50 Slick Back Haircut and Hairstyle Ideas for Smooth and Refined Men

Last updated on November 29th, 2023 at 10:28 pm

The slick back hairstyle has a longer style history than you can imagine. We can travel a few decades ago and meet a very young Johnny Depp making his first appearance in 80s slasher films donning this very hairdo. Then we can go back to the 50s to an Elvis concert and see the king himself sporting the slick back haircut as if he ruled the world, not just the stage. Finally, we could even go back to the 30s and see a movie with Clark Gable in his signature hairstyle. However, the slick-back haircut has never seemed to be more popular than in the past few years. Every man in Hollywood has been wearing it, and the world followed suit.

1. The Slick Back Haircut with Low Fade

We’re starting with one of the most popular ways of wearing the slick back. That is by pairing it with a low fade on both sides and in the back. In this way, all the attention goes to the top part.

2. Greaser Hair with Undercut

If you don’t want to shave it all off, you can simply opt for the undercut. It’s basically the same type of haircut, just with a few more inches on each side and in the back, in case you have a stricter dress code in the office.

3. The Messy Haircut

Although most hairstyles are typically very cared for and neatly arranged in perfect dos, you don’t have to do it like that. If you have a more artistic nature or if you like the ‘I woke up like this look’, go for messy instead.

4. The Wavy Clean Hair

This version of the slick back is, in fact, a combination between a high pompadour and a wavy slick. In other words, you will get just about the best of the three worlds. Allow your hair to be brushed upwardly.

5. Brushed-up Style

As the name suggests, you will need a brush if you want to copy this look. The secret is a fair amount of high-quality hair wax. Apply it liberally on your locks, put the brush into motion and see the ladies swoon.

6. The Justin Timberlake Haircut

Justin is here to usher us into our long list of celebrities, current, and past who proudly wear this hairstyle. Let them all be an inspiration to you. For example, Justin sports an Ivy League version of the cut, in a lovely natural chestnut brown. Have a charming look with this style.

7. Retro Haircut

If you’re a fan of the retro vintage style, then this is definitely the haircut for you. All you need is some hair gel and a comb and you’re done. Pro tip – wear the comb with you at all times. It will help you keep your hair in place.

8. The Harry Hairstyle

The One Direction singer, Harry Styles, is very fond of his long locks, which he wears in a slick back haircut. They are partially curly, cut to a medium length, textured, and with a lot of volumes to them. The result is that they frame his face perfectly. This style produces a carefree vibe.

9. The Joe Manganiello Haircut

The man who managed to marry beauty queen Sofia Vergara might know a thing or two about looking good himself. His classic handsomeness and rugged good looks are finished off by the slick back haircut with a part on one side.

10. Chris Hemsworth Hair

Being compelled to wear his hair long for a long time given his lengthy role in ‘Thor’ and the ‘Avengers’, Chris sweetened up to the slick back haircut as well. He made it his own, however, wearing it messy and with many strands falling carelessly around his perfect face.

11. Cropped Sides Hairstyle

What we love most about this take on the beloved slick back is the color. It’s an all-natural sun-kissed blonde color, perfectly matching the ginger beard. It speaks of self-confidence and flaunting your best natural features.

12. High Fade with a Hard Part Hairstyle

This slick-back haircut has a high fade, going almost to the top of the head and meeting the slick. It also has a perfect hard part that loses itself on the way to the back. The slick itself is textured and layered.

13. The Brad Pitt in ‘Fury’ Hairstyle

When the world saw ‘Fury’ it only seemed to notice one thing. Brad Pitt’s hairstyle. You guessed it. It’s haircut, as spiky and as raw as they come. The sides are shaved down and seem almost grimy in their manliness.

14. The Long Slicked Haircut

If you’re all about the party in the back, you can add a bit of pizzazz. Ask your stylist to leave some length to the tail of the cut. In this way, it will look modern, manly, and artsy, all at the same time.

15. Hard Part Haircut

The hard parts are very easy to explain. Think of them as the luxury cousins of the normal, natural parts. A barber or stylist will use a machine to effectively shave a hard part on one side of your head for the desired effect.

Check out more low-fade hairstyles for men.

16. Business Dapper Hairstyle

The slick-back haircut is quite perfect if you happen to be a businessman. You will see that it transitions perfectly from working hours to nighttime. This means you can look presentable at meetings and then have fun on dates or out with friends. What a gentleman!

