The big and bouncy blow dry is back
How do my slick back girlies feel?
I used to thrive in a slicked back hair style. I loved waking up a couple of sleeps after a wash day and feeling the readiness in my roots to be drawn back into a sleek style for the foreseeable.
At first it was a matter of convenience for lazy days, but then it became a matter of obsession for even the dressiest of evenings. But there’s something in the air at the minute, and it’s not all of those products we’ve been using to achieve the perfect slick back. It almost feels like a fresh hair do, a curly wave, even a bouncy blow-dry. It feels like we must re- teach ourselves how to do these styles again, because I fear the slick back is on the way out.
And it got me thinking…
The 90s were led by every women and their blow-drys. They shaped the way fashion saw hair, not just as an accessory but as a look. Volume, silky, smooth and a whole lot of hair spray.
Catwalks by the most iconic brands created and demonstrated this look throughout the years, but, of course, we know it best from The Victoria’s Secret Fashion show.
Whilst its 2024 comeback show left us hanging on to every strut, viewers were left disappointed by the lack of bounce in the hair of the models who took to the runway. The likes of Candice Swanepoel and Adriana Lima were known for their blow-outs in the past VS shows, so much so that it left viewers struggling to decide what to watch. Their hair or their fancy bra.
Top tip: watch it twice, so you can focus on both.
When they walked out in slick backs this year, it was almost betrayal to the classic angel, from the modern angel- and I don’t know who I like more.
Collectively, we have also begun to prioritize hair health in a way that we didn’t know was so necessary years ago. Avoiding heat as much as possible by using overnight curlers. A variety of oils are on the market across high end and drug store brands, and we are even turning to pro- biotics such as hair gummies for hair care.
Due to this new perspective, we also began to see the negatives within a slick back. Noticing that the tension of the style causes breakages and even thinning along the hair line.
That terrifies me.
As someone who washed their hair every ten days, I now wash it at least two times a week.
And girls we really need to start talking about the headaches-
I can’t take it anymore!
Regardless, you will definitely see me at uni next year with a sleek and greasy bun but know that I am constantly having an internal debate constantly. Because as much as I appreciate the easiness, there’s no greater feeling than a fresh blow dry.
What do you think?
-Ruby x
Written by Ruby Waters
Edited by Isabel Butler