The slick hair trend has emerged as one of the top beauty looks on the runway at New York Fashion Week’s fall 2024 shows. Designers like Christian Siriano, Helmut Lang, Coach, and Laquan Smith all sent models down the catwalk with gelled, wet-looking hairstyles, indicating that slick locks will be a major trend for the upcoming fall season.
The Christian Siriano show featured sculptural, slicked-back chignons with gold flake accents created by celebrity stylist Lacy Redway. “My inspiration for this look is quite literally a reflection of Christian’s collection,” Redway said. “When I first saw the clothes, I wanted to mirror the reflectiveness of the designs in the hair while also indulging in blunt and unique textures that make the look feel fun and futuristic.”
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Redway and her team used Dyson’s new Supersonic dryer and generous amounts of Tresemmé Mega Control gel, which delivered the high-shine finish on the models’ hair. The $7 gel provides a strong, flexible hold while leaving hair with a slick, reflective look.
At Helmut Lang, the models sported edgy, slicked-back styles that aligned with creative director Peter Do’s vision of fashion as both armor and adornment. The hair exuded a sexy confidence while also looking neat and utilitarian. “Makeup artist Daniel Sallstrom wanted the models to look like they had done their makeup perfectly, then stepped outside and faced the elements,” MAC Cosmetics said on Instagram, complementing the slick hair trend.
Coach, too, embraced the wet look in its fall/winter 2024 show. The straight, shiny styles contrasted beautifully with the collection’s delicate fabrics and feminine accents like bow sweaters and ruffled skirts. The juxtaposition of hard and soft was elegant and intriguing.
image credits: Vogue
Slick hair trend was spotted on the couture runways last month as well, with standout looks at Schiaparelli, Fendi, and Giambattista Valli. The slick hair trend spans seasons and continents, suggesting its influence will extend through fall 2024 and beyond.
Slick hair trend And NYFW 2024
Laquan Smith’s New York Fashion Week show featured another take on slick hair, with tight, sculptural buns punctuated by pencils as hair accessories. “I took inspiration from the unapologetic strength and glamour of female power brokers; from executives of 1980’s Wall Street to the vixens of Studio 54,” Smith said. Celebrity stylist Lacy Redway and her team used blow-dry cream, heat protection spray, mousse, and hairspray from Tresemmé to create the elegant up-dos. Pencils placed in the buns paid homage to office culture with a playful nod.
Redway said, “The hair inspo always starts with the collection for me. For this show, I wanted to elevate how we see traditional buns by making them feel more cool and modern.” The diversity of textures and accessories with the sleek hair perfectly matched Smith’s mix of suits, bodysuits, and edgy feminine pieces.
image credits: Harper’s BAZAAR
Makeup artist Raisa Flowers complemented the sleek hair at Laquan Smith with what she called “the office siren trend” for makeup. Models wore bold, cool-toned eyeshadows and nude or burgundy lipstick shades. Flowers said she “was inspired by the suited and very working woman” aesthetic of Smith’s collection. The makeup looks were strong yet refined.
These statements on the fall 2024 runways confirm slick hair trend as one of the top trends of the season. The versatility of the look allows it to be styled elegantly for evening or edgily for day. Products like mousse, gel, and hairspray enable the creation of the slick styles at home.
The key steps for recreating wet hair involve using heat protection before blow drying, then working gel evenly through damp hair. Blow dry hair straight back while brushing it flat. Finish with hairspray to lock in shine and hold. Add accessories like pencils or gold flakes for extra panache.
The sleek trend has emerged partly as a backlash against the big hair that dominated previous seasons. While voluminous locks still have influence, evidenced by stars like Miley Cyrus, many designers are shifting focus to straighter, tighter styles. The wet look conveys a sense of refined control and precision.
image credits: Harper’s BAZAAR
Slick hair also provides a chic contrast to feminine fashion. Its hardness plays against soft ruffles, delicate prints, and whimsical accessories. Models at Coach and Laquan Smith demonstrated this dynamic beautifully on the catwalk.
The appeal of sleek hair lies in its versatility as well. It can be molded into either tight updos or flowing straight styles. It can appear sharp or romantic based on accompanying makeup and clothing. This adaptability makes it an excellent trend for women with differing tastes and lifestyles.
The staying power of any trend remains difficult to predict, but slick hair has been building momentum for several seasons. With the endorsements of top designers for fall 2024, the wet look seems poised for widespread popularity through the next year. Its chameleon-like ability to transform will help it appeal across demographics.
Of course, many individuals will continue opting for volume, curls, and other beloved textures. But the stars have aligned for slick hair trend, launching it to the forefront of beauty. For those desiring a look that commands attention, embodies strength, and works everywhere from the office to parties, gelled styles will lead the way. Slick hair is poised to claim its position as the trend of the moment and reign through 2024 as a top statement maker.