32 Hairstyles for Greasy Hair That Will Hide Oily Roots

We’ve all been there: Instead of following through with a regular shampoo routine, you skip a few days (or weeks) and find yourself dealing with greasy hair. While it can be a pain to tackle, it doesn’t mean that all is lost on the hairstyling front. If you’re in a lazy rut or all out of dry shampoo, there are a myriad of hairstyles that can tide you over if you find yourself asking, how do I hide greasy hair?

The possibilities for concealing your oily hair are vast and for anyone looking for a quick and stylish fix, we’re rounding up everything from chic updos to half-up styles to intricate braids. Below, 32 easy hairstyles for greasy hair that will disguise your soiled strands perfectly.

1. Messy Bun

A messy bun is a fabulous (and fuss-free) option for those who aren’t looking for an intricate hairstyle. It’s not labor-intensive to execute and it looks good with all hair types and textures. Plus, it hides greasy strands seamlessly since your hair is styled upward on your head and away from your face.

2. Low Bun

The low bun offers an elegant and polished look. This stylish number also keeps your mane looking smooth at all angles. Start by gathering all of your hair at the nape of your neck and pull it into a low ponytail. Roll the length around its base to form a bun and secure with bobby pins to hold the style in place. Finish off the look with a spritz of hairspray, like the L'Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hair Spray - Unscented, to keep any frizz or flyaways at bay.

3. Sleek Side Bun

The sleek side bun is another hairstyle that can do your greasy mane justice. We also love that it’s different from the everyday bun style you’ve grown accustomed to thanks to its asymmetrical placement. All you need is a touch of hair gel and it will be difficult to tell that you’re working with less-than-fresh hair.

Simply add hair gel, like the L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Clean Gel to your roots and brush your hair towards one side of your head. Secure your strands with a side ponytail and twist the length, wrapping it around the base of your ponytail to create a bun. Feel free to add a few pins into the mix to achieve the ultimate sleek style.

4. Space Buns

If you’re like us, then you’re always looking for ways to spice up your beauty look. There are a variety of bun styles out there and space buns continue to stay on our timelines. After all, their playful and carefree vibe easily masks your greasy tresses without any fuss — it’s hard not to love them.  

5. Brun

The brun combines a braid with a classic bun. This ‘do will come to the rescue for anyone looking to rock an intricate-looking style with minimal effort. Simply create a high ponytail, then braid it halfway down your lengths. Take the hair and wrap it around the base of your pony, ensuring that the braid is visible at the front and the unbraided portion is used to finish the bun. Add some bobby pins to the mix if you need extra help keeping your brun in place.

6. Double Dutch Braids

If you love the look of plaits and want to try an upgraded version, double Dutch braids make for a solid pick. This trendy hairstyle keeps your strands stylishly tucked away and disguises fourth-day hair or greasy strands. It’s a nice change of pace from other braided ‘dos that require a ton of weaving time in front of the mirror.

7. Double Dutch Low Bun

Once you’ve mastered your double Dutch braids, try the double Dutch low bun. This style — which happens to do a fantastic job at concealing greasy hair — pairs a beautiful woven pattern with an edgy updo for a statement-making finish.

Kick things off by splitting your hair into a middle part and clip one side out of the way. Grab three equally-sized sections at your hairline and weave a Dutch braid. When you reach the nape of your neck, secure it with a hair elastic. Repeat the process on the other side. 

Once your Dutch braids are in place, add a dime-size amount of the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Frizz Killer Leave-In Serum through the length of your hair to make the strands smooth. Then, combine the ends of both braids together and twist them into a bun. Secure flyaways and loose strands with bobby pins, and your look is complete.

8. Side Braid With a Headband

A simple side braid is a quick pick to jazz up your greasy hair (and hide the grease). This regal style features a classic side plait with a crowd-pleasing headband. To DIY, brush your hair toward either side of your head, gather three equally-sized strands and weave away. Once you reach the ends, secure with a hair tie, place a glitzy headband of choice on your head, and voilà — your accessorized, preppy look is complete.

