What’s slick, sleek and chic all over? A slicked-back bun, of course.
Worn for decades in Black and brown communities, backed by seemingly every content creator on TikTok, and worn by trendsetting models like Bella Hadid, it’s clear that this slicked-back style has major staying power.
Its cleanliness gives off a polished look that everyone loves — hair that’s been styled but not overdone. It snatches the face for a naturally sculpted model-off-duty look. It’s simple enough to style. But there is a fair amount of personal preference and self-assessment that should come into play before you attempt a slicked-back bun. Ultimately, the success of this style is largely determined by the products you choose.
Sure, a brush and a holding product of some sort are the absolute bare necessities, but your dream slicked-back bun may be the result of a more personalized and involved concoction of products. Do you prefer the finish of a cream or gel? Does your hair type require products with extra hold? To mousse or not to mousse?
From must-have brushes to frizz-taming favourites, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best slicked-back bun essentials to help keep strands sleek and stray hairs in check without leaving behind a greasy finish or product build-up. Whether your hair is naturally straight or coiled, we’ve got you covered below.
PATTERN by Tracy Ellis Ross
For that super-sleek look, you’ll want a boar bristle brush like this one from PATTERN to firmly sculpt your hair into place. Plus, the nylon bristles on the other side of this dual-sided brush help smooth flyaways down.
Before you begin slicking, apply Olaplex’s No.7 Bonding Oil to the ends of your hair to repair, strengthen, and hydrate your locks in preparation for styling.
As seen on #BeautyTok, this multi-purpose Dae cream can be used to smooth strands down and tame frizz with its moisturizing blend of hydrating botanical ingredients.
Prefer a gel to slick your strands back? Eco Styler is a classic — especially for those with curly hair! Made with 100% pure olive oil, this product is sure to leave your hair as hydrated as it is sleek.
Here’s another TikTok viral product worth the hype — TIGI Bed Head’s Hair Stick. Use this styling stick around the hairline before and after brushing your hair back for an extra slick hold without any build-up.
For hair that may need a little extra hold around the hairline (like types 3-4c hair), reach for an extra firm hold edge control like this castor- and coconut oil-infused pick by Mixed Chicks.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.