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8 brushed-back hairstyles to copy today

Think of it as slick hair, without the wet look

By Hayley D'Onofrio

InStyle Contributor / October 07 2016

It’s polished, it’s sexy, it’s so easy to style, and it is a fresher take on slicked back hair. The best parts in Hollywood are disappearing thanks to this pulled-back look, says hairstylist Jennifer Yepez, who works with Gigi Hadid. “It showcases your face, but still feels soft and feminine.” To get the look, Yepez applies mousse to damp roots, and thickening lotion to the ends. Next she blow-dries hair straight back, away from the face, using a round brush. She teases the crown for height then mists hairspray all over to make sure strands aren’t tempted to choose sides. Love this look? Copy these celebrity takes on the trend.

Kendall Jenner

Giving this hairstyle a couture finish, Kendall Jenner has added extra height at the crown and a touch of hair pomade through the lengths for a piece-y finish.

Julianne Hough

Slicked hair often looks greasy and dirty on blonde hair, but this modern take fixes that. Julianne Hough proves that a super light layer of hair gel finger-combed through the roots is all your hair needs. Pair with a fresh-faced makeup look to complement the softness in the hair.

Jada Pinkett Smith

Even bobs can master the brushed-back hairstyle, which Jada Pinkett Smith proves to perfection. You will need more product to get it to stay put, so it’s best left to darker hair colours rather than blondes. Also, use a styling mousse over a wet-look gel.

Gigi Hadid

Channeling the seventies with a seriously volumised take on the brushed-back look, Gigi Hadid gives this hairstyle a fresh vibe by letting pieces fall loosely over her ears rather than styling it straight back at the sides. Her glistening eye and complexion duo complete this stunning look.

Eva Longoria

Eva Longoria has managed to keep every hair perfectly in place without the look of a greasy head full of product. The secret is to apply a styling mousse when the hair's wet to give the hairstyle hold, before blow-drying it smooth for an elegant finish.

Katie Holmes

Taking a product-free, natural approach to the trend, Katie Holmes has opted to maintain her hair’s waves and has created volume and the brushed-back effect by blow-drying her hair in a backwards direction. Depending on how well behaved your hair is, you may need to give it a spritz with hairspray to secure it in place.

Kate Hudson

Kate Hudson proves you don’t have to go super straight for this look to work. Her natural hair texture helps add lift at the roots, while the straighter ends prevent the whole hairstyle from looking big and frizzy.

Kristen Stewart

Kristen Stewart is the queen of edgy beauty looks, but what we love most about this one is it’s cool without being grungy. The silky smooth shine and perfectly-in-place strands all get our tick of approval.

For more hair tips from InStyle, check out instylemag.com.au

Image credits: Getty