9. Halo Braid

Whimsical hairstyles give your mane a romantic touch and the halo braid falls right in line. It’s a classy option that’s playful, sassy and keeps your hair off of your face. 

10. Fishtail Braid

Now that we have classic styles on your mind, let’s not forget about the Pinterest-worthy fishtail braid. This look consists of an intricate braiding technique that provides your hair with a chunky, yet eye-catching style. 

11. Fishtail Ponytail Braid

A fishtail ponytail is another option that can add some pizzazz to your strands. Consider it as having the best of both worlds: a chic fishtail pattern married to a functional, classic ‘do. The style may seem like a difficult one to master, but it’s actually pretty easy to DIY.

Try it at home by pulling your strands into a ponytail as you normally would. Next, split the length of your ponytail into two even sections. Take a tiny amount of hair from the outer edge of one section and cross it over to the other side. Continue switching back and forth between sections until you reach the end of your hair.

12. French Braid With a Headband

If it wasn’t already obvious, we clearly have a thing for braids. Another one on our radar is the French braid. The French braid is an elegant and stylish number that can be worn down for work or up for a celebratory occasion. Adding a headband to the look gives it a flattering, face-framing element. 

13. Classic Braided Ponytail

Hairstyles for greasy hair don’t have to be complicated and the braided ponytail makes a snazzy case for that. Pulling your hair back is a foolproof method for masking grease on any hair type, and the woven detailing adds an unexpected touch that works in your favor. 

We also dig that you can achieve this look in a few minutes with minimal (if any) products. Start by fastening your hair into a ponytail. Separate your hair into three equally-sized sections, create a three-strand braid and secure the end with a hair tie if necessary. Spritz your finished style with a thin misting of the L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hairspray - Color Treated Hair to keep frizz away. 

14. Face-Framing Baby Braids

Face-framing baby braids are the latest ’90s hair trend making a huge comeback. As seen recently on influencers and celebrities, the old-school hairstyle comprises two teeny, tiny strands braided on either side of your face to create framing tendrils. It’s a great go-to if you need to disguise oily fringes. Throw in a few hair jewels and no one will ever know you’re suffering from any hair woes. 

15. Bubble Braids

Bubble braids add a fun vibe to your strands and elevate your daily hairdo. This fabulous braid-meets-ponytail style revamps your look and flaunts the classic ponytail aesthetic you love with a volumized twist. 

16. Sleek Ponytail

Sure, big hair is in, but that doesn’t mean you can’t give the sleek ponytail a go. It’s a versatile style that is all about creating a smooth finish for a fresh-out-of-the-salon. It’s also a modern option that works for a casual day of errands or enjoying a girl’s night. Create a sleek ponytail (the placement is up to you), secure with a hair tie and add a few spritzes of Elnett hairspray to set your style. 

17. Claw Clip Updo

Thanks to social media, we’re officially obsessed with claw clips again (another ’90s trend that’s come full circle). With so many designs to choose from, they are incredibly chic and can pull together your entire look in seconds. Not to mention, claw clips are extremely practical at not only taming pesky flyaways but also hiding any hair grease. Twist your hair up into the viral ’90s updo or secure it into a half-up, half-down style — whichever you choose, it’s bound to look good. 

18. Half-Up Top Knot

Half-up top knots are an old-school look that seem to never go out of style, and for good reason because it keeps the oiliest sections of your hair tamed while allowing the remainder of it to hang free. To get the look, divide your strands into two parts — a top and bottom layer. Clip the bottom half out of the way. Gather your top section into a ponytail, twist the length around its base and secure it with a few bobby pins.

19. Half-Up Beehive

The half-up beehive hairdo scores some major height while it pays homage to the mod ’60s era. Start by splitting your hair into a top and bottom section and clip the bottom out of the way. Using a pintail comb, tease the top section of your hair, smooth it back and secure with bobby pins for a voluminous look. Release your bottom layer of hair and smooth the strands as needed.

20. Slicked Back Hair

The slicked-back hairstyle will come to the rescue if you don’t have enough time for a wash session. It’s a loose look that gives your strands a modern, sleek finish without any flyaways or frizz. Brush through your hair to take out any tangles or knots. Using a pintail comb, tease your hair at the crown. Apply a small dollop of hair gel — such as the L'Oréal Paris Studio Line Mega Gel — to your roots and smooth your hair back. Pin the sides of your hair with a few bobby pins to keep your hair in place.

