Sleek hairstyles range from everyday clean girl buns to snatched runway-ready ponytails, but they all have one thing in common: these looks are as cool as it gets. Pair them with casual outfits for model-off-duty vibes or go full glam for a special night out and they’ll work either way.
For inspiration, keep scrolling to see the looks we’ve rounded up and pick up some tips along the way.
1. Spiky Low Bun
Beloved by celebrities like Bella Hadid and Dua Lipa, the sleek spiky bun is the hottest throwback trend for the summer. Get some hair gel and a spoolie and start smoothing!
2. Sleek Half-Up Ponytail
The sleek half-up half-down ponytail is the perfect everyday style that doesn’t look out of place at the office or on a night out—a true multitasker.
3. Sleek Bubble Braid Ponytail
The bubble braid is a fun and trendy take on the ponytail that looks extra glam when it’s sleek and glossy. It pairs beautifully with hair accessories, so it can be customized to suit your mood and style of the day.
4. Half-Up Half-Down With Front Pieces
Sleek, but with face framing? Yes! Bring your glossy sleek tresses to the forefront by leaving out your bangs or front pieces out of your half updo.
5. Sleek Top Knot
This sleek top knot is an upgrade on the messy bun—quick, practical and beautiful, but instead of the laid-back effortlessness, this is a polished look with a lifting effect. Leave out a couple of face-framing strands to make it even more flattering.
6. Slicked Back Long Hair
Slicked-back hair might leave an impression that it’s a simple hairstyle, but this look is anything but low maintenance. With the amount of of hairspray, gel and hidden bobby pins involved, it’s best left for special occasions.
7. Low Pony With Hair Pin
This super-sleek low ponytail is simple and sophisticated and some bling takes it up a notch instead of making it loud. Replace the sparkly cuff with a different accessory to achieve a completely different look.
8. Sleek Straight Hair
Be all and end all when it comes to sleek hairstyles: long straight hair reigns supreme. Let loose and show off those glossy tresses!
9. Spiky Bun With Front Pieces
Sleek spiky bun, take two. This one features the inevitable Y2K front pieces that awaken the nostalgia (and frame your face).
10. Low Pigtails With Zig-Zag Part
If one bouncy ponytail is fun, two are doubly so! They might be cute and quirky, but these low pigtails are also sleeked to perfection.
11. Sleek Chignon
If you usually tie your hair into a pony or a messy bun, here’s an unexpected everyday hairstyle to consider. The chignon is a staple at weddings and formal affairs, but wear it with a casual outfit to make your look appear more put together.
12. Sleek Weave Ponytail
Need some quick length and volume? Tie your hair back, smoothing it with hair gel and a brush, then install a quick weave or tie a drawstring pony in your preferred texture. Your options range from sleek to match the base to high curly weaves for extra volume.
13. Sleek Ballerina Bun
If you’re into clean girl and other minimalist aesthetics, there’s no doubt that the ballerina bun is already in your arsenal. If you’re just starting to dabble in understated styles, this is the one to get you started.
14. Sleek Middle Part
Long, straight hair with a sleek middle part is simple but polished—the perfect hairstyle when you’re wearing an outfit you want to highlight but you don’t want to wear your hair up.
15. Double Braided Ponytails
A whip-like braided high ponytail on a sleek base creates a powerful, dominant aura, but two of them take it in a playful direction.
16. Snatched High Ponytail
The snatched high pony is glam incarnate, but adding a Barbie flip to the bottom gives it a dash of romance that matches the pretty edges.
17. Sleek Low Bun
Some hairstyles are so versatile and practical that knowing how to do them perfectly can save you lots of hassle and style dilemmas. Models’ favorite slicked-back low bun is one of those hairstyles you should master.
18. V Part Half-Up Half-Down
The viral V part half-up half-down ponytail is fun and trendy, and the ends result can be adjusted to your taste: pick the the length and texture of the bundles you use, style the half-up part in different ways and play with your edges.
19. Sleek Bob With Side Part
Edgy and cool or elegant and polished? This smooth and silky asymmetrical bob with a deep side part is the iconic style that suits lots of aesthetics.
21. Bridal Half-Up Half-Down Ponytail
A sleek half-up half-down ponytail creates a gorgeously smooth base for the bridal veil and other wedding embellishments while flaunting the length and thickness of your hair (or weave).
21. Sleek Fishtail Braid
Slicked-back, glossy base and a thick, intricate braid in the back are a perfect blend of contrasting elements. This look is super versatile too—you can wear it at glam events or just hanging out with friends.
22. Sleek Low Braid With Middle Part
Ultra long and ultra sleek, this low braid hairstyle could look severe if it weren’t for the delicate edges laid into pretty curlicues.