The big return of gel

Let’s be clear: This is not the artfully undone hair of seasons past. Hairstylist Paul Hanlon said it best backstage at Giambattista Valli, where he was creating an Ursula Andress Bond-girl look: “It’s very, very, very done hair.” See: the finger waves at Marc Jacobs, which Guido Palau, global creative director for Redken, told us are not exactly a DIY task. (“They are very precise and [require] a very difficult technique,” he said of the process that involves quickly manipulating gel-coated hair into waves before it starts to dry.) Up for the challenge? Jimmy Paul, editorial stylist for Bumble and Bumble, who created a messy version for Opening Ceremony, says to just relax: “If it’s imperfect, it looks unique.”

Clockwise, from top left: Damped by Osis+ Wet Look Pomade ($22); Bumble and Bumble BB Gel ($35.25); Sebastian Dark Oil ($45); Redken Hardwear 16 SuperStrong Sculpting Gel ($19.59). For details, see Shopping Guide.