A wax stick for hair is the small tool behind every sleek bun, slicked-back pony and flyaway-free part you have saved on your phone. It glides on like a glue stick, smooths without crunch and fits in the smallest bag. These twelve cover true wax sticks, taming wands for baby hairs and a few firmer gels and pomades.
A Wax Stick for Hair Is the Secret Behind Every Sleek Bun You Have Saved
The slicked-back bun has been everywhere for a few years now, and I spent an embarrassing amount of that time trying to recreate it with hairspray and a toothbrush. The result was always the same: smooth for ten minutes, then a halo of flyaways by lunch. A wax stick for hair fixed it almost immediately. It looks like a glue stick, glides straight onto the hairline or part, and leaves a soft, pliable hold that keeps short pieces flat without the crunchy, wet look of an old-fashioned gel. It is also the rare styling product that is as useful for a quick errand as it is for a wedding. There is no learning curve, which may be the best thing about it. I keep one in my bag, one by the mirror and, apparently, one in every coat pocket. The first grid is the true sticks from Oribe, Briogeo, Emi Jay and JVN, and any of them will give you that clean line along the hairline.
For flyaways and baby hairs
Sticks do the broad strokes, and wands handle the details. BondiBoost's Gum Grip is another stick, built for slick-back styles, while Chris McMillan, IGK and Vegamour all make mascara-style wands that tame the tiny hairs around the face and part. I use a wand for flyaways along a middle part and for baby hairs that refuse to lie down. Brush in the direction you want the hair to go, hold for a few seconds, and let it set before you touch it. Less is better here, since too much can look wet in photos. One pass is usually enough, and a second only if the hair springs back up.
Firmer hold, and what I would skip
Sometimes a stick is not enough, especially for very thick or textured hair, and that is where the last grid comes in. Unove's gel wand and Dae's styling cream with its own taming wand add more control, Bread Beauty Supply's Slick-hold Gel is for a truly sleek finish, and Charlotte Mensah's Manketti Oil Pomade is the richest thing here, lovely on curls and coils. What I would skip is pulling your hair back as tight as it will go to get the slick look. Constant tension along the hairline can cause real damage over time, and a stick is supposed to do the smoothing so the ponytail does not have to. Keep the tie snug, not tight, and let the product do the work.
When a stick is not enough: gel, cream and pomade
Smooth, not stiff
The slick bun lasts because it is the rare look that works on almost every hair type and at every hour, from the gym to dinner. A stick makes it faster and softer than the gels and sprays I used to rely on. Pick a stick for the hairline, a wand for the details and something firmer if your hair is thick. Then stop touching it. If you want to keep browsing, I also put together Hair Wax, Pomade or Clay.
