In summer, casual curls and beach waves are usually high on the beauty agenda. Katie Holmes has also always been a big fan of messy bedhead hair, as she proved just a few months ago when she showed us her natural curls.
But suddenly we’re seeing the actor and Glamour cover star with a completely different hairstyle. So different that it makes for a complete texture change. We are talking about ’90s straight hair—that is, the super sleek strands that we know mainly from that era and that, thanks to Katie Holmes, are now trending again.
If you wanted to put the straightening iron aside for the summer, you might want to reconsider. Yes, straightening hair in high temperatures is a challenge, but when it comes to creating super-sleek ’90s straight hair, heat styling really is the best option.
At the premiere of Like Water for Chocolate at the American Ballet Theater in New York, Katie wore her espresso brown hair styled straight, which is very unusual for her given that she usually tends to go for curls, waves, and undone styles.
The hair was parted in the middle and straightened all the way to the tips, without a single wave or kink in sight. You can see that the hair around her face is layered and falls gently around its contours. This makes what is supposedly a “hard” straight look appear softer.
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The best tips for creating ’90s straight hair in the summer
Admittedly, super-straight hair is not exactly what we think of when summer hairstyles are mentioned. High humidity, constant sweating, and many other factors create waves in the hair too quickly.
A good heat protection spray is essential for the look. Apply this generously before using your straightening iron. For the best result, divide the hair into sections and straighten strand by strand. This is the only way to make sure you eliminate even the gentlest of waves.
Finished? Now add some hair wax to the tips to prevent flyaway hairs. Then set everything with a light mist of hairspray, which shouldn’t stick the hair but rather ensure that strands remain as smooth as possible throughout the day. To finish, use a shine spray to achieve that sleek look.
We will say that ’90s straight hair isn’t necessarily our hairstyle of choice when it’s hot out, but it’s perfect for a dinner or other evening events that don’t take place in the blazing sun. We’ll be sure to give it a try.
