Growing up as a competitive dancer, I’m no stranger to the art of perfecting how to do a slick back bun—hairsprays, bobby pins, boar bristles, and all. But what I didn’t expect was that the hairstyle would still reign supreme over a decade after I threw away my ballet slippers. While celebrities have long rocked sleek up-dos on red carpets and runways (see: Selena Gomez, Jennifer Lopez, Gabrielle Union), the rise of the clean-girl aesthetic has made slicked back looks a staple for every-day occasions. And personally, I couldn’t be happier about it.
Slick back buns are incredibly versatile. Whether you’re running to the grocery store or getting glam for a girl's night out, the face-snatching style can easily elevate any look. And while striving to look like a “clean girl” originally made the hair-do so popular, it (ironically) works best on second day (or, let’s be real, third day) hair. So if your hair wash schedule isn’t aligned with your social calendar, or you’re simply too lazy to pick up your curling iron, a slick back bun is the ultimate hair hack. The best part? The style can be created on any hair length, type, and texture.
