How to Slick Back Hair: 8 Hairstyles to Try

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You’ve seen it walking the runways and red carpets, plastered on the front of magazines, and even strutting down the street. That’s right, we’re talking about the season’s hottest hairstyle—slicked-back hair. Whether it’s slicked into a ponytail or left cascading down the back of your head, when you slick back hair, it radiates sophistication. In fact, the super-sleek look can be quite the refreshing change from your normal beachy waves, bouncy curls, and expertly-woven braids. That’s precisely why we’re such fans of this trend! Not for the faint of heart, slicked-back hair brings all attention to your face, allowing your bone structure to be the star. Does this sound like a hairstyle you’d want to try? Below, learn how to slick back hair into eight different hairstyles for women.

WHAT YOU NEED TO GET SLICKED-BACK HAIR

Whether you want to wear it up or wear it down, getting slicked-back hair is easy with the right products on hand. Once you’ve gathered all of your supplies, you’ll be ready to slick back your hair into one of the following hairstyles.

What you’ll need:

L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle SLEEK IT Iron Straight Heatspray

L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle LOCK IT Extreme Style Gel

L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray Strong Hold

Flat iron

Fine-tooth comb

Brush

Bobby pins

Clear elastic

1. HIGH SLICKED BACK PONYTAIL

If you like to keep your hair off your shoulders, a slicked-back ponytail could be the right option for you.

Get the look:

STEP 1: STRAIGHTEN YOUR HAIR

Slicked-back hair is all about making strands look really sleek. To create the perfect base for your hairstyle, spray your strands with a heat protectant and flat iron your hair.

STEP 2: ADD GEL

Once your hair is straight, evenly apply a dollop of hair gel from your hairline back to the crown of your head. Use a fine-tooth comb to distribute the product through your hair.

STEP 3: SMOOTH HAIR INTO A HIGH PONY

Brush your hair to smooth out any lumps and bumps, then use a clear elastic to tie it into a high ponytail.

STEP 4: WRAP YOUR HAIR TIE

To conceal your hair tie and give your look a little extra detail, wrap a small strand of hair around the base of your ponytail and use a bobby pin to secure it in place on the underside of your pony.

STEP 5: FINISH WITH HAIRSPRAY

Spritz your ‘do with a strong-hold hairspray and go about your day with a secure, slick hairstyle.

2. LONG SLICKED BACK HAIR

If you’re feeling extra-bold and want to show off your length, why not mimic Hollywood’s favorite hairstyle at the moment? Give long slicked-back hair a try for a red carpet-worthy style.

Get the look:

STEP 1: MAKE IT STRAIGHT

You know the drill: Help protect your tresses with a heat protectant spray before breaking out your flat iron.

STEP 2: ADD VOLUME

Using a fine-tooth comb, tease your hair at the crown and on the under layer of hair nearest to your hairline.

STEP 3: SMOOTH THE SIDES BACK

For this look, you want the sides of your style to be completely slicked back and close to your head. After you’ve smoothed your hair back, use a flat bobby pin to secure the sides in place without taking away from the volume you’ve created up top.

STEP 4: ADD GEL TO THE TOP SECTION OF HAIR

To achieve the famed slicked-back look, evenly distribute gel on the topmost layer of hair. Use your fine-tooth comb to smooth the hair back.

STEP 5: FINISH WITH HAIRSPRAY

To help make sure your hair stays in place, spray it with a strong-hold hairspray, then follow up with a shine mist.

3. SLICKED BACK LOW BUN

Want to keep things sleek and professional? Consider rocking a slicked-back low bun. Perhaps the most intense of our slicked-back hairstyles, this option truly makes your face (and makeup look) the center of attention.

Get the look:

STEP 1: GRAB YOUR FLAT IRON

The end result may be different, but this slicked-back hairstyle starts the same as all the others. Get started by spritzing your mane with a heat protectant, then straighten your strands.

STEP 2: USE A HAIR GEL

When you’re finished straightening your locks, reach for a hair gel to slick things back. Distribute it throughout your mane, taking caution not to apply too much product (this can create the appearance of greasy hair—yikes!).

STEP 3: PULL YOUR HAIR INTO A PONYTAIL

Brush back your hair and pull it into a low ponytail at the base of your neck. Be sure to smooth out any bumps or knots. Secure with a clear elastic.

STEP 4: CREATE YOUR BUN

Twist the length of your hair and wrap it around the base of your ponytail, creating your bun. Pin the bun into place with a few bobby pins that match your hair color.

STEP 5: SEAL THE DEAL

Almost finished! Give your style a quick a spritz of hairspray for a slicked-back style that lasts.

