How to pull off this season’s hottest hair trend

It’s uptown girl meets beach babe. Unlike most textured looks that use powder and salt sprays to play up waves and layers, this slick version uses gel.

Loke says: “If you have straight hair and want to create texture, curl hair with styling tongs, then brush out into loose waves. Spray on a shine-enhancing product like Kevin.Murphy Shimmer Shine Repairing Shine Mist to create a wet, glossy effect. Finish with a small amount of soft-hold gel to lend definition to the waves without making hair hard and ‘crunchy’.”

Outfit: Nylon bustier mini-dress with velvet-panelled leg-of-mutton sleeves, Chanel

This is a high-power look that means business, but is easy to achieve. Simply apply hair gel from roots to ends, then use a wide-tooth comb to distribute the product evenly and create neat lines. Smooth down the sides with your palms and finish with generous amounts of shine mist or gloss serum to maintain a wet finish.

Outfit: Tulle top with asymmetrical feathered detail, Givenchy

Apply gel through hair and tie back into a knot or ponytail. Don’t be fussed if it isn’t perfect or if there are stray hairs – the point is to look sexily dishevelled. Run fingers lightly through hair to create a bit of messy texture. You can also tease some strands loose at the crown so they frame the face.

Outfit: Wool turtleneck sweater with cut-out decolletage slit, Moncler. Wool undergarment, Miu Miu

An elegant, futuristic take on the ordinary ponytail. “Apply gel from the crown to the nape, and slick down flyaways and baby hair. Use a fine-tooth comb to pull hair back smoothly and neatly, then secure with a hair tie. You can also apply a little gloss serum or soft-hold gel on the tail if you want that section to look wet as well, or have a fixed shape,” says Loke.

Outfit: Calfskin boilersuit with zipper details, Dior

This effortless look plays on the contrast between wet and dry finishes. “The half-gelled, half-dry style can be easily created. And it works for almost everyone as you’re just applying gel to the top part of hair, while leaving the length dry,” says Loke.

Use a soft-hold, water-based gel or a shine-enhancing one like IGK Rich Kid Coconut Oil Gel to create a beautiful wet sheen without stiffness. “If you want a neat finish, pull hair back with a comb after applying gel. For a looser, more casual look, run through with fingers instead,” says Loke.

Outfit: Wool oversized jacket and nylon fringed midi skirt, Prada

PHOTOGRAPHY Veronica Tay
STYLING Daryll Alexius Yeo
HAIR Junz Loke, using Kevin.Murphy
MAKEUP Wee Ming, using Clarins
MANICURE Rebecca Chuang/Flutterytips
MODEL Vivien Ong/Mannequin

This article first appeared in the October 2020 issue of Her World.

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