The slick back is a stylish and classic hairstyle for men who want a versatile sophisticated look that exudes confidence and charm to suit any occasion. The iconic slick back haircut can be a cool choice that will transform your aesthetic, channel your inner “bad boy” and make you stand out.
From professional to gangster, some of our favorite slicked-back styles feature a clean fade, short taper or buzzed undercut paired with sleek, longer hair on top, creating a sharp finish with modern personality. Easy to wear, this pushed-back look can be dressed up for work and formal occasions or kept textured and loose for a relaxed vibe.
Browse the most attractive slick back hairstyles to inspire your next visit to the barber and learn everything you need to know to pull off the look.
Stylish Men's Slick Back Haircuts
Classic Slick Back
The classic slick back is a masculine and classy men's hairstyle that exudes timeless elegance and can suit any occasion. The sleek aesthetic involves combing back thicker short to medium-length hair to achieve a uniform look all over. Use a strong pomade with a high shine for an old-school gentlemen's style. Ask your barber to fade or taper the sides to update the cut for a twist.
Undercut Slick Back
Bold and trendy, the versatile undercut slick back is a trendy hairstyle for guys who want a simple professional look that blends sophistication with modern edge. This slicked-back style combines the traditionally sleek top with short, buzzed sides. The undercut highlights the volume and texture while offering a more dramatic, contrasting look.
Long Slick Back
A long slick back can be a cool, relaxed and attractive choice that will frame the face, show off your luscious locks and make a statement. Slicking your longer hair back provides a fresh, flattering look with minimal styling. Apply a medium-hold gel or pomade before lightly combing the hair back to avoid weighing down your strands.
Slick Back with Fade
The slick back fade is a modern haircut for stylish men wanting dimension, contrast and visual interest for a trendy look. A clean-cut taper fade on the back and sides creates structure, while the brushed-back longer hair on top stands out for a flattering, masculine finish. Talk to your barber about a low, mid or high fade to determine where the tapering should start, influencing how short and aggressive the cut will look. This versatile faded slicked-back hairstyle can work well with straight or wavy hair, making it a barbershop favorite around the world.
Slick Back with Taper
An elegant slick back with a taper is a handsome hairstyle that can look professional and sophisticated while offering modern and youthful charm. The classic taper provides a clean-cut and soft finish for a timeless look, emphasizing the flattering full brush back on top. Attractive slicked back hair with impressive volume, texture and flow creates a refined appearance with minimal effort. Apply some matte pomade, brush your hair back and up with a wide-tooth comb and use heat to ensure an all-day hold. Keep the sides scissor-cut or buzzed for a fresh aesthetic.
Slick Back with Side Parting
A modern slick back with a bold side part can be a cool hairstyle for younger guys who want to add a trendy dimension and some personality to the traditional style. The hard part separates the short sides and the sleek and lifted brushed-back top. Ask your barber for a charming undercut or feature a mid-to-low fade for a classy, versatile touch.
Slick Back with Short Taper
A slick back with a short taper is a low-maintenance and streamlined style that provides a well-defined look. The tapered sides can be achieved with a longer guard that tapers down behind the ears for a soft and seamless blend. Create your enviable slick-back with a blow dryer nozzle, medium heat and a wax or pomade.
Slick Back Pompadour
A slick back pompadour is known for its distinctive shape and voluminous, brushed-back top. The height usually decreases toward the back of the head, creating a smooth and tapered effect. Short faded sides and a well-groomed beard add a sophisticated finish that balances the small pomp.
Slick Back Taper Fade
A slick back taper fade is a flattering hairstyle for guys who want a soft and smooth look that's easy to manage. The clean and gradual tapering along the sides contrasts the lightly slicked top and creates striking structure around the head. Keeping the fade subtle also gives you more freedom to stretch the time between barber visits.
Professional Comb Back with Tapered Sides
Sleek but wearable, a comb-back with tapered sides is a versatile look with a clean aesthetic. The taper on the sides contrasts the uniform comb-back, adding definition to the style and enhancing strong facial symmetry. A fine-tooth comb should give you a precise blend while removing tangles or bumps.
