Slick Back Hair: 6 Ways To Get The Look

By Jordan Carter

Published 12:11 pm

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How To Slick Back Hair

Slicked back hairstyles for men are heavily trending this season. Although many lads have been rocking this style for donkey years, it never ceases to present itself on the catwalk year in, year out. It is no wonder that it is still one of the best go-to hairstyles for men. Not only is it stylish, but it also offers a clean and dapper look for any man who takes his appearance seriously.

Although the modern slick back look was composed of an undercut, where trimming off some hair at the back and side of the head was the norm, over the years, the slick back hairstyle has been modernised to suit the individual’s personality, hair texture, hair type, and style preference. This includes tinting a portion of the hair, tips or roots, or using very defined hair partings as seen on David Beckham, who proudly rocks his slick back look. Hardly can one find a picture of the gorgeous Beckham without his hair perfectly slicked back. In particular, his famous pompadour style has braced many top fashion magazines worldwide.

So if you are after the Beckham effect, the following six methods will ensure that you get the best slick back look.

In getting a very natural looking slick back hair, you have the option of using either some hair clay, hair pomade, hair wax, hair cream, hair gel or hairspray. Either of these can be used to achieve any slick back hairstyle effortlessly!

1. Slick Back Look Using Hair Pomade

Hair pomade is a hair product for styling that has been around for a while which many lads swear to live by. And the great thing is that it can be used for any hairstyle to last through the day.

As hair pomade often comes in three forms such as a natural base, oil base, and water base, for a long lasting slick back wet look long, it is best to opt for the water-based pomade. On the hand, an oil-based pomade is best for achieving a shiny slick back style if that’s what you are after; because of its flexible nature, it also works perfectly if you are the type of guy that loves restyling your hair after already applying a pomade. But if a matte look is what you are after, the natural base pomade is more suitable.

When using a pomade to style your hair, begin by slightly dampening your stresses, then rub a pea-sized amount of the pomade in both palms before applying and working through. The trick to getting that perfect wet, slick and shiny look is not using too much or too little. Rather, finding the right balance of quantity for your hair type and volume is key. Once applied, leave the hair to air dry, but if you have a hair dryer handy, that can also be used instead.

The above method is great for achieving the pompadour slick back style but might require a little more product. It is also perfect for those who require the freedom to play with their hair or to restyle if need be. It can also be used to achieve the classic slick back style.

2. Slick Back Look Using Hair Wax

If you have been blessed with straight or wavy hair, a wax is best for achieving the perfect slick back look; what’s more, it can be used on a daily basis. However, keep in mind that as hair wax is a hard product, for a smoother consistency, warming it up is advisable. This can be done by either placing the wax container in a bowl of warm water or rubbing a small amount in between the palms before applying.

When applying, start from the roots of the hair and work your way up all the way to the tips while adding more wax (if need be). Once done, run a comb (or your fingers) through the hair to style. If there is a need to add more product, brush the top layer of the hair and apply the warmed wax to a thin layer (the surface) of the hair. This method is also great for achieving the pompadour slick back look.

Although washing off the wax from your hair is a little more challenging than a pomade, it is perfect for keeping the hair slick all day long while still giving room for movement.

3. Slick Back Look Using Hair Gel

Want to achieve the classic 1960’s ‘Grease Lightening‘ slick back style? You can’t go wrong with some hair gel if a sturdy look is what you are after. Although hair gel holds very well, just like wax, too much is never a good idea. Hair that is too sticky, crunchy or crusty will not deliver the appealing look you are after. Therefore, carefully following the below directions is crucial for the right look.

With a freshly washed and towel dried hair, take a small amount of the gel and thoroughly rub it through (properly massaging it up and down on all corners of the hair). A Comb can also be used just to ensure that every strand reaches the gel. Bear in mind that when using gel, the hair is likely to consume more product than when using pomade or wax. So to achieve a crispy classic look, only apply a generous amount of gel to the hair and viola…John Travolta’s twin!!

4. Slick Back Look Using Hairspray

If you prefer not to get your hands too sticky, forget pomades and waxes, as a hairspray may work best for you. Depending on the type of spray that is used, you can achieve the look on both damp hair or dry hair. Hairspray products are usually lighter and very effective for simpler styles such as a slick back with a fade or undercut. They can also add volume to thinner hair, types as well as tame those naughty frizzing hair while still holding the hair down. However, if your hair on top is too curly and voluminous, you are probably better off with a water-based pomade followed with hairspray.

Additionally, For thin, fine hair that is often weighed down by the heaviness of a gel, pomade or wax, hairspray is the easiest way to get any of the preferred slick back hairstyles.

5. Slick Back Look Using Hair Cream

If you often find that using too many hair gels or pomades weighs your hair down, a hair styling cream can still do a good job; especially if hate the feel of heavy products on your hair. The downside to this is that your hair might not keep its style for long enough, leaving you with the risk of having fly over hair. If that’s not a problem, then a hair styling cream would be perfect but otherwise, using a hairspray, in addition, might help. After applying the cream, the spray can be applied about eight inches away, to hold the hair on the surface together ensuring that the style can last longer than when using the hair styling cream alone.

For guys who have hair with too much volume, there are special hairsprays that can hold it down without having to use a pomade, wax, gel, wax or cream while controlling frizz and giving the hair a lovely matte finish. Non-alcoholic hair sprays can also work on hair that is slightly curly and unruly offering the extra hold that is needed to keep the hair in place for a perfect slick back look. This can be achieved without damaging the curls and still protecting it from frizz.

6. Slick Back Look Using Hair Clay

For a more natural looking, textured and voluminous slick back hairstyle, a specialist hair clay for men is the best option for achieving the look. In fact, hair clays are popularly used for styling because of their healing ingredients that help to repair damaged hair and scalp. This also offers a great opportunity to keep the health of your hair in check.

Whether a water-based or oil base hair clay, both work perfectly for a slick back hairstyle with medium hold, giving it a perfect and very natural looking matte finish. Although the thickness of your hair would determine the amount needed to get that perfectly finished look, it is advisable to start with a pea size and gradually add more if necessary when working through the hair.

Conclusion

Whether pomade, wax, gel, cream, clay, spray or hair oil, all can be used to achieve the different types of slick back hairstyles if correctly used. As gel and wax are sticky substances, they can deliver the perfect modern pompadour or the classic slick back hairstyle with minimum effort. However, the heaviness of such products can weigh down thin, fine hair types. Hairstyling creams and hair sprays, although thinner in nature, work perfectly for finer hair types while still controlling frizz on curlier hair. Making it the perfect base for those of us lads who do not enjoy the heavy feel of other styling products.