12 Slicked-Back Hairstyles for Women That Are Sleek and So On-Trend

This sleek style is a go-to for a reason—it’s soft and timeless, and works beautifully for anything from an easy weekend style to looking prim for an interview. It’s especially flattering on oval, round, and square face shapes, and tends to work best on fine, straight, or medium-textured hair. That said, a good anti-frizz product can make all the difference if your hair needs a little extra smoothing (we love the Première Repairing Anti-Frizz Serum for Damaged Hair—and yes, you can snag it with a Sephora promo code). 

Here’s how we get the look:

1. Start with clean, dry hair and apply a smoothing serum or anti-frizz product to prep the strands.
2. Use a fine-toothed comb to brush your hair straight back from your hairline, watching for “bumps”.
3. Gather the hair at the nape of your neck and secure it with a no-crease hair tie. 
4. Apply a strong-hold gel or pomade (we recommend Moroccanoil Styling Gel) to keep everything sleek without creating a crunchy finish.
5. Tamp down any flyaways with a light mist of finishing spray and you’re good to go.

(Image credit: @editsalon.kw)

There’s something undeniably upscale—and a little edgy—about slick back hair for ladies on shorter hair. It’s got that wet, high-fashion finish we love, and it works beautifully on straight or wavy textures that fall just above the shoulders (think anything longer than a pixie). Bonus: it flatters oval, heart, and square face shapes, and you can dial the “wetness” up or down depending on whether you’re heading somewhere fancy or just feeling a little glam on a weekday.

We create the style like this:

1. Start with lightly damp hair.
2. Apply an ample amount of styling gel or mousse (we recommend Kenra Professional Styling Gel 17) evenly throughout your hair.
3. Use a comb to slick your hair straight back from the hairline, making sure the product is evenly distributed.
4. Decide your finish: leave the ends straight and piecey or flip them out for a playful, retro twist.
5. Lock in shine with a glossing spray—we’re fans of COLOR WOW Extra Mystical Shine Spray for a glass-like finish.

Need to stock up? Don’t forget to use an Ulta Beauty coupon to snag your styling staples. (Image credit: @stellacini)

Ready to turn heads? A glossy, high pony instantly creates a bold, lifted look, especially for medium to thick hair. It’s a favorite for nights out, special events, or when you want to level up a casual outfit. This style puts the spotlight on your cheekbones, making it especially flattering for round, heart, and square face shapes. Just a heads-up: pulling off that ultra-smooth, snatched vibe takes the right tools and products (and a strong elastic that means business).

This is how we get this preppy-sleek 'do:

1. Start by brushing dry and styled hair up and back, smoothing out bumps as you go. Work in sections if needed.
2. Apply a smoothing cream to tame frizz and flyaways. We love Smooth Styling Cream, which you can shop with a Nordstrom coupon code. 
3. Secure your ponytail at the crown of your head using a heavy-duty, no-slip elastic that can handle your hair’s volume and weight.
4. Tighten and adjust as needed, using a fine-tooth comb to perfect the sleekness along your scalp.
5. Finish with a strong-hold hairspray (like Big Sexy Hair Spray & Stay Intense Hold Hairspray) to lock everything in place and keep things smooth all night long.

(Image credit:@michellmarcal)

There’s something effortlessly elegant about a center-parted bun. With its sleek lines and polished finish, this look brings gorgeous symmetry to straight or fine hair and works especially well on oval, diamond, and square face shapes. It has a slightly ballerina-meets-prom vibe, which makes it one of our favorite formal slicked-back styles.

Try this for the perfect slicked-bun look:

1. Work in a strong-hold gel to lock everything in place and create that glossy, wet-look finish.
2. Then, create a sharp center part using a fine-toothed comb. We like the Bass Brushes Tortoise Shell Finish Grooming Comb for ultra-precise styling.
3. Comb the hair back smoothly on both sides of the part, gathering it at your crown.
4. Secure your hair into a tight bun—you can twist, coil, or tuck depending on your hair type and desired finish.
5. Set the style with a long-lasting finishing spray like KRISTIN ESS HAIR Refine Signature Finishing Spray to keep every strand in check.

Ready to shop tools? Grab your grooming essentials with a Target promo code. (Image credit:@justjenda)

So smooth and ultra-glossy, this touchable "glass hair" look brings all the drama. As one of the more time-intensive options, this long, slicked-back hairstyle is ideal for events and special occasions that call for a little extra effort. The trade off is that you won’t need to wash your hair right away to remove copious amounts of products, so a little extra time today means you can take a day off from washing and styling tomorrow.

