20 Messy Hairstyles for Men and Women

You know how the saying goes—messy hair, don’t care! You can, and should, confidently rock a messy mane, as undone looks are totally on-trend these days. The best part: Unfinished styles like the messy bun are virtually no-fail. Think you messed up? No way—you’ve just made your locks a little less perfect. And yes, that’s a good thing! If you consider yourself a low maintenance person when it comes to hairstyling, this hair trend is perfect for you. Below, we’re sharing 20 messy hairstyles for men and women. Let’s get messy!

10 MESSY HAIRSTYLES FOR MEN

Let’s be honest—the last thing you probably want to be doing is spending time in the morning styling your hair to perfection. Luckily, you don’t have to. If rolling out of bed is more your style, try one of the following 10 messy hairstyles for men, all of which can be achieved in a few minutes (or less)!

MESSY HAIRSTYLE #1: SIDE-SWEPT

Those who have medium or long hair will be best suited to this messy hairstyle. And lucky for those with locks that are mid-length or longer, this style will take less than a minute to execute.

What you’ll need:

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

Get the look by following these simple steps:

STEP 1: PART YOUR HAIR

Of course, this look should be started by parting your hair to the side. Don’t worry about your part being perfect—an imperfect one it all the better for this undone style.

STEP 2: ADD SOME LIFT

To add a touch more volume to this messy side-swept look, use a root volumizing spray to add lift. Spritz it onto the roots of the hair you’ve parted to the side, then use your fingers to tousle your mane a bit.

MESSY HAIRSTYLE #2: BED HEAD

Remember when we mentioned rolling out of bed? Well, it’s actually a style you can mimic.

What you’ll need:

L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Thickening Medium Hold Cream Paste

Get the look by following these simple steps:

STEP 1: GRAB A HAIR POMADE

Yes, that’s right—all you need to achieve this look is a hair pomade. Take a dime-sized amount of product and rub it between your hands. Then, work the pomade through your hair, messing things up as you go. No need to worry about perfect application, it’s all about defining your layers and adding texture. Add more product as desired and mess it up as much as you’d like.

MESSY HAIRSTYLE #3: SPIKED

Spiky hairstyles don’t have to be perfectly done to look good. In fact, we love the look of short hair with an undone, spiky style.

What you’ll need:

L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle LOCK IT Clean Style Gel

Get the look by following these simple steps:

STEP 1: REACH FOR A HAIR GEL

Apply a bit of hair gel to your fingertips, keeping in mind that less is more. Rub the gel between your fingers to prep for application.

STEP #2: SPIKE IT

Apply the gel to your hair, pulling your strands upward in a spiked fashion. Continue to add more product as needed until the top portion of your hair is spiked to your liking.

MESSY HAIRSTYLE #4: FAUX HAWK

The mohawk is making a major comeback in the beauty world. That being said, we understand you may not want to commit to one full time. That’s where a messy faux hawk hairstyle comes into play.

What you’ll need:

L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle LOCK IT Extreme Style Gel

Get the look by following these simple steps:

STEP 1: GRAB YOUR GEL

Squeeze some hair gel into your palms and get ready to fake it till you make it.

STEP 2: FORM YOUR FAUX HAWK

Apply the gel to the hair on the crown of your head, pulling it up and backward. Then, use a bit more gel to smooth down the sides of your hair. That’s it!

MESSY HAIRSTYLE #5: MAN BUN

We’d be lying if we didn’t instantly have a crush on a man rocking a man bun. Here’s how to get the look.

What you’ll need:

Hair brush

Hair elastic

Get the look by following these simple steps:

STEP 1: BRUSH YOUR HAIR

Brush your hair to get rid of any knots or tangles. A messy ‘do doesn’t mean working with an untidy mane!

STEP 2: CREATE YOUR BUN

Smooth your hair backward with your fingers, then secure the length of your hair into a low bun. As per usual, don’t worry about it being perfect.

