There is truly no hairstyle more effortlessly chic or versatile than the beloved slicked-back bun. It's my answer to greasy four-day hair; humid, rainy weather; and any occasion I want to appear extra polished. After all, a super-sleek bun is the bedrock of the “model off duty” beauty uniform for a reason. The low-lift look just delivers automatic elegance.
Now that I've convinced you to sport the style all summer long (well, if you weren't on board already), allow me to recommend the workhorse product you absolutely can't go without: a hair wax stick. Some who are devoted to slicked-back buns will say you need a trio of stylers—leave-in conditioner, gel, hair spray—to get an ultra-snatched vibe, but for the minimalists among us, I promise a wax stick and a handy boar-bristle brush will do most of the heavy lifting. Below, I've rounded up some of the best hair wax sticks the Who What Wear team has ever tried along with shopping and application tips from celebrity hairstylist Clariss Rubenstein. Whether you use them to tame flyaways, smooth edges, or create a sleek updo, these tiny-but-mighty sticks will serve you well.
The Best Hair Wax Sticks, at a Glance
The 8 Best Hair Wax Sticks of 2025
Best Overall: Briogeo Style + Treat Hair Styling Sleek Stick
Briogeo
Style + Treat Hair Styling Sleek Stick
Pros: Offers strong hold yet brushes out easily, no tacky or white residue, silicone-free
Cons: Some reviewers wish it was bigger
Key ingredients: Yuzu extract, plum oil, castor oil, vitamin B complex
Size: 0.5 ounces
This is the wax stick I use the most for my slicked-back styles. It is pretty tiny at half an ounce, but I think that's what makes it perfect for smoothing precise areas around the hairline. The hold is incredible (I rarely need touch-ups throughout the day, but I will always toss it into my bag just in case), yet it brushes out easily if I'd like to extend my washday. In true Briogeo fashion, it keeps hair health on the forefront: Infused with a blend of nourishing oils, plant-based waxes, and antioxidants, it keeps my strands looking glossy long-term.
Customer review: “I love this styling stick! It’s very smooth without making it feel oily and does the job well! I have tried many and I keep going back to this one. I have purchased 3x already.”
Best for Oily Hair: Nexxus Slick Stick Strong Hold Hair Wax
Nexxus
Slick Stick Strong Hold Hair Wax
Pros: Has a soft-matte finish with no residue, brushes out easily with no buildup
Cons: Some reviewers don't enjoy the strong floral scent
Key ingredients: Coconut oil, castor oil, rice-bran wax, candelilla wax
Size: 2.33 ounces
Rubenstein considers this Nexxus number her go-to pick. “It has zero residue or waxy feel, a medium hold, is super effective, and builds if you want more hold or an overall slick look,” she says. It delivers more of a matte finish as opposed to an ultra-glossy look, which is a game-changer for days when my greasy four-day hair doesn't need any extra help looking like an oil slick.
Customer review: “This is the first wax stick that has worked for me and my crazy curly hair. Keeps the flyaways on the back of my neck from sticking out, keeps the hair around my ears back. Clear, no residue, no itching, and as well as it holds zero stiffness. Love this wax stick!”
Best for Frizz: Not Your Mother's All Eyes on Me 3-in-1 Wax Stick
Not Your Mother's
All Eyes on Me 3-in-1 Wax Stick
Pros: Has the smoothest glide, provides extra UV protection
Cons: Some reviewers say it leaves hair greasy
Key ingredients: Argan oil, squalane, raspberry oil, castor oil
Size: 2.4 ounces
This hydrating stick comes highly recommended by WWW assistant beauty editor Sabrina Talbert. It smooths her curls like no other, and the argan oil– and squalane-infused formula is deeply hydrating, which also helps stave off frizz. Let it be known: Humidity is no match for this $13 pick.
Customer review: “I absolutely love this wax stick. I am on a college sports team and I do so many slick backs on my teammates and myself. I start with a gel and then use this stick and brush and brush until it's smooth. I've tried several sticks and I just love this one. It smooths even the toughest baby hairs and damaged hair. The smell isn't amazing but I don't notice it too much throughout the day. Much better than the floral scents other sticks have. TLDR: You need this stick in your life!”
Best for Fine Hair: Emi Jay Angelstick Hair Smoothing Styling Stick
Emi Jay
Angelstick Hair Smoothing Styling Stick
Pros: No sticky residue, lightweight yet effective hold, super hydrating
Cons: Pricey
Key ingredients: Candelilla wax, murumuru-seed butter, castor oil, sunflower-seed wax
Size: 1.13 ounces
Hailey Bieber reportedly uses this smoothing balm from internet-famous hair accessories brand Emi Jay. Considering she's arguably the blueprint for sleek “model off duty” buns, I highly suggest giving this product a whirl. It's moisturizing with murumuru-seed butter and castor oil, yet it's extremely lightweight—no sticky residue here. You may need a few extra passes if you have thicker, coarser strands like me, but I honestly don't mind the extra swipes given the nourishing formula.
Customer review: “Instantly gives me that smooth, clean look without making a mess or feeling sticky—so easy to use, and the results are consistent every time.”
Best for Baby Hairs: Dae Cactus Fruit 3-in-1 Styling Cream With Taming Wand
Dae
Cactus Fruit 3-in-1 Styling Cream With Taming Wand
Pros: Great for on-the-go styling, super-hydrating formula, amazing scent
Cons: More for touching up edges or flyaways than creating full slicked-back styles
Key ingredients: Dragon fruit extract, cactus-flower extract, prickly pear–seed oil, shea butter
Size: 0.6 ounces
Technically, this is a styling wand, not a stick, but it's such a mainstay for slicked-back styles that I couldn't help but include it on this list. Dae's Cactus Fruit Styling Cream is a cult favorite for slicked-back styles given its smooth, creamy texture and deeply nourishing formula, so the brand decided to create an adorably mini version complete with a tiny spoolie for precise styling. No lie, a few swipes with this magic wand make my flyaways vanish into thin air.
