Sorry to the 90s Blow Wave, We’re All About Water Wave Hair Now

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Last year we announced that the blow wave was back, but now we’re eating our hats (or blow dryers), because this week’s Grammy Awards saw “water wave” hair enter the chat. Suddenly, the trend is competing with the bob for the title of ‘Hair Trend of 2023’, and we’re loving it.

We first spotted water wave hair — an update on the wet hair trend — on the runway at Paris Fashion Week, where hairstylist Delphine Courteille created soft, touchable waves with the lustre of actual liquid. Less “wet” than “lit from within”, we found ourselves mesmerised and desperately searching for shine products.

Then, at the Grammys, celebrities from Beyoncé, to Megan Fox, Camila Cabello and Lizzo showed off variations of the trend. Water waves sit between traditional “wet look” hairstyles and a blowout. They have a soft, malleable shine and touch ability, rather than the glass “crunch” of traditional wet hairstyles.

Wet hairstyles are always a tightrope — the wrong product can make your hair look dull, stiff, crunchy, or like an oil slick. No one wants that, so we called on Jaye Edwards. He’s the owner and founder of Edwards and Co and has mastered the wet look tightrope in his years as a hair stylist, so we knew we could get reliable advice on how to recreate this trend at home.

How to Create Wet Look Water Wave Hair:

Water wave hair is all about working with your hair’s natural texture for a look that feels organic and natural for an optimally organic look, and according to Edwards, the key to nailing the look lies in the right product.

“Start with rough dried hair, sitting in its natural texture,” says Edwards, “then, take one inch sections and saturate with ColorWow Pop and Lock.”

Edwards describes this product as “essential” for creating hair that is shiny and glossy, rather than greasy or sticky.

“Remember, use a lot and go section by section so the ‘wet’ is consistent,” he advises.

Next, it’s time to break out the curling iron, working in large sections to enhance natural texture. Edwards’ tip? To create an even more natural look, alternate the direction of each curl to give a natural, fresh-from-the-ocean mermaid-esque look.

Finally, use a root lifting spray around the hairline to frame the face. Edwards tells us that this creates an “expensive look, and avoids a greasy, flat vibe”, and we like the sound of that!

The Best Wet “Water Wave” Hair Products:

For Glossy Locks: Color Wow, Pop & Lock High Gloss Serum

This serum protects the hair cuticle for a liquid finish that lasts all day.

For Soft Waves on Straight Hair: ghd, Soft Curl Tong Hair Curler

If you have straight hair, opt for a round barrel curler that will create loose, natural waves.

For Defined Curls on Textured Hair: ghd,

For hair types with coils and natural curls, use a thin wand straightener to keep your glossy, wet look locks defined.

For a Lifted Look: Color Wow, Raise the Root Thicken and Lift Spray

To keep your wet hair look red carpet ready, tidy up your roots with a blast of volumising spray. This formula by Color Wow contains flexible polymers that create texture and hold without stiffness or crunch.