Thanks to Dre Drexler, BluMaan, Andy Grover, Luca Santangelo, Alex Costa, Greg Zorian, Beardbrand, Chan the Barber, Mase the Barber, Rowan Row, Frankie Joseph, Its Mo, Teachingmensfashion, ANCHOR LAB, Slikhaar TV - Mens hair, Jordan O'Brien, Uppercut Deluxe, Regal Gentleman, REGAINE® UK, fabianxarnold, Tips for Clips - Haircutting, GentleHair, Pillars Of Hair - By NoLabel, Cameron A, The One Minute Barber, Bradley Gibbins-Klein, Maksim Nikitochkin, Robin James, Max Leo, NIGHT PHANTOM, Jake Daniels, George Adam, Carlos Roberto, Kochi. Without them, this video would not have been possible. I use some of their footage under YouTube Fair Use. _____________________________________
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Everyone loves the slaked back hairstyle but most guys who try it never get it right. Why? Because
nobody teaches you how to make it look right. This video gives you a full month by month guide so you
can finally get that polished sharp slaked back style you always wanted. I'm going to show you
exactly how to grow it out the right way, what style fits your hair type and face shape, and
how to maintain your hair every single month. If you don't know me my name is Eli and I pretty
much help people get any hairstyle in the simplest way possible. So let's get started to see how you
can pull it off. But before we jump into the step-by-step process, you must know the different
types of slaked back hairstyles out there. Because not all slaked backs are the same. Some work better
for wavy hair, some are perfect for straight hair, and some styles just hit different on curly
textures. Depending on your face shape and personality, one version might suit you more
than the other. The first type is the classic slicked back. It is the most common, the most
traditional of all. It is clean all back look with no fade on the sides. It is usually the same length
all around or just slightly shorter on the sides. It works great if you've got straight or slightly
wavy hair and a medium to thick hair density. It's a bit more formal but you can still make it casual
depending on how you wear it. Then I have undercut slicked back style. This one has a big contrast.
The top is long and slicked back but the sides are either faded or completely buzzed. It gives
off more edge and attitude. If you're someone with thicker hair or even curly hair, this one might be
for you. It creates a bold look that stands out. It is also easier to maintain on the sides since
they are shorter which makes styling faster. Another variation is the curly slicked back.
Now this one is not for everyone but if your hair is naturally curly or coiled and you don't want
to straighten it completely, you can still slick it back with the right products. Instead of a smooth
glass finish, it will have a little texture but it still looks amazing. You will just need more hold,
more moisture and more patience to train your curls to stay back. There is also the low fade
slicked back. This is sort of a hybrid. You get the clean fade at the bottom and sides but it blends
smoothly into longer hair on top. It is subtle, stylish and a bit more versatile for work and
weekends. Now let's see the right hair length for this style. I mainly cover the traditional slicked
back style here. For that, you're going to need at least six to eight inches of hair on top to
properly slick it back. That is enough length so the hair can sit flat when combed back and still
have some flow. On the sides, you can keep it shorter or longer based on your preference but
let's say you're aiming for a nice blend rather than an undercut. If your hair is starting from
a buzz cut or a short crop, you're going to need to grow it out. Hair typically grows about half an
inch per month so it will take you around 12 months or more to grow to the full length if you're
starting super short. But most guys have some length so let's assume your hair is about three
inches right now. That means you will need about six months to get to your goal. You would have
six barber wizards each one month apart. First wizard. By the end of the first month, your hair
is around 3.5 inches long. At this stage, your hair is too short to fully slick back but you can
start training it to go in the right direction. When you visit the barber, tell them you're growing
your hair for a back hairstyle and ask for a scissor cut on top to maintain as much length
as possible. The sides and back can be lightly trimmed but avoid going too short since you will
need balance as the top grows out. You don't want harsh fades yet. Just keep everything soft and
even at home, start brushing your hair back regularly. This will not style it yet but it
trains your hair to move in the direction that you want later. Second visit. By now, your hair should
be around four inches on top which is still not long enough for a full slick back look but getting
closer. This is a good time for a light trim. Just enough to clean up any split ends without
sacrificing progress. The sides are starting to look a bit bulky. At this wizard, ask for a light
taper around the neck and ears but again, don't take off too much length. Styling wise, a light
matte paste can help push your hair backward so it won't stay perfectly slick yet. The goal here
is to get your hair used to being combed back rather than falling forward. Third visit. Now,
you're looking at about 4.5 inches. This is when you will feel the awkward stage. Your hair is long
enough to fall in your eyes but still too short to stay slicked back on its own. This month is
all about patience. Start using a blow dryer to train your hair. Apply a light hold product and
blow dry it backward. This helps your hair remember the shape you want. Fourth visit. With five inches
of length on top, you can start testing some slick back styles but it still won't stay all day. At the
barber, ask for a blended scissor cut. Keeping the top long while slightly tapering the sides for a
more polished look. Avoid going for an undercut just yet. You want a gradual transition in length.
