Slicked Back Hair
Slicked back hair was a hallmark of 90s men’s hairstyles, embodying elegance, neatness, and timeless appeal. This style involves combing longer top hair backward, creating a smooth, polished surface, often paired with a fade, undercut, or taper to enhance contrast and structure. Versatile for casual, business, or formal settings, the look emphasizes sharp lines and glossy texture. High-quality styling products such as pomade or wax are essential for maintaining hold and sheen while allowing for subtle movement. Celebrities like Christopher Walken helped define its classic appeal during the decade.
| Hair Type | Straight |
| Categories | |
| Occasion | Formal |
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Styling Time | 15 minutes |
| Setting Time | 5 minutes |
| Total Time | 25 minutes |
| Hair Length | Medium |
| Difficulty | Medium |
| Popularity | 94/100 |
| Tags | elegantpolishedclassic |
Instructions
- 1
Start with clean, towel-dried hair. Ensure it is slightly damp but not dripping wet.
- 2
Apply a generous amount of pomade or wax evenly throughout the top section of hair, focusing on areas that will be slicked back.
- 3
Use a fine-tooth comb to gather hair at the hairline and comb it straight back towards the crown, keeping strands smooth and uniform.
- 4
For added volume, lightly blow-dry the hair while combing it backward to encourage lift at the roots.
- 5
If the style includes a fade, undercut, or taper, ensure the sides and back are neatly trimmed to accentuate the contrast with the longer top.
- 6
Check for any stray strands or uneven sections and smooth them with the comb or fingertips.
- 7
Optional: Apply a light mist of hair spray to maintain the sleek appearance throughout the day.
- 8
For variation, the top can be parted slightly or left entirely uniform; both maintain a polished 90s aesthetic.
- 9
To refresh mid-day, lightly dampen the hair, reapply a small amount of product, and comb back again.
Styling Tips
Use high-quality pomade or wax to avoid greasy or stiff hair.
Longer top lengths create more dramatic contrast with short sides.
For natural shine, opt for water-based products that wash out easily.
Blow-drying while combing back adds volume and helps maintain shape.
Pair with a clean taper, undercut, or fade for a contemporary twist on a classic style.
Regular trims ensure the hairline remains sharp and the top stays manageable.
Experiment with slight parting or varying slick intensity for different looks.
Maintain hair health with deep conditioning treatments to prevent dryness from styling products.
More 90s Hairstyles For Men
Undercut
The Undercut is a versatile 90s men’s hairstyle that features a stark contrast between the longer top and closely cropped or shaved sides and back. Popularized in both casual and formal contexts, it allows customization to suit different head shapes and personal style preferences. Ideal for warmer seasons, it keeps the hair off the neck and sides, while the longer top provides styling flexibility, ranging from slicked-back to textured, tousled looks.
Greaser
The Greaser hairstyle experienced a 90s revival, blending midcentury nostalgia with contemporary flair. Characterized by voluminous hair slicked back from the forehead, it conveys a rebellious, “bad boy” aesthetic. Popular for evenings out and stylish daytime appearances, the look requires smooth, shiny hair with controlled volume. Achieving the Greaser style demands proper product application and precise combing to maintain a sleek, polished finish while retaining a sense of effortless attitude.
High Top
The High Top was a bold and unmistakable 90s men’s hairstyle, defined by a tall, squared silhouette that emphasized height and structure. Perfect for showcasing natural hair texture, it became iconic within hip hop culture and urban fashion scenes. This style requires precision cutting and shaping by a skilled barber to achieve clean edges and balance. The high top is attention-grabbing, offering both a stylish statement and a nostalgic nod to the era’s influential trends.
Taper Fade
The Taper Fade is a classic 90s men’s hairstyle that remains timeless and highly versatile. Characterized by a gradual reduction of hair length from the top to the sides and back, it can be tailored to suit individual head shapes and facial features. This haircut allows for creative variations, including low, mid, or high fades, combined with different top lengths and textures. Its clean lines and customizable silhouette make it suitable for both casual and formal occasions, offering a polished yet stylish appearance.
Pompadour
The Pompadour was a bold and iconic 90s men’s hairstyle, characterized by voluminous hair swept upward and back from the forehead, creating a striking lift at the crown. This style balances elegance with retro flair, making it suitable for both casual and formal occasions. It requires medium to long top hair while keeping the sides shorter for contrast. Proper product application and combing technique are essential to achieve the signature height and smooth, glossy finish.
Punk Length
Punk Length was a rebellious 90s men’s hairstyle associated with the punk rock scene. It features long, untamed hair that emphasizes individuality, self-expression, and a raw, edgy aesthetic. Popularized by rockstars who grew their hair out to convey attitude and emotion, this look combines natural texture with minimal styling for a carefree, rebellious vibe. While it may appear effortless, care and proper maintenance are key to keeping hair healthy, frizz-free, and manageable.
Dreamy Volume
Dreamy Volume was a quintessential 90s men’s hairstyle, popularized by romantic comedy leading men. This style features hair swept back from the face with natural-looking volume at the crown, giving a soft, effortless, and charismatic appearance. The look balances elegance and casual appeal, making it suitable for both formal and everyday occasions. Its key feature is movement and body, achieved through careful blow-drying and light styling products, rather than stiff gels, ensuring the hair flows naturally while maintaining shape.
Grunge Hairstyle
Grunge hairstyles became synonymous with 90s music culture, inspired by icons like Kurt Cobain. Characterized by long, straight, slightly messy locks, this style radiates a rebellious, rockstar attitude. Its low-maintenance nature and effortless appeal made it a favorite among men seeking an edgy yet casual look. Wavy or curly hair can be straightened to achieve the authentic aesthetic, while naturally straight hair flows freely to capture the signature disheveled vibe of the era.