Here’s how we get the sleekest strands:

1. Start by applying a heat protectant—we love Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Heat Protectant Primer, which also works as a leave-in conditioner.
2. Blow-dry your hair in sections using a large round brush to build volume and smoothness. Our tool of choice? The Ceramic + Ion Thermal Hairbrush from Ulta for a fast, frizz-free blowout.
3. Once your hair is dry and shiny, brush it back gently from the hairline, keeping the top sleek while letting the rest flow.
4. Apply a lightweight shine serum to smooth flyaways and enhance that glossy finish without weighing the hair down.
5. Optional (but highly recommended): Add a touch of hairspray at the crown to keep the slicked-back portion in place while letting the length and ends flow.

(Image credit: @elkcollective_)

Want to serve ultra-sleek sophistication? A slick chignon is a go-to for weddings, galas, and formal events—pretty much anywhere you want your look to whisper “classic elegance.” It starts with a low ponytail, gets twisted into a chic knot, and is secured at the nape of the neck for a finish that’s sharp enough to cut glass.

Try this for a foolproof glassy updo:

1. Prep your hair with a smoothing serum (like Smooth Perfection Heat Protectant Smoothing Serum) to tame frizz and protect from styling tools.
2. Brush your hair straight back into a sleek, low ponytail and secure it with a no-crease elastic.
3. Twist the ponytail into a rope, and then coil it around itself, using bobby pins to secure it as you go. Tuck the ends into the coil and secure with more bobby pins.
4. Smooth any flyaways and perfect the shape using your comb and a generous spritz of TRESemmé Extra Hold Hairspray (add a little extra to amp up the slickness).

Before you try this style, make sure hair is frizz-free from the start. Check out our latest roundup of the Top 10 Hair Smoothing Creams for the best products to start with.

Pro tip: This look works best on fine to medium hair types but can be adapted with a little extra smoothing and hold if you’re working with thicker textures. (Image credit: @ragios_hair_makeup)

This style is all about contrasting textures: the clean, glossy finish of slicked-back hair paired with the soft texture of a neat braid. It’s flattering on oval, heart, and diamond face shapes, and the best part? It works beautifully with straight, wavy, or textured hair. Whether you're heading to brunch or a casual dinner date, this look brings polished edge with minimal effort.

This is our go-to method for a slick-braided look:

1. Brush your hair straight back into a high ponytail and secure it tightly with a no-crease elastic (we love Kitsch Black Hair Ties for their soft, damage-free grip).
2. Apply a high-shine gel or pomade to slick back the hair from your hairline toward the base of your ponytail for a clean, sculpted look.
3. Spritz the pony with a texturizing spray like KRISTIN ESS HAIR Dry Finish Working Texture Spray to add volume and hold without stiffness.
4. Braid the ponytail all the way down, keeping the tension tight and smooth as you go. Try different types of braids (rope, fishtail, Dutch, bubble) to switch up the look.
5. Secure the end of the braid with a small elastic to keep things tidy.

Pro tip: For an even more elevated finish, leave a small section of hair out of the braid and then wrap around the base of your pony to hide the elastic, and pin it underneath. (Image credit: @hairlover_italia)

Pixie cuts are already cool—but slick them back, and suddenly you’ve got a sassy, confident style that’s equal parts polished and edgy. Whether you go for flat, sleek sides or amp up the volume up top, this short slicked-hair look is a win for oval, heart, and square face shapes. It’s ideal for fine to medium hair and gives serious model-off-duty vibes without much fuss.

Try these steps for shiny-pixie greatness:

1. Start with damp hair, then work in a lightweight styling gel from root to tip.
2. Spray in texture using a product like Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray to add fullness without making the hair look fluffy or frizzy.
3. Style the front however you like—use your fingers to smooth it back for a clean, sleek finish or lift it slightly for a voluminous, textured look.
4. Comb down the sides using a fine-tooth comb to lock in that crisp, slicked-back structure.
5. Finish with a light-hold hairspray, like Paul Mitchell Super Clean Light Finishing Hairspray, for natural shine and hold that won’t look crispy. Both pixie-approved products are a sweet deal with an Amazon promo code. 

