Hair How-To: A Wet-Look Rocker Grunge Runway Style

By Emily Arata & Powered By L’Oreal Professional Products Division

We are always on the hunt for ways to roll directly out of the bed and into our office clothes without spending an extra hour shampooing, conditioning, and styling our hair. Beauty publications love to extol the virtues of day-two hair, but few actually provide instructions on how to do it without looking like a dazed toddler with a cowlick.

Enter celebrity stylist Guido Palau. After decades spent styling influential New York Fashion Week runway models, he’s got a grip on the looks that real women want to wear. This year, he’s breaking down a unique variation on a rocker grunge hairstyle that’s inspired by stars of the ‘90s and the wet look hair trend.

Working with medium length hair that’s totally dry, Palau creates a sharp middle part. To channel the rockers of the ‘70s and ‘80s, this look requires a little height at the crown and dip at the neck. According to Palau, it’s the shape that can define the vibe of a hairstyle. Unexpected movement creates a rebellious feel.

If you’re taking inspiration from this style, don’t be afraid to get playful with it. Palau pushes the hair around the face forward and uses Redken’s Triple Take Hairspray 32 to lock it in place. For a more defined nighttime feeling, Redken’s Wax Blast 10 Finishing Hairspray Wax is an excellent choice for a final styling step.

In your daily life, wet look hair may not be the most practical style. However, Palau’s tricks can help you create a grungy look on second-day hair. Add a few spritzes of Redken’s Shine Flash 02 Shine Spray will complete any style.

Looking for more ways to make your hairstyle a little more rock and roll? We’ve got a few ideas for you.

Amp Up Your Texture

Whether your hair is curly, wavy, or something in between, it takes a punk rock attitude to wear your natural texture out into the world. We recommend investing in a hair dryer with a quality diffuser attachment to dry your hair without blowing your texture straight.

Mix Up Your Hair Color

Rainbow hair is fine and good, but there’s a way to try it that won’t totally overwhelm your complexion. We love a gray-based shade with sparkling hints of color to add edge to your look.

For a final punk finish, ask your stylist for blunt edges and baby bangs.

Change The Way You Style

There are two styling tricks that set punk-inspired hair apart from everything else: Texture and volume. Bring a grunge attitude to your everyday styles by adding metal accessories, using texturizing sprays, and generally amping up the drama wherever possible.

Interested in a customized styling session? Use our salon locator to book an appointment with a stylist near you.