How To Get Hailey Bieber’s Slicked-Back Bun: Easy Step-By-Step Guide

If you’ve been on TikTok, Instagram, or basically anywhere lately, you’ve probably noticed the slicked-back bun is having a full-blown main character moment. And honestly? We’re not mad about it. 

This ultra-sleek hairstyle has become the go-to look for celebs who want to serve “effortless luxury” without looking like they tried too hard. (Spoiler: they absolutely tried, but we love the illusion.) 

From Hailey Bieber to red carpet queens and off-duty models, the slick back bun is trending hard - and it’s easy to see why. It’s polished, timeless, chic, and works for everything from gym runs to weddings. 

But here’s the thing: the slick bun isn’t just about yanking your hair back until your scalp begs for mercy. The secret is using the right routine and the right products so you get that glossy, smooth finish without breakage. 

Let’s get into it - your ultimate step-by-step guide to the perfect slicked-back bun. 

How To Do a Slick Back Bun Step-By-Step 

Step 1: Start With a Smooth Base 

A slick bun works best when your hair already feels soft and manageable. If you’re styling on freshly washed hair, prep is everything. 

Before you even pick up a brush, apply the Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Leave-In Treatment through your mid-lengths and ends. This is the perfect product to help strengthen, smooth, and protect the hair while keeping it shiny and frizz-free.  

If your hair is second-day or third-day hair? Even better. Slick buns love a little natural texture. 

Step 2: Gather Your Slick Bun Tools 

Before you begin, make sure you’ve got your lineup ready: 

• the brush company the polisher (your smoothing hero) 
• A hair tie (preferably snag-free) 
• Bobby pins (because flyaways always want attention) 
• Oz Essentials Sleek Style Wax Stick OR Natalie Anne Slick & Smooth Balm 
• Oz Essentials Style Wand 
• Amika Headstrong Intense Hold Hairspray 

This is the dream team for a bun that won’t budge. 

Step 3: Choose Your Part (Middle or Side) 

This is where you decide the vibe. 

A middle part gives you that clean Hailey Bieber energy - symmetrical, sleek, and fashion girl-approved. 

A side part is giving soft glam, old money, and “I definitely own a trench coat.” 

Use the end of a comb to part your hair cleanly. The sharper the part, the more polished the bun will look. 

Step 4: Apply Your Smoothing Balm 

Now it’s time to slick things down - but not in a crunchy helmet way. 

Work a small amount of Natalie Anne Slick & Smooth Balm or Oz Essentials Sleek Style Wax Stick either into your hands or directly onto your hair, smooth it over the top and sides of your hair. Focus on areas where frizz and flyaways pop up the most (usually the crown and hairline). 

These balms give that soft, controlled sleekness without making your hair feel greasy or stiff. 

Remember: start small. You can always add more, but you can’t un-slick a bun once you’ve gone too far. 

Step 5: Brush It Back Like a Pro 

This is where the magic happens. 

Grab the brush company the polisher and start brushing from the front hairline backward, following your part. This brush is perfect because it smooths the hair down without leaving bumps and uneven sections. 

The key here is patience. A slick bun is built in layers - brush, smooth, brush again. You’re basically sculpting your hair into place. 

If you spot little flyaways creeping up, don’t panic. That’s what wax sticks were made for. 

Step 6: Bring in the Wax Stick for Extra Sleek 

Once your hair is brushed back into position, apply Oz Essentials Sleek Style Wax Stick directly onto any areas that need extra control - especially around the temples, hairline, and behind the ears. 

Then use the Oz Essentials Style Wand to smooth everything down and press those hairs into place. 

This combo is elite for creating that glossy editorial finish. It’s also amazing if you’re styling layers or regrowth and need everything to behave. 

Step 7: Tie It Into a Ponytail 

Now gather your hair into a ponytail where you want your bun to sit. 

• Low bun = classy and effortless 
• Mid bun = modern and chic 
• High bun = snatched and dramatic 

Secure it with a hair tie, but don’t pull too aggressively. Tight doesn’t always mean sleek - it just means tension (and headaches). 

Step 8: Twist and Wrap Into a Bun 

Twist the ponytail tightly, then wrap it around the base into a bun shape. Secure with another hair tie or bobby pins depending on your hair thickness. 

Pro tip: if you want a more “model off-duty” look, keep the bun slightly loose and messy at the back - but keep the front slick and clean. 

That contrast is chef’s kiss. 

Step 9: Lock It In With Hairspray 

To finish, mist Amika Headstrong Intense Hold Hairspray over the top and sides of your hair. 

This hairspray is perfect because it holds the style without making your hair look crunchy or stiff. You’ll get that long-lasting sleekness that survives wind, dancing, and life in general. 

Take one final look in the mirror. If the bun looks smooth, shiny, and snatched? Congratulations. You’ve just mastered the slicked-back bun. 

This is the kind of hairstyle that makes it look like you have your life together… even if you’re running on iced coffee and pure determination.  

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