5 Best Hair Wax Sticks for Achieving the Ultimate Sleek Updo
Hairspray and gel, meet your match.
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Slicking back your hair should seriously be considered an Olympic sport. I swear, my arms are Pilates-level sore after five minutes of repeatedly shaping my updo, using a million different brushes, and going through every hairspray in my vanity. But fear not, there is an unfailing solution to the art of the sleek hairdo: a hair wax stick.
These sticks are designed to keep flyaways and baby hairs at bay, while smoothing out unwanted bumps. Whether you want to try out a high bun and need some extra-strong reinforcement keeping those little hairs down or are looking for some edge control, there’s a grippy formula out there for your hair needs. Luckily, Cosmo’s lovely editors have been slicking and testing a bunch of different formulas to find the top hair-smoothers for various hair types in 2024.
Ahead, the best hair wax sticks for the sleekest hair out there.
Pros
- Filled with nourishing ingredients
- Doesn’t leave hair feeling crunchy
- Easy to apply on the go
Cons
- We wish it came in a larger size
I used to be a hairspray devotee, spraying and sculpting my hair like a ballerina before a recital. Then I realized that putting my hair in a ponytail doesn’t have to involve a complex routine of hair pulling and pain. I truly achieve the same look with Briogeo’s Styling Stick. Not only does it keep my pony pulled back (even the pesky flyaways) for hours on end, but it also nourishes my hair while doing so.
It’s infused with plum and grape oils for added hydration and vitamin B extracts for nourishment. Basically, it works to treat my hair while simultaneously holding it all in place.
Pros
- Doesn’t leave your hair sticky
- Fruity scent
- Great for baby hairs
Cons
- Hairs might get caught in the wand
- Might not be a strong enough hold for coarse hair types
If you want precise shaping without a sticky formula, let us introduce you to Dae’s Styling Cream. “I often find that a lot of edge control formulas can be very heavy and dry with white-ish residue—that isn’t the case at all with this wand from Dae,” says associate editor Chaise Sanders. “The applicator is nice and gentle on my baby hairs, but I find it a bit soft for edges if you have coarser hair. Overall, I love how the product itself isn't annoyingly sticky and that the formula is buildable so I can use as much or as little as needed.” Bonus: It smells absolutely amazing.
Pros
- Great for long wear
- Great for all hair types
- Large size
Cons
- Leaves hair feeling slightly tacky
This very product can be accredited to much of the viral wax stick hype. If you’re looking for a heavy-duty, TikTok-famous, won’t-leave-a-hair-behind type of formula, this is your best bet. Not only will your pony not budge, but the large surface area of the stick will give you the smoothest, bump-free finish out there.
The strong formula does come with a price—your hair will feel a bit tacky, but still super glossy-looking! So there is a slight sacrifice to be made. But worth it for the smoothest of slick-backs, IMO.
Pros
- Is great for long wear
- Affordable
Cons
- Might feel slightly sticky
Want that supermodel sleek bun without the hefty price tag? This stick from Nexxus glides right across your hair to snatch any type of updo. “Most hair gels and styling creams do little to tame my unruly baby hairs, but this Nexxus wax stick works wonders,” says commerce editor Sarah Maberry. “After hearing through the grapevine that it’s one of Sofia Richie Grainge’s secrets to a slick bun, I knew it had to be good, and it definitely lived up to the hype.” All that from an affordable drugstore brand for the price of $15? Yes, please.
Pros
- Filled with moisturizing ingredients
- Fits into your purse
Cons
- On the pricier side for the size
Emi Jay makes some of the cutest hair accessories out there, so it’s no surprise that they made a hair wax stick to help you style your hair before topping it off with their beloved claw clips and scrunchies. It’s infused with hair-loving ingredients like castor oil and vitamin E, so it nourishes your strands while holding everything in place. “I love this stick—it’s so nice because it doesn’t get clumpy and it’s super easy to travel with,” says beauty editor Beth Gillette. Take it from her perfectly sleek hair during NYFW below!
Why Trust Cosmo
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant shopping editor at Cosmopolitan. In the name of beauty journalism, she spent hours reviewing the best formulas and slicking her ponytails in search of the best hair wax sticks. Cosmo’s other beauty editors also gave input on their favorite products that they put to the test.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
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