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Slick-back hairstyles are on the rise, loved for their shiny, polished finish. From the red carpet to everyday styling, slick-backs can be adapted to bring neat lines and simple elegance to every occasion. In this blog Laura Elliott, Head of Education at Neäl & Wølf shares everything you need to know about the style, including trending hairstyles to integrate into your style.
What is a slick-back hairstyle?
The slick-back involves brushing, combing or sweeping hair away from your face, with not a strand out of place. It’s associated with high shine and precision, but it can vary from sleek and sculpted, to relaxed and textured. It works well on short, medium and long hair lengths, and highlights your natural facial features to create a look that projects confidence.
How do you slick-back hair?
Creating the perfect slick-back starts with healthy, well-prepared strands and finishes with strong styling products.
1. Start with clean hair
Smooth, hydrated strands are much easier to control to help achieve the sleek finish that defines this look so well. Begin by washing your hair with specialised products like our HYDRATE Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner which help to reduce frizz, whilst also nourishing your strands.
2. Use a hair mask
After washing, use a hair mask on clean, damp hair. Apply our HYDRATE Moisture Hair Mask to intensely moisturise your locks and add shine - leave on mid-lengths to ends and keep on your tresses for as little as five minutes. Wash away and then dry with a microfibre towel to keep frizz at bay.
3. Apply a smoothing styling product
Use a small amount of SILK Smoothing Blow Dry Balm on your mid-lengths to ends, smoothing locks to create a frizz-free finish without flyaways. Compliment this with our HERØ Ionic Technology Hair Dryer, which uses ionic technology to reduce frizz and speed up drying time.
4. Brush your hair back
Use a paddle brush to sweep hair back, then tame any flyaways with a fine-tooth comb. Gently brush your hair away from your face, starting at the hairline and then moving away to the crown. The closer you are to your scalp, the more sculpted and neat the slick-back is - for a softer look, allow for a little more natural movement through your lengths.
5. Perfect the shape
Once your hair is styled, smooth any remaining flyaways. Warm a small amount of SILK Smoothing Blow Dry Balm in your palms, then smooth over your hair to maintain the polished effect. Take a moment to review and ensure that you’ve got the full polished effect.
6. Add a strong shine
Create the signature glossy feel of slick-back hair by using a light mist of GLOW Super Shine Micro Mist. This adds a super-shine finish that looks sleek, whilst keeping hair looking luminous and healthy. Just spritz the aerosol mist over your hair, holding the can about 20cm from dry hair.
7. Set and spray
Once your hair is in prime position, keep it there. Our FIX Hold & Shine Spray has maximum long-lasting hold to set your hair in position all day long. It also adds that gorgeous shine that is so characteristic of the slick-back style.
What are the most popular slick-back styles?
One of the best things about slick-back styles is how versatile they are. They can be tailored to suit different textures, lengths and occasions, from sleek ponytails and buns to textured or curly looks. Below are some of the most searched for styles to try out.
Modern slick-back
The modern slick-back is more laid back than the classic look - it is much more relaxed compared to the usual tightly sculpted finish. Instead, it is gently swept away from the face whilst maintaining natural movement through the lengths. The result? A style that works beautifully for both daytime wear and evening occasions.
Slick-back bun
The slick-back bun is an elevated style that combines a smooth front with a neatly styled bun at the nape of the neck. It works well for formal events, work, or any location where a clean look is needed. By keeping hair sleek at the crown and structured at the back, there’s a completely graceful finish. Read more: The Viral Slick-Back Bun
Slick-back ponytail
The slick-back ponytail is one of the simplest ways to get a polished hairstyle. Hair is smoothly brushed away from the face and put into a ponytail - ideal for both high-fashion styling and everyday wear. A high ponytail is much bolder, whereas the low ponytail gives more elegance.
Messy slick-back
The messy slick-back is an incredibly relaxed take on the trend. Instead of a perfectly smooth finish, texture and volume are introduced to create a more modern feel. Hair is loosely swept back, allowing a few soft pieces or natural movement to stay behind - an effortlessly cool style.
Curly slick-back
Slick-back styles work well with both curly and wavy hair. Rather than smoothing your entire head of hair, a curly slick-back focuses on taming the front section whilst letting natural curls remain through the lengths. This creates a contrast between the sleek hairline and natural texture behind it, for a style that feels defined as well as full of movement.
What are the best products for a slick-back look?
Achieving the perfect sleek slick-back look starts with the right haircare and styling products. Smooth hair creates the perfect foundation to work with, whilst lightweight styling products help control frizz, add shine, and maintain the polished finish that is so common of this look.
GLOW Super Shine Spray
GLOW is the perfect finishing touch for a slick-back hairstyle. A light mist adds a beautiful glossy finish that enhances the sleek effect while helping the hair look healthy and radiant. It delivers instant shine without weighing the hair down, making it ideal for maintaining a polished, high-gloss slick-back look. Shop now: GLOW Super Shine Micro Mist
Video Credit: @amyspencehair
HYDRATE Moisture Mask
HYDRATE helps prepare the hair before styling by deeply nourishing and replenishing moisture. Well-hydrated hair is smoother, softer, and easier to manage, which makes achieving a sleek slick-back style much easier. Regular use of a moisture mask helps improve overall hair condition, creating the perfect base for smooth styling. Learn more: HYDRATE Moisture Hair Mask
SILK Smoothing Balm
SILK Smoothing Balm is a key styling product for creating a flawless slick-back. This lightweight balm smooths frizz, tames flyaways, and adds soft control without leaving the hair feeling heavy. It helps achieve a sleek, controlled finish while maintaining natural movement and softness. Browse the solution: SILK Smoothing Blow Dry Balm
With the right preparation and the right products, slick-back hairstyles offer a simple yet luxurious way to achieve a polished look that works for any location. View our full specialised collection: Hair Shine Products
