It’s official: Y2K nostalgia is back and better than ever! If you were lucky enough to grow up in the 00s, you’ll know the fashion was fun (think: hot-pink velour tracksuits, chunky belts that served literally no purpose...), and the beauty was just as out-there (blue eyeshadow and concealer lips were THE winning combo).
But above all, Y2K was the decade of the flat iron. Everyone you knew had one, and poker-straight locks were the aesthetic of the moment to aspire to. So, as the trend cycle oscillates once more, the “retro” sleek hair trend has come to light along with it. But how can you master this must-have hairstyle? For that, you’ll need all our sleek hair essentials…
Discover the smooth talkers...
Hair Straighteners
We won’t sugar coat it. The simplest, easiest way to master the sleek hair trend is, of course, with a trusty hair straightener. Both the ghd Original Styler and the Max Styler are equipped with ceramic floating plates, delivering a smooth, high-gloss finish as the device glides through your locks. Strands are left straight and silky, ready to revisit your long-lost Y2K fantasy.
Alternatively, the Beauty Works x Molly-Mae Straighter Kit provides all you need for ultra-sleek tresses. Narrow ceramic plates lend themselves to all hair lengths, helping to minimise the look of frizz for long-lasting smoothness and shine. Plus, it’s Molly-Mae (and Team Fantastic) approved – what more could you ask for?!
Smoothing Shampoos
Want to set your strands up for the smoothest success? Discover silky, lustrous locks with Pureology’s Smooth Perfection Shampoo, an ultra-conditioning formula to cleanse and soften from root-to-tip. Camellia and shea butter help to create a velvety finish, treating your strands to long-lasting smoothness.
Coarse, curly or coily hair types, let MONDAY Haircare’s Smooth Shampoo smooth-talk your strands. A blend of vitamin E, coconut oil and shea butter seek to cleanse your strands of impurities while nourishing and replenishing your locks. Though this one won’t automatically leave your hair poker-straight, it’s a great prep treatment for curly girls!
Smoothing Conditioners
It’s likely conditioner is already a prominent fixture in your hair cleansing routine. But take a closer look at the one that currently resides in your bathroom – is it likely to give your strands the smoothing treat they deserve? Wella Professionals’ FUSION Conditioner is designed to leave locks silky and protected; it is enriched with silk amino acids to help restore signs of damage and breakage, for a mane that’s as sleek as it is glossy.
Alternatively, the Sebastian Dark Oil Lightweight Conditioner also wraps your strands in its smoothing formula, working to fight frizz and detangle all hair types, thanks to a nourishing blend of argan and jojoba oils.
Replenishing Oils
Hair oils are having a moment – a fact that is hardly surprising, given their long list of benefits. Hair oils work to nourish, replenish and smoothen the most stressed of strands, leaving manes glossy and rejuvenated. Moroccanoil’s Original Treatment is a cherished formula across the industry, celebrated for its ability to tame, detangle and illuminate dry, brittle tresses.
Lending locks a surge of high-shine moisture, the Wella Professionals Oil Reflections Luminous Smoothing Oil can be used as a styling product, leave-in treatment or as a pre-shampoo oil. It wraps every hair in hydration, enhancing softness and shine for your sleekest look to date.
Hardworking Hair Masks
If you haven’t already, its time to invest in a strand-smoothing hair mask. Approved (and co-inspired) by celebrity hair stylist Chris Appleton, Color Wow’s Money Masque targets the cuticle to deliver moisture directly to the cortex. It utilises a fusion of blue sea kale, Mediterranean sea kelp, algae and hydrolysed vegetable protein complex to promote a sleek, healthy and expensive-looking mane.
Alternatively, say yes to luscious locks with Forest Essentials’ Intense Repair Hair Masque. Banana pulp helps to smoothen the look of frizz and damage, while shikakai works to protect and soften coarse, stressed-out strands. This hair mask supports a soft, velvety feel – the perfect finish to support the iconic sleek hair trend.
Frizz Fighters
So, your strands are looking divinely smooth and silky – but now you’re being plagued by pesky fly-aways. What to do?! If visible smoothness, shine and softness are on your summer wishlist, VIRTUE’s Frizz Block could be the anti-frizz formula for you. The lightweight mist helps to soften, smoothen and tame strands for up to 72-hours, hydrating the hair while battling those rebellious strands with a mind of their own.
Prefer a combination frizz-fighter and heat protectant? OGX’s Frizz-Defying+ Coconut Miracle Oil Heat Protection Cream restores locks to a silky, high-gloss state while warding off heat damage and potential breakage. Thanks to a blend of vanilla bean and Tiare flower essence, this styling spray acts as the perfect primer for sleek, straight styles!
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