5 Hairstyles for Dirty Hair

Let’s be real: There are days when you just don’t have time to wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner. On those days when you’re feeling extra lazy or your schedule is just too packed with places to be and people to see, that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the look of your hair. With a spritz of dry shampoo and the right styling technique, you can actually create some pretty cool hairstyles on dirty hair. Below, find our favorite hairstyles for dirty hair. (Just remember that dry shampoo shouldn’t replace your regular hair washing routine.)

Hairstyle for Dirty Hair #1: Pull-Through Ponytail

If you love ponytails but want to shake things up a bit, this pull-through, braid-like rendition will make you the talk of all your gal pals wishing they could slay day two hair like you. And, with this tutorial, you’ll be able to tell them how to!

What you’ll need:

L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Clay Dry Shampoo

Clear elastics

Get the look by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Refresh your dirty hair with dry shampoo. Even if you’re only working with day two hair, a quick spritz dry shampoo can help absorb excess oil at the roots.

Step 2: Divide your hair. To begin your updated ponytail, divide your topmost section of hair to create a half-up half down look—only don’t use half of your hair. Once you have this small section of hair sectioned off at your crown, secure it with a clear elastic.

Step 3: Segment your half-up pony. Secure a clear elastic about an inch or two below your first elastic to block off a section of hair.

Step 4: Divide another section of hair. Beneath the first tied-off pony, gather another section of hair and, before tying it off, loop it through the center of your first pony and secure beneath.

Step 5: Repeat sections 3-4. Keep dividing, sectioning, and securing your hair until you reach your ends and have tied up all of your hair into a pretty pony.

Step 6: Fluff up your pull-through pony. To give your dirty hair hairstyle a bit more life, gently tug at each section of your pony to create a more blogger-inspired look.

Hairstyle for Dirty Hair #2: Crown Braid

A crown braid is hairstyle fit for a queen—in this case, you! The good news is, you can pull off this hairstyle even if you have dirty hair.

What you’ll need:

Dry shampoo

Clear elastics

Bobby pins

Get the look by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Refresh your strands. Absorb any excess oil that might be making your hair look a tad too dirty to wear to work with a quick spritz of dry shampoo.

Step 2: Part your hair down the middle. Since dirty hairstyles are meant to look a bit undone, don’t worry about making this super-precise—just use your hands for a rough part.

Step 3: Weave a Dutch braid on each side of your part. Remember that Dutch braids are known for weaving over, not under. Once you reach the end of your braids, tie them off with clear elastics.

Step 4: Pancake your plaits. To help create a bigger crown braid, gently tug at each section of your braids until they look big and beautiful. Just be sure not to tug too hard– you’d hate to unravel your braids.

Step 5: Pin your braids up and over your head. Take your left braid and lay it a couple centimeters back from your hairline, with your ends extending to the right side of your head. Pin it in place, making sure all bobby pins are hidden from sight. Do the same thing with your right braid.

Step 6: Pull out face-framing strands. Gently tug a few strands out from the few centimeters that sit in front of your crown braid, as well as in front of your ears, to help give your overall look a more ethereal feel.

Hairstyle for Dirty Hair #3: Slicked-Back Cotton Candy Ballerina Bun

The ballerina bun is the epitome of chic—and this cotton candy-inspired version allows you to hide your dirty hair stylishly.

What you’ll need:

Hair tie

Bobby pins

Fine tooth comb

L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle LOCK IT Extreme Style Gel

L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle LOCK IT Bold Control Hairspray

Get the look by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Pull all of your hair up into a ponytail. Before securing your high pony, massage a dollop of hair gel into your strands and use your fine tooth comb to smooth from your hairline back to the base of your pony to create a super-slick wet look. Secure your pony with a hair-colored hair tie.

Step 2: Tease your pony. Hold your ponytail straight up and use your fine tooth comb to brush your hair from your roots down to the base of your pony to create rough texture.

Step 3: Spin and pin your bun. Gently twist your teased pony around itself to give the appearance of cotton candy atop your head. When you pin it in place, make sure all the bobby pins are hidden from view.

Step 4: Finish with hair spray. Pop the lid off your hair spray and spray it on to help keep your cotton candy ballerina bun in place.

Hairstyle for Dirty Hair #4: Half-Up Fishtail

Why rock a three-strand braid when you can wear one with a little more personality? We’re talking about the fishtail braid. Fishtail braids pair perfectly with hair that has a little more texture, making it a great pick on days you don’t wash your hair.

What you’ll need:

L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle BOOST IT High Lift Creation Spray

Bobby pin

Clear elastic

Get the look by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Give your hair some texture. Spritz your dirty hair with a texturizing spray first.  

Step 2: Part your hair down the middle. No need to make it perfect.

Step 3: Weave your fishtails. Grab a two-inch section of hair at your hairline on one side of your part and weave a fishtail all the way to the ends. Gently tug at each section of your fishtail to create a big, boho, blogger-worthy finish to your braid. Pin your first braid at the back of your head while you complete your second braid.

Step 4: Secure your braids together at the back of your head. Unpin your first braid and tie both braids together with a clear elastic.

Hairstyle for Dirty Hair #5: Dutch Braid Messy Bun

Last but not least, we have this Dutch braid messy bun. Messy bun + dirty hair = a combo you can’t beat!

What you’ll need:

Dry shampoo

Clear elastics

Get the look by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Refresh your strands. A few spritzes of dry shampoo will go a long way with dirty hair.

Step 2: Part your hair off to one side. You pick which.

Step 3: Weave a Dutch braid on each side of your part. Instead of weaving straight back to the crown of your head, move downwards so that you’ll end at mid-height on the back of your head.

Step 4: Tie your ends into a messy teardrop bun. Fluff out the ends of your hair around the base of your bun to give your messy hairstyle a bit more character.

Step 5: Fluff up your Dutch braids. Gently tug at each section of your braids to give your look a bit more volume.

Now that you have five hairstyles to add to your day two hairstyle arsenal, have fun rocking a mane that doesn’t look so much dirty as it does chic.

Next up: 7 Easy Hair Tips for Lazy Days.