Pro tip: A pixie can quickly lose shape, so make sure your trim is fresh. A haircut with clean edges can make all the difference in pulling off this sleek finish. (Image credit: @stylebysoares)

We're over the moon about a sleek bob styled with a deep side part for fine to medium hair. Just look at that dramatic symmetry that hollers back to vintage glamour. It's great for oval, heart, and square face shapes. While eye-catching enough for formal events, we think it’s an upgraded look for work settings and everyday too. All it takes is a little styling gel, shine spray, and smoothing cream to channel instant glam.

Ready to try the style? Here’s how we do it:

1. To start, apply a smoothing cream or styling gel (depending on your hair type).
2. Choosing the side that allows your hair to lay better (trust us, your hair has a fave side, too), create a deep side part using a tail comb for precision.
3. Comb the hair back on both sides of the part for a sleek, sculpted effect.
4. Use a fine-toothed comb to refine the slicked-back finish and ensure everything stays in place.
5. Pin back any stubborn flyaways behind your ears or at the nape using small bobby pins that match your hair color, or choose a decorative pin that stands out.
6. Finish with a shine spray—we recommend Amika Top Gloss Shine Spray for a glossy, glass-like finish that takes this look to the next level.

Pro tip: This style is easiest to achieve on second-day hair and can be reactivated with a spritz of water or lightweight styling mist. (Image credit: @takishahair)

This drippy, sultry look features a sleek, high bun with optional face-framing tendrils. With the amount of discreet scaffolding needed, get your hair gel, strong hair elastic, and bobby pins ready.

This one is great for round, square, and oval face shapes. It's also the rare slicked-back hair women's look that's universal for all hair types, anyone can pull it off.

Do this to for the most flattering, slick top knot:

1. Starting with slightly damp hair, work a generous amount of gel from root to tip to lock down flyaways and create that wet, shiny finish.
2. Using a comb, slick hair into a high ponytail and secure using something as sturdy as Helium's Small Hair Ties. Be sure to leave out any face-framing tendrils now, it’ll be harder to pull out pieces once the bun is in place.
3. Twist pony around itself to form a tight bun and secure with bobby pins to create this street-style look. Leave ends out or pin with classic Goody SlideProof Bobby Pins.
4. Add a little extra gel to tendrils and create gentle, just-out-of-the-water coils by wrapping small sections around a finger.

(Image credit: @hair_is_sexy)

Slicked-back styles aren't just for straight hair—this one proves that natural curls and coils can join the sleek party too. We love this look for combining glossy sides with soft, bouncy texture through the back. It’s a winner for oval, round, and diamond face shapes, especially on nights when you want to turn heads without taming your texture.

Here’s our fave way to get the look:

1. Start with damp hair and work in a curl-defining product like Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Defining & Frizz Taming Hair Cream.
2. Add a lightweight mousse (we love Not Your Mother’s Plump For Joy Volumizing Mousse) to boost volume without the crunch.
3. Scrunch your curls and let them air-dry or diffuse, depending on your texture and time.
4. Once dry, slick back the sides of your hair using a light gel or styling cream and secure them with bobby pins.
5. Finish with a frizz-fighting serum for extra shine and a glass-like finish.

Pro tip: This look is perfect when your curls are at their best—day two or three hair usually works like a charm. (Image credit: @manifesting_mary)

This beachy, model-off-duty look combines carefree vibes with the sculpted look of slicked-back roots, perfect for music festivals or daytime outings. It's a win for medium to long hair with natural waves or curls. Anyone can rock this style, but oval, diamond, and heart face shapes find it the most flattering.

We like this method for getting slicked-back and flowy waves:

1. Start with damp or dry hair, depending on your texture and how much definition you want.
2. Enhance your waves using a sea salt spray for a lived-in texture—we love Odele Texturizing Sea Salt Spray for that breezy, back-from-the-beach finish.
3. For extra wave-power, wrap sections around a curling wand for a few seconds (too long and it’ll be more curl than wave).
4. Apply a lightweight gel or mousse to your roots and top section—just enough to create that glossy, slicked-back effect.
5. Comb the top half of your hair back using a wide-tooth or wave-friendly comb. Try the Giorgio G49 Detangling Comb, which glides through waves without creating frizz.
6. Leave your mid-lengths and ends loose, letting the texture do the talking. You can finish with a shine mist or anti-frizz serum for extra glow.

Pro tip: To keep the top slick without crunch, go light with product and layer gradually. A touch of hold is all you need—don’t drown those roots! (Image credit: @paulmitchellaus)