Liquid Hair: The Glossy Hair Trend Your Clients Will Love

Move over glass hair—there’s another shiny hair trend taking over social media feeds in 2024. Popularly known as “liquid hair,” this sleek aesthetic takes the reflective quality of glass hair to a whole new level. Liquid hair is softer and glossier than glass hair, and it’s the perfect way to give any hairstyle a luminous, modern finish. If you follow the latest hair trends, you’re probably no stranger to the liquid hair aesthetic. The chic look has been spotted everywhere lately—it’s a celebrity and influencer favorite and has amassed over 24 million posts on TikTok so far.

Below, we’re sharing everything you should know when it comes to creating flawless liquid hairstyles for your clients. Read on to learn more about what liquid hair is, how it differs from glass hair, and which shiny hair products you’ll need to ace this trend.

What Is Liquid Hair? 

Liquid hair is a polished hairstyle that mimics the reflective, flowing appearance of water. The goal of this look is to make the hair so glossy and shiny that it literally resembles a shimmering waterfall. Liquid hair is usually seen on medium to long hair and is best worn straight—this helps create the desired effect, hair that looks like liquid when it moves. 
 
The liquid hair aesthetic is often described as an offshoot of the glass hair (and glass skin) trend, and a close cousin to the wet-look hair trend. It was first spotted on the runway in 2023 and quickly went viral after several A-list celebrities were pictured with this super sleek, reflective hairstyle. You can think of liquid hair as a healthy-looking, grown-up version of the pin-straight hairstyles of the ‘90s. 

Liquid hair is meant to be softer and more fluid when compared to glass hair. Unlike glass hair, which often has a sheet-like, sharp appearance, liquid hair has a bit more body, bend, and movement. Glass hair is inspired by the reflectiveness of glass, whereas liquid hair is focused on natural movement and hair that’s soft to the touch.  
 
Another key difference is that liquid hair tends to be longer, which helps create that subtle flowing effect. On the other hand, glass hair is usually shorter, with blunt bobs and haircuts that have a rigid quality and razor-sharp ends (much like a sheet of glass). Lastly, glass hair is often seen as slightly more high-maintenance because styling it requires a bit more work to really pull it off. 

If your client asks for liquid hair, they’re essentially looking for a smooth, sleek blowout that gives their locks a glam-casual appearance. This style can be created on any hair type (yes, even curly types), but you’ll need the right styling techniques and shine-boosting products—especially serums, oils, and shine sprays. 
 
Read on for a step-by-step breakdown of how to create the liquid hair aesthetic for your clients. 

Step 1: Use a smoothing shampoo and conditioner 

Begin by shampooing and conditioning your client’s hair with a professional system that’s designed for achieving sleek, straight strands—like Pureology Smooth Perfection Shampoo and Conditioner. This smoothing duo moisturizes, detangles, and lessens frizz in both straight and textured hair types. 

Step 2: Try a deep conditioning treatment  

To pull off the liquid hair look, you’ll want your client’s hair to look and feel as healthy as possible. One way to promote soft, healthy-looking hair is by applying a deep conditioning treatment after shampooing and conditioning, such as Redken Extreme Mega Mask. This deep conditioning mask is formulated with protein to help repair strength in damaged hair while balancing pH levels and adding smoothness.

Step 3: Apply a multi-tasking styling cream 

Next, comb through your client’s hair and apply a frizz-fighting styling cream on towel-dried strands—one of our personal favorites is the L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Fluidifier Blow Dry Cream. This lightweight formula helps protect against heat damage (up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit) and helps create silky, smooth results that last up to four days. 

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Step 4: Create a polished, sleek blowout 

This step is crucial if you want to achieve hair that ebbs and flows like water. Begin by sectioning your client’s hair and gently blow drying each section with a round brush. To create a polished, liquid-like effect, you’ll want to blow dry the hair downward—pulling the hair tight against your round brush as you work. 
 
Pro Tip: Your blow dryer can have a big impact on your results, especially when creating smooth styles like liquid hair. Consider using a premium, professional blow dryer, like the Dyson Supersonic r™ Professional Hair Dryer, which is engineered for salons to help smooth flyaways, protect hair’s natural shine, and help create that fluid, shiny appearance.

Step 5: Banish frizz and flyaways with a flat iron 

Once your liquid blowout is complete, grab a flat iron—like the L'Oréal Professionnel Steampod Hair Straightener + Curling Iron—and smooth over any lingering frizz or flyaways. The L'Oréal Professionnel Steampod uses the power of steam to help instantly transform your client’s hair, leaving it two times smoother with up to 90% less hair breakage over time [1]. Although liquid hair can also be styled wavy or curly, if preferred, flat-ironed hair typically works best. 

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Step 6: Finish with a boost of extra shine 

Complete the look with a shine-boosting, lightweight hair oil, such as Matrix Food For Soft Multi-Use Hair Oil Serum or Ghd (good hair day) Smooth & Finish Serum. Run a small amount of oil through your client’s mid-lengths and ends, taking caution not to go overboard. Remember: A little goes a long way and there’s a fine line between shiny hair and greasy hair. Lastly, for the ultimate water-like finish, add a few spritzes of Redken Shine Flash Spray. This weightless spray tames flyaways and gives the hair instant, glass-like shine—a must for any liquid hairstyle. 

Step 7: Consider in-salon smoothing treatments 

For clients who want a longer-lasting approach to liquid hair, you can suggest a professional keratin treatment, like Keratin Complex PBO: Personalized Blow Out® Smoothing Treatment System Kit. Powered by K-Pure Juice™ (a blend of keratin, botanicals, and amino acids), this customizable hair smoothing treatment reduces frizz, boosts manageability, delivers shine, and helps retain moisture—all key components of the liquid hair aesthetic.

Keratin Complex’s treatment offers same-day results with zero downtime for your clients seeking straight, silky strands, and creates an excellent opportunity to grow your salon retail sales.

Looking for any of these liquid hair products? Shop haircare, tools, and styling products at a SalonCentric store near you, or by visiting our Virtual Store. 

Header image credits (left to right): @princessscissorhands & @girlorgun, @sarabotsfordhair, and @cassidywilsonhair

1. After 15 uses with steam and integrated comb vs. Steampod heating plates alone.