How To Slick Back Men’s Hair: 6 Easy Steps
Here at Cutters Yard, we think a slicked back hairstyle is hard to beat when it comes to a timelessly dapper look. But achieving a style that’s sleek and isn’t dripping in product can be easier said than done. Want to know how to slick back hair for men? Keep reading.
How to Slick Back Men’s Hair in 6 Steps
1. Start With a Great Haircut
Whatever style you’re trying to achieve, your finished result is only going to be as good as the haircut you’re styling.
If your hair is overly long, has split or dry ends, or is just… not in any kind of discernible style or shape at the moment, you’re going to need to pay your barber a visit first.
There are some great hairstyles for guys with long hair out there, but it’s safe to say that if you want to know how to slick back men’s hair so it looks sharp, you may need a trim.
Slicked back long locks generally don’t work well so start with a neat and tidy short to mid-length cut and work from there.
2. Ensure Your Hair is in Good Condition
On a similar note, your hair needs to be in tip top condition in order to achieve stylish men’s slicked back hair. This means using the right product for your hair type.
We really like Aveda’s Rosemary Mint Purifying Shampoo which leaves hair squeaky clean and shiny – a great start to slicking back your hair.
Team with the matching Rosemary Mint Weightless Conditioner which is ideal when creating a slicked back hairstyle for men, as it helps prevent tangles and gives your hair body.
If you’re suffering from dandruff, however, we recommend dealing with the issue before slicking your hair back as a high shine, swept back look will only accentuate the problem. Try Aveda Men’s Pure-formance Shampoo and conditioner.
3. A Clean Head of Hair is a Must
Trust us, adding product on top of product is not a good idea. Not only will this build up and make hair look greasy instead of sleek, but it will also end up blocking the pores on your scalp.
For your hair to look good, your head needs to be healthy, so start looking after your scalp in the same way you take care of your hair. You’ll not only look better, but you’ll feel better too, as blocked pores can cause spots, itchiness and irritation.
If you are suffering from scalp issues, try Aveda’s Scalp Benefits™ Balancing Shampoo to correct the problem and leave your hair nice and clean.
On a side note, if your hair is prone to becoming greasy quickly, you’ll want to resolve this too before adding product to the mix. Greasy hair can be prevented, though, so all is not lost if you want to rock a men’s slicked back hairstyle.
4. Comb Your Hair While it’s Damp
Want to know the secret of how to slick back hair for men?
After you’ve washed your hair and you’ve (gently) towel dried it so that it’s damp, not wet, use a wide toothed comb to brush it backwards into your desired direction.
The key here is to comb your hair backwards from the ends – not the roots. Why? Because it’s easier on your hair and will help prevent breakage.
Take the ends of your hair and section by section brush it backwards until it’s lying how you want it to. Once done, let it sit for a moment or two while you crack on with shaving, grooming or your skincare routine.
5. Pick Your Product
Okay, now we’re onto the serious stuff: product. But what is the best product to slick back men’s hair?
It’s a good question. And it can be a confusing one if you’re still at the learning stage of knowing how to slick back men’s hair!
One thing we will say is that you really need to resist the urge to overdo it. There’s men’s slicked back hair and then there’s men’s slicked back oil spills. Less is more, so start with a penny-sized blob and work from there.
There are a number of awesome men’s styling products that work when slicking back your hair: pastes, waxes, creams, gels and pomades, to name a few. What you choose will depend on the look you want. Textured? Wet look? Read the section below to find out more.
6. Style Your Hair
Whatever product you’ve chosen to style your hair, you need to make sure it’s evenly distributed throughout – the last thing you want is globs of gel or paste making a mockery of your style!
Start by carefully patting the product into the top layer of your hair. Avoid the roots for now. Leave it alone for around 20 seconds and then start running your fingers through your hair until the product is massaged in.
Next, grab your wide toothed comb again and start combing your hair from the front until it falls into place.
Your hair will tell you where it wants to go, so follow that natural parting and direction. Once you’re happy with the result, don’t fiddle with it! You can also give it a quick spritz of a spray such as Aveda’s Control Force™ Firm Hold Hair Spray to ensure it stays in place all day.
What is the Best Product to Slick Back Men’s Hair?
Let’s get down to the nitty gritty. What are the best products to slick back men’s hair? As we mentioned above, there are a number of different formulas to choose from.
Gel versus pomade? Wax versus clay? There’s a lot of product to choose between and you’ll want to base the product you pick on your hair type and desired result.
Here’s a quick breakdown to help you find the best product to slick back your hair.
– Clay: a hairstyling clay, such as the Aveda Men Pure-formance™ Grooming Clay has a lightweight formula making it easy to work with. It creates texture and has a strong, pliable hold and matte finish.
– Cream: meanwhile, the Aveda Men Pure-formance™ Grooming Cream is rich in moisture and creates definition whilst giving a medium level of hold. It’s also good if you want a natural-looking shine.
– Pomade: if you’re looking for a strong yet pliable hold and want men’s slicked back hair that still has texture and definition, the Aveda Men Pure-formance™ Pomade is for you. It smells awesome too!
– Gel: finally, if it’s high gloss shine you’re after, you might like to try Aveda Men’s Pure-formance™ Firm Hold Gel. Despite its lightweight formula, this gel offers maximum hold, control, definition and shine. Bonus: it contains protection against harmful UVA rays too.
Get Ready for Men’s Slicked Back Hair at Cutters Yard
So now you know how to slick back hair for men and the best products to slick back men’s hair, we’re going to assume you’re ready and raring to go!
Make sure your hair is in the best shape possible and ready for all that lovely product you’re going to apply by booking an appointment at Cutters Yard!
Our Southwark and London Bridge barbers are ready and waiting to whip your hair into great shape so you can achieve the men’s slicked back hairstyle that will set you a cut above the rest.