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The 13 Best Slicked-Back Hair Products for Buns and Ponytails

 

Smooth things over with these top expert picks

rom runway-ready chignons to sleek high-ponytails, using the best slick-back hair products makes it simple to craft tailored updos that look seamless for hours on end. As easy as it may seem to create these popular hair looks, there can sometimes be a bit of a learning curve when it comes to styling them at home. There are many ways to achieve a successful slicked-back style, since the product essentials required depend on your preference and the items that work best for your hair type.

According to experts, some of the most popular staples for slicked-back styles include items you likely already keep in rotation, including mousse and a hardworking boar bristle brush, along with stylist favorites like wax sticks and hairspray. Professional hairstylist Raven Hurtado tells Bazaar that she prefers using mousse for slick hairstyles because once the flexible formula is applied to dry hair, makes it easy to flatten for a slicked finish. “I also like using a wax stick because it keeps fine hairs locked down. Hairspray is also good because it’s a universal product to keep styles in place,” she notes.

Here, we've rounded up the best slicked-back hair products to perfect your next bun or ponytail. Keep reading for expert-approved favorites from Nexxus, Mason Pearson, and more that will even have prima ballerinas eyeing your look with envy.

Best Wax Stick for Thick Hair

Bed Head by Tigi Hair Wax Stick

Pros

• Features a semi-matte finish

Cons

• Subtle lavender scent may be off-putting to some

Taming hair frizz is key for achieving a sleek, slicked-back look, and this wax stick makes it easy. While there are a number of options available to shop, this one from Bed Head by Tigi is my go-to. The stick's beeswax and castor oil formula seamlessly combats humidity and sweat and has a pliable hold that prevents hair from looking greasy.

Customer review: “This hair care product works very well and is super easy to use. It has helped keep the flyaway hairs from running rampant. It has helped maintain a smoother hair texture when styled.” —Kandace

Best Wax for Fine Hair

Nexxus Slick Stick Strong Hold Hair Wax

Pros

• Provides 72 hours of humidity protection

Cons

• Subtle rose scent may be off-putting to some

Here's another frizz-fighting wax stick favorite from Nexxus that's made for the long haul. To get its stronghold benefits, apply it directly to your hair or use your hands for thorough coverage.

Customer review: “The stronghold provided by this hair wax is truly impressive. No more struggling with my front hair falling into my eyes throughout the day. Despite its powerful hold, I love that this wax doesn't leave my hair looking sticky or oily.” —Anonymous

Best Hydrating Wax

Maria Nila Hair Wax Gneiss

Pros

• Great for dry hair
• A little goes a long way

Cons

• Not ideal for those with oily hair or scalp

Products from Swedish hair care brand Maria Nila have me in a chokehold as of late to style picture-perfect updos. I’m particularly impressed by this pomade from the brand that keeps my hair in place without feeling heavy. Plus, it adds a shine and moisture boost—thanks to a combination of shea butter and olive oil—that my sometimes dry and brittle hair can appreciate. It also has a fragrance of cedar and sandalwood that adds a subtle scent.

Customer review: “Gives a nice bit of hold and texture without being too noticeable in dryness or shine.” —Petar

Best Gel

Göt2b Ultra Glued Invincible Styling Hair Gel

Pros

• A little goes a long way

Cons

• Hold level may not be ideal for fine hair types

If you prefer to use gel for a sleek style, celebrity stylist Ursula Stephen suggests starting with damp hair. “Beginning with damp hair allows the product to spread more easily through the hair and prevents you from overusing it,” she explains. This popular pick from Got2B provides a strong hold that doesn't flake, and helps tame flyaways. Since a little goes a long way, you only need a small amount for a seamless hair finish.

Customer review: “This is fabulous! The up-do that my dancer has to wear for multiple performances has to look great and stay in place for hours under hot stage lights! Not to mention the amount of movement! Awesome! Have already recommended it to my fellow dance moms!” —Dance Mom

Best Boar Bristle Brush

La Bonne Brosse N.01 The Universal Hair Care Brush

Pros

• Helps detoxify the scalp
• Works for all hair types

Cons

• May not be travel-friendly

There are many hair brushes worth adding to your routine for a smooth finish, but professionals say this versatile option from La Bonne Brosse takes the cake. “A boar bristle brush is needed for smoothing and combing back the hair,” Hurtado says of its natural fiber design. Boar brushes help keep your hair shiny and balanced, as they're made to draw oil from your scalp and distribute it to the rest of the hair.

