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The Hair Wax Sticks ELLE Beauty Editors Actually Use for Sleek Styles
The key to model-off-duty updos.
As chronically online beauty editors, there isn’t a slicked-back hairstyle we haven’t seen or studied. There’s the likes of Sofia Richie-Grainge and Bella Hadid whose sleek buns and ponytails have become their signature (Richie-Grainge even spawned an entire TikTok trend). Why the hype around the sleek style? Well, they’re polished, effortlessly chic, and elevate every look, no matter how greasy your hair might (secretly) be. But don't be fooled: Creating a flawless, flyaway-free updo is harder than it may seem.
There's truly nothing worse than the unwanted arm workout of smoothing every strand into submission. From boar-bristle brushes and fine-tooth combs to heavy-duty pomades and maximum-hold hairsprays, the list of sleek-style essentials can feel endless. Often, they still fall short. Enter hair wax sticks: the under-the-radar staple that delivers salon-level control in a single swipe
According to Rogerio Cavalcante, a celebrity hairstylist, these deodorant-like balms “are designed to help smooth, control, and shape hair with precision, and often add a touch of shine while keeping the hair in place.” Unlike classic creams and gels, they come in a mess-free, twist-up stick form that glides on so easily. “They're particularly useful for taming flyaways, laying edges, and achieving sleek styles like ponytails, buns, or polished updos.”
Whether you're sculpting a slick low bun for a big meeting or getting glam for a girls' night out, the right hair wax stick can make all the difference in nailing your favorite face-snatching style. To round up the best on the market, we tapped top hairstylists, raided our editors’ own beauty stashes, and combed through customer feedback. Ahead, find the 10 best hair wax sticks for an ultra-smooth updo—without the flakes, crunch, or fuss.
Pros
- Unique Shape
Cons
- Small amount of product
The recently released GrandeHAIR Slick Back Taming Stick is already a favorite among experts and editors alike. Infused with castor oil and rice protein, it slicks your flyaways down while nourishing and softening your strands. Plus, its uniquely thin shape makes application a breeze.
Key ingredients: Castor oil, sacha inchi oil, rice protein
Size: 0.35 oz
Our expert says: “GrandeHAIR Slick Back Taming Stick with Castor Oil nourishes dry hair and split ends while taming frizz. I love that it leaves hair soft.”—Rogerio Cavalcante
Pros
- Moisturizing
Cons
- Hard to wash out
Just as its name implies, the Briogeo Style + Treat Sleek Stick will deliver an ultra-sleek style while hydrating your hair. The wax stick helps protect your hair from frizz and promises a 24-hour hold. The small size also makes it perfect for on-the-go touch-ups—not that you'll need any!
Key ingredients: Yuzu extract, plum oil, vitamin B complex
Size: 0.5 oz
Amazon rating: 4.2/5
An Amazon reviewer says: “I’m a big fan of Briogeo, so I was excited when they came out with this product. I’ve used it a few times and it works wonders on frizzy hair. It does produce a bit of a shine to your hair, but not at the point where it looks greasy. I keep it in my purse for days when I’m outside a lot and the top of my hair gets very frizzy. It worked wonders over the summer but on especially humid days you might need to reapply.”
Pros
- Protective formula
Cons
- Can leave a little residue
A favorite of Sofia Richie, poster child for the slicked-back bun, this Nexxus wax styler boasts a pleasant scent and a firm hold, allowing you to mimic Richie’s style at home. The star of this composition is Nexxus’s 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: 4.1/5 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 left behind by hot tools. Plus, the hold is strong enough for my natural hair and flyaways on wigs and extensions.”—Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor
Pros
- Vegan ingredients
- Protects strands
Cons
- Relatively small amount of product
Emi Jay, a hair accessories brand with a long list of celebrity fans, launched its first styling product last year to much acclaim. The formula is rich in nourishing ingredients, including castor seed oil, murumuru butter, and vitamin E, which keep the scalp and strands hydrated throughout the day. Some even use it as a brow pomade of sorts, applying a tiny amount with a spoolie or the edge of their fingers to sculpt their eyebrows.
