Behind the Gloss: Achieve the Wet Hair Look with 2024’s Trend-setting Products

It’s hard to put a finger on why the wet look is so appealing. Perhaps it’s because it makes us think of emerging from a cool body of water or that it generally evokes moisture, which inevitably makes us think of youth.

Needless to say, the wet look is hot. Both sultry and sleek with the right amount of edge, it’s been making a particular comeback on the red carpet these days. Perhaps you’d like to try this relatively easy style on yourself.

If mimicking this look is something you’re considering, you’re going to need the best wet hair look products to achieve it. Depending on your hair type, you’ll need anywhere from one to three items in your arsenal—namely, a great gel, a moisturizing mousse or cream, and potentially some shine spray or hair spray to hold it all in place.

Whether you’re planning a glamorous look for a specific event or you just happen to like the way your hair looks when juicy and shiny, the wet look is surprisingly simple to create. But before we get into the specifics of the best wet hair look products, let’s take a look at the detailed steps below that will help get you there.

How To Get The Wet Look

1. Wash and Towel-Dry Hair: It might seem logical to start with dripping wet hair, but this won’t absorb any product. Instead, towel-dry clean hair so that it’s damp. If you have a lot of hair, pin half of it up and start working with the bottom half of your hair. If your hair dries quickly, you may want a spray bottle on hand for spritzing on water.
2. Grab your Cream: Unless you have fine hair, your best bet is to combine both cream or mousse and gel in your hands and apply them together. The cream and mousse will moisturize your hair, and the gel will hold it in place and enhance shine. Fine hair types typically work well with just gel. Apply more than you think here to get your hair super ‘wet.’
3. Style As Desired: With your lower half wetted, you can now take down the top part of your hair and lay down your part, and style your hair exactly how you’d like it. Then, continue with the same method above, coating the hair root to the tip.
4. Add Shine Serum and Hair Spray: A shine serum or hair oil will give your wet look the extra shine it needs to stay like that all day or night. Hair spray will tame any rogue flyaways and will hold your look in place.

Key Takeaways 

In search for the best hair products for wet hair look, I began by poring over hundreds of photos, customer reviews, and even my own bathroom cabinet until I whittled it down to the 10 finalists you see on this list.

Overall, the top among the best wet hair look products is SexyHair Hard Up Holding Gel because it uses high shine and extreme hold to give all hair types that sexy, drenched look. If your hair is thin and fine, try Aussie Instant Freeze Hair Gel.

Why it’s great: This gel was pretty much made for wet hair looks. Using a level 10 hold, it strongly secures the hair in place while also taming flyaways and blocking out humidity without tamping down hair. To boost the ultra-hydrated appearance of hair, it uses mica and titanium as shining agents.

And the blue color isn’t just for fun, it actually reflects light and adds shine to hair.

Who is this for: This product works on all hair types; but if your hair is long or thick, you’ll appreciate the maximum hold it offers. One reviewer noted how the style held throughout a workout. Now that’s one of the best wet hair look products.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: Some reviewers aren’t a fan of the blue color, which can sometimes leave a blue residue on hands afterwards.

Type of product: Styling Gel | Benefits: Shine, hold, humidity resistance | Size: 5.1 oz | Hair Type: All | Scent: Aloe

Why it’s great: Boasting long-lasting hold and a high, glossy shine, this unscented gel is perfect for achieving the wet look and a worthy inclusion on this list of the best wet hair look products. The thick, paste-like gel is even good for fine hair and adds body to that hair texture, which it usually can use.

I like that it utilizes natural ingredients like grape seed oil, which has a high content of vitamin E, a natural sealant that keeps moisture in the hair, and peppermint, a free radical scavenger and antioxidant. Regardless of the style you want for your wet look, this is going to provide a ‘stiff’ hold that still feels touchable.

Who is this for: Of all the gels on this list of the best wet hair look products, I feel like this one is good for all hair types, though perhaps not super tight coils. I like the fact that it’s good for fine hair.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: Ironically, even though it’s scentless, which is great for those with allergies, several reviewers complained about the smell.

Type of product: Styling Gel | Benefits: Shine | Size: 6.7 oz | Hair Type: Wavy | Scent: Natural

Why it’s great: It’s a great idea to mix a styling cream with your gel for adequate hold and hydration. I love this one from Moroccanoil because it is light yet moisturizing and rich in antioxidants like argan oil. Reviewers say it does a great job at conditioning hair and taming frizz and flyaways. Not to mention, it smells amazing – all the more reason it’s one of the best wet hair look products.

Who is this for: If your hair is thick, wavy, or curly, then you can add this to your gel to properly coat your hair in moisture.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: Because it’s thick and hydrating, it may not be the best for fine hair types.

