Haircut Styles
Brushed Back Hair: Length, Blow Drying and a Matte, Natural Finish
Short answer: Brushed back hair is a style where the top is swept back from the forehead with volume and visible movement, set with a matte or low-shine product so individual strands still separate. It is the relaxed cousin of the slick back: no wet shine, no rigid comb lines. You need about 7 to 12 cm on top, a scissor cut that removes bulk, and a blow dryer, because the shape is set by heat rather than by product.
Brushed back is not the same as slicked back
The two get lumped together, but they look and behave very differently. Brushed back hair is soft and airy with a matte surface; a slick back is flat, tight and shiny. Knowing which you want changes the cut, the product and the time it takes.
| Brushed back | Slicked back | |
|---|---|---|
| Finish | Matte to low shine | Glossy or wet look |
| Shape | Volume at the front, loose texture | Close to the head, clean comb lines |
| Main tool | Blow dryer and fingers or a vent brush | Fine comb |
| Product | Clay, paste, light cream | Pomade or gel |
| Feel | Touchable, moves in the wind | Set, stays exactly in place |
How much length you need
The front has to be long enough to reach past your crown's high point when pushed back, otherwise it springs forward again. The exact figure depends on texture.
- Thick straight hair: 7 to 9 cm at the front is enough; the weight helps it lie back.
- Fine straight hair: 8 to 10 cm, cut with plenty of internal texture so it does not go flat and stringy.
- Wavy hair: 9 to 12 cm, because waves shorten the hair as it dries.
- Curly hair: possible, but closer to 12 cm or more and diffused rather than brushed. A medium-length cut often suits better.
The cut underneath the style
A brushed back look lives or dies on weight removal. Heavy, blunt hair falls forward or sits like a helmet. We point cut the top and take bulk from underneath, especially above the temples, so the front can lift and the sides of the top do not flare out.
The sides are usually scissor cut or given a low taper so they blend softly into the swept top. A high skin fade pushes the look toward a slick back undercut. The top is left longest at the front and a touch shorter at the crown so it lies flat behind the lift. Our scissor cuts service is where we do this.
Blow drying it back, step by step
Heat sets the shape; product only holds it. This routine takes about five minutes once you have done it a few times.
- Towel dry until the hair is damp, not dripping, and mist two or three sprays of sea salt spray or a light pre-styler at the roots.
- On medium heat with the nozzle on, lift the front hair up and back with a vent brush or your fingers, aiming the airflow from the root toward the ends.
- Dry the sides of the top back and slightly down, so they sit against the head rather than flicking out.
- Once dry, hit the front with the cool shot for a few seconds to lock the lift.
- Warm a fingernail of matte clay or cream in your palms and rake it through with your fingers, not a comb, to keep separation.
Common mistakes that flatten it
Applying product to wet hair and letting it air dry is the most common. The hair dries in whatever direction gravity chose and the product locks that in. Always dry first, then style.
Using too much product is the second. It weighs the front down and turns a matte look greasy by midday. Start with less than you think; you can add more. If you are new to the dryer, our guide to blow drying men's hair covers heat settings.
Finally, toques. A Mississauga winter means hats, and brushed back hair flattens under them. Carry a small amount of cream and re-rake the front with damp fingers when you take it off.
Brushed back hair: common questions
Can I brush my hair back without product?
Yes, if it is well cut and blow dried back. It will look softer and drop a little by afternoon, which many people like.
Does brushing hair back make it thin at the temples?
Styling does not cause hair loss, but brushing back does show the temples clearly. If they are receding, the executive contour is a shorter, side-swept alternative.
How often should I trim brushed back hair?
Every five to six weeks to keep the weight out and the sides tidy. Leaving it much longer makes it heavy and hard to lift.
