Let’s be honest: the quest for perfect, sleek hair can feel like a full-time job. But what if the secret to looking incredibly stylish wasn’t about taming every single strand, but rather, embracing a little beautiful chaos? Enter the world of messy hairstyles—the ultimate hack for looking effortlessly cool, confident, and undeniably chic.
Gone are the days when “messy” meant unkempt. Today, the artfully undone look is a powerful fashion statement. It whispers of confidence, suggests a fun and spontaneous personality, and honestly, it’s a major time-saver. Whether you have long, flowing locks, a chic bob, or gorgeous curls, there’s a messy hairstyle waiting to become your new signature look. Get ready to ditch the flat iron and embrace the texture, because we’re diving into 10 head-turning messy hairstyles that are anything but ordinary.
1. The Effortlessly Cool Messy Bun
Is there any hairstyle more universally adored than the messy bun? It’s the go-to for busy mornings, bad hair days, and everything in between. But the key to a great messy bun lies in its name: it should look effortless, not like you just rolled out of bed.
Start by flipping your head over and gathering your hair into a high ponytail. Instead of using a sleek hair tie, opt for a coiled or cloth one for better grip and a less severe look. Twist the ponytail loosely and wrap it around the base, but don’t pull all the hair through on the last loop—this creates the perfect, pillowy bun shape. Now, for the magic: gently pull out a few face-framing pieces and loosen sections around the crown with your fingertips. The goal is softness and volume. Secure with bobby pins if needed, and a light mist of texturizing spray will lock in that perfectly imperfect vibe all day.
2. The Textured Messy Ponytail
Move over, slicked-back ponytail—the textured, messy ponytail is here to steal the show. This look combines the practicality of a ponytail with the laid-back attitude of bedhead hair. It’s sporty, sophisticated, and incredibly easy to achieve.
Begin by adding texture to your hair. If it’s freshly washed, use a dry shampoo or texturizing spray at the roots to create some grip. Instead of brushing your hair smooth, run your fingers through it to gather it at your desired height—a mid-height ponytail often works best for this style. Leave out a few sections around your face and at the nape of your neck. When you secure the ponytail, don’t pull it too tight. Once it’s secure, gently tug at the crown to create a little lift and pull out a few more small pieces around your hairline to soften the look. This immediate injection of volume and movement is a guaranteed head-turner.
3. The “I Woke Up Like This” Bob
For those with shorter hair, the messy bob is a testament to edgy elegance. This style is all about embracing your hair’s natural texture and amplifying it. Whether your bob is blunt or layered, you can achieve this coveted lived-in look.
Work a mousse or sea salt spray through damp hair to enhance your natural wave or curl pattern. Scrunch your hair as you blow-dry or let it air dry for a more authentic feel. Once dry, use a curling wand to create a few random, piece-y waves—focus on bending the ends in different directions rather than creating uniform curls. Then, rake your fingers through your hair to break up the waves and create separation. The final touch is a dab of pomade or wax rubbed between your palms and applied to the ends to define those choppy, textured pieces. It’s a look that says, “I have more important things to do than fuss with my hair,” and we love it.
4. The Romantic Messy Braid
Braids don’t always have to be neat and precise. In fact, a messy braid is often far more romantic and interesting. This style works beautifully on second or third-day hair, as the natural oils provide the perfect amount of grip and texture.
You can opt for a simple messy side braid or a looser French braid. The technique is the same: braid your hair as you normally would, but don’t pull the sections tight. Keep it loose and relaxed. Once you’ve secured the end, the real styling begins. Gently pull apart the loops of the braid to make it look fuller and wider. Tug on the sections closest to your head to create a softer, more integrated look. The braid should look a little deconstructed, with tiny hairs escaping to frame your face. This bohemian-inspired style is perfect for a date night or a festival.
5. The Voluminous Messy Shag
This one is as much a cut as it is a style, but if you have the layers for it, the messy shag is the epitome of cool. Inspired by 70s rock stars, this look is defined by its heavy layers, curtain bangs, and a whole lot of attitude.