Type of product: Styling Cream | Benefits: Tames frizz, moisturizes | Size: 2.5, 10 oz | Hair Type: Wavy, Normal, Thick | Scent: Not listed

Why it’s great: Although most gels can help you achieve the wet look, it takes a certain amount of hold and shine to get you there. I like this gel because it’s specifically formulated for creating wet looks.

The consistency is thinner than you would expect, and a little product goes a long way here. It gives a medium hold and high shine that doesn’t leave hair sticky or stiff.

Who is this for: If you plan on wearing your wet hair look down and want a little bit of movement or can manage some flexibility with your style, this gel is one of the best wet hair look products for that.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: Because the consistency is looser and the hold isn’t a death grip, it’s not the best for a high quiff or similar hairstyles.

Type of product: Styling Gel | Benefits: Shine | Size: 3.4, 6.8, 16.9 oz | Hair Type: All | Scent: Complex citrus herbal with notes or lemon and neroli

Why it’s great: Sometimes gel just isn’t cutting it in terms of ‘wetness.’ If you need a boost of shine on top of your wet look to enhance slipperiness, then this serum is a good option. It’s not too expensive, and a little goes a long way, so it’s going to last longer than a few months.

Primarily, it works to condition the hair and seals the cuticles to keep humidity out and tamp down on frizz. This leaves hair soft and touchable, although I don’t recommend touching your wet look too much. Consider this as a top coating for your hair.

Who is this for: You’re probably going to need a touch of shine if your hair is particularly thick or coarse and the gel/cream combo isn’t quite cutting it. A pump or two of this serum will pump up the juicy factor of your wet look.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: Although it’s fine to work this into hair, I do wish it came in a spray bottle so it could simply be spritzed on top of the hair without further manipulation.

Type of product: Serum | Benefits: Shine, humidity-resistant | Size: 5.1 oz | Hair Type: All | Scent: Juicy citrus

Why it’s great: This gel makes helmet hair sexy. With the shine and flexibility of wax and control of a gel, it blocks out humidity, enhances moisture, and gives the hair tons of shine without weighing it down in a greasy manner.

Even though it’s a little pricier than the rest of the items on this list of the best wet hair look products, I like that it uses natural ingredients like coconut oil, keratin, and sunflower seed extract to promote hair health. If you need high definition, hold, and shine, this is your one of your best bets.

Who is this for: Of course, this gel works well for achieving the wet look, but it also enhances what you’ve already got going on. If your hair is long and you want to achieve a sky-high quiff, or if you’d like to shape curls out of your wavy hair, this is the product for it.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: Although it does contain some moisturizing elements, I wouldn’t say it’s very moisturizing. Combine with gel or cream, and consider adding a hair oil on top for extra shine.

Type of product: Styling Gel | Benefits: Shine, hold, definition | Size: 5 oz | Hair Type: All | Scent: Lotus flower, cedarwood, cyclamen, bergamot, tonka beans, wild fig

Why it’s great: Some gels are stronger than others, and this budget pick can do some heavy lifting. If you have thick, curly, coily, or wavy hair, then you need an adequate gel. This one smoothes the cuticle layer to fight frizz and enhance moisture control.

In the hand, it feels moderately thick but dries light and shiny without weighing hair down. I also like it for those trying to achieve a specific style because it does a great job of defining hair and keeping it in place.

Who is this for: Thick and textured hair will do well with this gel, especially when paired with a hydrating mousse or cream pomade.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: If your hair is medium to thin, then this gel will likely be too thick for you.

Type of product: Styling Gel | Benefits: Shine, frizz control  | Size: 8 oz | Hair Type: Wavy, Curly, Coily, Thick | Scent: Olive oil

Why it’s great: I like this gel as an option for the best wet hair look products because it’s affordable and has a strong hold without weighing down the hair. And it doesn’t get crusty or crunchy, which can sometimes happen with too much hair gel.

It’s actually ideal for fine hair types, which can become too flat or greasy with other gels. Hair nourishing ingredients like jojoba oil and sea kelp help protect the health of your hair while achieving a sexy wet look.

Who is this for: Because of its consistency, I would say that it’s best on thin and fine-normal hair types. If your hair is thicker, then I wouldn’t recommend it because you’ll likely end up using too much product.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: Because it’s so great for fine hair, it’s not ideal for the weight and density of thicker hair. For that texture, turn to Eco Style.