21. Textured Faux Hawk

This style is a textured version of a rocker-inspired mohawk look that’s perfect for those with natural hair. All you need to do is apply a small amount of gel to the sides of your hair and brush upward. Finish up by pinning your hair in place and fluffing your strands.

22. High Ponytail or Puff With a Head Scarf

Also great for natural hair textures, a high ponytail or puff with a colorful head scarf is a simple look that doesn’t skimp on style. It’s a popular choice for hiding greasy tresses since the headscarf wraps around the crown of your head. 

To create the look, add a small amount of hair gel to your roots and brush your strands toward the crown of your head. Gather your hair into a high ponytail and secure it with a hair tie. Wrap your head scarf around the back of your head and pull the ends toward the front. Create a small knot or bow with the scarf just above your ponytail. Lastly, refresh your curls with a few spritzes of the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Refresh & Reshape Leave-In Spray for instant hydration, definition and bounce. 

23. Loose Chignon

The loose chignon is a tasteful style that slightly varies from the classic low bun. It’s a French variation of the timeless look that leaves you with a sophisticated ‘do to suit any occasion. 

24. Side-Part With Sparkly Bobby Pins

Your first thought may be that wearing your greasy tresses in a loose style is the ultimate no-no. Thankfully, you can make some magic happen with a side part (sorry Gen Z) and sparkly bobby pins or barrettes to deflect. After all, hair accessories are an easy and chic distraction from oily roots. Simply create a side part on either side of your head and comb through your strands. On the other side, place pins with the grooved side up in your hair for a stacked look.

25. Bantu Knots

26. Pigtails

With the popularity of Y2K beauty trends that just can’t seem to falter, pigtails are a playful way to keep your hair up and out of your face, while simultaneously dealing with oily roots. To really take the look to the next level, conceal your hair ties with bows or colorful scrunchies. 

27. Braided Half-Up Style

Add some edge to your half-up style by adding some braids to your crown. Not only will they add intricate texture to your ‘do, but they’ll camouflage your oily roots. Overall, we like this style because it does the job of distracting from greasy hair, while still allowing you to wear your hair down. 

28. Rope Braid Ponytail

If a three-strand braid is your typical go-to, open your horizons and try a rope braid. With just two strands of hair, this braid is ultra-easy to achieve and creates a silky plait that pairs especially well with a high ponytail — not to mention, distracts from the excess of oils at your roots. 

29. French Pin Hair Twist 

A French pin twist is about as chic as you can get when it comes to wearing your hair up. This ponytail variation sweeps your hair up into a delicate updo with a rounded pin that you weave through the hair to set your style in place. Everyone will be too in awe of your pretty style to notice your greasy roots. 

30. Milkmaid Braids

Milkmaid braids sit across the crown of your head to create an intricate-looking updo that’s actually fairly easy to achieve. The best part is that since the ends of your hair are wrapped over the roots and pinned down, any trace of unwanted oils are out of sight, out of mind.

31. Hair Scarf Ponytail

Toss a hair scarf over any updo to effortlessly hide greasy roots in seconds. As we approach summer, this laid-back style can suit any occasion and it’s way too easy not to try.  

32. Pigtail Braids

If one braid is good, two are great — especially for concealing your hair that’s well due for a wash. Split your hair into two even sections and create two pigtails. Then, braid each side to your liking, we recommend a rope braid or a fishtail braid to change things up in the best way. 

Next: Change Up Your Style With a Cool Wolf Haircut

Photographer: Chaunte Vaughn, Art Director: Hannah Packer, Associate Creative Producer: Becca Solovay, Digital Tech: Katy Andrascik, Photo Assistant: Sam Kang, Makeup Artist: Jonet Williamson, Hair Stylist: Akihisa Yamaguchi, Wardrobe Stylist: Melina Kemph, Wardrobe Assistant: Kayla Martinez, Model: Adrianne Kiara