30 Stylish Slick Back Haircut For Men: Trendy Examples
Discover timeless slick back haircut for men that blend classic elegance & modern edge for stylish, attractive look. These men's slick back hairstyle...
In this article · 40
- Popular Men's Slick Back Haircuts
- Classic Slick Back
- Modern Slick Back
- Long Slick Back
- Slick Back Fade
- Short Slick Back
- Slick Back Taper Fade
- Textured Brush Back
- Cool Slick Back with Low Fade
- Slick Back Undercut
- Parted Slick Back Taper
- Long Hair Combed Back
- Long Hair Slick Back Taper Fade
- Slick Back Hairstyles Men Trendy
- Slick Back Undercut Fade
- Voluminous Full Slick Back
- Slick Back with Beard
- Slick Back with Drop Fade
- Wet Look Slick Back
- Short Slick Back with Mid Skin Fade and Beard
- Curly Slick Back
- Medium Slick Back Fade
- Slick Back Man Bun
- Edgy Rockabilly Slick Back
- Slick Back Side Part Fade
- Long, Messy Slick Back
- Thick Slick Back with High Taper Fade
- Long Brush Back with Low Fade
- Edgy Slick Back Fade with Line Up
- Wavy Combed Back Hair
- Slick Back Flow
- Slick Back with Short Sides and Beard
- What Is A Slick Back Hairstyle
- How To Slick Back Hair
- Final Thoughts
- FAQ's
- What Haircut is Best For lick Back?
- How To Do Slicked Back Hair?
- What Is The 3 Hair Rule?
- Is Slick Back Hair Attractive?
The slick back is the wet-look, comb-straight-back cut. Gordon Gekko wore it. Christian Bale wore it in American Psycho. Timothée Chalamet still wears it. You need four to six inches on top for the hair to sit properly against the crown. Pomade gives you the classic shine. A matte cream gives you the modern non-greasy version. Below are thirty ways to wear it, plus how to ask your barber for each one.
Popular Men's Slick Back Haircuts
Every version below uses the same basic move: hair combed straight back off the forehead, held with product. What changes is the top length, the side treatment, and the finish. Pick the version that matches your hair type. Then take a photo to your barber and use the specs listed under each cut.
Classic Slick Back
The classic slick back is the reference version. Top runs five to six inches. Sides stay scissor-cut and close, blended by hand. Nothing faded, nothing buzzed. This is the cut that reads Wall Street in 1987 and Wall Street today.
It suits round, oval, and long face shapes because the volume sits on top rather than at the sides. Straight or slightly wavy hair holds the shape best.
Ask for five to six inches on top, scissor-blended short sides, and a natural taper at the neckline. The top needs to reach the crown when combed back.
Style with a heavy oil-based pomade. Emulsify a nickel-sized scoop, work root to tip on damp hair, then comb straight back with a fine-tooth comb. One pass. Don't overwork it.
Modern Slick Back
The modern slick back trades shine for texture. Same shape, matte finish. This is the version most guys under forty ask for now.
It suits any face shape. Wavy hair carries it best because the natural bend gives you movement without gluing every strand down.
Ask for four to five inches on top, scissor-cut sides kept slightly longer than the classic, and no fade. Tell your barber you want a soft, blendable top.
Style with a matte cream or clay on towel-dried hair. Blow-dry back with a vent brush, then finish with your fingers instead of a comb. The finger pass keeps the texture alive.
Long Slick Back
The long slick back uses six to eight inches on top. The extra length gives you natural flow when the hair settles into the crown. It's the version Christian Bale wore in American Psycho.
It suits guys with straight to loose-wave hair and patience for the grow-out. Thick coarse hair needs thinning to sit flat.
Ask for six to eight inches on top and pair it with a low fade for polish or a high taper fade for contrast at the back.
Apply a medium-hold pomade root to tip, then blow-dry back with a round brush for lift. A groomed beard balances the length up top.
Slick Back Fade
The slick back fade is the most-requested version of this cut right now. The top stays combed back; the sides do the work. The gradient from skin at the ear to short at the temple frames your face and pushes attention up.
It suits every face shape. Round faces gain length from the vertical line the fade creates.
Ask for four to six inches on top, a fade of your choice (skin, low, mid, or high), and a hard blend into the length up top. Tell your barber where the fade should start.