Customer review: “This helps me out so much. I go to a military school where 2-3 times a week we have to keep our hair in a slick back bun. It keeps it in place all day. Totally recommend.”
Best Pocket Size: R+Co Dart Pomade Stick
Pros: Great for the hairline and on-the-go touch-ups, no greasy residue
Cons: Pricey for a smaller size
Key ingredients: Castor oil, candelilla wax, glycerin
Size: 0.5 ounces
Don't be fooled by the smaller size—this stick is actually incredible for large-coverage areas. The square-shaped pomade allows for uniform, well-groomed comb marks as opposed to rounded sticks that can potentially create cowlicks. Those square corners are also great for smoothing hard-to-reach areas, like right behind the ears.
Customer review: “I absolutely love this product for my flyaways! As a dancer, it's perfect for achieving a sleek, slicked-back bun. I still use hairspray, but this product holds the tiny flyaways that hairspray can't. Plus, it smells amazing! While it's small, it lasts a long time.”
Best Glide: Mermade Hair Styling Wax Stick
Mermade
Hair Styling Wax Stick
Pros: Larger size, enhances shine, smells great
Cons: Harder to wash out
Key ingredients: Beeswax, mineral oil, carnauba wax, jojoba oil
Size: 2.7 ounces
Some people avoid haircare products with mineral oil, as the ingredient can lead to buildup over time (make sure to get yourself a good clarifying shampoo!), but its smoothing, shine-inducing abilities are unmatched. As you can expect, this hair wax stick glides across strands like a dream, and it's even gentle enough to use on hair extensions.
Customer review: “10/10, I'm trying to grow my hair longer and using healthier alternatives. I'm in the military so daily I have to wear my hair up and I always used a tonne of hairspray which is not the best product for your hair! I now get a smart slick back look with no fly-always and it smells amazing ! Easy to comb out after and just so much a fab product!”
Best Budget: Kitsch Hair Wax Stick
Pros: Larger size, sustainable paper packaging, a little goes a long way
Cons: Some reviewers don't love the push-up applicator
Key ingredients: Castor oil, rice-bran wax, kaolin clay
Size: 2.7 ounces
The best hair wax sticks have a strong hold yet are easy to brush out, and this residue-free formula is exceptional at the latter. Take out your bun, comb through your strands a few times, and it's as if the waxy product was never even there. Note, the product has a push-up applicator, so you can't roll the product back down like other options. You might want to take a “less is more” approach so you don't have product spilling out of the cap.
Customer review: “This hair wax stick is amazing! I love that it's environmentally friendly and it works so effectively! My flyaways were held in place for the entire day, and it required very little product.”
What to Look for in a Hair Wax Stick
- Hold: “Truly, the most important thing to look for is the amount of hold the sleek stick has,” notes Rubenstein. Firm, strong-hold options are A+ for all-day wear and those with coarser hair textures. On the other hand, lightweight, flexible-hold formulas tend to brush out easier and are better suited for those who aren't planning to wash their hair afterward.
- Residue: The biggest gripe people have with hair wax sticks is their potential to “crumble” and create dandruff-like flakes in the hair. Make sure you choose an option that dries clear and stays that way all day.
- Ingredients: The most important ingredient in a hair wax stick is, well, wax (that's what gives them their hold!), but many options will also include nourishing ingredients to simultaneously strengthen and hydrate the hair. Think castor oil, squalane, shea butter, and plenty of vitamin-rich botanicals.
What does a wax stick do to your hair?
“Using a slick stick is an effective way to tame hair and calm flyaways,” explains Rubenstein. “Often, people over blow-dry or iron their hair trying to keep frizz and flyaways at bay. Doing this can cause damage to hair. If you opt for a slick stick instead, it will calm these hairs without excessive use of heat or styling.”
You can use wax sticks in a variety of ways: to create slicked-back styles, define edges, smooth flyaways, separate bangs, etc. “I apply it directly to hair if I am laying down flyaways or doing a sleek bun, rub it between my palms and smooth the hair with my hands for the lightest hold, or put some on my fingers and use it to give hair a piecey texture throughout,” Rubenstein adds. It's truly such a multitasker!
Is a hair wax stick better than hair gel?
It depends on your ultimate hair goal. For slicked-back buns, both wax sticks and gels can have a place in your styling routine. I personally like to smooth a gel over my hair before gathering it into a ponytail or bun, tying it with an elastic, and then using a wax stick to smooth the crown and hairline and add any finishing touches. “A sleek stick tends to have a more natural finish than a gel,” Rubenstein shares. “I use a slick stick much more frequently.” It also might be easier to use a stick for precise styling instead of dabbing gel on your fingertips and touching up any frizz.
Essentially, one styling product isn't necessarily better than the other. You can use either for slicked-back styles, but wax sticks tend to be more helpful for a natural, residue-free finish and on-the-go touch-ups. Of course, if you're hoping to define your curls, you'll want to grab a gel or mousse over a wax stick.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear, personal testing is our bread and butter. Senior beauty editor Jamie Schneider has nearly a decade of experience assessing the latest and greatest beauty products, and she approached these hair wax sticks with a trained, discerning eye. She also called upon trusted sources—WWW assistant beauty editor Sabrina Talbert and celebrity hairstylist Clariss Rubenstein—to include the formulas that work for their own strands. Everyone has different hair types and goals, so we made sure to include a variety of perspectives for the most robust, informed product list.
