Slicked-back hair isn’t going anywhere – here’s how to wear the trend in 2026

Slicked-back hair emerged as the certified ‘clean girl aesthetic’ uniform circa 2022 and never left. The proof? It-girl Sofia Richie Grainge’s sleek lazy girl bun tutorial, which has racked up over 42 million views and counting since it was posted on TikTok, has almost a million saves on the app. I can confirm it’s a great tutorial, and one I revisit often.

Proving to be just as popular on the runway as it is off the runway, countless celebrities and fashion influencers have experimented with this style (Lizzo, Hailey Bieber, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and the Kardashian-Jenner clan are all fans).

Adwoa Aboah

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Sofia Richie Grainge

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To nail the look at home, legendary hair stylist Sam McKnight recommends lightly applying his Self Control Styling Gel to the roots before brushing the hair back to “smooth and flatten it.” The result? A “strong, powerful and sleek style.”

Slicked back hair is pretty versatile, and can take on several different styles – from a sharp, knotted chignon to a polished sky-high ponytail. It’s also a subtle way to shift the mood of your entire look: more minimalist, more directional, a little more put-together – even when the rest of your outfit is doing very little. For inspo, scroll on down to find our favourite interpretations that look just as good with an off-duty outfit as they do a party dress.

Deep side part

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley attends the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

JEAN-BAPTISTE LACROIX