Haircut Styles
Slick Back: Length, Shine and How to Set It With a Comb
Short answer: A slick back is a haircut where the hair on top, usually 8 to 13 cm long, is combed straight back from the forehead to the crown with no part and set with product. It can be finished with a high-shine wet look or a softer matte finish, and it sits over faded or undercut sides. A strong front hairline makes it look its best.
The length you need before you can slick it back
To slick hair back cleanly, the front needs to reach at least the crown when combed back, which usually means 8 cm or more. Shorter than that and the front springs up rather than lying back. The top should graduate slightly shorter toward the crown so the hair lies flat at the back instead of flipping out.
If you are growing into it, the awkward stage is when the front is long enough to fall into your eyes but too short to stay back. A little product and a headband at the gym get you through it. Keep the sides tight during this phase so the whole thing still looks intentional. Growing from a short crop takes around six months.
High shine or matte: two very different slick backs
The product sets the tone. A high-shine slick back looks formal and old-school; a matte one looks relaxed and modern. Neither is wrong, but they suit different occasions and hair types.
| High shine (wet look) | Matte slick back | |
|---|---|---|
| Product | Oil or water-based pomade, gel for a hard hold | Clay, matte paste or cream |
| How it looks | Tight, reflective, every hair in place | Softer, some separation and movement |
| Best hair | Straight, thick | Wavy, fine, or hair that goes greasy |
| Tool | Fine-tooth comb | Wide comb or fingers |
| Occasions | Weddings, black tie, evening | Everyday, office, weekends |
Undercut or fade underneath?
The sides change the silhouette. An undercut leaves a hard disconnect: the sides are short with no blend and the long top sits over them like a curtain. This gives maximum contrast and is the classic 1920s and 1930s look that has come back in the last decade.
A fade blends the sides up into the top, so there is no shelf. It is more versatile and suits more head shapes, and it can be worn anywhere from a boardroom to a wedding. A low taper with longer sides combed back gives the most traditional result. Slick backs and skin fades are both specialities of our founder, Mark Yousif.
What your hairline means for a slick back
A slick back exposes the whole front hairline, because there is nothing falling forward over it. That makes the hairline the frame of the style, which is why a full, even hairline shows it off best.
A mature hairline, where the temples have moved back a little, still works. The slick back can look more distinguished with it. With more noticeable recession, there are ways to soften it: a slightly off-centre sweep, a matte product instead of shine, or a little more volume at the front. If the temples are well back, a style that comes forward usually suits you better. Our guide on what a mature hairline is explains the difference between normal maturing and recession.
Setting a slick back with a comb
A slick back is set with a comb, not fingers, and it goes on damp hair. Starting with damp hair gives a smoother result and lets the product spread evenly.
- Towel dry the hair so it is damp but not dripping.
- For volume, rough blow dry the top straight back; for a flat, sleek look, skip the dryer.
- Warm the pomade or gel in your palms and work it through from the roots to the ends, back to front.
- Comb straight back from the hairline, starting at the centre and working out toward the sides.
- Comb the sides back and slightly down toward the back of the head.
- Smooth the surface with the flat of your palm, then do one final pass with the comb for clean lines.
Slick back: common questions
Can I slick back short hair?
You need about 8 cm on top for a proper slick back. With less, you can push it back with a matte product, but it will look more like a brushed-back crop.
Does slicking hair back cause hair loss?
Combing hair back does not cause hair loss. Constant tight pulling, like very tight ponytails, can strain the hairline over time, but a normal slick back does not. See a doctor if you notice sudden shedding.
Slick back or side part for a wedding?
Both look sharp. Our side part vs slick back guide explains which suits your hair and face.
Why does my slick back go puffy by midday?
Usually the product is too light or the hair was too dry when you applied it. Try a firmer pomade on damp hair.
