Fall Trends - Liquid Hair
Fall Trends - Liquid Hair
Author: Jenna White | San Francisco Hairstylist
October 8th, 2021
October 8th, 2021
I'm always on the hunt for timeless trends. In fashion, the little black dress’s qualities are classic, essential and elegant, but wearable. Like the LBD, sleek shiny hair at any length is an ongoing trend that we've see renditions of over time. The overall effect is reflective, healthy and straight hair. Today it's known as "liquid hair". This post is on how to get the look for your hair type.
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What is liquid hair?
This term refers to the look of shiny, straight hair (see pictures below for a visual). In 2018, we saw the same look being called "glass hair". In 2016, it was "pin straight" hair. The look's shiny appearance makes hair reflect light and appear fluid. It's probably the easiest “just-stepped-out-of-the-salon” look you can achieve at home.
How do you get liquid hair?
Having the correct tools and products is a must. The look is enhanced by using glossy products, which can be oil or cream-based. Aim not just for shine with your product choice, but also for shine luster. Some products have microscopic flecks of glitter that make their finishing effect more prominent when it comes to shine. For oil-based products, when trying them out for the first time start will a little (think dime-sized circle in your palm) and add more as needed. We want your hair to "shine", not look greasy and weighed down.
Start with the haircut.
This look’s signature is the shine, which is best paired with a cut that has minimal layers, if any at all. Whether it's long hair or a bob, the look is strong (see pictures below) and texture-less, with movement at your ends.
How to get the look on thicker hair with more texture.
This section is for anyone who has thick and/or textured/curly hair. The biggest challenge here is condensing and straightening the hair. You'll need to start with wet hair and blowdry it straight (as opposed to air-drying and then using a flat iron), otherwise the style will not last. Use a lot of force and tension when blowdrying. Don't be gentle when working to smooth your hair out. The more tension you create during the blowdry the straighter your hair will be.
Tools
A mixed boar-bristle brush works best. The tight bristles will grab onto every hair during the process (as opposed to a wider toothed brush), helping you hold tension when drying. It's the best option for condensing and organizing textured hair during a blowdry.
Blowdryer
A quality blow dryer is a must because it speeds up your drying time, which can be lengthy with thicker hair. High heat and high blow are the settings you'll use, and price plays a factor. A good blowdryer will usually cost $100+. Ask your hairdresser or barber for recommendations.
Blowdryer Pic Attachment
This is a piece that attaches to the end of your blowdryer. Instead of using a blowdryer and brush separately, you can use this attachment with a blowdryer alone to smooth your hair. Your hair will not come out as polished as it would with a boar-bristle brush, but consider it a second option if a brush and a blowdryer aren't working for you.
Flat Iron
I recommend 380-400 degrees for straightening textured hair. Start at 380 and increase as needed. The goal here is to pass over each section once (versus multiple times) and move on. Similar to blowdryers, price matters for a good flat iron as well. The hottest ones made from titanium or tourmaline can easily cost $100+. Ask your hairdresser or barber for recommendations.
Product
Try a leave-in cream designed for wet hair styling that will nourish and protect from heat. Also test out "hold" products on wet hair (see Simplifying Hair Products) or hair spray before and after using the flat iron.
Tools
A mixed boar-bristle brush works best. The tight bristles will grab onto every hair during the process (as opposed to a wider toothed brush), helping you hold tension when drying. It's the best option for condensing and organizing textured hair during a blowdry.
Blowdryer
A quality blow dryer is a must because it speeds up your drying time, which can be lengthy with thicker hair. High heat and high blow are the settings you'll use, and price plays a factor. A good blowdryer will usually cost $100+. Ask your hairdresser or barber for recommendations.
Blowdryer Pic Attachment
This is a piece that attaches to the end of your blowdryer. Instead of using a blowdryer and brush separately, you can use this attachment with a blowdryer alone to smooth your hair. Your hair will not come out as polished as it would with a boar-bristle brush, but consider it a second option if a brush and a blowdryer aren't working for you.
Flat Iron
I recommend 380-400 degrees for straightening textured hair. Start at 380 and increase as needed. The goal here is to pass over each section once (versus multiple times) and move on. Similar to blowdryers, price matters for a good flat iron as well. The hottest ones made from titanium or tourmaline can easily cost $100+. Ask your hairdresser or barber for recommendations.
Product
Try a leave-in cream designed for wet hair styling that will nourish and protect from heat. Also test out "hold" products on wet hair (see Simplifying Hair Products) or hair spray before and after using the flat iron.
How to get the look on fine hair with less texture.
If you have straighter hair then you're halfway there when going for this look. Start by blowdrying the hair straight when it's either wet or dry. If starting with wet hair, add a light-weight cream product. On wet or dry hair, use a paddle brush to smooth and straighten. You may need to lightly flat iron afterwards. Aim for your ends to be sleek and organized.
Tools
A paddle brush works best, but there is more flexibility on the type of brush that can be used on fine straight hair. The paddle bush has a wide design that helps achieve a smoother look when blowdrying.
Blowdryer
If you frequently air-dry your hair, you could skip a blowdry and style at the end of the day. However, starting out with a blowdry on wet hair will help you achieve a smoother look. This step also helps with movement and shine.