STEP #3: MESS IT UP

This step is optional, but to truly embrace the messy vibes, you can mess things up a bit more with your hands post-man bun. Simply pull a few face-framing strands loose to do so.

MESSY HAIRSTYLE #6: SLICKED BACK

Don’t want to go full-blown messy? Opt for a messy, slicked-back hairstyle.

What you’ll need:

Hair gel

Get the look by following these simple steps:

STEP 1: APPLY SOME HAIR GEL

Reach for a flexible hold hair gel and apply it to your strands, slicking them toward the back of your head. Continue to add product as needed to make sure all of your hair is slicked back, though don’t feel pressure to have every single strand in place. All done!

MESSY HAIRSTYLE #7: CRAZY CURLS

Have naturally curly hair? We love the look of messy, undone curls.

What you’ll need:

L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle Curve It Curl Taming Cream

Get the look by following these simple steps:

STEP 1: APPLY YOUR CURL CREAM

Generously apply curl cream to damp hair from roots to ends, distributing evenly. Scrunch hair gently to define your curls.

STEP 2: DRY AND STYLE

Blow-dry using a diffuser or air dry your hair. When your hair is dry, use your fingers to tousle your mane a bit for some crazy curls.

MESSY HAIRSTYLE #8: UNDONE WAVES

Calling all men with medium or long hair, consider adding texture to your mane with undone waves. Here’s how.

What you’ll need:

Wave spray

Get the look by following these simple steps:

STEP 1: TOWEL-DRY YOUR HAIR

For this look, you’ll want to begin with damp, towel-dried hair.

STEP 2: USE A WAVE SPRAY

Spritz a wave spray throughout your mane.

STEP 3: LET YOUR HAIR DRY

Allow your hair to air dry, then tousle your locks and head out the door with perfectly undone waves.

MESSY HAIRSTYLE #9: TEXTURED LAYERS

Do you have a layered haircut? One of the best ways to rock a messy ‘do is to put your layers to use and amp up the texture.

What you’ll need:

Hair pomade or paste

Get the look by following these simple steps:

STEP 1: REACH FOR A POMADE

Apply a bit of hair pomade or paste to dry hair. Pay special attention to applying pomade to the ends of your layers, defining the varying lengths and adding plenty of texture in the process. Do this to your heart’s content.

MESSY HAIRSTYLE #10: SCRUFFY FRINGE

Do you have bangs? Mess them up for the ultimate scruffy fringe!

What you’ll need:

L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle LOCK IT Weather Control Hairspray

Get the look by following these simple steps:

STEP 1: SPRAY YOUR MANE

Before you get to styling, spritz your fringe with some hairspray. Seem backward? Starting with hairspray will give your hair extra grip, amplifying the messy feel.

STEP 2: MAKE IT MESSY

While your bangs are still slightly wet from the hairspray, tousle them a bit to mess things up. Do this until you’ve created your perfectly imperfect scruffy fringe, then seal the style with a bit more hairspray.

10 MESSY HAIRSTYLES FOR WOMEN

Nobody’s perfect: Pop princesses have told us that for years, and we’re finally listening. So, instead of slaving over styling your strands, go ahead and embrace a little imperfection with one of the following 10 messy hairstyles for women.

MESSY HAIRSTYLE #1: UNFUSSY FISHTAIL

Step up to the plate—er, plait. Put your hair into a fishtail braid—without all the fuss—and there’s no chance you’ll be left to fish for compliments.

What you’ll need:

L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Clay Dry Shampoo

Hair elastics

Scissors

Get the look by following these simple steps:

STEP 1: USE DRY SHAMPOO

Spray some dry shampoo directly onto roots to help refresh your hair.

STEP 2: CREATE A PONYTAIL

Gather your hair to one side, pulling it in front of your shoulder. Secure with an elastic, placed near the bottom of your ear. Once you’ve mastered braiding, you can ditch the hair tie. Until then, it’ll serve as a helpful tool for managing your braid as you go.

STEP 3: SEPARATE INTO SECTIONS

Take your ponytail and divide the hair into two sections.

