Oil-Slick Hair Strikes the Ideal Balance Between Boldness and Wearability

Not to be confused with summer 2024’s trending hydro hair, a variation of the wet-hair look, oil-slick hair has risen in popularity since its 2019 beginning, so there’s a good chance your hair stylist will have heard of it already. Lindsay Worthen recommends simply asking for “oil slick” when you get to your appointment, but it also can’t hurt to bring some inspo photos just to ensure you’re on the same page. 

As for the exact shades you should ask for when creating this look, it’s really up to you. Worthen advises keeping in mind your natural color, as that can affect how the dyed colors come out. “Although you can achieve the oil-slick trend with a variety of colors, I would recommend using cooler jewel tones, such as purples, greens, and blues, for the classic oil-slick look on a darker hair base,” she suggests exclusively to Glam. “The lightness and darkness, as well as the undertone (how warm or cool your natural hair is), will determine how your end result color is formulated.” 

Inspo photos will help you find the exact look you’re going for, but there are lots of ways to wear this trend, whether you go for ombré or balayage rainbow colors or an all-over job. You could even go for an oil-slick part line — a variation of the vibrant, colorful roots Billie Eilish brought back in 2023. You can also make your oil-slick rainbow tones as saturated as you like, though keep in mind that more vibrant hair colors (particularly pastels) may fade quicker. Whatever style you go for, oil-slick tresses remain a more digestible alternative to full rainbow hair.