Polished Brushed Back with Side Parting and Low Fade
A brushed-back style with a side parting and low fade is a smart look that pairs structured tapering with volume for a handsome finish. Choose an extreme side part down one side of the crown and sweep the hair up and back for noticeable lift. The low fade prevents this cut from looking too extreme, but you can throw in a hard part for a hint of edginess.
Clean Slicked Back Undercut
A slicked back undercut offers a clean aesthetic with a tight back and sides. The undercut creates an awesome and refined style for trendsetters who appreciate pushing their hair back. Style the top with a strong gel and a fine-tooth comb for a sleek finish.
Gangster Slick Back
The gangster slick back is an old-school haircut known for its short sides and glossy longer top, a style that was all the rage in mob movies during the mid-20th century. Powerful and trendsetting, many gangster styles feature iconic slick backs and side parts. Dress up your look with a high-shine pomade and refined edges or keep it natural with matte product and a wide-toothed comb.
Long Textured Slick Back with Disconnected Undercut
A long, textured slick back looks badass with a disconnected undercut, offering effortless texture and movement. The impressive length on top provides a contemporary aesthetic that contrasts the military-inspired buzzed sides. Make this attention-grabbing style even more striking by shaving the sides entirely.
Elegant Wavy Slick Back
An elegant, wavy slick back allows your natural texture to move and flow for an effortless look. You'll want to keep the sides short and scissor-cut, and you can use wax or pomade to tame unruly waves into place. Avoid upsetting your natural wave pattern by moving the hair slightly to one side and distributing any styling products evenly.
Messy Slick Back
A messy slick back is a fresh and youthful style that lets you showcase your playful personality. The unkempt top needs minimal styling and requires a few inches of hair to tousle. You can even pull the hair in different directions to give your long locks more dimension. Add a few loose tendrils around the sides for a sexy, bedhead look.
Long Curly Slick Back
A long curly slick back is a sexy hairstyle for men who want to exude confidence and boyish charm with a rebellious attitude. The voluminous curls bring instant texture to the style and can be balanced with a full, rugged beard. The longer length allows you to achieve a swept style with looser curls hanging over the front. Use a diffuser and a light gel or cream to define and moisturize your hair as it dries.
Cool Slick Back with Temp Skin Fade and Beard
A slick back with a temp skin fade and beard is a modern and masculine style for fashion-forward guys. The sharp lines created by the temp fade blend effortlessly into a defined beard for a clean and polished approach. Ask your barber to taper and line up the hairline in the back and around the temples for a crisp finish.
Comb Back with Part and Razor Fade
Voluminous and polished, a comb back with a part and razor fade is the perfect choice for trendsetting professionals. The razor fade is characterized by a sharp and short cut along the sides, bringing a modern edge to the old-school combed-back style. Adding a defined part will neatly separate each section, generating flattering dimensions and clean lines.
Textured Brush Back with Low Taper
A textured brush back with a low taper is an awesome style that features a textured top and closely cropped sides. Unlike other slick back hairstyles, This brush back incorporates choppy ends, layers or point-cutting to add natural movement. The lower taper creates a defined transition with gradual shortening, keeping this cut sophisticated enough for office days.
Brushed Up and Back with Undercut Fade
A brushed-up-and-back style boasts incredible volume and can be paired with an undercut fade for a contemporary edge. The top section of the hair is brushed upward and back to create a textured look at the crown. The back and sides are seamlessly faded using clippers at different guard lengths. A manly beard will work alongside the voluminous top to balance even the roundest faces.
Casual Slick Back with Cropped Sides
A casual slick back is an easy haircut for modern guys who want low-maintenance sides and effortless volume and flow on top. Brushing or combing the hair back creates a smooth appearance, but it can be lightly tousled to create subtle volume. The closely cropped sides give the hairstyle a laid-back vibe and can be blended into a connected beard for a rugged aesthetic.
Old School Slick Back
An old-school slick back is a classic hairstyle with timeless appeal and features relatively uniform length across the head. A Greaser-inspired style, traditional slick backs involve combing the hair straight back from the forehead and using a high-shine hair product to achieve a wet look. Warm up some pomade in your palms before applying to ensure even coverage and smoothness.
Modern Slick Back with Mid Skin Fade
A modern slick back looks awesome with a mid fade if you appreciate heavily tapered sides and a sleek appearance. The hair on top is kept shorter for a clean-cut vibe and the mid fade adds attitude. Keeping the hair very short around the temples also offers a striking, tapered look. Although this style can be slicked straight back, a side part gives you more styling versatility.