Type of product: Styling Gel | Benefits: Shine | Size: 21 oz | Hair Type: Fine | Scent: Citrus and Aquatic

Why it’s great: Because your goal is to slick hair in a wet look, it can easily be flattened. I like combining gel with a mousse because it gives hair a boost of volume in addition to moisture. This one is infused with Abyssinian oil for that.

As for hold, it’s soft and flexible yet controlled, so hair isn’t flopping everywhere, nor is it ridiculously stiff. This is a nice, lightweight product to enhance your wet look.

Who is this for: It’s great for enhancing curly hair and adding volume to people with fine hair or those looking to create a lot of volume with their wet hair look.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: As much as I love this mousse, people have had trouble with the top being faulty.

Type of product: Mousse | Benefits: Defines curls, volumizes | Size: 7.2 oz | Hair Type: All | Scent: Not listed

Why it’s great: After 13 years in the fashion biz, the smell of Elnett is pretty much iconic. The gold can has been the gold standard in the industry for decades, and it makes the perfect finishing touch on your wet look hairstyle.

I love this option for the best wet hair look products because it provides excellent value for the money. And even though it gives hair a serious hold, you can still brush through it as needed without that stiff, crunchy feeling.

Who is this for: If your wet hair look involves some sort of style, like a quiff, you’ll need hairspray to keep it all in place. Even if you’re in a humid environment, it’s going to control your hair.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: If you have fine hair, then you may need quite a bit of product to get everything to stay in place.

Type of product: Hairspray | Benefits: Shine | Size: 2.2, 7, 11oz | Hair Type: All | Scent: Unscented

Buying Considerations for The Best Wet Hair Look Products 

Hold

Gel not only gives hair that glossy appearance, but it also holds the style in place and locks moisture in. Wet looks are highly versatile and can be worn slicked back or quiffed up, depending on your preference.

You’re going to need a good hold for that. Look for gels that boast a level 10 or a strong hold. Fortunately, any options on this list of the best wet hair look products will do.

Shine

Shine is also key when searching for the best men’s hair products for wet hair look. That’s why it’s a good idea to combine a gel with a cream or mousse for that extra gleam that helps hair look wet.

Once your style is complete, if you feel like you need more shine, a serum or oil is perfect for that. Apply a few pumps on top to coat the strands and enhance your wet look.

Type of product

The best wet hair look products are definitely styling gels, but unless you have fine hair, they shouldn’t be the only product you’re using. You’ll likely need to combine cream or mousse with your gel to coat the hair properly in moisture.

Although hair spray and a shine serum or oil are a bonus, they can be necessary for locking your hair into place, especially if you’re wearing a slicked back look and don’t want to deal with flyaways. You’ll find those, too, on this list of the best wet hair look products.

How We Chose 

Many hair products claim to hold down hair, give it shine, and promote the wet look you’re going for. But let’s face it, not all of them work. So, whenever possible, I choose products like gels, creams, and serums from reputable brands with effective, well-known ingredients.

I sifted through hundreds of customer reviews, photos, and listings, landing on my top 10 best wet hair look products by choosing things that people rate highly and typically buy again.

Company Reputation: Do people love it? Have I heard of it during my extensive time in the fashion and beauty business? I prioritize companies that I know make products that work, ensuring their customers are satisfied.

Customer Reviews: This is the best way to ensure that a product is making people happy. What are they saying online? Are the same complaints or accolades appearing time and again?

I assess not only what people are saying but also how often they are saying it, to determine whether a product is worth its salt and worthy of inclusion on this list of the best wet hair look products.

Value: I determine a product’s value based on how much product you receive for the price and how much needs to be used to determine whether it’s of good value. Is it breaking the bank but totally worth every penny? Or is it simply too expensive considering how much is needed to get the job done?

All of these factors come into play before I choose to highlight a product.

Why trust us?

When it comes to navigating the vast world of the best wet hair look products, Rachel at FashionBeans has established herself as a trusted authority in grooming and fashion.

Her expertise isn’t born just out of a passion for sustainable and eco-friendly beauty solutions but also from rigorous testing and research. Rachel’s commitment to uncovering the best products in the market shines through in her comprehensive reviews and recommendations.

We’re not kidding when we say this is her field of expertise. She can write about deodorants and soaps until the cows come home. Rachel’s work is a testament to her expertise in the grooming and fashion domain, making her advice on wet hair look products  invaluable.

Through her detailed analysis and firsthand experience, she provides readers with a trusted source of information, helping them make informed decisions in their pursuit of healthier, more sustainable grooming products.

Final Verdict 

The best wet hair look products need to have a strong hold, give hair a high shine, and should be suitable to all hair types, like SexyHair Style Hard Up Holding Gel. It uses shining agents like mica and titanium to enhance hair’s sultry wetness.