All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Sure, Kendall looks super chic sporting the wet hair look. But if we try it, won’t it just seem like we got caught in the rain or something? It won’t if you follow these genius pro secrets! With a few dabs of gel and a swipe of bold lipstick, KJ’s hauteness is totally achievable.
Start With Damp (Not Wet) Hair
If your hair is completely soaked, the gel won’t have much to grip to and your hair will be too slippery to sculpt. Fifty to 70% dried hair is the perfect amount of moisture to get sleek. (AKA you can shower, watch an episode or two of OITNB, and then start styling).
Don’t Flake Out
Look for gel that’s alcohol free (try Bumble and Bumble’s Bb Gel), otherwise it may dry up throughout the day and turn white or flaky (yikes). On that note, try not to touch your sleek stands. Even the most forgiving gel formulas aren’t really designed to be messed with when they’ve hardened.
Apply Lots of Gel
More is more! Garnier stylist Tommy Buckett suggests starting with three quarter-size dollops and then adding extra as needed. The more you apply, the longer your style will stay wet and glossy and faaaabulous.
The Right Tools Are Everything
Once you’re gelled up, use a boar bristle brush (like Wigo 100% Boar Bristle) to smooth back your hair. The bristles will eliminate any bumps creating an intentional, super sculpted silhouette that does not look like you just jumped out of the shower — promise!
Throw Some Shade
If you have fine hair, coating on gel can sometimes make strands appear thinner and your scalp more noticeable. An easy fix: Fill in around the hairline or any sparse areas with eyeshadow that matches your tresses, suggests GHD brand ambassador Stephanie Brinkerhoff.
Make Your Ends Shine
You don’t want to apply gel to the length of your hair (that will make it crunchy and unnatural), but Tommy recommends adding a shine product (Garnier’s Sleek and Shine Brilliantine Glossing Spray is super easy to mist on) or coconut oil to create a cohesive glossy look and blur the difference in texture between the slicked-back roots and the soft, non-gelled section of your strands.
Lock It In
Once your style is in place, but before the gel has dried, Tommy recommends spritzing a sheer hairspray all over (from root to tip). This acts as extra reinforcement to keep the gel shiny and to prevent any baby hairs from popping up and messing with your super sleek effect.
Glam It Up
Commit to making a statement! If you wear this style with minimal makeup, jean shorts, and flip flops, it’ll seem like you just came from the beach. Instead, pair it with a red lip or smoky eye and a cool, cutout dress or top. This will create a more intentional, graphic vibe (and a look that is totes Kendall-approved).
Related: Kendall Jenner Just Cut Off Her Hair
