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. Fortunately for those wondering what to do with greasy hair (other than hop in the shower or turn to your trusty dry shampoo) there are plenty of greasy hairstyles that can tide you over until your next wash day.

Here, we’re sharing some of our all-time favorite hairstyles for dirty hair. From sleek and chic updos to intricate braids that work with—not against—your not-quite-clean strands, find 32 simple (and effective) greasy hairstyles to hide oily roots, below.

1. Messy bun

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

When it does come time for wash day, we suggest reaching for the L’Oréal Paris Hyaluron + Pure Purifying Shampoo for Oily Hair and coordinating L'Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Pure Rehydrating Conditioner for Oily Hair. The shampoo deep cleans and removes up to 100% of residue, while the conditioner provides up to 72 hours of lightweight hydration for soft, healthy-looking strands.

2. Low bun

If you’re running low on time and need a sleek hairstyle to hide greasy hair, consider the low bun. This classic look is elegant, polished, and perfect for day and nighttime alike. To create it, start by gathering all of your hair at the nape of your neck and pull it into a low ponytail. Twist your lengths around the base of the ponytail to form a bun and secure it with bobby pins to hold the style in place. Finish off the look with a spritz of 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 great hairstyle for greasy hair. The natural oil in your hair helps keep this look smooth, and we love that the asymmetrical placement offers a slightly different vibe from the everyday bun you’re likely used to.

To create it, apply a small amount of the L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Clean Gel to your roots and brush your hair towards one side of your head. Secure your strands into a side ponytail and twist to create a bun, then pin it in place with bobby pins. Feel free to accessorize as you see fit—we love how this chic look pairs with embellished hair pins.

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 rank among our top picks. It’s also one of our favorite cute hairstyles for greasy hair since the double buns easily mask greasy and oily roots.

5. Brun

The “brun” combines a classic three-strand braid with a chic low bun. This pretty hairstyle for greasy hair is ideal 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 for dirty hair keeps your strands stylishly tucked away and easily disguises greasy roots.

7. Double Dutch low bun

Once you’ve mastered your double Dutch braids, try the double Dutch low bun. This style—one of our favorite greasy hairstyles for longer lengths—pairs beautiful woven plaits with an easy updo for a statement-making finish.

Kick things off by splitting your hair into a middle part and clipping 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 side braid is a simple hairstyle for greasy hair that we find ourselves turning to time and time again. To DIY the look, brush your hair toward one side of your head, split your strands into three equally sized sections, and weave away. Once you reach the ends, secure with a hair tie. Finally, place a chunky headband on your head—the accessory will both bring your look together and help hide your greasy roots.

9. Halo braid

Keep your hair off of your face and hide oily roots with a halo braid. This whimsical look gives your look a romantic vibe and works as well for special occasions as it does for daily wear.

10. Fishtail braid

The Pinterest-worthy fishtail braid gets our vote for one of the coolest hairstyles for greasy hair. This eye-catching look appears intricate, but is actually fairly easy to achieve—we break it all down in our tutorial here.

11. Fishtail ponytail braid

Hide greasy roots and upgrade your go-to look by swapping the regular ponytail for a fishtail ponytail. Like a classic fishtail, this greasy hairstyle 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 equal 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, then secure with a hair tie.

12. French braid

If it wasn’t already obvious, we have a thing for braids. Another one on our radar is the French braid. The French braid is an elegant and stylish look that can be worn down for work or up for a celebratory occasion. Try pulling your plait apart slightly to give your braid a bit of texture for a bohemian vibe.

13. Classic braided ponytail

Hairstyles for greasy hair don’t have to be complicated, and the braided ponytail is proof. 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 you find yourself facing frizz or flyaways, a light misting of hairspray can help hold your style in place.

14. Face-framing baby braids

Face-framing baby braids are the latest ’90s hair trend making a huge comeback. The playful hairstyle features a middle part framed with ultra-thin braided tendrils on either side of the face. The mini braids help disguise oily roots by your face without requiring much effort. You can wear it as-is, but we suggest throwing in a few retro hair jewels to lean into the ‘90s vibe.

15. Bubble braids

Bubble braids aren’t actually braids—this whimsical look features hair elastics placed along the length of a ponytail to create mini “bubbles”. We love how easy to achieve this hairstyle for dirty hair is: Just throw your hair up into a pony, add elastics about an inch apart down your lengths, and pull each “bubble” apart to create a bit of volume.

16. Sleek ponytail

A sleek pony is among the best hairstyles for greasy hair because the slicked-back look works with your hair’s natural oils, not against it. To create it, use a boar-bristle brush to brush your hair back, getting it as smooth as possible. Then, gather your strands into a ponytail at the crown of your head and secure it with a hair tie or scrunchie.

