A slick back haircut directs the top away from the forehead toward the crown. A glossy finish joins the lengths into a continuous surface; a matte finish leaves individual strands more visible. Shorter sides can taper, fade or remain disconnected beneath the top. Among men's haircuts, the backward sweep exposes the hairline and the shape of the temples.
What Is a Slick Back Haircut?
The barber leaves enough length for the top to bend backward and settle near the crown. Four inches can be a useful starting point, though density, curl and growth direction change what is needed. The sides may stay longer or be clipped close beneath that sweep.
Shine and height change the silhouette separately. Pomade or gel can give a reflective surface, while lower-shine products reveal more texture. Raising the front creates the fuller curve of a pompadour.
Slick Back Haircuts for Men
These 21 variations change the top's length, texture and height, as well as the finish around the ears and nape.
Classic Slick Back
Fine comb marks run straight back through the top of a classic slick back. The front sits close to the forehead, with little rise before the hair follows the curve of the head.
A dime-sized amount of pomade can be a starting point, adjusted for the formula and amount of hair. Spread it evenly before combing, adding more only where the surface needs hold or shine.
Slick Back Taper Fade
A fuller top curves back above sides that shorten toward the ears and neckline. In profile, the retained length through the upper sides gives the slick back taper fade a darker band beneath the sweep.
A nickel-sized amount of cream may suit a longer top, though a concentrated formula may need less. As the taper grows, the first change appears along the outline around the ears and nape.
Curly Slick Back
Separate loops rise above the hairline before bending back in a curly slick back. Keeping natural curls visible gives the surface gaps and ridges instead of continuous comb marks.
Direct the damp curls backward with the fingers and let them settle before reshaping. Tapered edges expose the curl outline near the temples while retaining more coverage through the upper sides.
Slick Back Fade
The top travels close to the scalp in a slick back fade, with a small rise at the front. Graduation through the sides changes how much dark hair remains beneath that sweep.
A low fade leaves more coverage above the ears; a high fade takes the transition farther up the sides. Choose the shortest guard or a skin finish separately from the fade's height.
Medium Length Slick Back
Medium length carries a slight wave back from the forehead, with the ends turning outward behind the ears. The top has enough weight to bend but still lifts near the hairline.
Among medium-length hairstyles, this cut leaves the rear outline visible beneath the sweep. Keep the ends long enough to follow that curve if an outward flick is wanted.
Short Slick Back Haircut
A short slick back keeps the top close to the scalp above tighter sides. Small front pieces may separate near the hairline because they have less length to reach the sweep behind them.
Dry the roots backward before adding a little pomade. If the front repeatedly springs up, leave it longer at the next cut instead of relying on a heavier coating of product.
Messy Slick Back
Loose ends turn outward around the ears and nape in a messy slick back. The main direction stays backward, while a few shorter pieces fall away from the sweep.
Shape the lengths with the fingers to retain those bends. A flexible product can help sections stay separate, though the amount needed depends on how readily the hair falls back on its own.
Slick Back Flow
Longer sides travel behind the ears in a slick back flow, then turn outward at the rear. The top lifts slightly above the forehead instead of following the scalp closely from front to back.
It shares the longer outline of a flow haircut, with the front directed away from the face. Retain enough length around the ears for the ends to pass behind them comfortably.
Messy Slicked Back Undercut
The longer top of a messy slicked back undercut overlaps exposed scalp at the sides. Loose front pieces escape toward the forehead, interrupting the backward direction and revealing separate lengths through the top.
That overhang makes the division visible even when the hair shifts. Use the fingers to separate the ends after drying, leaving some pieces to fall forward instead of combing them all into one surface.
Slick Back Long Hair
Brushing long hair back exposes the temples before the lengths descend behind the ears. The lower ends remain loose, so the style changes in profile as they bend toward the neck.
Work through the top in sections to distribute product evenly. Keep the application lighter through the lower lengths if they already hang in place under their own weight.