If the sides are getting out of control, you can ask the barber to clean them up with scissors. If
your hair is wavy or curly, start using a light cream or leave-in conditioner to help soften the
texture. The idea now is to prepare your hair for control. Fifth visit. At five and a half inches,
your hair is now at the ideal length for a strong, well-defined slicked back style. Ask your barber
to texturize the ends slightly to prevent a bulky helmet-like appearance. The sides should be kept
neat but not too short. This is also a great time to experiment with different products. You can use
oil-based pomades for a high shine finish or water-based ones for easy washout and restyling.
Sixth visit. Your hair is now six inches long. It is officially slicked back length. You can fully
style it and it will stay for most of the day. Now is the time to decide if you want to keep
the sides growing for a blended look or go for a faded undercut style. Both are great options
depending on your face shape. This is also the time to start paying attention to the finish. Do
you want a matte look or a shiny one? Creams give a natural finish while pomades give that glossy
slicked back barbershop look. For those with curly hair, the process is similar but you will need
extra length, around eight inches or more, to properly weigh down the curls. So continue to
grow your hair for the next few months. Now let's see how to style a slicked back hairstyle at home.
It is actually easier than you think. Start by washing your hair and towel drying it until
it is just slightly damp, not soaking wet. Apply a small amount of pre-styling product like a
lightweight mousse or sea salt spray if you want volume or go straight to a water-based pomade or
gel for a sleeker, tighter finish. Rub the product between your hands and distribute it evenly
through your hair, starting from the front and working your way back. Then take a fine-toothed
and slowly comb your hair backward, keeping the sides smooth and the top neat. Use your
hands to shade the hair for a more natural look or keep it super polished with just a comb. If
your hair keeps falling forward or getting too puffy, I would suggest you use a blow dryer on
low heat and gently comb it back while drying. This helps it stay in place. Finish with a light
mist of hairspray for all day hold. Now let's talk about who can pull off the slicked back look
because the truth is not everyone will look their best in this style. And that's totally fine. If
your face is more oval, square, or heart-shaped, slicked back styles usually work really well.
The way the hair frames your face and opens up the forehead creates a strong jawline effect.
If you've got a round face, though, you will need a bit of volume on top. Maybe go for the
undercut version to give more angles to your face. As for hair texture, straight hair is
definitely the easiest for this style. It lays down smooth and doesn't fight back. Wavy hair
can work too, especially if you use a good pomade or gel. Curly hair is trickier, but not impossible.
If your curls are loose, you can train them. If they are tight coils, you might want to grow your
hair longer before attempting this style so it lays better. So whether your hair is straight,
wavy, or curly, whether you're going for a classic slicked back, an undercut, or a curly variation,
the process is the same. Grow it with intention. Shape it month by month. Train your hair daily.
And eventually, you will reach that moment when you slick your hair back and it just sits
perfectly, like it was meant to be there. You also need to take care of your hair regularly.
It doesn't matter if your hair is short or long. Watch this simple,
yet effective hair care routine for all hair types.