A Hairstylist Just Told Me How to Do the Perfect Slicked-Back Bun

If there's one hairstyle dominating red carpets, runways, and our social media feeds right now, it's the slicked-back bun. This cool-girl hairstyle has been gaining momentum for a while. With the rise of the "clean-girl" aesthetic, it seems like the super-sleek bun is everywhere right now. Supermodels such as Bella Hadid and Jourdan Dunn have been seen wearing the snatched bun both on and off the runway, while cool girls Hailey Bieber and Simone Ashley have also worn the hairstyle on many a red carpet from the Met Gala to the Oscars. And you only have to open your Instagram feed to see the trend everywhere. In fact, it's one of the easiest hairstyles you can create, but it looks like you've put a lot of effort into it.

"For the perfect slicked-back look, start with clean hair and dry in a light product with [a] flexible hold. This will help give the hair more grip and texture without making the hair too heavy," says Mewies.

"Once dry, part the hair in the center for this look and straighten (after applying heat protection!) in small sections to help eliminate frizz and create a cleaner, smoother finish," says Mewies. "Make sure to get the irons close to the head, especially around the hairline."

"Once straight and cooled, apply your go-to hair oil to smooth the hair and create a high shine," says Mewies, who recommends looking for something super lightweight. "Be sure to brush the product through as this helps to get an even distribution."

"Next, it's time to secure your ponytail," says Mewies. "Position is so important, so don't go too high or too low in the nape. The middle of the back of your head is where you want to be," she says. "Once secured, twist and bend the ponytail into shape, winding around the hair tie and pinning as it starts to bend. Allow the hair to move in its own direction. Don't force it too much into a shape it doesn't want to go!"

"A bungee hair tie will make creating this style much easier," says Wanstall. "A bungee tie will get the ponytail super tight. Then use grips to pin in the bun to make sure it's super clean," he says.

"Once in place, make sure all pins are hidden and then smooth over any flyaways around the hairline using a hairspray or cream," says Mewies. "Use a pomade to give super shine and strong hold without overburdening the hair."

This post originally appeared on Who What Wear UK.