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If you’re chronically online—and by online, we’re talking an avid TikTok scroller—the slicked-back bun might have landed in your recent searches at one point or another. A rather simple style, the slicked bun or ponytail has garnered great press over the past year, all thanks to chronically online “it girls,” Sofia Richie-Grainge, Bella Hadid, Selena Gomez, and more.
Regardless of your styling preference, everyone can agree it’s a chic and classic style that works no matter the occasion, especially well on second or third-day hair. So, what’s the secret to the perfectly pulled-back look? Enter hair wax sticks.
Think of a wax stick as a solution that exists somewhere between a hair gel and a strong-hold hairspray. According to Jennifer Korab, a celebrity hairstylist and colorist, hair wax sticks are typically used “to create hold and separation to the hair. Also, [wax sticks] create texture,” she says. Best reinforced by a firm hair brush, wax sticks are essentially hydrating, grippy balms that hairstylists use as a last step to completely eliminate flyaways and add shine to the hair. It couldn’t be easier to apply: uncap the stick and run it over your hair like a deodorant to get that model-esque look. Not only are wax sticks ergonomically easier than pomades, gels, and sprays, but they are formulated with ingredients like beeswax, avocado oil, and castor oil to hydrate, smooth, and protect strands.
Our picks for the top hair wax sticks of 2024
A few years ago, TikToker Arielle Lorre went viral after revealing the secret behind many of these A-listers’ slicked-back looks, and we found quite a few to add to your list. We compared dozens of reviews, tapped beauty experts, and put plenty of products to the test to curate a list of the 11 best hair wax sticks of 2024.
Pros
Impressive shade range
Cons
- Color can transfer
Styling thinning edges doesn’t always need to end in defeat. Here’s a wax stick that effortlessly sleeks the hair and comes in a range of colors to camouflage any thin areas along your hairlines. Let’s face it: excessive buns can cause tension to the perimeter. Create an unclockable pony or bun with this “fixer” and be on your merry way.
Key ingredients: Castor oil, biotin, shea butter,
Size: 2.7 fl oz
Amazon rating: 4.1/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “When I do a slick back, I hate having my baby neck hair and flyaways come out. This wax stick gave me the clean and sleek bun that I wanted.”
Best Celeb Favorite
Nexxus Nexxus Slick Stick Strong Hold Hair Wax
Pros
- Protective formula
Cons
- Can leave a little residue
A favorite of Sofia Richie, poster child for the slicked-backed bun, this Nexxus wax styler has a pleasant smell and firm hold, helping you mimic Richie’s style at home. The star of this composition is Nexxus’ own StyleProtect Technology, which arms the hair with heat protection should you need an extra layer of reinforcement.
Key ingredients: StyleProtect Technology
Size: 2.57 fl oz
Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I used this styling stick once and never gave my other wax stylers another look. This styler has a faint, rosy scent that masks the smell hot tools leave behind. Plus, the hold is strong enough for my natural hair and flyaways on wigs and extensions.”—Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor
Pros
- Firm hold
Cons
- Can make hair feel greasy with back-to-back use
During YouTube’s heyday, when everyone wanted to be either a beauty or hair guru, this wax stick could be found in just about every hair tutorial for sleek styles across textures. Truly, it’s versatility is its biggest appeal. Formulated with castor seed oil for extra cushion, this wax stick holds unruly flyaways in place without stiffening the hair.
Key ingredients: Castor seed oil
Size: 2.6 fl oz
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “This is an honest review. I like this product. I’m a fan of this company they never fail. They never dropped the ball. The products are great and definitely worth the money. I love this product because I can use it for my ponytails and I don’t need any jail. It holds everything together; a little bit goes along way. If you’re heavy-handed and you use too much, your hair will become very greasy. Definitely worth the price.”
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Pros
- Super strong hold
Cons
- Some dislike the scent
If you want your style to stay put, this wax stick won’t disappoint. Packed in this small tube is a nourishing formula infused with castor oil to hydrate dry or damaged hair, so when you wash it out, your hair is healthier than before.
Key ingredients: Castor oil, beeswax, fruit wax
Size: 2.7 fl oz
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “Good stuff! Perfect for edges and giving natural hair tack with a silk press. Sometimes my hair is so silky when straightened; it’s hard to wrap without it falling.”
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- Can leave a whitecast on dark hair
Get unruly hairs in line with this soft-hold wax stick. Instead of pasting hairs down, this hydrating formula gently molds hair, making it great for taming flyaways, cleaning up up-dos, or styling wigs. Beauty influencer Lyss Mia, says this “hair wax stick is so easy [to use] that I bring it everywhere I go.”
Key ingredients: Beeswax, avocado oil and castor oil
Size: 2.7 fl oz
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I have curly hair, which I love, but sometimes I just want to put it in a ponytail and go on with my day. This is a time saver for all those little hair that tend to stick up or don’t want to stay in place.”