STEP 4: ADD HAIR FROM ONE SECTION TO THE OTHER

Move a small piece of hair from the outside of one section, crossing it over to the inside of the other.

STEP 5: REPEAT!

You know the deal! Repeat step three, alternating sections until you’ve braided the length of your hair.

STEP 6: SECURE WITH AN ELASTIC

Tie off your plait with a small elastic that matches your hair color (clear works, too!), leaving about an inch or two of hair below the holder.

STEP 7: CUT

Okay, this isn’t as scary as it sounds! Just snip the elastic you used in step two and no one will be the wiser about that little trick.

STEP 8: PULL APART

Gently tug at your braid, loosening the sections for an undone look.

MESSY HAIRSTYLE #2: MESSY TOP KNOT

If you wanna be on top, try a messy top knot. Pile your hair high on your head for a sky-scraping style.

What you’ll need:

L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle LOCK IT Fine Control Hairspray

Hair elastic

Get the look by following these simple steps:

STEP 1: CREATE A PRETEND PONY

Pull all of your hair to the top of your head as if creating a high ponytail.

STEP 2: FORM A BUN

Still holding your hair in a ponytail, begin swirling your strands. Once completely twisted, wrap the ends around the base to make your bun shape.

STEP 3: SECURE WITH AN ELASTIC

Wrap a ponytail holder around the bun to hold it in place. Since we’re encouraging messiness, there’s no need to hold down stray pieces with bobby pins.

STEP 4: USE HAIRSPRAY

Spritz with hairspray to seal your imperfect style.

MESSY HAIRSTYLE #3: LOOSE WAVES

Let’s be real: Is there any occasion that beachy waves don’t work for? We think not! For imperfect waves, curl your hair in a ponytail before letting loose.

What you’ll need:

L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle AIR DRY IT Wave Swept Spray

Hair elastic

Curling iron

Hair brush

Get the look by following these simple steps:

STEP 1: USE WAVE SPRAY

Spray towel-dried hair with a wave spray and allow to air dry.

STEP 2: CREATE A PONYTAIL

Pull hair into a high ponytail.

STEP 3: CURL HAIR

Use a curling iron on your hair while it’s in the ponytail. You should be able to completely curl your hair in just a few sections to cut down on curling time.

STEP 4: BRUSH OUT

After removing the elastic and letting your locks down, brush through them to loosen and separate your waves.

MESSY HAIRSTYLE #4: PONYTAIL

Your ponytail is no one-trick pony. Just mess it up for a totally transformed look.

What you’ll need:

L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle Boost It Air-Blown Texture Mist

Teasing comb

Hair elastic

Get the look by following these simple steps:

STEP 1: USE A TEXTURIZING SPRAY

Coat damp hair with a texture spray.

STEP 2: TEASE AT THE ROOTS

With your comb, tease your hair for added volume.

STEP 3: CREATE A PONYTAIL

Put hair into a low ponytail, securing with an elastic.

STEP 4: PULL OUT PIECES OF HAIR

Take pieces of hair out of the ponytail to frame your face and add to your unfinished aesthetic.

MESSY HAIRSTYLE #5: MESSY LOW BUN

There’s nothing ballerina-esque about this messy bun.

What you’ll need:

L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray Extra Strong Hold Volume

Hair elastic

Bobby pins

Get the look by following these simple steps:

STEP 1: CREATE A PONYTAIL

Pull hair into a ponytail at the base of your neck and tie off using an elastic.

STEP 2: FORM A BUN

Wrap the end of your ponytail around the base, twisting until it’s a bun.

STEP 3: SECURE WITH BOBBY PINS

Insert bobby pins, spaced evenly, around the bun to hold it in place. Don’t pin down every stray strand—just enough to keep the bun on your head!

STEP 4: USE HAIRSPRAY

Finish with a volumizing hairspray.

MESSY HAIRSTYLE #6: STRAIGHT WITH TEXTURE

If you’re married to keeping your strands straight but still want to try undone tresses, add texture.

