How to Achieve the Trending “Model Off-Duty” Hairstyle

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I have been seeing a slicked back hair look everywhere lately. It’s giving matrix aesthetics and I think it is so clean and classy. If you were wanting to get behind achieving this look, here is a step-by-step guide on how to create that slicked back moment. Whether you finish it off in a ponytail, bun, or a braid the top of your head will look like you are headed for the red carpet. 

First off, it is important to note that this look looks better on the 2nd or 3rd day, not washed hair. It tends to hold better with your natural oils, however it is also ok if you want to try it with freshly washed hair as well.

Make sure you have a soft boar bristle brush, non-crunchy hair mousse (Sachajuan is a good one), any hair paste (Sachajuan), wax (TIGI Wax Stick, Sachajuan), or pomade (Sachajuan for a shiny finish or Ouai for a matte finish), and ponytails that will secure your hair.

Quick tip: hair paste and pomade do the same thing, but only the paste is thicker and allows flexibility to change your hairstyle throughout the day if this is more suitable for you. Hair wax has a strong hold and will most likely keep your hair in place for the whole day, you would probably have to shower to restyle your hair. 

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Back to business… First you want to part hair down the middle and brush the rest of your hair out. Then take your mousse and apply a generous amount in your hands. Massage this through your hands before applying so it evenly spreads from your root to tip. Do not put too much on the tips of your hair, the goal is to just flatten the top half of your head out.

Next, you will take the hair paste, wax, or pomade, whichever you choose to use, and start with a little amount working from the front of your head to the back while gently massaging it in. This is focused mainly on your roots/top half of your head as well and near the sides by your ears. Add more product as needed. 

To determine the placement of your bun, famous hair stylist, Chris Appleton, suggests taking your finger and starting from the end of your eye, drag your finger in a line to the back of your head. This is supposedly the most flattering spot to put your bun when you lift up your hair and hold it back before creating the sleek effect. 

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Now take your brush and go upwards and back in a diagonal while holding your hair back. You can flatten the top part of your hair if any pieces stick up from the diagonal movement when brushing. With a wax stick it is probably better to brush your hair first in the diagonal upward motion and then glide the stick back before tying your hair up. 

Once you are happy with how you brushed it you can take your ponytail and tie it back really tight. If you want, you can add more product to slick down any flyaways.

If you want to put it in a bun, you twist your hair clockwise and leave a little hair out of the twist for a more matrix (which is also totally optional), and spin it around the ponytail that is already in. Finish it off by securing it with another ponytail. If you desire, you can straighten any pieces that stick out of your bun for a more defined look and top it off with hairspray for an even stronger hold.

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Now you have your model-off duty slicked back ponytail, bun, or braid. It pulls your hair out of your face and shows off all of your facial features. For such a put-together look, it only takes 5 minutes to create.