6 Australian creatives share how they achieve a slicked bun
IMAGE VIA @rubystaley_/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY SIENNA BARTON
“The tighter, the better.“
I’m the first to admit I don’t know what to do with my hair when it comes to styling, or just putting any effort into it in general. I wash my hair every four to five days and I just let it sit in whatever style it pleases. On the fourth day, I’ll try to style it in a sleek bun using whatever products I have at my disposal.
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Slicked buns can feel intimidating if you’re a bit of a hairstyling novice, like me, and more often than not, mine looks more skew-whiff than chic. So I turned to the people whose photos I see on Instagram that make me go, “God, I wish I could do that”. With tools ranging from high-end brushes and hair masks, to drugstore hair gel and a toothbrush, there’s (hopefully) a slicked-bun routine for everyone.
Indianna Roehrich, she/her, founder of Simply Social
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What are your favourite tools for styling a slicked bun?
This is [my] number one, [the] Olivia Garden Style-Up Folding Teasing Brush Mixed Boar and Nylon Bristle – a total game-changer for my fine hair and [it] allows me to pull the perfect slicked-back bun into place.
Can you give us a step-by-step method of how you achieve a slicked bun?
Flip hair upside down, pull [it] into a ponytail, spray [the] front of [your] hair with Eleven Australia I Want Body Texture Spray, brush flyaways towards [the] back of [your] bun with the bristle brush, twist [the] ponytail, wrap around and secure with a hair tie. Done!
Ruby Staley, she/they, writer and content producer
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What are your favourite tools for styling a slicked bun?
For a proper slicked bun, my absolute key product is the Schwarzkopf Got2b Glued 4 Brows & Edges to really give that flat and slick vibe. I also use a hard bristle-slicking brush, a few sprays of hairspray, a couple of hair ties and bobby pins. Sometimes, if I’m thinking ahead, I’ll also add a hair mask to my hair before popping it in the bun.
Can you give us a step-by-step method of how you achieve a slicked bun?
First up, for a slicked bun my hair has to be somewhat dirty and oily. Two or even three days since a wash is perfect for me. After I part my hair directly down the middle (sometimes this takes a little finessing), I brush my hair back into a tight ponytail and secure it with a hair tie. The tighter, the better. Then, I add some of the brow and edges glue to the slicked hair and I smooth out any bumps and flyaways with a hair brush.
Next, I twirl the ponytail and coil it around itself so that it becomes a circular shape, ensuring that a few of the end pieces are sticking out of the bun. I secure that with another hair tie, adding bobby pins where I see fit to keep my hair and bun in place. Finishing off, I spritz some hairspray over it all to lock everything in place, and voila!
Megan Harrison, she/her, makeup artist and hairstylist
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What are your favourite tools for styling a slicked bun?
My fave tools for a slicked bun are a tail comb, a boar bristle style brush, hairspray and gel (Schwarzkopf Got2b Glued Gel and the Got2b Glued 4 Brows & Edges Gel are great).
Can you give us a step-by-step method of how you achieve a slicked bun?
The basic steps I follow for a slicked bun are:
- Put your hair in a ponytail where you’d like your bun to sit (using the end of the tail comb to put in a front part if you’d like one) and then smooth a generous amount of gel from your hairline back to the pony all the way around your head. Brush it smooth.
- Hold the pony and take out the hairband. Spray with hairspray and brush hair back with the boar bristle brush. If you have a part, brush in a swooping motion down first and then up swoop up to the position you’d [like] from your ears backward.
- Secure with a hairband for the final time and spray again with hairspray. (A good trick is to secure with two hairbands for extra hold).
- Put a bit of gel or hair mask through the ponytail and twist [it] into a bun, securing [it] with a third elastic and/or some bobby pins.
- Give the hairline a once over with the Got2b Glued 4 Brows and Edges Gel (it’s like a mascara wand with gel on it), especially above your ears and the nape of your neck. If you don’t have the Got2b, hairspray or gel on a toothbrush does the same thing. For double benefits, instead of gel, you can also coat your hair in a hair mask first.
- As a final step, I take some hair powder or an eyeshadow in my hair colour and fill in my hairline with a little brush.
If you have thicker, wavier or curlier hair:
- Dampen your hair with a water spray first (an important step).
- Starting with hair down, work gel into your part line first, flattening and smoothing with the boar bristle brush as you go.
- Work gel into the lower layers of your hair with your hands and start smoothing your hair with the boar bristle brush (you can dampen the brush too for extra control) into the ponytail position and then follow the same steps as above. If you have type three or four curls, I love the look of leaving the ends out. Dampen them, add some gel and keep the natural curl pattern in the bun visible from the front.
Paulina Zamorano, she/her, artist
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What are your favourite tools for styling a slicked bun?
Water, large brush, comb and mega hold gel (using a toothbrush as an applicator).
Can you give us a step-by-step method of how you achieve a slicked bun?
The only time I get prepped for a slicked-back look is when my hair has reached the point of requiring a wash, so it’s oily and receptive to water. I’ll part in the middle, brush up into a low ponytail, tie up the pony, wrap the excess into a bun and tie it with another hair tie.
Then, I’ll finish it off with a wrap scarf that matches my fit of the day, brush my edges with gel to clean up my face and any flyaways that may be poking out and ta-da! Slicked, oiled hair that looks fresh and presentable.
Caitlyn Iskra, she/her, founder of Horni Nails
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What are your favourite tools for styling a slicked bun?
I always try to use a hair mask to style and create a sleek look. Right now, I’m using Original & Mineral Seven Day Miracle Moisture Masque. It has a balm texture, perfect for collecting frizzy and dry hair straight up into a wet-look, slicked bun.
Can you give us a step-by-step method of how you achieve a slicked bun?
Number one is a good brush. Use the brush to smooth out any bumps, lumps and strays. A good quality hair mask is a must. The balm texture really will flatten and control the hairs. Apply around the perimeter of your hairline, then use your rounded brush to lightly pull every layer higher and higher, brushing and smoothing.
Then secure with a perfect thick hair tie. Sometimes it can take a couple [of] goes – don’t get annoyed, you will get it! Then, for flyaways, a gorgeous [clean] mascara wand does wonders. Smooth out for extra softness.
Georgia Gaillard, she/her, makeup artist and hairstylist
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What are your favourite tools for styling a slicked bun?
Oribe Balm D’or Heat Styling Shield, blow dryer, flat bristle brush, Nak Hair Shine Mist, Oribe Superfine Hair Spray, hair tie and pins.
Can you give us a step-by-step method of how you achieve a slicked bun?
I like to apply Oribe Balm D’or Heat Styling Shield to the hair, then I like to blow dry the hair in the direction I want it to sit. Then I like to layer Nak Hair Shine Mist and Oribe Super Fine Hair Spray through the roots and mid-lengths. Shine spray will give you slip and the hair spray will give you hold. These two products together will allow you to brush through while maintaining the hold you need to have a tightly slicked bun.
I like to use a flat bristle finishing brush to really pack the hair into place, give it extra shine and get it to sit tight against the head. Once you get the hair into place tie hair into a ponytail with a hair tie or a piece of hat elastic. Create the shape of a bun you want and secure [it] with U pins.
For more slicked-back hairstyle inspiration, try this.
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