If you love the classic business look, look out for more classic styles right now!

17. The Disconnected Undercut with Textured Hair

A disconnected undercut means that your beard and, by means of consequence, your sideburns are no longer touched up with your haircut. In this case, it is because you have opted for the haircut with undercut and beautiful, textured hair. A perfect style to wear during the summer season.

18. Hipster Haircut

Hipsters really do have a way of making everything more beautiful, don’t they? Just look at this simple approach to the haircut, coupled with a neck tattoo and earrings, nose, and face piercings.

19. The Very High Pompadour Hairstyle

If you happen to like eating cake instead of bread, you have found your hairstyle. It’s the haircut with a theatrically high pompadour. Please be aware of the fact that you will need copious amounts of hair products to keep this up.

20. Windswept Haircut

When you’re a fan of natural hairstyles, you could always pretend that it was the wind that swept back your hair into a slick. In fact, it’s going to be a quantity of hair wax and a nice hair brush to give it some texture and volume.

21. The Young Johnny Depp Hairstyle

Here’s a young Johnny Depp as he appeared in the now iconic 80s slasher Nightmare on Elm Street with a fantastic slick back haircut. It did amazing things for his facial features, elongating his face and hollowing his cheeks.

22. The George Clooney Style

As the years passed, George become a definite silver fox. He too adopted the haircut in a gorgeous natural salt and pepper color that matches his heavy beard. He may be spiked with gray hair now, but his hair is still on par.

23. The Leonardo DiCaprio Haircut

Second, only to Clooney himself who got married, Leo is the world’s other most sought-after bachelor. He too fell prey to the slick back haircut which he proudly displays whenever he can with a lot of hair gel.

24. The David Beckham Haircut

As Becks matured, he left the crazy hairstyles of his youth behind him. And happier we could not be that he did. He now sports a signature haircut with tapered sides and a high pompadour. How handsome you are, Mr. Beckham!

25. The Elvis Hairstyle

One of the absolute best promoters of the slick back hairstyle is none other than the King himself. In fact, his trademark hairstyle is one of the most well-known as well as most copied in history! Talk about inspiration…

26. The Chris Pine Hairstyle

The lovely Captain Kirk is now getting a bit of gray among his natural chestnut brown locks as well. We still love him, though, just as we love his slick-back haircut. Come to think of it, he does look a bit like Clooney now, doesn’t he?

27. The Benedict Cumberbatch Hair

Even though he doesn’t actually sport the slick back haircut in his real life a lot, you can still draw inspiration from when he wore it as Sherlock Holmes. He looked dashing in it. Therefore, we can definitely call it a win.

28. The Tom Hiddleston Haircut

Here’s another very famous Brit who looks too handsome in a slick back haircut for his own good. His ‘Hello, darling’ line of memes on the web has girls weak at the knees and we bet you would love to take a leaf out of his book for a change.

29. The Clark Gable Classic Hairstyle

In 1939, the world fell irrevocably and unmistakably in love with a rascal. Rhett Butler was his name and loving Scarlet was his game. His devilish smile and old Hollywood glamour, as well as the slick back haircut that he pioneered, make him one of the most handsome men to ever grace the silver screen.

30. The Tom Hardy Hairstyle

Yes, even baddie Tom Hardy loves a good slick-back haircut. He wears his in a ponytail, a top knot, or, more often than not, a lovely low bun. Paired with a very well-tailored beard, all this sums up the perfect picture we all know and love.

31. The Justin Bieber Hairstyle

The Canadian teenage heartthrob, Justin Bieber, went for the slick back haircut as well and it’s a good thing that he did. The very mature and manly hairstyle makes him look a bit more grown-up and serious.

If you have longer hair, try out these shoulder-length hairstyles that will be perfect for you.

32. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Haircut

This soccer player is a superstar both on and off the pitch. Of course, just as with David Beckham, his good looks and hair play a very important part in that. When Cristiano Ronaldo gets a new hairstyle, the world follows suit, just like with the slick-back haircut.

33. Slicked Haircut with a High Fade

Another take on the slick is the slightly parted, high pompadour with the fade. Notice how it is very angular on every side, giving the impression of a much slimmer and even gaunt face. It’s an illusion that will help you shed a few pounds. Have your facial hair cleanly trimmed to complement your sides and tops.

