10 Celebrity "Wet-Look" Hairstyles To Try This Summer
Our take
The resurgence of the “wet look” hairstyle, championed by celebrities and now poised for a summer takeover, isn’t merely a fleeting trend; it speaks to a larger shift in how we perceive and approach beauty. While ease and practicality often dominate summer styling, the wet look offers a deliberate, almost defiant elegance. It’s a statement—a confident assertion of style even amidst the humidity and heat. The trend’s popularity aligns with the broader aesthetic landscape we’ve been observing, one that favors a polished, effortless cool. It’s reminiscent of the sleek sophistication highlighted in I Shop For A Living & These Are The Looks I'm Wearing After Dark, where understated chic reigns supreme. The wet look, in its own way, achieves a similar effect: a sense of considered artistry without the visible effort, a quiet luxury in its execution. This isn't about fighting the summer elements; it's about embracing them with a touch of intentional glamour.
The cyclical nature of fashion means we’re seeing echoes of past aesthetics, but the modern interpretation of the wet look is distinct. Gone are the overtly gelled, stiff styles of the early 2000s. Today's iteration is softer, more fluid, often achieved with texturizing sprays and serums that mimic the appearance of damp hair without the actual discomfort. This speaks to a broader desire for styles that feel both polished and natural. The recent spotlight on Dua Lipa's wedding weekend wardrobe, showcasing designers like Bottega Veneta and Chloé, reinforces this sensibility; her choices demonstrated a refined elegance, a timeless quality that resonates with the current mood. Dua Lipa's Wedding Weekend Wardrobe Ranged From Bottega Veneta To Chloé exemplifies a careful curation of luxury, a deliberate avoidance of ostentation – a principle that translates beautifully to hair styling as well. Even the embrace of bold eyewear, as seen with the return of bug-eye sunglasses, Bug-Eye Sunglasses Are The Eyewear Trend Of The Summer, speaks to a willingness to experiment with statement pieces, while still maintaining a sense of curated cool.
The appeal of the wet look also lies in its adaptability. It can be styled sleek and straight for a sophisticated evening look or tousled and textured for a more casual daytime vibe. It's a versatile style that caters to a range of personal aesthetics, from minimalist to maximalist. Furthermore, the ease of achieving the look—given the right products—contributes to its practicality. It’s a style that prioritizes an impression of effortlessness, a hallmark of modern luxury. The focus moves away from complex techniques and towards the strategic use of products to enhance and sculpt natural texture. This mirrors a broader cultural shift toward self-care and embracing one’s natural beauty, while still indulging in a touch of intentional styling. It's about feeling confident and comfortable in your skin, and choosing a hairstyle that reflects that inner assurance.
Looking ahead, the wet look’s enduring popularity will likely depend on its continued evolution. As product formulations improve and styling techniques become more refined, we can anticipate even more nuanced and sophisticated iterations of the trend. Will we see a shift towards incorporating more personalized textures and finishes? Perhaps an exploration of wet-look variations tailored to different hair types and lengths? Or will the trend eventually dissolve into something entirely new, a testament to the ever-changing nature of beauty? The key will be maintaining that balance between deliberate styling and effortless ease, a quality that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of modern femininity.
It can be easy to fall back on a tried and true — and limited — selection of hairstyles any time of the year. But it’s especially easy in the summertime, when often, the top priority is simply to keep cool and try not to sweat out your look. Still, even amid the humid days and sweltering rays, there will be times when you want to opt for something a little more done up than a classic ponytail. And when those opportunities present themselves, consider trying out a celebrity-approved style that always makes waves (even when worn straight): The wet look.
Wet-look hairstyles are defined by their effortless texture — which can be curly, wavy, or straight — and super glossy finish that appears, well, wet. The vibe can be achieved via air-drying, if you want to wear your own texture, or on curled or flat-ironed hair; either way, you’ll need plenty of gel or pomade. A wet finish can transform a bouncy bob or piecey pixie into a sleek, futuristic style (as Zendaya has done many times), or turn a bouncy supermodel blowout into a dreamy mermaid moment. It can make curls look even more sculptural — just ask Tessa Thompson — or add a tactile element to straight styles, as demonstrated by stars like Ashley Graham and Lara Raj.
Intrigued? Scroll on for ten of our favorite celeb-approved ways to wear the wet look.
Selena Gomez
Gomez put her bob into hydro mode for a Rare Beauty event. By directing the hair to the side, hairstylist Marissa Marino created a look that was more “beachy” than “futuristic.”
Zendaya
Zendaya often opts for a wet look, usually swept back off her face. But for the season three premiere of Euphoria, the actress and her go-to hairstylist, Ursula Stephen, went for piecey moment. It was the perfect effortless match for her slinky brown halter dress.
Florence Pugh
Another celeb who loves a wet look is Pugh. Here, she paired a combed-back pompadour with bold neon eye makeup for a pretty yet punk vibe.
Tyla
For the 2026 Met Gala, hairstylist Yusef gave Tyla wet-looking curls to go with her dripping-in-glitter, fresh-from-the-sea makeup.
Teyana Taylor
Speaking of “fresh from the sea,” at the 52nd AMAs, Taylor rocked a “mermaid mullet” that was as elegant as it was daring.
Leslie Bibb
Bibb’s bob was the breakout hair star of 2025. While the actor wore the blunt cut numerous ways, this side-parted hydro bob was certainly one of the standouts.
Tessa Thompson
What do you wear with a wave-inspired sea blue gown and glossy lids? Immaculately sculptured curls with a drenched sheen, of course. Hairstylist Lacy Redway gave Thompson exactly that for the 2026 Met Gala.
Ashley Graham
Graham’s Met Gala wet look featured minimal waves and a straighter texture. Stylist Gonn Kinoshita said the hair was designed to capture “the feeling of emerging from water.” He continued: “We wanted it to mirror the dress — fluid and subtly sculptural, yet still soft and effortless.”
Katy Perry
“Shipwrecked, but make it fashion” was the vibe Perry went for at the 2024 MTV VMAs. (Complimentary.) The glossy wet waves were a highlight of the look.
Lara Raj
For Spotify’s Best New Artist 2026, Katseye’s Raj went with a straight, wet-finished ‘do. The lack of a defined part gave the style an especially effortless energy.
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