Full Swept Back Style
A full and simple swept-back style is a traditional look that will get you out the door in minutes. Low-maintenance layers give the hair decent flow, but keeping your locks the same length and skipping a parting makes styling effortless. Work a subtle taper or fade into the cut for a cleaner finish.
Long Wet-Look Slick Back with Beard
A long, wet-look slick back with a beard offers a sophisticated, glossy look on grown-out hair. You'll need a generous amount of gel, pomade or wax to achieve the combed-back wet look. Grow a full, untamed beard for a masculine aesthetic packed with contrast.
Slick Back Undercut Fade
A slick back undercut fade is a popular choice for guys who want a fashion-forward look that can be easy to manage and will always be stylish. The undercut fade adds unique personality to any cool hairstyle. Buzz the hair down to the skin and slick back the remaining hair on top for a sexy, sleek finish. You can even go platinum blonde for an eye-catching aesthetic that'll shine in summer.
Cool Wavy Slick Back with Low Taper Drop
A handsome wavy slick back with a cool low taper drop is a stylish and elegant look for guys who want to rock their textured, thicker waves with style. The taper gradually curves around the sides and down to the neckline, creating a cohesive dropped appearance that follows your natural hairline. The textured waves give lift and movement, offering an effortless vibe to this simple style.
Slicked Back Hair with High Fade
A charming slicked-back hairstyle with a bold, high fade is a modern and attractive look for any guy who wants a professional approach that will work well in and out of the office. The skin-faded sides are cut very short or shaved to create a sharp contrast against the high-volume, longer hair on top. Maintain your razored fade with regular visits to the barbershop.
Slicked Back Quiff
The slicked-back quiff is a striking hairstyle for men who want to radiate sex appeal and show off their masculine facial features. The hair is slicked back but lifted up at the front of the head for a fresh approach. Using a wide-tooth comb to create your quiff gives the hair thicker comb lines and a slightly looser look. Apply high-shine pomade to lock in a sleeker style.
Slick Back Man Bun
A trendy slick back man bun is an attractive longer hairstyle for modern guys who want to make a statement and stand out while maintaining a well-groomed look.. The high bun is a simple way to sweep long hair out of the face, and the sleek front offers a refined appearance. Keeping the hair taut also flatters sharp features and highlights the cheekbones and jawline. A connected beard is all you need for a balanced, carefree finish.
Slick Back Pompadour with Hard Part and High Fade
A slick back pompadour with a hard part and high fade is an edgy, trendy cut that will have all eyes on you. Combining a hard part with a voluminous top creates defined sections. The high fade brings structure and contrast easily balanced with a full beard.
Slick Back with Mid Skin Fade and Part
A classic slick back with a mid fade is a masculine haircut that will elevate your look and show off your rebellious nature. The razor-sharp hard part creates a striking separation between the top and sides, drawing attention to the gradual fade. The zero-grade cut showcases more of the scalp, making it an excellent cut for daredevils.
Textured Comb Back with Mid Fade and Beard
A textured comb back with a clean mid fade and full beard is a contemporary style with a casual vibe. Use a round brush and heat to create volume on top and ask your barber for a sharp fade. Grow out your beard and taper it around the cheeks to blend the look.
Tousled Brush Back
A tousled brush back is a textured hairstyle that involves brushing the hair backward and to the sides. After pulling the hair back, lightly tousle the locks with your fingertips to add subtle movement. The result should be an effortlessly cool and unstructured style with a youthful aesthetic.
Trendy Long Slicked Back Undercut
A trendy and long slicked-back undercut is a cool hairstyle for rebellious guys who want to push boundaries. Longer hair at the top flows straight back and down, following the curvature of the head. The buzzed undercut balances the short beard, while the clean edges at the forehead add sharpness.
Undercut Fade with Volumized Slick Back
A perfect undercut fade with a volumized slick back is best for thick, stick-straight hair. The section of hair just behind the forehead is the longest and gradually gets shorter toward the back. For all-day hold, use a strong styling gel on damp hair, then blow dry straight up and back using a large round brush.
