Best Products for a Flawless Slick-Back, per Hairstylists

There are very few hairstyles that have stuck with me since I was a kid a child, but my weekly slick-back buns have truly stood the test of time. I still have early childhood memories of my parents styling my hair with the help of a spray bottle, a boar bristle brush, and a lot of gel to tame my 3B/3C curly hair before school. I didn’t know it then, but watching them do my hair helped me learn the basics on how to achieve a smooth, frizz-free bun pretty early on.

Now, I still sport slick-backs on a weekly basis, and I’ve pretty much mastered how to achieve a sleek look that lasts all day. Like many other people I’ll opt for this style whenever it feels right. Sometimes, it’s for formal events. Other times, I just want to feel put together with minimal effort, or I want my hair out of my face until the next wash day.

In my opinion, it’s a fool-proof style, but I genuinely believe that having the right hair products dictates the final result more than anything else. So to save you the hassle of searching through thousands of options on the market, I’m sharing the best slick-back products out there with the help of master hair educator and hairstylist Kimberly Michelle. Keep scrolling for our top picks.

Apply Leave-in Conditioner

Leave-in conditioner is optional, but it’s a great place to start if you need to detangle your hair. “I start with smooth, fully detangled hair and work on it dry or slightly damp if the hair has texture,” says Michelle. I’ve been using Pattern’s leave-in for over five years and swear by it for removing knots and styling. For a lighter product, consider trying Innersense’s Sweet Spirit Leave In Conditioner spray.

Add Gel

Gel is main product that you’ll need for your slick-back. I prefer to use Aunt Jackie’s Flaxseed Don’t Shrink Curling Gel but those with more textured hair may benefit from the Eco Style Olive Oil Gel (which I also tested and loved). Meanwhile, the Kenra Professional’s Styling Gel 17 Strong Hold Hair Gel works well on other hair types like straight, wavy, and fine hair.

“I apply my holding product in sections, working from the nape up to the crown, then the sides, and finishing with the front,” says Michelle. “I also adjust the amount of product based on the hair’s texture and density.” She notes that finer hair usually needs less product, while thicker or more textured hair may benefit from working in smaller sections.