Best Luxe Boar Bristle Brush

Mason Pearson Popular Bristle and Nylon Brush

Pros

• Stylist-approved
• Long-lasting

Cons

• Best for medium to thicker hair types

You can't mention boar bristle brushes without including Mason Pearson. This tried-and-true tool is another boar bristle favorite that experts, like Guido Palau, swear by. It contains a rubber cushion pad that cradles the scalp as you use it with a sturdy handle that makes brushing your hair through feel like a dream instead of a chore.

Customer review: “I waited a long time to purchase this brush. It is expensive for a brush. But it feels wonderful brushing my hair. I was afraid that the bristles would not get through my hair. I have a lot of hair. But they did a good job. If you can swing it, it's nice to have.” —HappyChaplain

Best Hairspray

R+Co Vicious Strong Hold Flexible Hairspray

Pros

• Great for volume and texture

Cons

• May not be ideal for fragile, damaged hair

Hairspray is a tried-and-true essential for keeping your look in place. For a high-shine finish, Jill Buck, celebrity hairstylist and extension specialist, recommends this strong-hold version from R+Co that won't leave behind unsightly flakes.

Customer review: “Nice styling and holding spray without the stiffness.” —Nan106

Best Mousse

Crown Affair The Texturizing Air Dry Hair Mousse

This popular mousse is beloved by Bazaar editors and hair care enthusiasts for a reason. Its flexible formula won't leave your hair feeling sticky or crunchy, and seamlessly holds your style in place while taming unmanageable frizz. And since it's extremely lightweight, it also won't weigh your hair down.

Customer review: “This product works so perfectly for my hair. It keeps my hair from frizzing and gives it a nice shine without looking oily.” —dezzyw

Best Styling Wand

Dae Hair Cactus Fruit 3-In-1 Styling Cream & Taming Wand

Pros

• Under $20
• Travel-friendly

Cons

• May not be ideal for a firm hold

For quick touch-ups on the go, or just to keep your edges in check, consider this three-in-one styling cream from Dae. Along with the brand's hydrating formula, the essential includes a built-in wand applicator for easy frizz control.

Customer review: “I have tried several different styling creams, and I feel like all of them 'super glue' your hair into place. This product allows my hair to still be flexible and stay controlled.” —Abbie S.

Best Edge Control Tool

Pattern Edge Tool

Pros

• Versatile
• Easy to use

Cons

• Some reviewers say brush bristles are too firm

This staple from Pattern is a three-in-one tool, which means you can swirl your baby hairs to perfection and craft the perfect center or side parts. I still cringe looking at photos of myself with a misaligned part, but this handy staple has been game-changing for my updos.

Customer review: “Great tool for styling edges and flyaways. Love the sleeve it comes with too.” —designsbykellys

Best Hair Paste

The Best Paste Natural Shine Firm Hold Hair Paste

Pros

• Non-greasy
• A little goes a long way

Cons

• Fragrance may lean too masculine for some

Here's a firm hold hair paste that washes out easily, and can be used on damp or dry hair, depending on your preference. Once the sulfate- and silicone-free essential is emulsified in your fingertips, get ready to kiss frizz goodbye in seconds.

Customer review: “I absolutely love this product. I have tried many styling pastes over the years, and nothing else compares to the The Best Paste line of products.” —CSPrice

Best Hair Ties

Kitsch No Damage Hair Ties (20-Pack)

Pros

• Under $10
• Hair ties made without metal for minimal snagging

Cons

• Not ideal for those who prefer using silk scrunchies

It's hard to craft a seamless, slicked-back style without a great hair tie. Buck advises using multiple elastics to really secure your look. “First, establish your ponytail or bun where you want, whether it’s high or low, and section only the hair behind your ears,” she says. “Your second ponytail will be with the remaining hair in front of your ears. She recommends adding styling products as you go and keeping a few clips on hand for expert sectioning.

Best Satin Scarf

Glow By Daye Charmeuse Satin Pre-Folded Head Scarf

Pros

• Oversized
• Easy to use
• Versatile

Cons

• May slip off if not tied properly

A silk scarf may not be the first thing that comes to mind for a slicked-back bun or ponytail, but it’s Stephens’s secret weapon for minimizing frizz. Its gentle tension helps prevent your look from shifting once your style is complete.

Customer review: “The scarf is simple to use, makes life easier, and it doesn't slip off (mind you, this depends on how you tie). I looked at a lot of scarves, but I chose this one because of the quality. I didn't want something cheap, and it's definitely worth the cost.” —Anonymous

FAQs

Meet the Experts

• Ursula Stephen is a celebrity hairstylist and the owner of The Salon by Ursula Stephen in Brooklyn.
• Jill Buck is a celebrity hairstylist at Nine Zero One salon in West Hollywood, California.
• Raven Hurtado is a professional hair stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago.