Wave Goodbye to Goblin Mode, The 2000s Blow Wave is Back

Resort season hair usually means tousled curls, beachy waves, and crunchy textures. However, this season marked a distinct shift away from the “undone” looks of previous Afterpay Australian Fashion Weeks, and honestly — why are we surprised?

After two years of lockdowns, “bedhead” has become a global, rather than purely Parisien, phenomenon. Messy, cool-girl locks have simply lost their allure. In this environment, we’ve witnessed the triumphant return of the blow-dry. At Afterpay Australian Fashion Week, we saw countless shiny blow-waves bouncing down the catwalk and it seems that after two years of lockdowns, we’re ready for our “She’s All That” hot-girl reveal.

I first clocked the trend at Wynn Hamlyn, where bountiful blow-dries bounced down the runway — imagine a high school prom-queen sneaking out to an underground rave. Renya Xydis — who directed the look — confirmed my suspicions. Xydis called the surreally smooth and shiny hair that seems… almost liquid as it whips down the runway, the “glass blowdry.”

“Early 2000s hair is making a big comeback,” says Xydis, whose cuts and blow-dries have been featured everywhere from Harper’s Bazaar to Vanity Fair. “Cool, pin-straight hair is part of that.” Xydis agrees the transition is inevitable, “After COVID, clients have been focused on healthy, super shiny looking hair”, and a glass blowdry is one of the quickest ways to achieve it.

Getting the Glass Blow-dry:

Renya Xydis created blunt ’90s blow dries using Dyson hair tools and Wella Professional Products. Roots received a volume injection with Wella EIMI Ocean Spritz Sea Salt Spray ($20).

Then, onto the glass finish. Xydis says the trick to achieving this look is to make the hair as smooth as possible. A smooth cuticle reflects light, while a rough cuticle absorbs it. Xydis’ tips? Following a blow-dry, you should always finish with cool air (most hair dryers have this function) as this smooths the cuticle.

Then, the team prepped hair with Xydis’ preferred Wella EIMI Glam Mist, before straightening and “tucking” the blow-dry with the Dyson Corrale ($699). Finally? The team topped off the look with the Wella EIMI Mistify Me Light ($19) for hold, shine and flex.

While you can achieve a glass finish with any cut, Renya Xydis says the look at Wynn Hamlyn is easiest to achieve with long, blunt cuts, and extensions from Amazing Hair used on some models. Don’t have long locks or extensions handy? Never fear.

How to “Stretch” Your Hair, Naturally:

Natalie Anne, ghd Ambassador and Director of Hair at the One Mile runway, said that extensions have been less necessary this season. “The models are opting for blunter cuts and trying to maintain that weight in the bottom,” the stylist noted, adding, “the weight is amazing for that slick, smooth tuck with bounce.”

However, if you missed the memo and haven’t grown your hair past your shoulders, Natalie Anne has one tip. You can maximise length with your good old fashioned hair straightener. “Take small sections with the ghd, Wide Plate Max Straightener ($330) “, she advises. “That way, you’re really smoothing out each section, maximising length.” Finish each section with a gentle tuck and add plenty of shine spray for that Pantene-campaign sheen.