The shag is built for messiness. To style, apply a volumizing spray at the roots and blow-dry your hair upside down. Use a round brush to add lift at the roots, but don’t worry about smoothing the ends. The goal is to create a ton of volume and movement. Once dry, use a flat iron or curling wand to add random bends and flips to the ends of your layers. Finally, run a texturizing paste through your hair, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends, to create that signature piece-y, separated look. It’s a bold, confident style that instantly draws attention.
6. The Bedhead Waves
This is the holy grail of messy hairstyles. Bedhead waves are that just-rolled-out-of-bed look, but strategically crafted to look sexy and intentional. It’s the perfect style for when you want to look put-together without looking like you tried too hard.
The best base for this style is day-old hair. Start by spritzing texturizing spray throughout your lengths. Then, take a large-barrel curling wand and wrap large sections of hair around it, alternating the direction of the curl for a more natural effect. Don’t hold the curl for too long—you want a soft wave, not a tight spiral. Once your whole head is waved, do not brush it out! Instead, use your fingers to tousle and separate the waves. You can even twist a few random sections to create a more undone texture. Finish with a light-hold hairspray to maintain the movement without making it stiff.
7. The Messy Top Knot
A close cousin to the messy bun, the top knot sits proudly at the crown of your head, exuding an air of casual authority. It’s a favorite among fashion influencers and busy professionals alike because it’s both stylish and supremely functional.
For the perfect top knot, gather your hair into a very high ponytail. Tease the ponytail slightly for extra volume and texture. Then, twist the length and wrap it around the base of the ponytail, letting the ends fall freely. Secure it with bobby pins, criss-crossing them for a strong hold. The messiness comes from the pieces you leave out—allow the shorter layers around your face and neck to escape. Pull a few strands loose around your hairline to soften the look. The result is a chic, architectural style that keeps hair off your face in the most fashionable way possible.
8. The Tousled Pixie
Short hair can make a massive statement with a messy style. The tousled pixie is playful, bold, and full of personality. It’s about breaking away from the sleek, polished pixie and embracing a more tactile, piece-y finish.
Start with a styling paste or wax, warming it up between your palms. Then, using your fingers, work the product through your hair from roots to ends, pushing it up and away from your face to create volume. The key is to use a “piecing” technique—pinch small sections of hair between your fingers to define them and create separation. Don’t be afraid to make it look a little uneven and chaotic; that’s where the charm lies. This style adds incredible dimension to short hair and highlights your facial features beautifully.
9. The Half-Up, Half-Down Messy Masterpiece
Why choose between up and down when you can have the best of both worlds? The messy half-updo is a versatile look that combines the face-framing benefits of an updo with the free-spirited feel of wearing your hair down.
Take a section of hair from the crown of your head, but keep it loose and textured—this isn’t the time for a precise part. Gently twist or backcomb the section slightly for volume before securing it at the back of your head with a hair tie or a chic clip. The trick is to leave plenty of hair out around your face and ears. Once secured, pull the tied section gently to loosen it and allow some pieces to fall forward. This style beautifully showcases the texture of your down hair while keeping it out of your face, making it perfect for any occasion.
10. The Accessorized Messy ‘Do
Sometimes, the easiest way to elevate a messy hairstyle is with the right accessory. A silk scarf, a statement headband, or a few well-placed barrettes can transform a simple undone look into a fashion-forward masterpiece.
Take any of the styles mentioned above—the messy bun, the textured ponytail, or even the bedhead waves—and add an accessory. For a boho vibe, tie a silk scarf around a low messy bun. For a touch of glam, sweep a statement headband over your tousled waves to push hair away from your face while keeping the ends loose and textured. You can also use multiple small barrettes to pin back one side of your hair, creating an asymmetrical look that’s both messy and chic. The accessory does the work of looking “done,” while your hair retains its effortless texture.
Embrace Your Beautiful Mess
As we’ve seen, messy hair is far from lazy; it’s a deliberate and stylish choice. It’s about celebrating texture, volume, and movement. It’s about letting your hair have a personality of its own. The next time you’re staring in the mirror, frustrated with a frizzy wave or a stubborn cowlick, remember this: that very texture is the foundation for a head-turning, messy masterpiece.
