Let’s be honest: the quest for perfect, sleek, not-a-hair-out-of-place hairstyles can be exhausting. It often requires an arsenal of products, heated tools, and precious time that, let’s face it, we don’t always have. But what if the secret to looking incredibly chic and modern wasn’t perfection, but purposeful imperfection? Enter the messy hairstyle—a look that celebrates texture, volume, and a carefree attitude.
Gone are the days when “messy” meant unkempt. Today, the artfully disheveled look is a deliberate style choice, synonymous with effortlessness and cool-girl confidence. It’s a versatile aesthetic that can be dressed up or down for virtually any event on your calendar. This guide will walk you through eight modern techniques to master the messy hairstyle, transforming your natural texture or second-day hair into your greatest style asset.
1. The Textured Messy Bun: Your Go-To Effortless Updo
The messy bun is a classic for a reason, but the modern iteration is all about strategic placement and texture. The goal isn’t a loose ponytail twisted into a circle; it’s a sculptural, soft, and slightly undone updo that looks like you threw it up in seconds (even if it took a few minutes of finessing).
How to achieve it: Start with second or third-day hair, as natural oils provide better grip and texture. Flip your head over and gather your hair at your desired height—crown of the head for a top knot, or nape of the neck for a low bun. Instead of a tight ponytail, gather hair loosely. Twist the length slightly and wrap it around the base, but don’t tuck the ends in. Use your fingers to gently pull out face-framing pieces and sections around the bun to create volume. Secure with a coil-free hair tie or two bobby pins criss-crossed for hold. The key is to pull, don’t pat—use your fingertips to tug at sections for a lived-in feel.
2. The “Lived-In” Messy Ponytail
Move over, slicked-back pony. The modern messy ponytail is full of volume, movement, and texture. It’s the perfect solution for when you want your hair out of your face but still want to look polished and interesting.
How to achieve it: Begin by adding light texture with a texturizing spray or dry shampoo at the roots. Instead of brushing your hair straight back, lean forward and gather your hair at the crown, allowing the natural fall to create volume. Secure it with a hair tie, but on the last loop, only pull the hair halfway through to create a loose loop. Then, take a small section of hair from underneath the ponytail and wrap it around the base to conceal the hair tie, securing it with a bobby pin. Gently backcomb the crown area with your fingers for a lift and pull out a few pieces around your hairline and temples to soften the look.
3. Effortless Messy Braids
Braids don’t have to be tight and precise. A messy braid, whether it’s a simple side braid, a fishtail, or a crown braid, looks romantic, bohemian, and incredibly stylish. The “messiness” comes from gently pulling the braid apart to make it look fuller and softer.
How to achieve it: Create a loose, slightly uneven braid. Don’t worry about perfect sections. Once secured with a clear elastic, the real magic begins. Gently tug on the outer loops of the braid, pulling them outward to widen and flatten it. Focus on alternating sides to create a balanced, voluminous look. The more you pull, the more effortless and intricate the braid will appear. Finish by pulling out a few shorter pieces around your face to frame it beautifully.
4. The Modern Shag Cut & Air-Dry
Sometimes, the best messy hairstyle starts with the cut itself. The modern shag, with its heavy layers and curtain bangs, is designed to look amazing with minimal effort. This style embraces your hair’s natural texture, wave, or curl, making the air-dry your new best friend.
How to achieve it: This requires a skilled stylist to get the right cut. Once you have the shape, styling is a breeze. Apply a curl-enhancing cream or mousse to damp hair, scrunching upwards to encourage your natural wave pattern. Let it air dry completely. Once dry, flip your head over and run your fingers through the roots to break up the cast from the product and add volume. The layers will naturally fall into a perfectly imperfect, piecey style that looks intentional and cool.
5. The “Undone” Half-Up, Half-Down
This style is the epitome of casual romance. It keeps hair out of your face while letting the rest of your lengths flow freely. The modern version is less “90s prom” and more “French girl chic,” focusing on loose gathers and tendrils.
How to achieve it: Take a front section of hair from each side, above your ears. Instead of brushing it back neatly, gather it loosely at the back of your crown. Twist the two sections together once or twice, then secure them with a small, delicate clip or a single bobby pin—avoid a tight hair tie. The key is to not make it too secure. Gently pull at the front sections to create soft volume around your face and allow a few pieces to fall forward naturally.
6. Tousled Waves with a Twist
For those who love their heat tools but crave a messy finish, tousled waves are the answer. This look is all about breaking up uniform curls to create a beachy, lived-in wave pattern.
How to achieve it: Create waves all over your head using a curling wand, but do not curl every section in the same direction or with the same tightness. Alternate the direction of your curls—some away from your face, some towards. Leave the ends out for a more relaxed feel. Once all your hair is curled, let it cool completely. Then, run your fingers through your hair vigorously to break up the curls. Finish with a texturizing spray, scrunching the waves from the bottom to enhance separation and that perfectly undone texture.
7. The Sophisticated Messy Low Bun
Think messy hair can’t be elegant? Think again. The messy low bun is a red-carpet favorite for its ability to look both refined and relaxed. It’s the perfect hairstyle for a wedding, a gala, or an important dinner.
How to achieve it: Create a low, loose ponytail. Twist the ponytail until it begins to coil, then wrap it around the base to form a bun. Instead of pinning it neatly, allow the ends to stick out freely. Use your fingers or the end of a comb to gently pull out sections from the top and sides of the bun to create a soft, halo-like effect. The bun itself should look soft and slightly unraveled, not compact and perfect. This style pairs beautifully with statement earrings.
8. The Piecey Pixie or Bob
Short hair can absolutely rock the messy look. For pixie cuts and bobs, the goal is to create separation and definition, moving away from a solid, helmet-like shape to something with movement and edge.
How to achieve it: Work a small amount of pomade, wax, or texturizing paste between your fingertips. Then, using a “pinching” motion, apply the product to random sections of your hair, focusing on the ends and layers. Push your hair in different directions to avoid a flat look. The idea is to create individual “pieces” that stand out. For bobs, you can twist random front sections back and secure them with bobby pins for an added messy-chic touch.
Mastering the Art of the Messy Hairstyle: Pro Tips
To truly own these looks, your toolkit and technique matter. Here are some final tips to ensure your messy hair always looks stylish, not sloppy.
Embrace Texture Sprays and Dry Shampoo: These are the holy grail products for messy hairstyles. Dry shampoo absorbs oil and adds grit and volume at the roots, while texturizing spray gives hair a flexible hold and that coveted beachy feel.
Finger-Comb, Don’t Brush: After you’ve initially styled your hair, put the brush away. Use your fingers to tousle, separate, and shape your hair. This prevents it from looking too uniform and polished.
Second-Day Hair is Your Friend: Clean hair can be too soft and slippery to hold a messy style well. The natural oils in day-old hair provide the perfect amount of grip and texture to make these styles easier to create and longer-lasting.
Choose the Right Accessories: Invisible coil hair ties, delicate clips, and fabric scrunchies are your allies. They provide hold without creating harsh lines or damaging your hair, maintaining the soft, undone aesthetic.
