As long as there’s an ample amount of hair on your head, you can theoretically pull off the men’s slicked-back hairstyle. That said, there are types of hair more suited for the task. Short, straight hair is much easier to push back than curly hair. The hair should be of low or medium density, thick hair can be trickier to maintain in the pushed-back style. Finally, the hair should naturally grow toward the back. These qualities are not necessities, but they are ideal for the slicked-back hairstyle.

Next time you stroll into the barbershop looking for a slicked-back haircut, consider one of the following styles, and if these 5 don’t tickle your fancy, scroll all the way down to see the best slicked-back hairstyles for men.

Recently popularised by Don Draper, this style works best with hair that’s medium in density and not too long. Slicked-backside part signature features include the hair being slightly longer on the top than on the sides, one edge of the fringe being longer than the other, and a hard, clearly defined part on one side of the crown.

Canonised by Gordon Gekko in Oliver Stone’s Wall Street (and recently rocked by the likes of Eric Trump), this men’s slick back style remains uniform in length and appearance, with all follicles commonly swept back in one direction.

Longer on top and tapered at the sides, the men’s slicked back pompadour came roaring back into style thanks to celebrities like David Beckham. While indisputably slick, the men’s hairstyle also leaves plenty of room for personal expression.

With a good barber and some quality product at your disposal, all you curly-haired gents out there can easily pull off a slick back curly hairstyle. Try to keep the hair generally short in length, with the sides being shorter than the top.

Blending the top and sides with textural precision is the men’s slicked back undercut. Now more popular than ever, the style takes some time to achieve and involves growing out the top while tapering the sides on a regular basis. Do it right and you’re looking at slicked back perfection.

Just as diverse as the types of men’s slicked back hairstyles are the number of products you can use to obtain the look, but, please be aware that too much product can make your hair look greasy, dry or flaky. It’s important that you maintain a healthy hair washing regime while sporting your new style.

Used more than any other product by men with slicked-back hair, pomade delivers a steady hold and no shortage of shine. Choose between oil-based pomade (which offers more shine and a stronger hold) and water-based pomade (which is easier to rinse out), and start rocking the slicked-back look like so many generations of men before you.

Surging in popularity among young men is clay, which is made using natural minerals as opposed to potentially harmful chemicals. The product comes in a range of formulas and delivers less shine than a pomade. Clay is also good for adding both texture and volume to men’s swept-back hair.

While you might have rocked copious amounts of hair gel as a teenager, it’s a product best left behind as an adult. Not only will it dry out your hair, but the gel is usually laced with all sorts of chemicals. As for hairspray, it’s okay to apply in small doses, you should use it to provide your slicked-back haircut with a nice finishing touch.

You have the method, you picked your preferred style and you understand the differences between products. All that’s left is to browse the hairstyles below and imagine the new you, ready to take on everything that Wall Street, your new boss at work, or even the dog park has to offer.