Flat Iron
Even on finer straight hair, most people will need a flat iron to get the smooth, shiny Liquid Hair look, but some will only need a high quality blowdryer. The flat iron will also help perfect the ends of your hair. Start with the heat set to 360-380 degrees. Less is more here, and using lower heat if you can will prevent damage if you go for this look often.
Products
A lightweight oil is likely the only product you'll need, and it can be applied to wet or dry hair. Hold products (see Simplifying Hair Products) are not necessary, but adding a little hold balances out oil products when going for a look with more volume. The style will also last longer.
Tools
A paddle brush works best, but there is more flexibility on the type of brush that can be used on fine straight hair. The paddle bush has a wide design that helps achieve a smoother look when blowdrying.
Blowdryer
If you frequently air-dry your hair, you could skip a blowdry and style at the end of the day. However, starting out with a blowdry on wet hair will help you achieve a smoother look. This step also helps with movement and shine.
Flat Iron
Even on finer straight hair, most people will need a flat iron to get the smooth, shiny Liquid Hair look, but some will only need a high quality blowdryer. The flat iron will also help perfect the ends of your hair. Start with the heat set to 360-380 degrees. Less is more here, and using lower heat if you can will prevent damage if you go for this look often.
Products
A lightweight oil is likely the only product you'll need, and it can be applied to wet or dry hair. Hold products (see Simplifying Hair Products) are not necessary, but adding a little hold balances out oil products when going for a look with more volume. The style will also last longer.
Salon Options
Clear Glosses
Glosses are also know as toners or glazes. They're typically applied at the sink in the salon, and coat the cuticle plus deposit shine. They add to the appearance of the liquid hair look, and last for 2+ weeks if you use color safe shampoos and conditioners. Look for salons and stylists specializing in color to find the right type of gloss for your hair type. Those that specialize will keep more color line options on hand.
Keratin Treatements
A Keratin treatment is a coating applied to the hair to smooth the cuticle. It loosens curls, versus completely straightening them, and will not permanently alter the hair's texture, eventually washing out. With proper care, it can last for 3+ months, and eliminates frizz plus aids in your daily styling process by making hair more manageable. Stylists do obtain a license from manufacturers for this service, so ask about whether your stylist has been certified, how long they've offered the service, and how frequently they perform it.
Brazilian Blowouts
Brazilian blowouts are also keratin-based treatments. According to InStyle Magazine, the main differences are Brazilian blowouts are more customizable (a wider range of outcomes from looser curls to pin straight), allow you to return to your normal haircare routine the day after your service (with Keratin treatments you're unable to wash your hair for three or four days afterwards), and more customizability around how long it can last - 4+ months. Your hair will eventually return to it's natural curl pattern, so this is not a permanent solution. Similar to Keratin treatments, stylists are licensed by manufacturers to perform the service. So ask about whether your stylist has been certified, how long they've offered the service, and how frequently they perform it.
Japanese Straightening/Thermal Reconditioning
This procedure is named after the country it was invented in - Japan. Unlike Keratin treatments, it does chemically alter your hair's texture. That means wherever the chemical is applied your hair will never return to it's curly texture again. This option works best for people who feel that upkeep with keratin-based treatments is too frequent, expensive, and/or doesn't get the hair straight enough. Similar to Keratin treatments, stylists are trained and licensed by manufacturers to perform the service, so ask if they've been certified, how long they've offered the service, and how frequently they perform it.
Glosses are also know as toners or glazes. They're typically applied at the sink in the salon, and coat the cuticle plus deposit shine. They add to the appearance of the liquid hair look, and last for 2+ weeks if you use color safe shampoos and conditioners. Look for salons and stylists specializing in color to find the right type of gloss for your hair type. Those that specialize will keep more color line options on hand.
Keratin Treatements
A Keratin treatment is a coating applied to the hair to smooth the cuticle. It loosens curls, versus completely straightening them, and will not permanently alter the hair's texture, eventually washing out. With proper care, it can last for 3+ months, and eliminates frizz plus aids in your daily styling process by making hair more manageable. Stylists do obtain a license from manufacturers for this service, so ask about whether your stylist has been certified, how long they've offered the service, and how frequently they perform it.
Brazilian Blowouts
Brazilian blowouts are also keratin-based treatments. According to InStyle Magazine, the main differences are Brazilian blowouts are more customizable (a wider range of outcomes from looser curls to pin straight), allow you to return to your normal haircare routine the day after your service (with Keratin treatments you're unable to wash your hair for three or four days afterwards), and more customizability around how long it can last - 4+ months. Your hair will eventually return to it's natural curl pattern, so this is not a permanent solution. Similar to Keratin treatments, stylists are licensed by manufacturers to perform the service. So ask about whether your stylist has been certified, how long they've offered the service, and how frequently they perform it.
Japanese Straightening/Thermal Reconditioning
This procedure is named after the country it was invented in - Japan. Unlike Keratin treatments, it does chemically alter your hair's texture. That means wherever the chemical is applied your hair will never return to it's curly texture again. This option works best for people who feel that upkeep with keratin-based treatments is too frequent, expensive, and/or doesn't get the hair straight enough. Similar to Keratin treatments, stylists are trained and licensed by manufacturers to perform the service, so ask if they've been certified, how long they've offered the service, and how frequently they perform it.