Style with a medium-hold pomade on damp hair, comb straight back, then dry it in place with a low blast. The fade holds itself.
Short Slick Back
The short slick back is the low-maintenance version. Four inches on top instead of six. Holds product without collapsing by lunch. Think executive on a Tuesday.
It suits guys with fine hair, thinning at the crown, or anyone who doesn't want to blow-dry. A solid pick if you're considering an Ivy League but want something you can slick fully back rather than side-part.
Ask for three to four inches on top, a skin or low fade on the sides, and clean edge work at the neckline.
Style with a lightweight pomade or shine cream. Comb back with a fine-tooth comb in one pass. That's the whole routine.
Slick Back Taper Fade
A slick back taper fade is the professional-office version. The low taper fade removes the drama of a full skin fade but still crisps the neckline and sideburn area. Conservative without being boring.
It suits any face shape and works especially well for guys who need the cut to still look sharp on day three without restyling. Ideal for business professionals who want something classy, wearable, and versatile.
Ask for four to five inches on top, a low taper at the ears and neckline, and a scissor blend everywhere else.
Style with a shine pomade if you want polish, or a matte cream if you want stealth. Comb back once, dry once.
Textured Brush Back
The textured brush back trades shine and precision for lift and movement. Same direction, different feel. Nothing glued flat. Hair still points back, but individual strands stay visible.
It suits wavy and curly hair because the natural texture becomes part of the look. Thin hair also benefits — the lift makes the top look fuller.
Ask for four to five inches on top with light layered thinning, scissor-cut sides, and a soft neckline. Tell your barber you want texture, not weight.
Style with a pea of clay warmed between your palms. Work back with a round brush and blow-dryer, then break the shape with your fingers. No comb, no shine spray.
Cool Slick Back with Low Fade
This version pairs the classic combed-back top with a subtle low fade that begins near the ears. The fade adds a small punch of detail without pulling attention off the top. Refined, not aggressive.
It suits guys who want a modern edge without committing to a high fade. Great for offices with a dress code.
Ask for four to five inches on top, a low fade starting just above the ears, and a scissor blend into the length up top.
Style with a medium-hold pomade for a soft shine. Comb back cleanly and dry with your head tilted slightly forward — that gives you subtle lift when you toss it back.
Slick Back Undercut
The slick back undercut is the contrast version. Top stays long; sides get buzzed short with no gradient. The disconnect is sharp and intentional. Peaky Blinders made this famous again.
It suits strong jawlines and defined cheekbones. Round faces should size the top slightly higher for balance.
Ask for six inches on top, a disconnected undercut using a #2 or #3 guard on the sides, and a straight line at the transition.
Style with a strong-hold pomade or wax on damp hair. Comb back firmly with a fine-tooth comb, then push the front up for shape. This one needs product to hold — the sides can't help.
Parted Slick Back Taper
A parted slick back taper adds a soft side part to the combed-back top. The part gives structure and separates the look from a plain slick back without going full comb over.
It suits oval, square, and diamond face shapes.
Ask for five inches on top, a taper on the sides with a defined but soft part on your natural side, and blended sideburns.
Style with lightweight pomade and a fine-tooth comb. Find your natural part first, then comb the smaller side down and the larger side back. Blow-dry the part in for hold.
Long Hair Combed Back
Long hair combed back keeps the length flowing but keeps the direction controlled. Seven to nine inches on top, sides left longer than a fade would allow. Rugged, deliberate, a little bohemian.
It suits guys with thick straight or wavy hair. Fine hair won't hold the weight without collapsing.
Ask for seven to nine inches on top with layered ends, sides left an inch and a half, and a natural taper into the neckline.
Style on damp hair with a leave-in conditioner first, then a medium-hold cream. Comb back with a wide-tooth comb. A short groomed beard balances the length up top.
Long Hair Slick Back Taper Fade
The long hair slick back taper fade is the modern hybrid: length up top, taper at the sides. You get the flow of the long slick back with the crispness of a fade.
The sides taper from a #2 at the ears down to skin at the neckline, blending gradually rather than stopping in a line. The top runs six to eight inches, combed straight back with a medium-hold pomade. The taper keeps the neck clean while the length up top does the styling work. Wear it to a wedding, wear it to work, wear it Saturday morning.
