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If you've ever wondered how celebs like Hailey Bieber and Emily Ratajkowski get their ponies so sleek, we'll point you to their secret weapon: the best hair wax stick. These hair care products are the key to creating the slicked-back looks that have been trending—but that’s not all. "Wax sticks can also be used as a final touch to tame flyaways and frizz for hair down hairstyles," Rogerio Cavalcante, owner of The Second Floor Salon in New York City, tells Allure. We're all for a mess-free, travel-size product that makes second (or third, or fourth) day hairstyling a breeze.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall Hair Wax Stick: Briogeo Style + Treat Yuzu + Plum Oil Sleek Stick, $23
- Best Vegan Hair Wax Stick: R+Co Dart Pomade Stick, $25
- Best Soft Hold Wax Stick: Tigi Bed Head Wax Stick,
$20$14 - Most Delicious Scent: Sauce Beauty Guacamole Hair Wax Stick, $13
Frequently Asked Questions
- What hair types should use hair wax sticks?
- How do you use hair wax sticks?
- Do hair wax sticks leave buildup?
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Ahead, read about our favorite hair wax sticks that make styling a breeze, whether you're going for a slicked-back pony or a piecey bob. These picks come recommended by the pros (hairstylists and Allure editors), from brands you love like Briogeo, Kristin Ess, R+Co, and more.
Best Overall Hair Wax Stick: Briogeo Style + Treat Yuzu + Plum Oil Sleek Stick
Why it's worth it: The newest player on the hair wax stick team, Briogeo's Style + Treat Yuzu + Plum Oil Sleek Stick combines the nourishing ingredients of a hair mask with the staying power and gloss of a wax. "I especially like this one because it has a blend of B vitamins that work together to promote healthy-looking hair," says Cavalcante. "I love styling products that also care for your hair." It's our favorite for pulled-back, sleek styles on all hair types.
Tester feedback: Shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis says her hair is stubborn AF so she means it when she says this is the only hair wax stick that works for her. "Most days of the week you can catch me with a slicked-back updo simply because I have to revolve my entire life around hair wash days. This stick glides with ease, holds everything in place, and at the end of the day doesn't feel crunchy or gross, but rather soft and sleek," she adds.
Key ingredients: yuzu extract, plum oil, castor oil, B vitamins, candelilla wax | Who it's for: all hair types, including curly and coily hair
Best Vegan Hair Wax Stick: R+Co Dart Pomade Stick
Why it's worth it: We love R+Co's fragrance-forward formulations, and the Dart Pomade Stick is no exception. Beyond its eau de parfum–rivaling scent, it comes recommended by Cavalcante, and though it's not the cheapest option on the list, it more than delivers with its staying power, non-greasy finish, and ease of use. "This is a vegan option and I love that they have a mini version that you can easily take on the go," he says.
Tester feedback: "Whether I'm pushing my hair back for a rigorous workout or I'm taming the flyaways of a bouncy blowout, I know I can count on this stick," says senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor. "It does what you need it to do without leaving behind residue or a greasy finish."
Key ingredients: castor seed oil, candelilla wax, castor oil, jojoba esters | Who it's for: fine, wispy hair
Best Soft Hold Wax Stick: Tigi Bed Head Wax Stick
Why it's worth it: Behold, the OG wax stick that’s been around…maybe longer than you. Tigi's Bed Head Wax Stick isn't too sticky, so you won’t have a waxy sheen to your hair after you apply it. This has actually been around since the 90s, and it went viral on TikTok a few years ago," textured hair expert and Dallas-based stylist Quia Querisma tells Allure. "It works great on all textures and gives a soft, matte finish that adds texture and hold, but still leaves the hair feeling touchable." It has a light lavender scent and can be used to create texture or tame edges and flyaways. Pro tip: It's great for wigs, too.
Tester feedback: "I've got a ton of hair breakage from hair dye, so a wax stick like Tigi's is non-negotiable when I'm slicking my hair back (and taming flyaways in general)," says senior news editor Nicola Dall'Asen. "Packaged like a Push Pop, this formula seems dense but is quick to melt as you glide it across your hair. This isn't everyone's thing, but it doesn't really dry down, meaning my hair stays wet-looking and shiny for hours after application—and meaning that it doesn't get crunchy or flaky after the fact."
Key ingredients: castor seed oil, beeswax | Who it's for: thin to medium hair, short hair
More Hair Wax Sticks We Love:
Sauce Beauty Guacamole Hair Wax Stick
Why it's worth it: The Sauce Beauty Guacamole Hair Wax Stick is Querisma's "second favorite" option because it doesn't leave a shiny, sticky finish. So if you decide to let your hair down, it won't feel clumpy. The lightweight formula doesn't tug at the roots of your hair, which is great news for anyone with fine, thin strands. And no, you won't leave the house smelling like a dip—promise. In fact, reviewers rave about how deliciously fruity the fragrance is.
Key ingredients: avocado oil, shea butter, candelilla wax | Who it's for: fine hair
Slick Hair Wax Stick
Why it's worth it: It's in the name; Slick Hair's Wax Stick is ideal for the girls who pull their hair into ponies and buns on the daily. It relies on hero ingredients like nourishing castor and sunflower seed oils and two different waxes to give your style a strong hold and enviable shine. This one is also stellar for anyone with thick, textured hair that tends to frizz. Use light, sweeping motions to tame 'em, or rub a bit on your fingers instead for more control.