17. Claw clip updo

Thanks to social media, we’re officially obsessed with claw clips again (another ’90s trend that’s come full circle). We love the retro flair these oversized accessories provide, but also how useful they are for quickly hiding greasy roots. Just gather your hair into a loose only, twist it around itself, and secure it with the claw clip of your choice for a chic and simple hairstyle for greasy hair that takes (literally) seconds to achieve.

18. Half-up top knot

Half-up top knots are a classic hairstyle for dirty hair that seems to never go out of style. The effortless look ensures the oiliest parts of your hair are tamed while allowing your lengths to hang free. To achieve the style, divide your strands horizontally into two roughly equal portions. Gather the top section into a ponytail, twist the lengths to create a bun shape, and secure the knot with a few bobby pins or a hair elastic.

19. Half-up beehive

The half-up beehive hairdo pays homage to the ’60s without leaning overly retro. To create the voluminous look, divide your hair as you would for a half-up ponytail or topknot. Clip the bottom section to keep it out of the way, then, lightly tease the top section of your hair to add volume. Smooth your strands back, then secure the top section into a voluminous half updo with bobby pins. Finally, release the bottom layer of hair and smooth your lengths as needed.

20. Slicked-back hair

If you want to wear your hair down but don’t have time for a full wash-dry-style, try a slicked-back hairstyle. This simple greasy hairstyle gives your strands a modern, edgy finish perfect for nights out. To achieve it, detangle your hair, then use a pintail comb to gently tease your hair at the crown. Apply a small dollop of strong-hold hair gel (such as the L'Oréal Paris Studio Line Mega Gel) to your roots and brush your hair back with a boar-bristle brush. For an ultra-sleek look, you can pin the sides of your hair down with bobby pins, though this step may not be necessary if you have shorter strands.

21. Textured faux hawk

This style is a textured version of a rocker-inspired mohawk look that’s a perfect greasy hairstyle 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. If styles with hair gel frequently make it into your rotation, consider using a pre-poo treatment on wash day. We love the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Pure Oil Erasing Serum for Oily Hair, as it helps dissolve excess oil and residue and leaves your scalp feeling clean and refreshed.

22. High puff with a head scarf

A high ponytail or puff with a colorful head scarf is a simple greasy hairstyle that doesn’t skimp on style. It’s a popular choice for hiding oily roots since the headscarf wraps around your hairline.

To create the look, apply 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. Finally, wrap a silky hair tie around your head, positioning it over your roots, to seamlessly hide your oily roots.

23. Loose chignon

The loose chignon is a tasteful style that looks far more complicated than it is. To create this elegant look, gather your hair at the nape of your neck and create a looped bun, leaving the last few inches of hair free. Wrap the ends around your bun and secure them with bobby pins for a sophisticated hairstyle suitable for any occasion.

24. Side part with barrette

Updos aren’t the only way to hide greasy strands—you can also turn to accessories. Oversized barettes, in particular, make for an easy and chic distraction from oily roots. Create a deep side part on either side of your head and comb through your strands to ensure your lengths are free of tangles. On the other side, pin your hair just above your ear with with bejeweled barettes or hair clips (the more, the merrier).

25. Bantu knots

This style is a natural hair staple that involves creating tiny buns (or knots) throughout your hair. It’s a unique option for those looking for protective styles that don’t require hair extensions—and the intricate, knotted look makes easy work of hiding oily roots.

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

If you have a few extra minutes to spare, try this braided half-up style. Start by creating a chunky braid on either side of your head, then pull them back and tie them together them with an elastic to create a braided pony. Then, weave the lengths of the pony into a fishtail braid, pulling the strands apart for a bit of texture. We love this greasy hairstyle for days when we don’t want to wash and dry our hair, but still want to look chic and put-together.

28. Rope braid ponytail

If a three-strand braid is your typical go-to, broaden 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 sleek high ponytail (another hairstyle for greasy hair we can’t get enough of).

29. French twist

A French twist is about as chic as you can get when it comes to wearing your hair up. This elegant style only needs one tool—specifically, an oversized hairpin—and a little twisting to achieve. If you’re prone to frizz or flyaways, consider misting your finished look with L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle LOCK IT Weather Control Hairspray to help keep everything in place.

30. Milkmaid braids

Milkmaid braids are similar to a halo braid, only the front sections of your hair are left out for a boho feel. Because the braid sits across the crown of your head, this is a great hairstyle to hide greasy hair for a day (or a few).

31. Low bun with head scarf

Toss a hair scarf over any updo to effortlessly hide greasy roots in seconds. This laid-back greasy hairstyle can suit any hair type, texture, or length, and it’s way too easy not to try if you’re not up for a shampoo.

32. Pigtail braids

If one braid is good, two are great—especially for taming hair that’s well (over)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 create an extra cute hairstyle for greasy hair.

Next Up: What Is Clarifying Shampoo—And Do You Need One in Your Haircare Routine?

Photo Courtesy of L'Oréal Paris