Slick Back Hairstyles Men Trendy
The next group covers the trend-forward variations. Fades of every height, beards, curls, waves, drop fades, line-ups, and rockabilly volume all live here. Same fundamentals: hair combed back, held with product. Different tone.
Slick Back Undercut Fade
The undercut fade is a hybrid: the disconnected line of an undercut with the gradient of a fade at the bottom. You get the sharp contrast of a full undercut but with a softer stop at the ear.
It suits guys who want the undercut look with cleaner integration around the ears.
Ask for five to six inches on top, an undercut on the upper sides, and a low fade at the bottom edge that blends the buzzed section into skin.
Style with a lightweight pomade on damp hair. Comb back once, then finish with a light hairspray to hold it through the day.
Voluminous Full Slick Back
This is the volume version. Same combed-back direction as a classic but pushed up an inch off the scalp before it lays back. It reads a step short of a quiff — combed back rather than pushed up, but with real height at the front.
It suits guys with thick or wavy hair. Thin hair will look flat unless you blow it in from underneath.
Ask for five to six inches on top, scissor-cut sides an inch long, and a soft taper at the neckline.
Style with a volumizing mousse on damp hair first, blow-dry back with a round brush lifting at the roots, then finish with a medium-hold pomade for control without weight.
Slick Back with Beard
The slick back with beard is the balance play. Polished top, defined beard. Sleek up top, rugged below. The combination reads adult in a way a bare-faced slick back does not.
It suits square, oval, and long face shapes. Round faces should keep the beard short at the sides and slightly longer at the chin.
Ask for four to six inches on top, your usual side treatment (taper, fade, or scissor), and a beard trim that matches your neckline.
Style the hair with shine pomade combed straight back. Finish the beard with beard oil and a boar-bristle brush.
Slick Back with Drop Fade
The drop fade dips down behind the ear rather than staying level. That curve follows the shape of your skull and puts the shortest point at the back rather than the ear. The top stays combed back; the drop draws the eye around.
It suits round and oval face shapes because the curve adds structure at the back of the head.
Ask for five inches on top and a mid drop fade that begins at the temple and dips behind the ear.
Style with shine pomade for a classic finish or matte cream for a modern one. The drop does the visual work.
Wet Look Slick Back
The wet look is the maximum-shine version. Every strand visible, every strand pointing back. Old Hollywood. Gordon Gekko. Robert De Niro in Casino. This is the version pulled out for weddings and black-tie.
It suits any face shape but works best on straight to slightly wavy hair. Curly hair fights the flat.
Ask for five inches on top, close scissor-cut sides, and a clean neckline.
Style with a heavy oil-based pomade or a wet-look gel on soaking damp hair. Comb back in one pass, then leave it. Don't touch it after — that ruins the shine.
Short Slick Back with Mid Skin Fade and Beard
This is the sharpest all-around cut on the list. Short on top, mid fade to skin at the sides, beard to match. Every element does one job.
It suits guys who want a modern, low-fuss look with maximum definition.
Ask for three to four inches on top, a mid skin fade starting at the temple, and a beard blended into the fade at the sideburn.
Style with a matte cream. Comb back with your fingers. The whole routine takes under a minute. The definition comes from the fade and the beard, not from time in the mirror.
Curly Slick Back
The curly slick back keeps your curls but sends them backward. You're not straightening — you're giving them a direction. Looks intentional rather than forced.
It suits type 3A through 4A curls. Tight coils need product designed for coils, not a standard pomade.
Ask for four to five inches on top, sides taper-cut short, and a natural neckline. Tell your barber not to thin the top — you need the density for shape.
Style with curl cream first to define the pattern, then a light pomade on top. Brush back gently with a wide-tooth comb. Don't force the curls flat — let them sit back in their natural shape.
Medium Slick Back Fade
This is the middle-ground version. Medium length on top (four to five inches), any-height fade on the sides. Tidier than the long versions, more expressive than the short ones. Most guys land here.
It suits every face shape. It's the most forgiving version on this list.
Ask for four to five inches on top and the fade of your choice — low for conservative, mid for balanced, high for bold.
Style with a small amount of pomade or wax rubbed root to tip. Comb straight back, leaving a touch of texture rather than combing every strand flat. That texture is what separates it from the classic.
Slick Back Man Bun
The slick back man bun combines two moves: hair slicked back at the front, gathered into a bun at the crown. The front stays sleek; the bun sits high. This is the version for guys who've grown past the long slick back.
