How to Style a Slick Back in 2026 (Without Looking Greasy)
The slick back never really went away, but it’s seen a more modern upgrade come to shine in 2026. Most men avoid any form of the classic slick back because they don't want to look like they've dunked their head in chip fat, so to help make sure your hair stays fresh, this guide covers the modern technique alongside the right products to get a clean, controlled finish that lasts all day.
What is the modern slick back?
What separates a modern slick back from its classic counterpart is primarily the finish. Traditionally, styling with oil-based pomades, the slick back always featured an ultra-glossy finish, with hair weighed down by the heavy product. Since then, and with the prevalence of water-based pomades, slick backs have gotten lighter, with the next step in their lifecycle coming from a truly matte finish, achievable only with modern matte stylers, resulting in a softer and more lived-in hairstyle.
Why do so many slick backs go wrong?
There are many ways in which styling a slick back can go wrong, but here are some of the most common for you to avoid.
- Applying to wet hair. - Whilst this can give you additional thickness with matte finish products, if your product goes into damp hair, it won’t get the chance to be properly worked through, which means you’ll end up with a lifeless mess one hour later.
- Using too much product. - Both with a classic and modern slick back, using too much product will ruin your look. With a classic, too much pomade will weigh hair down whilst looking greasy, rather than refined, whilst on the other hand, too much product in a modern look will prevent hair from having texture and a lived-in feel, taking away from the style’s laid-back appeal.
- Trying to force against natural growth. - Sometimes the slick back is just not the right style for you. If your hair is really straight and doesn’t have much movement, the modern slick back is likely not the style for you. Without the right hair texture and type, no amount of technique or product will be able to compensate. If you’re not quite sure whether a slick back will work with your hair texture, ask your barber, and they will be able to give you a definitive answer.
How to style.
Styling to bring natural swept back movement is a simple two-part process; the first part is the pre-styling. To begin, add a few sprays of Sea Salt Spray to damp hair; we’d recommend the Dapper Dan Sea Salt Spray, and work through with your hands. After which, gently blow-dry your hair backwards into position, as this will bring long-lasting structure.
The second part then comes the finishing product. Since a pre-styler has already been used, only a small amount of finishing product will be required, and for a modern matte finish, it doesn’t get better than the Dapper Dan Matt Paste. A pea-sized amount, worked through evenly, will bring all the styling elements of texture, structure, hold, and movement together without clumping or leaving hair greasy.
If you want to create a more straight and classic slick back, but still with a matte finish, you just need to apply more of your finishing product to ensure the hold lasts all day. Pro tip - always start slow with your product and add more as required, to avoid adding too much all at once, as well as making it easier to apply evenly.