4. SLICKED BACK BRAID

Love a good braid? This slicked-back take on the intricate hairstyle has being your next Instagram post written all over it.

Get the look:

STEP 1: STRAIGHTEN YOUR LOCKS

Reach for your heat protectant before straightening your strands to perfection with a flat iron.

STEP 2: GRAB SOME GEL

Get some hair gel in the palms of your hands, rub them together, then work the product through your hair, slicking it backward and down toward the nape of your neck.

STEP 3: CREATE YOUR BRAID

Gather your length at the base of your neck and weave it into a tight, neat braid of your choosing. Use bobby pins as needed to tame stray hairs. No messy, carefree braids here!

STEP 4: SECURE WITH AN ELASTIC

Tie off your braid to ensure no strands come loose.

STEP 5: SEAL YOUR STYLE

Spritz on a hairspray to give your slicked-back hairstyle the staying power it needs. All done!

5. SLICKED BACK LOW PONYTAIL

We covered its alternative, but what if you’re more of a low ponytail gal? Well, follow the steps below to bring your slicked-back low pony to life.

Get the look:

STEP 1: REACH FOR YOUR FLAT IRON

Use your flat iron to straighten your mane—after applying your heat protectant, of course.

STEP 2: ADD GEL

Rub hair gel between your palms, then work it through your mane, slicking your strands backward and downward.

STEP 3: CREATE YOUR LOW PONY

Gather your length at the nape of your neck to create your low ponytail, securing with an elastic.

STEP 4: HIDE YOUR ELASTIC

For an elegant touch, take a small section of hair from underneath your ponytail and wrap it around its base, disguising the elastic. Secure underneath your pony with a bobby pin or two.

STEP 5: FINISH WITH HAIRSPRAY

Seal in your style with a few spritzes of hairspray before showing off your slicked-back ‘do.

6. SLICKED BACK BRAIDED PIGTAILS

Why not take a walk on the nostalgic side? While pigtails may have you reminiscing about your childhood days, this slicked-back version has an upgraded, edgy twist perfect for your adult hairstyle arsenal.

Get the look:

STEP 1: STRAIGHTEN YOUR HAIR

Apply a heat protectant, then use a flat iron to give yourself perfectly straight locks.

STEP 2: USE HAIR GEL

Smooth a hair gel throughout your hair, focusing on your roots and mid-lengths to slick it backward.

STEP 3: BRAID AWAY

Split your length into two equal sections at the nape of your neck. Then, create two traditional braids, making sure to keep them as neat as possible.

STEP 4: FINE-TUNE THE LOOK

Like we said, it’s important to keep your braids neat for this slick look. If you notice any stray hairs poking out, secure them with a bobby pin that matches your hair color.

STEP 5: FINISH WITH HAIRSPRAY

You know what to do! Spritz on some hairspray before heading out the door.

7. SLICKED BACK HIGH BUN

Take your bag of hairstyle tricks to the next level by adding a slicked-back high bun to your wheelhouse. Here’s what to do.

Get the look:

STEP 1: GRAB YOUR FLAT IRON

After applying heat protectant, straighten your hair with a flat iron.

STEP 2: ADD GEL

Apply hair gel to your mane, slicking it backward and upward in the process.

STEP 3: SMOOTH HAIR INTO A PONYTAIL

Gather the length of your hair into a high ponytail and position it where you want to base of your bun to be. Secure with a clear elastic.

STEP 4: CREATE YOUR BUN

Wrap your length around the base of the ponytail to form your high bun. Secure into place with bobby pins.

STEP 5: FINISH WITH HAIRSPRAY

Seal the deal with a spritz or two of hairspray.

8. SLICKED BACK BRAIDED PONYTAIL

You could say we saved the best for last—and by best, we mean the most intricate. Don’t worry, though; it’s easy to recreate!

Get the look:

STEP 1: STRAIGHTEN YOUR MANE

You know what to do: Apply heat protectant and straighten your hair.

STEP 2: GRAB YOUR HAIR GEL

Apply hair gel to your strands, slicking them back in the process.

STEP 3: CREATE A HIGH PONY

Smooth your hair into a high ponytail, making sure there are no bumps or knots in sight. Secure with a clear elastic.

STEP 4: BRAID AWAY

Once your ponytail is secured, braid its length into a traditional three-strand braid.

STEP 5: SPRITZ ON HAIRSPRAY

Finish the look by misting your slick style with some hairspray.

If you're digging these slicked-back hairstyles, we have a feeling you’ll love the look we’re sharing next, too. Here’s How to Get the Wet Hair Look.