Key ingredients: castor seed oil, beeswax, sunflower seed oil, candelilla wax | Who it's for: all hair types and textures
Tgin Miracle Styling Smooth & Sleek Wax Stick
Why it's worth it: Amp up the shine with the Tgin Miracle Styling Smooth & Sleek Wax Stick, a twist-up balm that promises a frizz-free look for all hair types, especially curls and coils. Healthy hair ingredients like nourishing castor oil, strengthening biotin, and hydrating squalane helps heal damaged, dull strands that need more than just a flyaway tamer. Beeswax keeps everything in place, especially fragile edges.
Key ingredients: castor oil, beeswax, squalane, biotin | Who it's for: dull, dry hair
Kristin Ess Anytime Anywhere Recovery Balm
Why it's worth it: Kristin Ess, America's elevated drugstore sweetheart, formulated this versatile balm that'll pull together your sleekest bun and hydrate your strands at the same time. If your hair is extra parched, it makes a quick, easy, and travel-friendly overnight treatment thanks to ingredients like coconut and castor oils. This one isn't formulated with any wax, so you can trust that should you decide to let your hair down, it'll be soft and tousled—not crunchy. The solid oil comes in a handy, mess-free tube so you can toss it in your bag for the moments the humidity gets the best of your strands.
Key ingredients: coconut oil, castor oil | Who it's for: brittle, damaged hair
Mermade Hair Styling Wax Stick
Why it's worth it: Need a strong hold? Look no further. The Mermade Hair Styling Wax Stick will give you the longest wear of any on this list, thanks to a combination of both beeswax and paraffin wax, plus moisturizing ingredients like jojoba oil and petrolatum. It's ideal for calming down baby hairs and creating sleek buns and updos.
Key ingredients: beeswax, paraffin, jojoba oil, petrolatum | Who it's for: all hair types, human hair extensions
Not Your Mother's All Eyes On Me 3-in-1 Wax Stick
Why it's worth it: If you're not quite sure about the whole hair wax stick thing, starting out with a more budget-friendly option might be the best way in. The Not Your Mother's All Eyes on Me 3-in-1 Wax Stick is affordable and effective. Beyond the wax base, this stick is packed with hair-loving ingredients like castor oil, raspberry seed oil, and squalane, all of which help it glide across your hair without damaging susceptible strands. If you have dry hair, reviewers rave that you can easily use this one day and style your hair the next day without any crunchy residue.
Key ingredients: castor oil, beeswax, raspberry seed oil, argan oil, squalane | Who it's for: all hair types and textures
Frequently Asked Questions
What hair types should use hair wax sticks?
These versatile hair products can be used on any and all hair types, but the technique will change depending on your hair density and texture. "Hair wax sticks work best on medium to high-density hair, regardless of texture," says Querisma. "However, they should be used sparingly on low-density hair because they may cause the hair to look greasy." Additionally, our stylists recommend looking at the finish of each wax stick so you find one that works for your hair. "There are many types of wax; some are more matte and others have a shinier, oilier feel and finish," hairstylist Tippi Shorter tells Allure. Choose a matte finish if you have fine, thin, or oily hair, and a shinier finish if you have dry or textured hair.
And for anyone with thick hair, know that a hair wax stick might need some backup support. "If you have really thick hair and want to create a slicked bun, you may need to add another product, like mousse before styling, and finish with the wax stick," says Cavalcante.
How do you use hair wax sticks?
There are three main ways hairstylists recommend using these wax sticks. To tame baby hairs around the hairline, create slicked-back styles, and add piecey texture to short hair, "start with a small amount, and add more until the desired look is achieved," Querisma tells Allure. "You can always add more, but if you overdo it right out the gate, you'll need to shampoo sooner than you've planned."
For fine hair, use your fingers for more control. Instead of applying the stick repeatedly, use your fingertips to take a small amount of product and apply it to the trouble areas," says Cavalcante.
"Additionally, use a thin comb, eyelash brush, or toothbrush to shape the hair as desired, rather than relying solely on the wax stick."
Do hair wax sticks leave buildup?
The best hair wax stick shouldn't leave your hair so greasy or molded that you need several shampoos the following day, but depending on how much you use and the thickness and texture of your hair, styling your hair differently the next day might be challenging. If you just use the product lightly on your flyaways and edges, you shouldn't deal with any greasiness or buildup. But if you're creating sleek buns and ponies using more of the wax, it might be worth using a clarifying shampoo or exfoliant once per week. Our favorite hair wax sticks aren't like hairspray, instead, they leave hair touchably soft and tousled.
Meet the experts
- Rogerio Cavalcante is the owner of The Second Floor Salon in New York City
- Quia Querisma is a textured hair expert and hairstylist based in Dallas
- Tippi Shorter is a hairstylist, Mizani global artistic director, L'oréal Professionnel color artist, and Texpert Collective cofounder
How we test and review products
We always enlist a range of testers for our makeup vertical, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While there are certainly products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind. Many are created in order to address a concern (dandruff, breakage, brittleness) or to work most effectively for a specific hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair). You wouldn't want to pick up a purple shampoo that's only been reviewed by someone with, say, auburn hair, or a diffuser that's never been tested by anyone with curls—right?
For our review of the best hair wax sticks, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and hairstylists who have different hair types and textures. Testers considered performance across four primary categories: efficacy, texture and experience, fragrance, and packaging. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
More hairstyling products to add to cart:
- The 10 Best Blow-Dryer Brushes for Easy-Breezy Styling
- 14 Best Frizzy Hair Products for Smoother, Softer Strands
- The Best Claw Clips for Split-Second Styling
Now, watch Brooke Shields' 10-minute hair-care routine:
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