Katie Holmes Debuts a Dramatic Hair Transformation for a Summer Nighttime Look

As we relax into summer, those of us with naturally wavy hair can find it easier to put down tools and let the warmer weather air dry our locks instead. I mean, just look to Katie Holmes, who embodied this mood while stepping out with her natural texture in New York this week.

Attending Chanel’s Annual Tribeca Film Festival Artists Dinner, Katie—our forever style muse for myriad reasons—wore a white tee under a black cropped leather jacket with silky loose black high-waisted trousers (all by Chanel, of course). Helping the monochromatic ensemble nod to the season, her voluminous tousled waves injected some summery nonchalance.

Just as it does when the actor styles it straight or with sleeker waves, Katie’s hair possessed a glassy shine, which is notoriously tricky to achieve with traditional beachy waves that are often enhanced with drying salt sprays. Clearly, the celeb knows that this season, a slightly more fashionable alternative is a look called “ocean waves,” which is all about achieving a greaseless high-gloss with the texture.

To achieve the look, apply a texture-enhancing product when wet, like the Larry King Wild and Unruly Curl Enhancer. The hairdresser behind the product advises applying it “in small dots all over your palm and fingers, then gently massaging it in, trying not to disrupt the natural curl pattern.” To encourage volume at the root, flip your parting side-to-side every so often while it air-dries, being careful not to comb your fingers through the lengths.

Once dry, spritz in some shine with a product like the Charlotte Mensah Manketti Oil Finishing Mist (which will also help the hair retain moisture), and to further prevent frizz on muggy days, layer it with some Amika The Shield Anti-Humidity Spray.

We’d also make like Holmes and embrace the imperfection. Part playful, part grungy-glamour—it’s the ideal look for a laidback summer.