Wet-look chignon hairstyle 2012

Hair how to: the effortless wet chignon.

Bottega Veneta created a harmonious interplay of colours, textures and fabrics on their spring 2012 runway, and contrasted it with a low-key wet chignon. For those days, when you don’t want to spend too much time on your hair, this loosely styled chignon is your friend. The idea is to create a wet look, just as though you’ve stepped out of the pool and slipped into a classic dress. To replicate the look for yourself, follow our step-by-step how to guide.

 Written by Shitika Anand

Bottega Veneta created a harmonious interplay of colours, textures and fabrics on their spring 2012 runway, and contrasted it with a low-key hair and makeup affair. The optimistic chiffon dresses and leather-suede combo skirts balanced out the untidy, wet chignon.
We’ve discussed the versatility of a chignon on Fashionising.com before, and just recently gave you a detailed how-to tutorial for its elegant variety. But for those days, when you don’t want to spend too much time on your hair (or pretend it didn’t take too much time – tricky!), this loosely styled chignon is your friend. The idea is to create a wet look, just as though you’ve stepped out of the pool and slipped into a classic dress.
Follow the step-by-step how to guide after the break. If you’d like to make sure that you don’t miss any of the other looks in this year’s hair trends guide, you can subscribe to our newsletter or RSS feed.
Wet-look chignon at Bottega Veneta. Image courtesy Redken.

The how to:

Redken’s Creative Consultant, Guido says his motivation was to create a look that anyone could create at home.

He shares with us his top tips to get this “easy, sexy, summery hairstyle” within minutes.

Apply a volumising mousse (the hair team backstage at Bottega Veneta used Redken’s Full Frame 07 – volumizing mousse) all through towel-dry hair and let it dry naturally. 

 

If you’re in a rush, flip the damp hair forward and blast the hair dryer on high from underneath. This will give your strands the volume they need. 

 

Now focus on getting the wet look. For that, Guido suggests to apply Argan oil all through the hair using fingers. This will give a silky shine. Remember to only do this once your hair is completely dry.

Use your fingers to pull the hair back into a low ponytail. Tie is loosely with a hair tie at ear level. Do note that there isn’t a parting in the hair.

 

The wet-look chignon. Image: Imaxtree.

Now wrap the ponytail into a messy low bun / chignon and secure with bobby pins. Pull a few strands out here and there if you want to add to the effortless look of the style.

 

If you want more shine, apply some more Argan oil to the crown of the hair.

The wet look chignon: how to wear it

The best part about wearing the wet chignon is that it compliments both casual and formal attire. Whether you’re in a beachside holiday home or on a formal evening night out, its personality speaks out through the clothes it’s styled with. For next year’s hot summer months, team it with floaty dresses (just like Bottega Veneta did), hot pants or even palazzo pants. As for make-up, go for a bare-lid mascara and flushed pink lips – keep it simple and feminine.