Like many curly girls who don’t always have the time or energy to style their natural texture, my hair spends lots of time in a slicked-back bun. Beyond making me feel super chic and clean-cut, the style allows for extended wear and an easy morning routine before work. The only problem? Sometimes the sleekness doesn’t stay so polished. There’s nothing worse than having a midday mirror check and finding that my baby hairs aren’t laid, my once-even glaze has gotten frizzy, and the healthy shine has completely disappeared.
To solve this pesky beauty dilemma, I went on a journey searching for the perfect gel, and while I’ve found some great options, nothing has provided the security that I’m looking for. Then I realized I had been looking in the wrong category entirely. Since hairspray can have a strong hold effect, I decided to see if adding a spritz or two would fill the missing piece of my slicked-back bun puzzle. And, lo and behold, I found my holy grail in the $5 TRESemmé’s Extra Hold Hairspray.
Keep reading for all the details on this top-tier hairspray plus more of my honest thoughts and opinions. Fast Facts: Price: $5; Best for: Maximum hair hold, flyaway control, and anti-humidity; My Rating: 5/5. What I like: Non-sticky formula and powerful hold.
Why hairspray can outperform gel for longevity
I have been a gel user for as long as I can remember. As a kid, my mom would apply a gel to my pigtails and plaits to keep my baby hairs in place, so it has always been in my hairstyling routine. While a gel can achieve the initial smoothness of a sleek bun, it never makes the style last for me - so that’s when I turned to hairspray. I tried a handful of options from both Ulta and Sephora, but nothing beat the perfection that is the TRESemmé Extra Hold Hairspray, a true drugstore gem.
Because hairspray is not the healthiest thing to constantly layer on your hair, I will usually lightly spray the product on my hand and then glide it over the top of my head. This way, I’m using less product. Thankfully, this non-sticky formula means that my hands don’t feel icky after use plus my hair doesn’t have a weird gummy texture. A little goes a long way anyway. Applying it lightly avoids the crunchy feeling you can get from using some hairsprays, yet it still keeps flyaways at bay and my style lasts all day without a problem - in all weather conditions, too. If I properly wrap my hair at night with a satin scarf, I also find that I don’t have to use much product on it in the morning.
The Final Verdict
Applying a few light spritzes of this non-sticky and anti-humidity hairspray after smoothing my hair with gel and edge control has been a game-changer in making my bun stay sleek. I’ve said goodbye to loose strands and hello to a glossy, immovable finish that I don’t have to think about all day. If your slicked-back looks are missing something, you won’t regret trying TRESemmé’s Extra Hold Hairspray. It’s affordable, effective, and saves you so much styling trouble. Whether you’re doing a bun or pony, or trying to preserve a curl from a heat tool, this formula is the girl for the job.
Before I even knew what a slick-back bun was, I was always making an effort to keep my hair out of my face. Scrunchies, headbands, claw clips-you name it, I own it (and probably still use it). But these days, my hairstyle of choice is a bun so snatched it doubles as a facelift, which means slick-back products have become a non-negotiable part of my hair care routine. Whether I’m heading to the gym, going out with friends, or simply trying to stretch one more day between washes, I rely on them to smooth flyaways, tame frizz, and keep every single strand in place.
There’s a reason slick-back products have become a staple in so many hair care routines. According to celebrity hairstylist Marcos Diaz, they create “control, polish, and longevity” in a hairstyle, helping maintain a sleek, intentional look long after you’ve left the house. “Depending on the formula or finish, slick-back products can provide anything from flexible control and natural shine to a stronger hold with a more polished finish,” Diaz says. “The right product can also create separation, texture, and definition while maintaining a smooth overall silhouette.”
Choosing the right product and how to apply
When it comes to choosing the “right” product, the formula matters more than any single ingredient. In fact, Diaz says the best slick-back products provide hold without leaving hair greasy, crunchy, or stiff. For a softer, more touchable look, he recommends creams, pomades, and styling sticks, which offer control while allowing hair to maintain a more natural appearance. While gels can provide a stronger hold, they often sacrifice movement and flexibility, he notes.
Not to be dramatic, but I couldn’t live without this hair gel. The gel-cream formula is infused with nourishing jojoba oil and tsubaki seed oil, helping it gently lock styles in place while remaining soft and flexible. Unlike many gels I've tried before, it brushes out easily without leaving behind buildup, residue, or flakes. Best of all, it smells divine, and my hair never feels crunchy, sticky, or overly stiff when I use it. My fine hair loves this gel-cream product a little extra, thanks to its hydrating, strengthening blend of argan oil, shea oil, and hydrolyzed vegetable protein. It gives my hair a healthy-looking shine while keeping every flyaway, baby hair, and stray strand exactly where I want it for hours on end.