It suits guys with eight-plus inches on top and enough length at the sides to reach the bun without pulling.
Ask for length preserved everywhere, sides trimmed only at the neckline, and a light layered cut so the top gathers cleanly.
Style with pomade or gel on damp hair. Comb everything back, gather at the crown, secure with a small elastic. Smooth the front with a boar-bristle brush.
Edgy Rockabilly Slick Back
The rockabilly is the vintage-loud version. Extreme height at the front, deep shine, disconnected sides. Elvis, greaser, Brian Setzer. This is where the slick back overlaps with the pompadour without becoming one.
It suits guys who want to be looked at. Not for quiet, corporate settings.
Ask for six to seven inches on top with the front cut slightly longer, an undercut or high skin fade on the sides, and a clean neckline.
Style with a strong-hold high-shine pomade. Emulsify hard, apply to damp hair, then use a fine-tooth comb to build the front up and the sides flat back. Lock with hairspray if you're going out.
Slick Back Side Part Fade
This is the side part hybrid on a faded base. The part gives you a defined line separating the smaller front from the slicked-back mass. The fade cleans everything below the temple.
It suits square, oval, and long faces. It sits close to a mod cut in silhouette when the sides are kept slightly longer.
Ask for four to five inches on top, a low or mid fade at the sides, and a hard part cut with a straight razor on your natural side.
Style with shine pomade and a fine-tooth comb. Comb the smaller side down first, then sweep the mass of hair back. The part holds itself once you dry it in.
Long, Messy Slick Back
The messy version keeps the direction but drops the polish. Volume up top, no shine, strands that sit where they want as long as they point back. Reads casual, artistic, a little disheveled on purpose.
It suits creative work and weekends. Not for boardrooms.
Ask for six to seven inches on top with heavy internal layers, sides left an inch and a half, and a natural neckline.
Style with a texturizing cream instead of pomade. Push back with your fingers, not a comb. Lift the front and let the crown fall where it wants. Controlled mess is the point.
Thick Slick Back with High Taper Fade
Thick hair needs a fade high enough to keep the sides from getting bulky. A high taper fade starts near the parietal ridge and drops fast, keeping the top mass distinct.
It suits guys with type 1 or 2 hair that grows in dense.
Ask for five to six inches on top with light thinning if the top gets too heavy, and a high taper fade at the sides.
Style with a medium-hold pomade. Comb back with a wide-tooth comb — a fine-tooth drags on thick hair — then set with a low blow-dry.
Long Brush Back with Low Fade
This pairs a long, softly brushed-back top with a subtle low fade just above the ears. Fuller than a classic slick back, cleaner than the messy version.
It suits guys who want length without a bun and structure without a hard undercut.
Ask for six to seven inches on top with layered ends, a low fade at the ears, and a clean neckline.
Style with a matte pomade on damp hair. Blow-dry back with a paddle brush for soft volume. Skip the comb — the paddle brush gives you a fuller, less defined finish.
Edgy Slick Back Fade with Line Up
The line-up adds a razor-defined edge at the hairline. Sharp, geometric, no fuzz. Paired with a slicked top and a fade, you get a cut that looks freshly done for two weeks — until the line grows out.
It suits guys with strong hairlines. Widow's peaks and receding lines don't work as well.
Ask for four to five inches on top, a fade of your choice, and a line-up shaped with a straight razor across the forehead and temples.
Style with a shine pomade or gel. Comb back cleanly. The line-up needs upkeep every two weeks — book that in advance.
Wavy Combed Back Hair
Wavy hair works better in a slick back than most people realize. The natural bend adds movement without a blow-dryer. You can taper the sides for a clean finish or leave them longer for something more relaxed.
It suits type 2A through 2C waves. Any longer than seven inches and the waves weigh themselves down.
Ask for five to six inches on top preserving the natural wave pattern, sides tapered or scissor-cut, and a soft neckline.
Style with a light mousse on damp hair. Push back with fingers or a wide-tooth comb. Mist lightly with hairspray to define the waves. Do not blow-dry — that kills the pattern.
Slick Back Flow
The flow is a medium length hairstyle that reads more surfer than banker. The hair sweeps back with movement built in. Long enough to have shape, short enough to skip the ponytail question.
It suits any face shape as long as your hair is straight to loose-wave.
