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There are very few hairstyles that have stuck with me since I was a kid, but my weekly slick-back buns have truly stood the test of time. I still have early childhood memories of my parents styling my hair with the help of a spray bottle, a boar-bristle brush, and a lot of gel to tame my 3b/3c curly hair before school. I didn’t know it then, but watching them do my hair helped me learn the basics on how to achieve a smooth, frizz-free bun pretty early on.
Now, I still sport slick-backs on a weekly basis, and I’ve pretty much mastered how to achieve a sleek look that lasts all day. Like many other people, I’ll opt for this style whenever it feels right. Sometimes, it’s for formal events. Other times, I just want to feel put together with minimal effort, or I want my hair out of my face until the next washday.
In my opinion, it’s a foolproof style, but I genuinely believe that having the right hair products dictates the final result more than anything else. So to save you the hassle of searching through thousands of options on the market, I’m sharing the best slick-back products out there with the help of master hair educator and hairstylist Kimberly Michelle. Keep scrolling for our top picks.
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Apply Leave-In Conditioner
Leave-in conditioner is optional, but it’s a great place to start if you need to detangle your hair. “I start with smooth, fully detangled hair and work on it dry or slightly damp if the hair has texture,” says Michelle. I’ve been using Pattern’s leave-in for over five years and swear by it for removing knots and styling. For a lighter product, consider trying Innersense’s Sweet Spirit Leave In Conditioner spray.
PATTERN
Leave-In Conditioner
Innersense Organic Beauty
Leave in Conditioner
Add Gel
Gel is main product that you’ll need for your slick-back. I prefer to use Aunt Jackie’s Flaxseed Don’t Shrink Curling Gel but those with more textured hair may benefit from the Eco Style Olive Oil Gel (which I also tested and loved). Meanwhile, the Kenra Professional’s Styling Gel 17 Strong Hold Hair Gel works well on other hair types like straight, wavy, and fine hair.
“I apply my holding product in sections, working from the nape up to the crown, then the sides, and finishing with the front,” says Michelle. “I also adjust the amount of product based on the hair’s texture and density.” She notes that finer hair usually needs less product, while thicker or more textured hair may benefit from working in smaller sections.
Kenra Professional
Styling Gel 17 Strong Hold Hair Gel
Brush It In
To direct the hair into one secured position, Michelle suggests using a smoothing brush. Boar-bristle or combo brushes tend to be a popular choice, which is why I’m a big fan of the Bounce Curl Volume Edgelift Brush. It smoothes my hair out when I want to do a bun, but it also has small ridges on each side that I can use when I want to wear my hair down and define my curls. It’s one of those multipurpose products I can’t live without. If you’re willing to splurge, La Bonne Brosse’s Small Brush No2 is also a great pick for anyone with straight, wavy, or fine hair.
Bounce Curl
Volume Edgelift Brush
La Bonne Brosse
Small Brush N02
Secure It With a Hair Tie
This step goes without saying, but having a sturdy hair tie is a must. To prevent excess breakage, I love using satin scrunchies like the ones below. I also do what I can to make sure I’m not tying my hair back too tightly. “The biggest thing is avoiding excessive tension,” says Michelle. “A great slick-back should look sleek because of your technique and product placement, not because the hair is pulled too tightly.”
Gimme Beauty
Large Satin Scrunchies
Style Your Edges
This step is optional, but if you decide to style your edges, consider investing it a styling tool like the Fenty Beauty The Sidestick 3-in-1 Edge Styling Tool to use with your go-to gel. “[The Fenty tool] is great for detail work because you have a brush, comb, and precision tip in one tool,” says Michelle. “It gives you a lot of control when refining the hairline and shorter hairs.”
Because baby hairs tend to be more fragile, you can also try a formula that’s gentle but still provides hold like the Ruka Hair Hold Me Down Edge Control Gel. “One of my favorite tricks is tying a silk or satin scarf around the hairline and crown for about five to 10 minutes while the style sets,” says Michelle. “It helps lay down any remaining flyaways and creates an even smoother finish.”
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna
Edge Styling Tool
Ruka Hair
Edge Control Gel
Final Touches
I don’t know who needs to hear this, but finishing sprays and wax sticks are the MVPs of slick-backs. They take seconds to apply, and the sticks are especially helpful for on-the-go touch-ups. The Got2b Glued Wax Stick and Not Your Mother’s Wax Stick have an especially strong hold, making them great options for textured hair.
If you prefer a slightly gentler hold that also softens hair, I suggest the Oribe Smoothing Wax Stick. It’s a bit more expensive than some other options out there, but believe me when I say it’s absolutely worth it. I prefer it when I’ve already put a lot of product in my hair throughout the week and want to avoid buildup.
And although I personally don’t use finish spray Michelle is a huge fan of the Kenra Platinum Finishing Spray 26. “I finish with this because it gives a strong, long-lasting hold while also adding a beautiful polished shine, which is perfect for a sleek style.”
Oribe
Smoothing Wax Stick
Kenra Professional
Finishing Spray
Not Your Mother’s
Wax Stick
