How To Achieve The Perfect Slicked Back Look

The infamous clean girl hairstyle is one of the most challenging looks to nail down.

From trying to tackle every unwanted bump and fly away, we can all agree that creating a slicked back bun or pony feels more like a tiresome arm workout each morning.

And while we love to see the gains, with the right products, techniques, and a little bit of practice you will be able to easily achieve the ultimate slick back. 

Firstly let’s talk about tools! The boring but important stuff.

A slick back brush like The Smooth Company’s Mane Master is essential for creating that smooth and flat look.

These are typically quite dense brushes that help slick your hair down as the bristles reach every hair. A comb will be perfect for helping you create that exact parting. 

You don’t need a million fancy products to achieve a stunning slick back.

Everyone is different and it’s important to figure out what works best for you and your hair type. We suggest starting with a hair gel or smoothing cream, such as the Eco Style Olive Oil Styling Gel or the very popular The Smooth Company 11 in 1 Hair Styling Cream.

If you are trying to get a perfect finish, a wax stick such as the Bed Head Wax Stick will truly complete the look!

Now that you have all the gear, let’s get into the how!

Firstly, it’s best to save your slick back days for when your hair may need a wash. It’s much easier to do a slick back on hair with a bit more grip.

Begin by pulling back your hair into place, choose from a low, middle, or high placement. 

@kayla.ryann how to do a slick back bun! i love this hairstyle its my go-to for hair mask days&lt3 #slickbackbun #hairtutorial #hairinspo #slickbacktutorial ♬ original sound – kayla ryan

Tie your hair up, it doesn’t need to be spot on just yet as we will be perfecting it later. Apply a generous amount of gel or smoothing cream onto the hair. 

Begin slicking the hair back into the exact style you want it. Use the brush to smooth down any bumps or flyaways. When you are happy with the placement, retie the hair and make sure to secure it in place with an extra hair tie. If you have any pieces of hair that are extra difficult, use a spoolie and some extra gel to glue it down. 

If you are happy with how it’s looking, you can now use your wax stick to flatten the hair down and give it that extra snatched look! To keep your hair healthy apply a small bit of your favourite oil in the ends and you should be good to go! 

Words by Ava Grace

• Beauty