Key ingredients: Castor seed oil, sunflower seed wax, murumuru butter, vitamin E
Size: 1 oz
An Emi Jay reviewer says: “I received my Angelstick, and it is the best slick hair product I have ever used. I have probably tried every single product on the market and have never found one that does the job but also doesn’t make my hair oily or rock hard. This product is amazing! Thank you so much. Emi Jay for life!”
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 updos, 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: 4.3/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “The Samnyte Hair Wax Stick comes in a sleek and user-friendly design. The stick format is portable and mess-free, making it easy to apply directly to your hair without the need for additional tools. It doesn’t leave the hair feeling dry or brittle, which is a common issue with some styling products. It’s also relatively easy to wash out, requiring just a regular shampoo to remove any residue.”
Pros
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: 4.3/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer says: “I haven’t tried anything like this before, so I was skeptical, but it surprised me. My hair is color-treated and I have been getting my hair professionally done for three years, so it is dry, mostly at the ends. I like the convenience of having it in a solid form because I can take it on the go—it also makes it easy to apply. The scent is very light and pleasant. I also like it to tame my flyaways. After I wash it out, my hair does feel silky and smooth.”
Pros
- Strong hold
Cons
- Can look greasy
Are you tired of flyaways and frizz? Just run this stick over your style for an instant upgrade, as it can reduce your styling time from ten minutes to thirty seconds. 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: 4.1/5 stars
Our expert says: “I also love the TIGI Bed Head Hair Stick, it’s a bit softer in hold and ideal for more piecey, textured looks like pixie cuts or shaggy layers.”—Rogerio Cavalcante
Pros
- Medium hold
- Adds shine
Cons
- Small amount of product
Use this pomade stick to smooth out any flyaways or pesky baby hairs and sweep your hair back into a sleek style with ease. Your strands will also appreciate the nutrient-rich ingredients featured in the formula, including castor oil for added moisturization and jojoba esters to give your mane an extra shine.
Key ingredients: Castor seed oil, candelilla wax,
jojoba esters
Size: .5 oz
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
Our expert says: “One of my go-to is the R+Co Dart Pomade Stick, which provides amazing shine and works well even in humid conditions. It also smells really nice and doesn’t leave behind residue.”—Rogerio Cavalcante
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 strands are healthier than before.
Key ingredients: Castor oil, beeswax, fruit wax
Size: 2.7 fl oz
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 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
- 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: 4.4/5 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 gel. 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.”
How to use a hair wax stick
The best part about hair wax sticks is how easy they are to use. Simply glide the product directly onto the areas of the hair where you want control or definition. Cavalcante tends to apply “around the hairline, part, nape, or any flyaway-prone sections.” After applying, ”use your fingers, a bristle brush, or a fine-tooth comb to smooth the product through and shape the style,” he adds. It's important to note that a little goes a long way, so it’s best to start small and build up if needed.
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, Korab suggests looking for formulas with nourishing ingredients. “I would look for oils in the wax stick, as they add moisture, shine, and condition the hair. I would also look for waxes, as some have stronger holds than others,” she explains.
Cavalcante concurs, noting that beeswax or candelilla wax are great foundational ingredients because “they provide hold and help shape the hair without making it crunchy.” For moisture and shine, he prefers natural oils like castor oil, jojoba oil, and argan oil, which are excellent for conditioning the hair while keeping it smooth and polished. “Lanolin is another helpful ingredient that softens and adds manageability, especially for dry or coarse textures,” he adds.
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 at] the ingredients.” Firm hold wax sticks offer a decent amount of strength, while maximum hold formulas can keep hair intact longer.
Meet The Experts
Rogerio Cavalcante is a celebrity hairstylist and owner of The Second Floor Salon in NYC.
Jennifer Korab is a celebrity hairstylist and colorist.
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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