Hair texture and length decide which of these cute slick backs is yours: curls suit the Slicked-Back Curly High Bun, long straight or wavy hair works in the Slicked-Back High Ponytail, the Slicked-Back Braid or the Snatched Low Bun, and shorter hair on a man belongs in the Slicked-Back Fade.
The span runs from a few minutes with a Slicked-Back High Bun to a Sculptural Bun that takes practice, so try it once before an event.
Gel and serum change the finish more than the shape does, and a barber’s brush presses the hair flatter than a paddle brush.
1. Slicked-Back Braid
A braid turns a plain low ponytail into something that looks planned. Slick the hair back first, gather it at the nape, then braid the length and secure the end with a clear or matching elastic.
Smooth the crown with a brush before you tie the base, because any bumps there will show in a side view.
A braid that tapers to a fine point keeps the look sharp, and it pairs easily with almost anything, from a leather jacket to a plain tee.
2. Snatched Low Bun
Simple, polished and hard to get wrong: the low bun sits at the nape and looks right with nearly everything, from denim to a dress.
Brush the hair back with a little product, tie a tight ponytail low, then twist and wrap it around the base.
Pin it flat so the shape stays smooth from behind. I like a center or side part kept very clean, since a back view shows every flyaway.
3. Half-Up, Half-Down
Half-up, half-down suits anyone who wants the hair off the face but doesn’t want to commit to a full updo. Take the top section from temple to temple, smooth it back, and tie or pin it at the crown.
Long, wavy hair gives the lower half some movement, so a few loose waves make this easy to do at home. Slick only the top section if you want it to stay neat; leave the rest soft.
4. Slicked Back with Face-Framing Tendrils
Curly hair pulled into a high puff looks sharper when a few strands stay out around the face. Gather the curls at the crown, smooth the front and sides back, and leave small tendrils loose at the hairline.
Keep those strands thin, because too many turn the puff messy instead of relaxed.
A little gel on the edges holds the slick part without crunch. This is an easy style to do in a bathroom mirror.
5. Wet-Look Slicked Back
Wet-look hair depends on shine, so the product matters more than the shape. Work a gel or a slick styling cream through damp hair with a comb, then brush straight back for a glossy finish.
Dark hair shows the effect best, and it pairs well with simple pieces like a choker.
I’d comb it in sections rather than all at once, so there are no dry patches. Expect it to feel stiff if you use too much.
6. Sculptural Bun
Sculptural buns reward patience: the glossy finish comes from smooth hair, and the shape comes from twisting instead of simply wrapping.
Slick the hair back, gather it, twist the length into a knot, and pin it so the folds look deliberate.
Smoothing serum or gel keeps the surface shiny.
Check the side view in a second mirror, since that’s where this bun looks best. It takes more practice than a basic bun, so try it once before an event.
7. Slicked-Back Curly High Bun
A high curly bun gets its volume from the curls themselves, so leave them undefined and full.
Part the hair down the middle, then smooth the front and sides back with a brush and a little gel. Gather everything at the crown and wrap it into a loose bun.
I’d keep the pull firm at the hairline and relaxed at the bun.
Sleek in front and big on top is the whole contrast. Fluff the bun with your fingers after it’s pinned.
8. Slicked-Back Fade for Men
A slick-back on a man works best over a clean side fade, because the short sides make the longer top look deliberate.
Ask the barber for a high skin fade with length left on top, and say you plan to comb it straight back.
Work a glossy pomade through towel-dried hair and comb it back from the front.
A shiny finish shows every uneven patch, so comb slowly. Expect to book a fade touch-up often, since a skin fade grows out visibly.
9. Slicked-Back High Ponytail
Pull the ponytail high and tight, with the hair brushed smooth across the scalp before the elastic goes in. Long, wavy hair adds body to the tail, which swings nicely against a plain tank or tee.
A bit of smoothing gel on a brush catches the flyaways along the hairline and crown.
