Slick Back
Smooth · confident
A slick back combs the top straight back with no part, held by pomade or a blow-dry. You need four to six inches of length at the front, with sides either scissor-tapered for a classic look or clipped short for a modern one. The weight line at the crown does the holding.
Who it suits
Pulling everything off the forehead exposes the hairline completely, so this cut wants a solid one. Straight and wavy hair slicks best; thick hair holds without much product, while fine hair may show scalp under wet-look pomade. Round faces gain a little height from the sweep; long faces should keep the sides fuller.
The shape holds well between cuts, so four weeks between visits is fine. Daily styling takes a few minutes: damp hair, product, comb back.
Slick Back — common questions
What product should I use for a slick back?
Water-based pomade gives the classic shine and washes out easily; matte clay gives a drier, modern finish. Blow-drying the hair back before either makes the hold last all day. Start with a dime-size amount, since too much product is the usual mistake.
Can you slick back thin hair?
Carefully. Wet-look products separate fine hair and show scalp, so use a matte paste or powder and blow-dry back for volume first. If the front is receding, a slick back with some lift, closer to a loose pompadour, reads better than a flat, tight one.