Volumized Slick Back with Short Sides and Beard
A volumized slick back with short sides and a full beard uses expert layers to create height and lift in fine or thin hair. The haircut is quick and easy to style with a comb and styling gel. When paired with a thick beard, the cut can elongate a rounded face and make facial features appear more prominent.
Short Swept Back with Mid Taper Fade
A short, swept-back cut with a mid-taper fade combines texture and movement into a youthful, trendy style. Though most of the hair flows straight back from the crown, the section just above the forehead spreads outward, which creates the illusion of more volume. The skin fade serves as a contrasting element that adds proportion and shape.
Retro Casual Brush Back Fade
A retro casual brush back fade is structured and chic, making it an excellent choice for everyday wear. A generous amount of styling gel combed into damp hair leads to the trendy stripe-like texture, and a mid fade draws the eye upward and amplifies the volume even further.
Slicked Back Top Knot
A slicked-back top knot is the perfect solution for guys with long hair going to work, sporting events or weddings. Pulling the hair back and up into a knot right at the crown produces a smooth and elegant finish. An undercut fade creates a subtle transition, and a short beard lends the look some rugged masculinity.
Slick Back Pompadour with Undercut
A slick back pompadour is a more subdued and versatile take on the classic pomp. The longer hair at the front blends seamlessly into the shorter hair at the back and sides. A matte pomade creates a slightly tousled and casual look, while a high-shine styling gel provides a more formal and professional appearance.
Textured Slick Back with Taper Faded Sides
With fun texture and height, a textured slick back with taper faded sides is an edgy and sophisticated style. The sleek, silky strands on top feature strategic layers that amplify dimension and flow. The taper at the sides offers a soft finish that is clean and stylish.
Long Comb Back with Temp Fade
A long comb-back with a temp fade is an elegant and contemporary style suitable for date nights, business meetings, and weddings. The longer the hair on top, the more pronounced the combed-back effect. Rather than an undercut or high fade, starting the fade at the temple allows for a more subdued transition.
Medium Slick Back with Low Bald Fade
A medium slick-back with a low bald fade is a trendy, well-groomed style that embraces rugged masculinity and exudes confidence. The gradual transition from the longer strands on top to the skin just above the ear helps to create the illusion of additional volume. A full beard helps elongate a rounded face and draw attention to prominent features.
Loose Comb Back with Low Fade
A loose comb back with a low fade is a cool and casual style that maximizes natural movement. Rather than the wet look, this cut features a more natural finish that relies on flexible pomade, a round brush, and a blow dryer to style. The low fade draws the eye upward, allowing a more subdued transition between lengths.
Textured Full Brush Back
A textured full brushback is a classic haircut style for edgy guys who want a structured, neat look with layers. The sexy longer hair on top should be left anywhere between three to five inches. Style the cut with fingertips, a comb, or a boar-bristle brush, depending on the desired finish.
Short Slick Back with Pomp and High Skin Fade
A short slick back with a pomp and high skin fade is a classic gentlemen's haircut that looks simply masculine. The short pomp at the front fades into the shorter hair at the sides and back. The fade turns to skin at the temple for a refreshing and crisp result that looks amazing with or without facial hair.
Short Comb Back with High Undercut Fade
A short comb back with a high undercut fade is a neat, clean, versatile hairstyle that is versatile enough to wear anywhere. Because the undercut starts high, it creates an abrupt and bold transition. Create an elegant texture with a strong styling gel and a comb, or choose a lighter-hold matte product for a more natural and casual effect.
Tousled Wavy Slick Back with Low Fade
A tousled, wavy, slick back with a low fade features plenty of lift and volume for a relaxed and casual vibe. Rather than the classic sleek look, this cut embraces and amplifies the hair's natural texture. Apply matte pomade to damp or dry hair, then gently tousle for definition.
Volumized Long Brush Back with Classic Tapered Sides
A volumized long brush back with classic tapered sides takes the contemporary cut to the next level. The hair on top is several inches long, flowing slightly upward and back from the forehead to create a classic swoop. The layers stack on top of the tapered sides and back for a handsome structure.
Youthful Slick Back with Mid Fade and Short Pomp
A youthful slick back with a mid fade is a simple, attractive style for everyday wear. Just comb the hair up and back at the hairline using a strong hold product for shine and texture, or opt for a matte product for a more natural effect. The cut is popular among athletes and others who want to look their best with minimal effort.
