If, like many, you’ve cut your hair into some type of bob in the past year, you might be after some inspiration on how to style it. Short hairstyles have been dominating for the past year, and while long hair has seemingly endless styling opportunities, you’d be forgiven for thinking that shorter haircuts have fewer options. But, there is one hairstyle that celebrities with bob haircuts have been wearing lately, and it’s so chic and wearable, you’ll want to wear it too. In fact, Tom Smith hairstylist and international artist in residence at Billi Currie, has coined it the ‘Hydro Bob’, and he says we can expect it to be a huge hair trend this spring.
Laura Harrier has embraced the hydro bob with slicked-back hair and wet-look lengths.
“Reminiscent of last springs ‘Boy Bob’ this style is an androgynous and editorial look that is drenched in gloss and moisture and incredibly practical to achieve,” says Smith. The wet-look hairstyle is officially back for Spring, and Smith says that this one that suits everyone.
“The shape can be tailored to the individual, working with their features to create a length that sits between lips and the mid-neck and then the use of styling product to give definition and hold makes it a great haircut for those who like their hair to feel controlled and refined,” he says. “Tucked behind one or both ears this can be combined with spring’s popular side partings or single strands.”
The wet-look is a great option for evening when you want to make a statement, and another plus is that it’s so easy to achieve. Before you go rushing out to buy hair gel, Smith says that you recreate the look with hydrating hair products that you have already.
“While nourishing leave-in creams such as Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother are ideal for the definition and hydration this style requires, a great trick for those who don’t find the time to do weekly masks or treatments is to simply style the hair with your favourite moisture mask,” he says. “This will give the semi-wet-look effect and allow your hair to soak in goodness at the same time.”
Ready to embrace the hydro bob? Scroll ahead for our favourite celebrity wet-look bob hair looks we’ve saved, and how to create the wet-look hairstyle.
Jennifer Lopez wore her bob haircut in a wet look hairstyle for Paris Haute Couture Week, tucking her hair behind the ears and letting a couple of face-framing tendrils loose.
I adore America Ferrera’s ultra-sleek wet-look bob that is tucked behind the ears and worn with a middle parting.
Rihanna shows us how to do the wet look on curls—it’s giving goddess. Layering curl gels or hair masks are a great way to achieve the wet look.
Combing a hair serum like Colorwow Pop & Lock Gloss (£20) through the lengths with a comb will help you to achieve this sleek look seen on Hailey Bieber.
Ayo Edebiri side-parted take on the wet-look bob is both stylish and timeless.
Laura Harrier wears the hyrdo bob trend here again, this time in a more casual style tucked behind the ears.
Lori Harvey wears her super sleek wet-look bob with her kiss curls.
I’m bookmarking this wet-look lob style for summer for when you want a pool-to-beach bar hairstyle.
This side-parted wet-look bob on Rochelle Humes just exudes glamour.
It seems Hailey is a big fan on the wet-look bob, wearing it again here in a side parting.
Taylor Hill stepped out a Milan Fashion Week with this curly wet-look bixie cut, and I’m obsessed.
The key with wet-look hair is that you don’t want your hair to be dripping wet with gel, so you’re better off saturating your hair with a high shine serum to achieve the wet look without it actually feeling wet. Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton regularly uses this Color Wow serum to achieve wet-look hair on the likes of J.Lo and Kim Kardashian.
With this style, you want to avoid using products like mousses that dry and leave hair crispy. R&Co’s Moisture + Shine Lotion is another great option to flood hair with hydration and gloss without feeling sticky.
A comb will help you to evenly distribute the product through your lengths and help to shape the hair, whether you’re sweeping it back of tucking it behind your ears.
Smith’s top tip? Use leave-in styling treatments to double up as a wet-look style and nourishing treatment in one.
You could also use a hydrating hair mask on wet hair to channel the hydro bob. This one from Amika is one of our favourites.
Curl creams and jellies lend themselves brilliantly to naturally curly hair, as they leave both a gloss and definition that can be layered up for a ultra-glossy wet-look style.
This lightweight hair oil is a great finisher on top of product for extra gloss. It also smells incredible.
A shine spray is a must for finishing your look with an expensive-looking lustre. GHD’s is my favourite.
Up Next, 6 Super Pretty Ways to Style Your Bob Haircut for Party Season