Wrap a thin section around the elastic and pin it underneath if you want the base hidden. Check the back with a hand mirror, since that’s the view everyone else gets.
10. Slicked-Back High Bun
A high bun sits on top of the head, so it needs a ponytail tied right at the crown before any wrapping.
Smooth everything up with gel, secure it snug at the crown, then wind the ponytail into a coil around its own base.
Pin the coil down at several points around its edge so it stays flat against the head and doesn’t droop.
I like this one for mornings with no time, since it works with a plain tee and takes only a few minutes once you’ve done it a couple of times.
11. Center-Part Slicked-Back Down Style
Leaving long hair down keeps the slick-back simple: a clean center part, smoothed flat from the roots, with the length hanging straight. Part it with the end of a comb, then brush each side back with a light gel.
Dark hair looks glossiest here.
Use a small amount, since heavy product makes long hair stiff and stringy. Tuck the sides behind the ears if they keep slipping forward, and finish with a light serum on the ends.
Product Recommendations for Slicked-back Hair
Most slick-back failures come from the product, not the technique.
Gel rests on the surface and dries stiff, so a product that soaks in and gives shine without hardening is the better pick for a slick back. A lightweight scalp and hair serum is a good place to start.
For a flat, even finish, use a barber’s brush. Its dense bristles press the hair down far better than a regular paddle brush.
Pomade works best when mixed with a little oil. Blend the two in your palms before touching your hair, and the result spreads evenly and stays flexible.
Healthy hair is what makes a slick-back look modern, so shine and condition count as much as hold.
Clean perimeters matter too: a slick-back leaves nowhere to hide, so a trim around the hairline and nape makes it easier to get right.
Slicked-back Hairstyles for Different Occasions
Slicked-back styles move easily between casual and formal plans, and the main thing that changes is how much polish you add.
For errands or a day at the office, a quick brush-back with a light serum looks put together without much effort.
For an event, spend the extra minutes on the perimeter. Smooth the hairline, check the nape, and tame flyaways, because a formal setting is where stray hairs get noticed.
Slick-backs also work on most hair types, even hair that gets greasy fast, so a day-two head of hair can still make a good base.
Choose a product that absorbs rather than hardens, and the look stays soft enough for daytime and shiny enough for evening.
Clean, fresh, minimal… there’s a reason why some of the world’s chicest women swear by a slicked back hairstyle. Extremely versatile, slicked back hair looks as good with an off-duty outfit as it does a glamorous gown.
— Vogue
Current Trends in Slicked-back Hairstyles
Slick backs haven’t gone out of style, and from what stylists say, they aren’t about to. What has changed is the mood: the look leans retro now, and updos with a ’90s feel are making a return.
That means the current version is less rigid than it once was. Aim for shine and a healthy finish over a hard, shellacked set.
If your earlier attempts didn’t work, try again with a different product. A formula that absorbs instead of drying stiff makes the look read as modern.
Anyone who slicks their hair back often should think about a cut that makes it easier, with clean edges all the way around.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to make slick backs cute?
Pair the slick with a shape that looks planned, like a braid down a low ponytail, a low bun at the nape, or a high puff with a few thin tendrils left loose at the hairline.
Keep the crown and hairline very smooth and the flyaways tamed, since those details make the style look polished. A slick bob worn down also works if you’d rather not pull your hair up.
Is a slick back bad for hair?
A slick back won’t harm hair by itself, but piling on product will: too much leaves strands stiff, stringy and heavy at the roots.
A light cream or serum that sinks in and gives shine without drying hard keeps the look soft, and I reach for that over gel nearly every time. Healthy, shiny, conditioned hair is what makes the look modern anyway.
Are slick backs still trendy?
Yes, they are still in style, and stylists don’t expect that to change.
The mood has shifted toward a retro feel, with ’90s-style updos returning. Today’s version reads softer, with a glossy, healthy finish instead of a hard, wet-look shell.
