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Perfectly polished locks will translate off the runways this upcoming party season

Season after season, varying iterations of wet-look hair make their way onto the catwalks, slowly convincing onlookers of the style’s visual appeal. And, after seeing the highly polished versions modelled during this fashion month, we are finally ready to take the trend from runway to real life.

High-gloss hair – a chicer, more wearable take on the look – was all over the spring/summer 2023 shows at New York and London Fashion Week (something we predict will continue at the Milan and Paris shows).

Our favourite take on the trend was at Erdem in London (pictured top and above), where seasoned backstage stylist Adam Reed gave models a look he described as “city slick”. Impossibly elegant, the down ‘dos were styled in deep side partings, lacquered to perfection, with a barely-there loose wave in the lengths.

To create the style, he combined the L’Oréal Professionnel Tecni.Art Fix Max Strong Hold Gel and L’Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox Oil in a bowl, mixing them to create "a flexible gel shine formula". (The combination, he explained, gives an incredibly strong hold while being easy to wash out.) Reed then applied this formula with a hair colouring brush, ensuring a smooth application, starting from the scalp and dragging the product down to just behind the ear on both sides.

Side parts also featured in the high-gloss hairstyle at Eudon Choi, though here a retro wave began at the models’ hairlines. Elsewhere during London Fashion Week, stylist Gary Gill gave girls at Molly Goddard slicked back, ultra-low ponytails; the mirror shine reflecting from the front in contrast to matte make-up. At Huishan Zhang a similar shape was achieved, where hair was slicked away from the face but left loose at the back.

Similarly, on the Badgley Mischka runway in New York, a duel textured look was presented, with glossy roots and soft, tousled ends. Perhaps the most wearable of all depictions, this style felt directional and glamorous in equal measure – making it perfect inspiration for the looming party season.

At Nensi Dojaka, stylist Cyndia Harvey proved it can work well for textured hair as well. While it may require more styling product, the look beautifully enhances shine in curls, while potentially nourishing thirsty textures, too. Pass the hair oil.