Slick Back Natural Hair Bun, but Soft! Touchable!
by Team CurlyNikki
A slick-back bun IS a little black dress. They are the same thing. They are Friday night and Monday morning. They are sneakers and pumps. They are life. They are necessary.
And they don’t have to be hard and helmet-like.
Though we do put on the full armor of God, our buns can still be touchable. Soft. Like our hearts haha!
Raw shea butter, rose water, and a satin scarf are Nikki’s go-to combination. She’s also a fan of The Doux Bee Girl Honey Dip Butter Gel.
But what do YOU use? What do you put underneath? Are you here because you haven’t figured that out?
Say less. Here are our top picks:
| Pick | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Oyin Shine & Define | Light, soft styling control | $14.99 / 4 oz |
| Qhemet Aethiopika Hydrate & Twist Butter | Dry hair that needs richer smoothing | $20 / 4.7 oz |
| Melanin Twist-Elongating Style Cream | Buildable conditioning and flexible hold | $32 / 14 oz |
Oyin: when softness matters more than a frozen finish
Shine & Define is a soft-hold crème gel made for definition without sacrificing softness and touchability. This is Nikki’s mom go-to twist-out product because of how it moisturizes while stretching her hair. That’s why it will be perfect for your soft but slick bun! Work a modest amount through damp sections before gathering them; keep the ponytail comfortable and smooth with your palms before reaching for a brush. Nikki’s Oyin review reported excellent softness but limited humidity hold, which is less important as we enter the cooler months. Choose this for a touchable finish, with realistic expectations about flyaways. Definitely tie down your crown and edges with a satin scarf as she dries!
Qhemet: when dry hair needs a richer finish
Aethiopika Hydrate & Twist Butter is an oil-and-butter styling option with olive oil, rice bran oil and mango butter. Warm a tiny amount between your palms, then distribute through damp hair where the surface needs smoothing. It contains no water, so do not mistake the buttery feel for a reason to skip dampening thirsty hair first. Start especially small on fine strands. We want softness and a little weight, not a shiny coating that makes us nervous about leaning against the headrest. It offers conditioning control rather than a firm gel cast.
Melanin: when the bun needs a conditioning cream
Melanin’s Twist-Elongating Style Cream is also intended for buns, ponytails and updos. Its buildable butter-rich formula makes sense when rough lengths need conditioning as we gather them. Use less on fine hair and assess the surface before adding another scoop.
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