Pros
- Strong hold
Cons
- Can look greasy
Reduce your styling time from ten minutes to thirty seconds. Are you tired of flyaways and frizz? Just run this stick over your style for an instant upgrade. TikToker Arielle Lorre posted a viral video claiming this under-$25 hair wax is way better than heavy-duty professional-grade versions. We’d have to agree, and so does celebrity hairstylist and colorist Jennifer Korab. “TIGI Bed Head Wax stick is my favorite. It has a great hold and adds shine and texture to the hair,” she says.
Key ingredients: Beeswax, Japan wax, castor oil
Size: 2.57 oz
Ulta rating: 4.2/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer says: “Love this hair stick. I workout and like to pull my hair up and not have little hairs falling down. This stick takes care of that and goes on super smooth!”
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Pros
- Repairs damaged hair
Cons
- May be too heavy for fine hair types
Think of this balm as a vacation for overworked, stressed-out hair. When your strands have been through enough, use this product to either rehydrate your hair, create a slicked-back style, or as an overnight hair mask.
Key ingredients: Coconut oil, castor oil, seed oil, fragrance
Size: 2.0 fl oz
Ulta rating: 4/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer says: “I LOVE this! It makes that perfect slicked-back bun while also nourishing your hair. It's great for when you are trying to get more time in between washing your hair.”
Pros
- Medium hold
- Adds shine
Cons
- Small amount of product
This pomade stick can be one of the most versatile tools in your styling kit. Not only does it reduce flyaways, it also adds texture to shorter styles, and creates a sleek, smooth updo with barely any effort.
Key ingredients: Castor seed oil, candelilla wax,
jojoba esters
Size: .5 oz
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “Love this! I have a ton of baby hairs and was able to have them stay down in place. Easy to use and it doesn’t feel sticky or goopy.”
Pros
- Smells nice
- Argan oil is nourishing
Cons
- Can be difficult to wash out
This wax stick is small but mighty and known to provide a strong, slick hold through extremely humid climates for up to 48 hours. It’s heavy-duty, smells nice, and is super easy to apply. Reviewers rave about how great it is under wigs or to lock in flyaways on unruly hair.
Key ingredients: Beeswax, paraffin wax, argan oil, microcrystalline wax, fragrance
Size: 2.65 oz
The Frontal Queen rating: 5/5 stars
The Frontal Queen reviewer says: “Where have you been all my life! I am very picky when it comes to what I use on my wigs, but whew, Chile! The frontal queen said, wig, lay down, and stay down! And it did just that I’ll be ordering again this week I never wanna be without this product ever again.”
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Pros
- Super lightweight
- Not greasy
Cons
- Some say it's not great for thick hair
This wax stick from Mermade Hair hits all the right notes, including smoothing texture, maintaining a strong grip, and imparting shine. Unlike many others, this formula is super lightweight and smells divine. It’s moisturizing, hydrating, and easy to wash out.
Key ingredients: Paraffin, jojoba oil, rosa rugosa flower oil
Size: 2.7 fl oz
Mermade Hair rating: 4.8/5 stars
A Mermade Hair reviewer says: “This wax stick is like not other cheap ones on the market. The bottle is super luxurious, the freshly washed hair scent is divine and it adds just the right amount of hold and shine. I warm it up in my hands if I need it to be softer. I think it will last a while too.”
Pros
- All-day hold
Cons
- Some say it can leave a white film
Style Factor’s Edge Booster Hair Pomade stick gives the same strong hold as your favorite pomade but in stick form. It adds a world of texture, along with shine, and is easy to adjust. Plus, it comes in nine yummy scents.
Key ingredients: Petrolatum, beeswax, carnauba
Size: 2.36 fl oz
Amazon rating: 4.1/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I love the fact that this product is more pomade -ike, than gel-ish! It’s held my edges in place well, and also did surprisingly well with my lacefront by holding its place, and baby hairs. That was just an added bonus. I purchased in the peach scent, and it smells great, but not at all overpowering. I'm going to be purchasing this item again, and my daughter is too.”
What ingredients should you look for and why?
Like any hair product, ingredients matter, especially when the primary function you’re looking for is firmness. When it comes to wax sticks, Jennifer Korab suggests looking for wax sticks with nourishing ingredients. “I would look for oils in the wax stick, as they add moisture, shine, and condition to the hair. I would also look for waxes, as some have stronger holds than others,” she explains.
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How do you know which ones have great hold?
Product labels always specify the type of firmness the wax stick offers. Korab says to look closely to determine what formulas are “described as firm hold, maximum hold, and [look to] the ingredients.” Firm hold wax sticks offer a decent amount of strength, while maximum hold formulas can keep hair in tact longer.
Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE.com editors and contributors consulted hair experts to find the best wax stick formulas for sleek styles.
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