By Laura Regensdorf

• There’s something slightly feral about a wet look — it’s sexy, undone hair. I have folders of reference photos of River Phoenix and Johnny Depp in the ’90, along with old Hugo Boss and Calvin Klein campaigns.
• The level of “wet” can range from zero to 10. The important thing is how you build products into the hair. I start with a little Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray, applying it from the roots down the length of the hair for some control. Then I often mix a curl cream with Davines’s OI Oil and apply that at the ends. I add whatever’s left on my hands to the top, but you don’t want to overdo it there, or else the hair can become flat. And R+Co’s Aircraft is a genius mousse pomade for grunge and grit — I use that and the other products on wet hair, [varying the amount of each] depending on the client’s texture and density.

• If you need a little lift in the front, I swear by a Tancho stick, a type of Japanese wax. I layer it into the hair while it’s still wet. That way, when you add heat with a blow dryer, all the products melt into place. Sometimes I’ll go back in with a flat iron to reintroduce some waves. And for those fine, little pieces that are not contrived yet totally contrived, I’ll coat them with Shine Paste by STMNT.

• A wet look doesn’t have to be complicated. If I’m going out, the easiest technique is to use a flexible water-based gel on my wet hair and rake it back with a wide-tooth comb. That helps define my waves without making them feel crunchy.

• A bit of wax comes in handy for those baby hairs that stick up in front or along the part. My hair can be a bit frizzy, so I’ll just hit those spots before I comb everything back.

• Tune into what looks good on you. The hairstylist Teddy Charles, who’s my partner in life, did my hair for this year’s Vanity Fair Oscar Party. There were a few wispy pieces stuck to my forehead, as if I’d come out of the water, which made the look more soft-feeling. A fine-tooth comb is useful for that detail work.
• For more structured styles, heat tools can help set a foundation, smoothing the hair and decreasing flyaways. Always use a heat protectant, like the Bonding Oil. Dyson makes a fantastic hair dryer, and a good round brush gives you traction. I also like the flat irons by T3, if you want that piecey, ’90s vibe.

• I love that wet hair looks like it wasn’t styled, even though it was. Usually when I wear it, it’s a last-minute decision. Sometimes, I might even try on an outfit and then jump back into the shower or put my head in the sink.
• When I style it myself, I use a lot of conditioner. I like a thick formula — I have 3B curls — such as Amika’s Hydro Rush. On wet hair, I typically use the cushion paddle brush by Yusef [a hairstylist who has worked with Tyla] or one of his combs, though sometimes I just use my fingers to spread the conditioner evenly. I leave it in, flip my head over and tie my hair into a T-shirt while I do my makeup, and then I let it down, scrunching the curls as needed.
• I don’t like my edges looking too laid — I prefer when the hair falls naturally. I brush it neat, and the conditioner does its job, keeping the hair wet for a longer time. Amika’s Power Hour spray can also refresh the curls. The idea is for it to be effortless: I start the day with one look and end it with another.

• Ceremonia Pequi Styling Gel, $26.
• Cécred Volumizing Mousse, $32.
• Oribe Supershine Smoothing Wax Stick, $46.