What you’ll need:

L’Oréal Paris EverPure Volume Shampoo

L’Oréal Paris EverPure Volume Conditioner

L’Oréal Paris SLEEK IT Iron Straight Heatspray

Wave spray

Blow-dryer

Hair straightener

Get the look by following these simple steps:

STEP 1: CLEANSE AND CONDITION

Use a volume shampoo and conditioner to prep your locks.

STEP 2: USE HEAT PROTECTANT

Spray on some heat protectant prior to styling.

STEP 3: BLOW-DRY HAIR

Blast your hair with a blow-dryer until completely dry.

STEP 4: STRAIGHTEN HAIR

Using your straightener, go over all of your hair. Don’t bother to separate hair into sections, as it’s okay if every single piece isn’t entirely straight. It will only add to your undone style. So convenient, right?

STEP 5: USE WAVE SPRAY

Finish by spritzing hair with a wave spray. Twist your tresses after applying to add a touch of texture.

MESSY HAIRSTYLE #7: DOUBLE KNOT

We’re tying the knot. Twice. No bows or braids, just your basic knot—times two.

What you’ll need:

Hair serum

Comb

Bobby pins

Get the look by following these simple steps:

STEP 1: COMB HAIR INTO TWO SECTIONS

Create a middle part with your comb, separating your hair into two sections, one on either side of your head.

STEP 2: KNOT TOGETHER

Just as you would tie a basic knot in your shoelaces, do the same with the two sections. Don’t forget to pull tight!

STEP 3: KNOT AGAIN

With the ends of the knot you just created, tie another knot, pulling tight once more.

STEP 4: SECURE WITH BOBBY PINS

No elastics necessary! Just hide a few bobby pins in the knots to stop them from falling out. While you could also tuck and pin the loose ends of your knots, leaving them out will add to your undone look.

MESSY HAIRSTYLE #8: TWISTED BANGS

Literally put a twist on your tresses. We’re serious: Twist your bangs for this unfinished style.

What you’ll need:

L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle BOOST IT Volume Inject Mousse

L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray Extra Strong Hold

Comb

Bobby pins

Get the look by following these simple steps:

STEP 1: USE MOUSSE

Create body by using mousse on damp hair, scrunching as you work the product through.

STEP 2: CREATE A DEEP SIDE PART

With your comb, part your hair on your preferred side.

STEP 3: TWIST YOUR BANGS

Divide your fringe into two chunks (if you’re totally bang-less, use the front section of your hair). Twist the two pieces together, twice. Before twisting again, add a small piece of hair to one section. Repeat, twisting two times and then adding a small piece of hair until the twist reaches to the back of your ear.

STEP 4: SECURE WITH BOBBY PINS

Use pins to hold the twist, hiding them in your hair.

STEP 5: USE HAIRSPRAY

Spritz on some hairspray to finish your ‘do.

MESSY HAIRSTYLE #9: SIDE PONY

What’s more perfect than an imperfect pony? Just pull it to the side and muss it up.

What you’ll need:

L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Clay Shampoo

L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Clay Conditioner

L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Flexible Strong Hold Cream

Hair elastic

Get the look by following these simple steps:

STEP 1: CLEANSE AND CONDITION

Use shampoo and conditioner to prep your strands.

STEP 2: USE STYLING CREAM

Work your hair cream through clean, damp hair to help add weightless and residue-free definition. Let hair air dry before moving on.

STEP 3: CREATE A PONYTAIL

Pull hair into a loose, low pony on the side of your head.

MESSY HAIRSTYLE #10: BED HEAD

The ultimate messy hairstyle? A just-out-of-bed mane! That’s right, this ‘do isn’t reserved for the guys.

What you’ll need:

L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Overworked Hair Putty

Get the look by following these simple steps:

STEP 1: MESS IT UP

Take a bit of hair pomade and rub it between your hands. Work the product through dry hair, scrunching and adding more product as you wish to amp up the texture and volume. That’s it!

Next: 40 Hairstyles for Straight Hair