Textured Classic Comb Back
A textured classic comb back is an excellent cut for men who prefer dramatic volume and movement. Long hair at the top flows backward over scissor-cut sides for a dashing, sophisticated style. Allowing one or two strands to hang loose from the rest adds a touch of sexy charm.
Swept Back Hairstyle with Fade
A swept-back hairstyle with a fade combines layering and point cutting into a cohesive and trendy style. A wide-tooth comb helps to create the signature texture, and a skin fade provides a soft yet bold transition that pulls the look together.
Smooth Slick Back with Mid Bald Fade
A smooth slick back with a mid-bald fade is a bold debonair cut that exudes confidence and rebellion. The hard part between the top and sides of the head creates a stylish disconnect.
Slicked Comb Over with Short Sides
A versatile slicked comb over with short sides is a classically handsome hairstyle perfect for professional men who prefer minimal styling and maintenance. The hair is short all over and features classic scissor-cut sides. Styling is as easy as applying a healthy amount of high-shine gel to damp hair and then combing it back and across from a deep side part.
Slick Back Fade with Waves
A slick back fade with waves relies on the hair's natural texture for volume, flow, and visual appeal. The hair up top is relatively short, but the skin fade helps to create the illusion of additional height. A standard comb and texturizing pomade magnify the wavy texture, while a crisp, clean edge at the temple adds contrast.
Curly Slick Back Mohawk Fade
A curly slick back mohawk is a modern haircut that pairs well with a fresh burst fade on the sides and back to achieve a fashion-forward look. The short curls are combed back using a strong pomade while the skin faded cut adds beautiful contrast to the style.
Long Textured Slick Back with Very Low Taper
A textured brush back with a subtle middle part and low taper can be a charming choice for guys who prefer a handsome, clean-cut look.
Slick Back with Mid Fade
A classic slick back with a clean mid fade is an alluring haircut for youthful guys wanting to replicate the traditional style.
Push Back with Drop Fade
A pushback with a drop fade is a youthful, edgy, bold style that works well for most hair types. All the hair is pushed back from the hairline in a way that follows the natural curvature, and it meets in the center at the back of the head. Instead of the “slick” look, the style boasts a chunky, almost spiky finish.
Gelled Slick Back with Sharp Low Fade and Line Up
A gelled slick back with a sharp low fade and lineup is all about crisp, clean edges and daring contrast. A dollop of styling gel worked into damp hair produces a wet look and texture, while the abrupt transition from thick hair to skin gives the cut attitude. Wear it with a short beard for maximum impact.
Textured Slick Back with Undercut Fade
A textured slick back with an undercut fade is a silky smooth, elegant cut with retro flair. The longer section at the front flows back and to the side, where it lifts slightly above the edge of the undercut. The hair at the back of the head is much shorter, balancing the look overall.
What Is The Slick Back?
The slick back is a timeless and popular men's hairstyle that involves combing all your hair straight back, creating a sleek and polished finish on top. The sexy style can be dressed up or down, making it a stylish and charming choice for guys who want a fashionable and smooth look to suit any occasion.
Popular Slick Back Hairstyles For Men
The most popular slick back hairstyles for men feature a short taper fade or undercut on the sides and back with short to medium-length hair on top for a handsome, sophisticated look. These chic slick backs are low-maintenance, professional-looking and easy to maintain with regular visits to the barber.
How To Slick Back Hair
Slicking back your hair is a timeless style that can be easy to achieve with clean damp hair, reliable styling products and a good comb or brush. Styling a classic slick back can be a simple way to create a sleek and refined hairstyle with volume, dimension and flow, offering a handsome look for all men.
Once you've washed, conditioned and lightly towel-dried your hair, slick your hair back by following these steps:
- Apply a strong styling product like pomade, gel or wax and evenly distribute throughout. Clay and wax are more pliable and offer a textured, natural finish.
- Use a fine-tooth comb (or brush) to slick your hair straight back from the front, creating a smooth and uniform look. Avoid a flat finish and infuse some volume and flow by lifting slightly the comb as you go.
- Use a blow dryer on the “low” heat setting while combing your hair back to set the style and achieve an all-day hold.
- Lightly muss the hair with your fingers for a more relaxed look, if desired.