Ask for five to six inches on top with heavy layering at the ends, sides an inch long, and no fade — a natural blend.
Style with fingers, not a comb. Apply a lightweight sea-salt spray or texturizing cream to damp hair. Push back and let the layers fall.
Slick Back with Short Sides and Beard
This is the confident, no-nonsense version. Short buzzed sides — no fade, no gradient — with a slicked top and a full beard. Everything defined, nothing soft.
It suits square jaws, oval faces, and anyone who wants a cut they can maintain themselves with a trimmer between visits.
Ask for four to five inches on top, a #2 or #3 guard on the sides all one length, and a beard trimmed to match your face.
Style with heavy pomade combed straight back. Beard gets a light oil and a brush. Two-product routine, thirty seconds.
What Is A Slick Back Hairstyle
The slick back is hair combed straight back from the forehead, held in place with product. That's the whole definition. The style traces back to the 1920s, when men used petroleum jelly and hair tonic to keep everything flat. By the 1980s it was the Wall Street uniform — Gordon Gekko, Patrick Bateman, every trader in every movie. The cut has been in continuous rotation for a hundred years.
The modern slick back goes two directions: shiny or matte. Shiny is pomade or gel — the traditional finish. Matte is a clay or cream — the newer finish that reads current without looking greasy. Sides used to always be scissor-cut. Now most requests come in with a fade or taper because the contrast frames the face better. The top length rule holds either way: four to six inches minimum for the hair to reach the crown when combed back.
The textured brush back is the youngest variation of the family. Same direction, more visible movement, no glossy finish. It's popular with guys in their twenties who want the shape without the "just came from a wedding" look. If you're not sure which variation to try first, this is a safe entry point.
How To Slick Back Hair
The routine takes under three minutes once you know it. Damp hair, product root to tip, comb straight back. Here's the version that gets consistent results:
- Wash and towel-dry. Leave the hair damp but not wet — product spreads evenly, doesn't slide off. Skip conditioner if your hair is fine.
- Pick your product. Oil-based pomade for classic wet-look shine. Water-based pomade for shine you can restyle mid-day. Clay or matte cream for the modern non-greasy look. Nickel-sized scoop — no more.
- Emulsify. Rub between palms until the product thins out and goes clear. Straight from the tin creates clumps.
- Work root to tip. Rake fingers from the front hairline back to the crown, then the sides. Get the base coated before you shape.
- Comb straight back. Fine-tooth for control and shine. Wide-tooth for texture. Start at the front hairline, pull straight to the crown in one clean pass. Second pass only where it didn't lay right.
- Optional heat. For extra hold and lift at the front, blow-dry on low with airflow pointed back for thirty seconds. Locks the shape.
- Finish. Wipe hands on a towel. Don't touch your hair for five minutes — that's when the product sets.
Faster with practice. Most guys hit two minutes flat after a week.
Final Thoughts
The slick back has survived a hundred years because it works on almost every face shape, hair type, and occasion. The variation does the personalization — fade for modern, scissor sides for classic, matte for casual, high shine for formal. Take a photo of the version you want to your barber. Give them the length in inches. Match the finish to your morning routine, not the photo. The cut is the foundation. The rest is product and a comb.
FAQ's
What Haircut is Best For lick Back?
Any cut with at least four inches on top can be styled into a slick back. The specific variations that pair best are the side part, the taper, the fade in any height, and the undercut. Cuts with less than four inches on top won't reach the crown when combed back — they flatten at the temples instead of lying flat all the way to the neck.
How To Do Slicked Back Hair?
Start with damp hair. Apply a nickel-sized scoop of pomade, clay, or cream to your palms and emulsify. Rake from front hairline to crown. Comb straight back with a fine-tooth comb in one clean pass. Blow-dry on low if you want extra hold. Total time under three minutes.
What Is The 3 Hair Rule?
The three-hair rule means three inches minimum of length on top for styled cuts. Below three inches you don't have enough hair to comb, part, or shape — the strands are too short to lie in a direction. For a proper slick back, add another inch or two to that minimum. Four to six inches is the range that actually works.
Is Slick Back Hair Attractive?
The style has topped attractiveness surveys for decades because it opens up the face, shows the jawline, and reads confident without trying. The right variation matters more than the style itself — a fade version reads modern, a wet-look reads formal, a textured brush back reads casual. Pick the version that matches how you want to be seen.
