Holiday-Ready Slick-Back: Sleek, Polished & Festive

When the holidays roll around, it’s the perfect time to show up looking chic, and a slick-back hairstyle hits that vibe: clean, polished, a little glam. With a few simple tools and the right technique, you can get a sleek, professional look at home. Here’s how.

What you’ll need

Janeke Small Superbrush — a compact but effective brush to smooth hair and help style precisely.

Emi Jay Styling Brush — great for smoothing and distributing product evenly, helping create that sleek, polished finish.

Rahua Cream Wax — a styling wax to give texture, control and hold without the stiffness of strong pomades.

Rahua Aloe Vera Hair Gel — a light-to-medium hold gel that helps slick hair back and tame stray strands, while keeping things smooth and manageable.

Step-by-Step: Sleek Slick-Back for the Holidays

1. Start with clean, slightly damp hair
   Wash and condition your hair, then gently towel-dry until it’s damp (not dripping — overly wet hair can dilute styling gel or wax). This gives you a smooth base that’s easy to work with.

2. Brush to detangle and set direction
   Use the Janeke Small Superbrush to detangle and gently brush your hair straight back. This defines the direction and form of your slick-back before any product goes in.

3. Apply wax (for hold and texture)
   Take a small amount of cream wax, warm it between your fingers, then work it through your hair — starting from mid-lengths to ends first, then gently moving up. Wax helps give hold and control with a more natural finish than heavy pomades. This step sets the base.

4. Add gel for sleek, polished hold
   Next, using the Aloe Vera Hair Gel, smooth a small amount onto the crown, roots, and along your hairline. Use the Lemon Sugar Styling Brush to comb everything back and distribute the gel evenly, pressing hair down so strands lie flat. For a more “wet look,” ensure the product reaches roots and lengths; for a softer, satin finish, focus more on the top and sides.

5. Refine — smooth flyaways and perfect the style
   Use your brush to tame any stray hairs. If needed, add a tiny touch more gel or wax (but don’t overdo it — too much product can make hair look greasy or stiff). Some people like to finish with a light hairspray for extra hold (optional).

6. Let it set and avoid fussing
   Once you’re done, leave the hair to rest for a minute or two so products settle. Avoid touching or re-brushing too much — repeated fussing can break the sleek, smooth shape.