Cream of the Crop - Unlike gels, styling creams can help maintain more movement and a touchable finish. A tried-and-true multitasker, Dae’s 3-in-1 styling cream can be used to prep hair before a blowout, define natural curls, or create sleek, polished updos. Infused with dragon fruit, prickly pear oil, and meadowfoam seed oil, the cult-fave cream delivers lightweight hold while leaving hair looking and feeling soft, smooth, and hydrated. This styling cream-formulated with avocado oil, glycerin, and omega-3s- is a quick dose of moisture and security. In literally sixty seconds, it can be used to create a sleek slick-back look or to tame frizz and flyaways before heat styling.
If you’ve spent more than five minutes on #HairTok, you’ve probably come across this viral wax stick. Made with castor oil, beeswax, and Japanese wax, it offers long-lasting hold and a semi-matte finish that keeps flyaways, baby hairs, and edges in check. It also delivers control without making hair look greasy or weighed down. As its name suggests, this wax stick delivers serious hold and a super-smooth glide. It keeps edges firmly in place, making it a great option for anyone who wants their hairstyle to stay put from morning to night.
This is one of the firmest-holding finishing sprays I've ever used. But unlike many others, it's infused with nourishing argan oil, so it helps tame frizz and flyaways while still brushing out easily and never leaving strands crunchy or sticky. Made with Brazilian Tucuma butter, this hairspray is lightweight yet effective, helping keep hair in place without any residue. The best part? It leaves a mirror-like shine that makes slick-back styles look even sleeker and glossier.
No Fly Zone - The secret to a truly sleek slick-back isn't just the products you use-it's the brush. The Boar Hair Brush No. If you can’t already tell, I’m a huge Crown Affair fan. Though an investment, this boar-bristled brush is designed to put any slick-back style in its place without snagging or pulling. Plus, it really does feel as luxurious as it looks. Even the best brushes can’t compete with wind and humidity. That’s why I love this small-but-mighty taming stick to bring with me on-the-go. It’s a clear, serum-based formula, and the wand makes it easy to smooth down rogue baby hairs.
How to achieve a flawless slick-back
How to: Slick Back Hair - Prep your hair: Start with clean, damp hair. Apply a styling product like gel or pomade to smooth down the hair. Create a sleek ponytail: Pull your hair back into a tight ponytail at the nape of your neck. Wrap the ponytail: Wrap the ponytail around the base, securing it with bobby pins as you go. Smooth it out: Use a fine-tooth comb to smooth down any flyaways. Finish with hairspray: Spray your bun with hairspray to keep it in place. Tip: To create a more polished bun, twist your ponytail tightly before wrapping it into a bun and secure it with bobby pins. For a more textured look, pull out a few strands around the face for a relaxed, effortless style.
How to do a slick back pony? Prep your hair: Start with clean, damp hair. Apply a styling product like gel or pomade to smooth down the hair. Pull your hair back: Gather your hair into a tight ponytail at the desired height. Smooth it out: Use a fine-tooth comb to smooth down any flyaways. Secure the ponytail: Use a hair tie to secure the ponytail. Finish with hairspray: Spray your ponytail with hairspray to keep it in place. Tip: For added volume, lightly backcomb the roots before pulling your hair into a ponytail. This will give your slick back pony a little extra lift while maintaining a smooth finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How to use a hair wax stick? For precise control and definition, use a hair wax stick to tame flyaways and create sharp, clean lines along your hairline and part. To apply, twist the stick and glide it directly onto the desired areas, focusing on edges or spots that need extra hold. Blend it in with your fingers for a smooth, polished finish.
- How to get hair wax stick out of hair? To remove hair wax, use a clarifying shampoo, massaging it into your hair to break down the wax. Follow with a conditioner to restore moisture. If you're having trouble removing hair wax, try applying a small amount of oil to your hair before shampooing.
how to get the PERFECT slicked back hairstyle?
Additional tips from experts
There’s a reason slick-back products have become a staple in so many hair care routines. Marcos Diaz notes they provide control, polish, and longevity, with formulas offering anything from flexible control and natural shine to stronger Hold with a more polished finish. The right product can also create separation, texture, and definition while maintaining a smooth silhouette. For a softer, more touchable look, creams, pomades, and styling sticks are recommended, while gels can provide stronger hold at the cost of movement.
In practice, a lightweight combination of a gel or gel-cream for initial smoothness, followed by a light spritz of Extra Hold Hairspray, delivers long-lasting sleekness without crunch. The key is applying sparingly and finishing with a satin-wrapped night routine to preserve the style into the next day.