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How to Do a Slick Back Haircut
What is the Slick Back Haircut?
If you want a look that’s equal parts high achiever and bad boy, the Slick Back is your new style. Longer hair on top pulled back, it’s a timeless haircut popularized by mob bosses, Wall Street tycoons and British crime dramas. And you can make it your own with any number of modern twists.
Step 1: Grow, Grow, Grow
You’ll need 6 inches of hair on top of your hair to pull off this look. Once you’re there, wash it and comb through to remove tangles.
Step 2: Cut the Back and Sides
The length is up to you. For a disconnected modern look, go short. Grab your Wahl clipper and slap on a #1 or #2 guard with the taper lever closed and cut sections 1, 2 and 3. Leave only the length on top. If you’re not sure you want to go that short, start with a #5 guard and keep going shorter until you’re happy.
Step 3: Trim the Top
To blend the hair on top into the back, divide the top hair into three sections, starting with your bangs and going back. Use the clipper over fingers technique to cut the bangs 6 inches long, the next segment 4 inches long and the hair closest to the crown of your head 2 inches long.
Step 4: Clean up Neckline
To create nice straight lines and clean up around the ears, you’ll want to use your Wahl trimmer or clipper with no guard. To trim your neckline, start in the middle of the neckline and work your way out. To trim your sideburns, angle your trimmer to edge the sides and the corner of the trimmer for the arch around the ears.
Step 5: Brush it Back
Rub some pomade into your hands and work it into the hair on top. If you don’t want that combed-tight look popular in the 80s, use your fingers to push back the hair, allowing some height on top.
What You'll Need
Questions You Are Asking About the Fade Cut:
What is the difference between the Slick Back haircut and Ivy League haircut?
The Slick Back features longer hair on top brought straight back while the Ivy League, otherwise known as the Side Part, features slightly shorter hair on top swept to the side.
How do you style the Slick Back haircut?
There are many variations of this haircut, which makes it super versatile. You can cut the sides and back short to give it a more modern look, keep the sides longer for a more classic, distinguished look, brush the hair on top back tight or bring it back with some height on top.
Can you achieve the Slick Back haircut with shorter hair on top?
It is recommended that you have at least 6 inches of length on top to achieve this look. That is because your hair must be able to lay back with pomade or gel without standing up.