Slick Back Man Bun
A slick back man bun gathers the swept-back lengths into a tie at the rear. The hairline and sides remain exposed, while the bundled ends replace the loose outline at the nape.
Leave enough length to secure the bun comfortably. Loosen the tie if it pulls at the front or temples; a smooth surface should not require constant tension at the roots.
Slick Back Undercut
The longer top of a slick back undercut passes over closely clipped sides. Directing it backward reveals the abrupt change in length along both temples.
As the top grows, its ends may cover more of that division. Discuss how much overhang to retain before shortening the sides again, especially if the clipped area has begun to extend higher with successive trims.
High Taper Slick Back
The high taper slick back places a combed sweep above closely shortened hair near the temples. A slight rise at the forehead leads into a lower surface toward the crown.
Specify how far the taper should extend around the temples and nape. A high fade graduates through more of the sides, so the two requests should not be treated as interchangeable. Choose shine or a matte finish independently of that side treatment.
Slick Back Mohawk
A narrow strip runs from the forehead toward the nape in a slick back mohawk. Combing it backward lowers the ridge and exposes its width against the shaved sides.
In profile, the longer section continues behind the crown while the sides remain bare. Keep enough length through the rear of the strip for the ends to follow the head instead of standing upright.
Slick Back Wavy Hair
The natural waves in a wavy slick back form broad ridges across the top. The front rises before bending toward the crown, and shorter sides expose the overhanging edge of the top.
Follow those bends with the fingers while drying, pushing the lengths backward in sections. A wide-toothed comb leaves broader groups of strands than a fine comb, which can flatten the wave into a closer sweep.
Textured Slick Back
Separate lengths travel backward in a textured slick back, with shorter pieces interrupting the upper surface. The closely cut sides reveal the lower edge of that layered top.
Work a little cream or light pomade through selected sections if they need grip. Pinch the ends apart instead of coating the whole top again when only a few pieces have joined together.
Slick Back Wet Look
A reflective surface runs from the forehead toward the crown in a slick back wet look. Narrow comb marks trace the direction, while longer ends can turn outward behind the ears.
Choose gel or pomade for the shine wanted and follow its application directions. Let a firm-hold product set after shaping; repeatedly combing hardened hair can cause breakage.
Slick Back with a Beard
Long hair lies close to the scalp above a full beard, leaving a smooth upper outline and a broader, rougher edge below the jaw. Brushing the top backward exposes the sideburns between them.
Dry the hair back with a brush to establish that direction. Comb and trim the beard separately to set its lower edge; beard oil may soften the hair but does not replace shaping it.
Middle Part Slick Back
The top is parted down the middle before each half sweeps back. In this version, the roots reveal the division while the longer front tips bend toward the brows.
Comb the two halves separately if the line needs to stay visible. Leaving a few ends loose softens the front edge while retaining the backward direction through the sides.
Side Part Slick Back
A sharp side part separates a broad backward sweep from a smaller section above the opposite temple. The larger section travels diagonally across the top before settling toward the crown.
Follow the roots' preferred division when placing the line. A fine-toothed comb makes the path more visible, while a product with shine emphasizes the parallel marks across the surface.
Slick Back with Volume
The front lifts off the forehead before curving back in a slick back with volume. That rise makes the profile taller than a close classic slick back, even when the sides retain similar length.
Establish the height at the roots with a brush and dryer, then use product to support the shape. Adding more to the tips can weigh the front down as the top becomes longer.
How to Slick Back Hair
Start with towel-dried hair and direct it backward in sections, following the growth pattern at the crown. A brush and dryer can set the direction before product is added. Use moderate heat and keep the dryer passing over the hair to limit concentrated heat on one area.
Choose a formula labeled for shine or a matte finish, then follow its directions for damp or dry application. Begin with a small amount and distribute it evenly before adding more. Comb for a continuous surface or use the fingers for separated sections. Finish shaping before a firm-hold product hardens.
