braids total. Once your hair is dry, unravel the braids and use your fingers to separate and style your curls with a dab of curl cream where needed.

Sock Bun Waves

For soft, heatless, wavy hair, the sock bun is one of the easiest ways to wet style. Rake your hair into a loose, high ponytail on the very top of your head. Secure your high pony with a hair tie and don't tie it too tight. Slide a rolled-up sock around the base of your pony, then grab the tail and wrap it around until you get to the ends. Pin them in place to secure. In the morning or once your hair is dry, unwrap your hair to let it down. Use your fingers and an anti-frizz cream or curl gel oil to separate the curls.

Accessorize

Styling wet hair couldn’t be easier than with a go-to hair accessory. Keep these on hand to make your wet hair styling a breeze.

Bobby pins — Rub your styling product of choice through wet hair and tuck one side behind your ear; secure with a bobby pin.
Claw clip — Apply your styler and part your wet hair down the middle and twist the bulk of it up into a claw clip for a polished, 90’s look.
Headband — Pull your wet hair back into a bun or leave it loose and throw in some sea salt spray before pairing with a headband to hold your hair away from your face
Silk scarf — A silk head scarf is a must-have hair accessory when it comes to styling wet hair. But it's not just for looks —silk keeps the moisture in your hair and helps prevent dryness and flyaways. Braid your hair in a straight braid down your back or twist it into a low bun and throw a silk scarf over the top while it dries.

Final Thoughts on Wet Hair Styling

With proper care and the right products, wet styling can do wonders for the health of your hair. Wet hair styling boosts moisture, reduces damage, and improves curl definition. For shiny, happy hair this season, stock up on all your Davines summer favorites and these summer recipes inspired by our Essential Haircare Line. Our products are free of harmful toxins, and are made with renewable energy and packaging that minimizes the environmental impact. Our hair care isn’t just good for your hair, it’s good for the planet.

by Jaclyn LaBadia, featured contributor

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1 Réponse

Paula Medeiros-Delorenzo

janvier 18, 2024

I have coarse color treated hair that’s frizzy.. what styling products can I use for styling with a blowout or just leaving it to dry naturally without heat?

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Wet Hair Styling

The Pros of Wet Hair Styling

How does wet styling affect certain hair types?