34. The Supermodel Back Cut

If there’s one thing you’ll gain from sporting this hairstyle, that’s confidence. There are very few men out there who don’t actually look good in it. Therefore, when you do get it, run your fingers through your hair and act like you own the room.

35. The Blonde Haircut

Deciding to go for another color, such as blonde, for example, will give your hair a lot of depth. However, if you do, make sure your roots are brown or dark caramel so that the overall dye job looks closer to natural.

36. The Bubble Gum Hairstyle

And speaking of going for colors other than yours, how about an unconventional one? Bubblegum pink can be your color of choice, especially if you have blue eyes, or you can go for pastels, such as lavender or even grays.

37. A Modern Man’s Haircut

Long gone are the days when Clark Gable wore this haircut. What you have to do now is take inspiration from men like him and perfect it. Add a beautiful beard to it and some wonderfully tailored eyebrows and you’re there!

38. The 50’s Haircut

If what you always wanted is to look like a character from Grease, then this is your cue. Ask your stylist to give you tips on how to maintain this gorgeous hairstyle. You will need some hair gel or some hair wax as well as a good comb.

39. The Artistic Haircut

With a hard part that goes three-quarters to the back, the beginning of a pompadour in the front, and a faded undercut at the sides and in the back, this gorgeous slick back hairstyle is the stuff of legend.

40. The Bed Head Style

If you happen to have wavy hair and your haircut is medium size, then we might suggest you try the bedhead look. You will need a small amount of hair wax, just enough to allow your locks to move as if you’ve just woken up.

41. The Tom Welling Hair

You don’t get to play Superman for so many years for not looking good. Yes, before Henry Cavil, there was Tom Welling, sporting a fantastic dark brunette slick back haircut with a barely visible side parting.

42. The Ivy League Haircut

This is part of another very well-known hairstyle which is called the Ivy League haircut. It gets its name from the students of highly prestigious colleges in America who wore their hair in perfectly neat haircuts back in the day, to show their social status.

43. The Chris Evans Hairstyle

Captain America himself is a huge fan of the slick back hairstyle. His natural hair is deep and dark frosty chocolate which he likes to keep short and swept over the crown of his head. That, alongside his bushy beard, highlights his baby-blue eyes.

44. The Sebastian Stan Hairstyle

Here’s Captain America’s trusted sidekick, Bucky Barnes, or the Winter Soldier. Actor Sebastian Stan wears the slick-back haircut as well in real life. Whether tousled and combed or in a lovely top knot, he’s definitely into it. In fact, here are some more top-knot ideas for you to try on.

45. Clashing Slick Hairstyle

Being eclectic means being brave and beautiful at the same time. If your fashion senses tell you it’s right, you don’t have to stop at just one trend. Mix and match at your heart’s desire, showing the world you’ve got the chops to do it.

46. The Silver Fox Hairstyle

The slick-back haircut is so marvelous and versatile that it works for all ages. With the right amount and styling and hair product, you can wear it well into your mature years, without missing a beat.

47. Beautiful Boy Hairstyle

Here’s a very architectural slick back haircut for boys that you can obtain with some hair wax and practice. In effect, you will need to learn how to do those perfect waves at the end and on the sides, continuing with simple comb marks down to the backside.

48. The Long Hair Haircut

If you have long or medium hair and you wear it in a man bun or a low or top knot, it’s still called a slick back. You can go for the lean look or for the messy style, in which you let strands of hair frame your face.

49. The Frank Sinatra Cut

Another classic promoter of the slick back haircut was none other than Frankie himself. He simply slicked his hair back and used a lot of pomades and a comb to help settle it all down into the look that we all know and love.

50. The Daniel Radcliffe Hairstyle

Once he grew up and said goodbye to the round glasses, actor Daniel Radcliffe became a regular heartbreaker with incredible good looks. His angular, chiseled face, and stirring blue eyes are perfectly matched by his mess of jet-black hair nicely slicked back this time around.

Conclusion

Daniel Radcliffe and his slick back haircut conclude our list of ideas. Have our choices inspired you to go for this exceptionally fashionable and loved hairstyle? If so, let us know in the comments because we would love to hear from you!