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From red carpets to your TikTok feed, the slick-back bun has become one of the most sought-after hairstyles of our time. In this blog, Chloe Whittle, Senior Digital and In-Salon Educator here at Neäl & Wølf, tells you how to create the perfect slick-back bun in three easy steps.
What is a slick-back bun?
A slick-back bun involves hair being tightly smoothed back from the face and secured into a neat bun. It’s glossy and minimalist, with no flyaways left behind, to create a clean, polished finish. It works great for both everyday wear and special occasions too.
Although the style has recently exploded in popularity on TikTok, the slick-back bun isn’t a passing trend. It’s long been a favourite on catwalks and red carpets, worn by celebrities including Hailey Bieber, Bella Hadid and Selena Gomez. Whether you're heading to the office, the gym, a wedding or an evening event, it's a hairstyle that instantly elevates your look.
The slick-back bun suits every hair type and length, making it really versatile. Whether your hair is straight, wavy or curly, the key to achieving the look is pulling your locks back and optimising them with the right styling products. Read on as we share the best tools for the job.
Image Source: Instagram
Jess Hunt for Refy Beauty - hair styled by @amyspencehair using Neal & Wolf
How do you do a slick-back bun?
To create a slick-back bun, you’ll need to pull hair back and secure it in place. With the right products, a few essential tools and some simple styling techniques, you can get the look very easily. Below, we’ve listed how you can achieve the style in just three steps.
What you will need:
- Comb
- Paddle brush
- Hair ties
- Bobby pins (optional)
- Mousse
- Hair dryer
- Blow dry balm
- Hairspray
Step 1: Prep your hair
The key to a flawless slick-back is starting with the right foundation. Apply a small amount of styling product through your roots and the lengths of your hair to help smooth flyaways, enhance shine and provide long-lasting hold.
For the best base, start by applying SILK Smoothing Blow-Dry Balm to damp hair before blow-drying with our HERØ Ionic Technology Hair Dryer to help reduce frizz, smooth the hair cuticle and enhance shine. Its lightweight formula leaves hair soft, sleek and beautifully manageable without weighing it down.
For added control and long-lasting hold, work a small amount of ENHANCE Volumising Mousse through the roots before drying. The humidity-resistant formula helps keep your style in place while adding flexible hold and natural movement, making it easier to achieve a polished, salon-worthy finish.
Once your hair is dry, smooth any remaining flyaways with a small amount of SILK before creating your ponytail, leaving you with a glossy finish.
Step 2: Create your ponytail
Using a comb, create your chosen parting - a classic centre part for a sleek, contemporary finish or a side part for a softer, more effortless look.
Next, use the HERØ Paddle Brush to gently smooth your hair back into a ponytail. The wide paddle design helps distribute the hair evenly while creating a smooth, polished finish, making it easier to minimise bumps and tame flyaways as you brush.
Once your hair is perfectly sleek, secure your ponytail with a hair tie. It should feel firm enough to hold your style in place without being uncomfortably tight. Before moving on, use your HERØ Paddle Brush to lightly smooth over the surface of your hair one final time for an ultra-glossy finish.
Step 3: Twist into a bun
Twist your ponytail tightly before wrapping it around the base to form a neat bun. Secure it with your hair tie or bobby pins if needed, especially if you have longer or thicker hair.
To complete the look, lightly mist your hair with CONTROL Flexible Styling Hairspray. Offering flexible, all-day hold, humidity resistance and UV protection, it helps lock your style in place while maintaining a natural-looking, beautiful shine.
Your viral TikTok slick-back bun is now complete. Whether you're styling it for everyday wear or a special occasion, this timeless look is effortlessly chic and designed to stay sleek throughout the day.
Video Credit: Instagram @scarletts_hairstudio
Top tips for the perfect slick-back bun
Creating a flawless slick-back bun is all about the finishing touches. Here are a few expert tips to elevate your look:
- Work with second-day hair if possible, as it often provides extra grip and hold.
- Use a fine-tooth comb to smooth any flyaways around your hairline.
- Apply styling products in small amounts, building up gradually to avoid product build-up.
- Experiment with different bun placements - a low bun creates an elegant, sophisticated finish, while a higher bun offers a more contemporary look.
- Finish with a light mist of hairspray for long-lasting hold and added shine.
What are the best products for a slick-back bun?
The secret to mastering a sleek, long-lasting slick-back bun is using products that work together to create smoothness, shine and flexible hold. From prepping your hair before styling to locking your finished look in place, these are our must-have essentials.
SILK Smoothing Blow-Dry Balm
Every great style starts with the right foundation. Apply SILK Smoothing Blow-Dry Balm to damp hair before drying to help reduce frizz, smooth the hair cuticle and boost shine. The lightweight formula leaves hair feeling silky, manageable and perfectly prepped for sleek styling.
ENHANCE Volumising Mousse
A slick-back bun needs hold that lasts without feeling stiff. ENHANCE Volumising Mousse provides flexible, humidity-resistant hold while maintaining natural movement. Applied at the roots before blow-drying, it helps your hairstyle stay smooth and polished throughout the day.
HERØ Ionic Technology Hair Dryer
A smooth finish starts with the drying process, which is why the HERØ Ionic Technology Hair Dryer is an essential styling tool. Ionic technology helps reduce frizz and static while enhancing shine, leaving hair looking sleek and healthy. Pair it with a paddle brush when blow-drying to create a smooth, even finish that's ready to be styled into your bun.
HERØ Paddle Brush
For the sleekest possible finish, the HERØ Paddle Brush is the perfect styling companion. Its wide paddle design effortlessly smooths the hair as you brush, helping to minimise bumps and tame flyaways while evenly distributing your hair into a neat ponytail. It's ideal for creating the polished, glossy base that defines the slick-back bun.
CONTROL Flexible Styling Hairpray
Complete your style with CONTROL Flexible Styling Hairspray to keep your bun looking flawless all day. Offering flexible hold with a brushable finish, it helps control flyaways without leaving hair feeling sticky or rigid. Plus, added UV protection helps keep your hair looking its best whatever the day brings.
With the right techniques, premium styling products and salon-quality tools, achieving a smooth slick-back bun at home has never been easier. We have everything you need to help you to create the look in no time at all. View our full range of products: All Products
