TikTok's "Aussie Slickback" Hair Trend Is A Modern, More Wearable Millennial Pouf

"On TikTok, the style usually starts with a standard middle-parted slickback. But the section behind your part isn't pulled flat. Instead, the crown gets lifted with the end of a rat-tail comb for some subtle volume after being secured into a ponytail or bun. It's business in the front, party in the back. The front stays crisp and gelled down, while the crown area is intentionally left with a slight bump."

"Despite the name, the origin story is muddy at best. Many Australian TikTokers insist they've never heard of the term, while others say they see the style constantly. "I'm an Australian hairdresser and I have no idea what an Australian slickback is," one user commented. Another countered, "I've seen plenty of people with the bumps, and I've been doing it for years." Some theorize the "Aussie" label might stem from confusion with the cult-favorite hair care brand, even though the original creator - British TikToker @ millyjsmith - didn't use any of their products in her now-viral video. Is it a cultural export or an internet invention? At this point, even social media can't decide."

"In the aughts, bumped ponies were *the* moment. Your favorite celebrities - Snooki, Paris Hilton, Lauren Conrad, Ashley Tisdale, even Beyoncé - all rocked some variation of an exaggerated lift at the crown. One company even thrived on the strength of that trend alone: Bump-Its, the plastic hair inserts that promised instant volume. Fast-forward two decades, and slickbacks have become the default casual updo. The only problem? The ultra-flat, ultra-tight pony can feel a little too severe and unforgiving."

Bumped ponytails dominated the aughts, popularized by celebrities and products like Bump-Its that created exaggerated crown volume. Slickbacks later became the go-to casual updo, but ultra-flat, tight ponies can appear severe. The Australian slickback reintroduces crown lift by leaving the front gelled and crisp while teasing subtle volume behind the part with a rat-tail comb before securing a ponytail or bun. The name’s origin is unclear; some Australians dispute it while others recognize the look, and observers link the label to brand confusion. The revival has generated both fans and critics across social media.

Read at Bustle