Summary
Wanna learn how to get messy hair that looks like effortless cool-girl bedhead instead of an accidental bird's nest? This complete guide breaks down exactly what you need to nail that tousled vibe, starting with the most flattering haircuts for your texture and easy overnight hacks to wake up with instant volume. We cover how to actually work with your natural wave using the right sea salt sprays, dry shampoos, and matte pastes. You will also learn how to fake massive root lift on second-day hair using a quick flip-and-scrunch method or a texturizing iron. Finally, we walk you through the ultimate finishing steps, like twisting a few random pieces with a wand and setting it with a flexible spray so your perfectly undone look lasts from morning class to late-night plans.
Have you ever felt entranced by the 'just-woke-up-like-this' hair sported by celebrities and models? That effortlessly chic, perfectly tousled style that seems to scream casual elegance?
How do they do that?
Getting messy, undone curls or tousled waves is easier than you think. You only need the right products, techniques, and hair styling tools.
Whether you're aiming for a relaxed beachy vibe or a more polished look, there are several tips and tricks to achieve that desirable bedhead hairstyle. Let's dive in for a crash course on the secrets of how to get messy hair that's gorgeous and full of texture.
Get the Right Haircut
Embarking on your journey to perfect messy hair begins at the roots. The foundation of any great hairstyle is a flattering haircut that suits your face shape and hair type. The best haircut for a messy style depends on your kind of hair, so consider your hair’s natural texture and thickness when choosing a cut.
If you’re unsure about what would work best, don’t fret! A professional stylist can be your guide. They have the expertise to recommend the ideal cut for you, taking into account the length, texture, and volume of your hair. You can also ask your barber to texture your hair specifically for a messy hairstyle, which helps create that intentionally unpolished, effortless messy style.
Keeping some length on the top of your hair while cutting the sides and back short is a great way to achieve a messy style and can also help you add extra volume to your hair. Creating a piecey texture is essential for a successful messy hairstyle, regardless of hair length. To maintain the essence of a messy look, avoid sleek hairstyles like buns or ponytails.
Long Haircuts
With long hair, layers are your best friend. They can break up the weight of the hair, making it easier to style and giving it a more ‘undone’ look. Long layers combined with beachy waves can create the ultimate messy yet glamorous style. For extra texture, focus on applying styling product to the lower half of your hair, this helps add volume and shine while keeping the look tousled and effortless.
However, avoid blunt cuts if you’re aiming for a messy look. These tend to make the hair lay flat and can be harder to style in an ‘undone’ way.
Remember, the goal is to work with your natural hair type and face shape to find a style that makes achieving that desired messy look easy. For long hair, letting some strands fall loose from buns or ponytails can enhance the messy style. So, consult your stylist, be open to their suggestions, and continue experimenting until you get the perfect haircut.
Short Haircuts
If you have short hair, consider a choppy bob or a pixie cut if you prefer shorter locks. Both these styles are excellent for creating a messy look because they have a lot of movement and texture. You can achieve a tousled effect with a bit of styling product, gels, clays, or putties can be used to create texture and a playful look for short hair.
Medium Haircuts
A shaggy lob (long bob) is a fantastic option for medium-length hair. This style includes plenty of layers, which can add dimension and movement to your hair and can easily be styled into soft, fluffy, voluminous hair. A light scrunch or twist when your hair is damp can further enhance this, try alternating the direction of your twists or waves to add even more dimension and a natural, messy texture.
If you have medium to short hair, try using putties or gels to create texture and a more playful look.
Embrace Your Natural Texture
One of the first steps to achieving that perfect tousled look is embracing your hair’s natural texture. Instead of trying to change what you have, work with it. Use your hair’s natural kinks, curls, waves, or straightness for an authentic, undone, appealing, low-maintenance aesthetic. If you have wavy or curly hair, apply a light cream to help define curls and waves without weighing them down.
Air Dry Curly Hair
Girls with curly hair, these tips are for you. If you have curly hair, let it air dry after washing instead of using a diffuser. While your hair is still damp, scrunch in some curl cream or mousse, using the scrunch method while applying product to damp hair helps build natural waves and volume, even if you occasionally like to straighten your curly hair for a sleeker look. This will help define your curls and allow them to form naturally as your hair dries. The result? A beautiful, messy, curly finish.
Air Dry Straight Hair
For those with straight hair, air drying can also be beneficial. It allows for subtle bends and imperfections that can add to the messiness of your style. You can create extra waves by scrunching your hair or braiding it while it’s damp, alternate the direction of your braids to achieve a more natural-looking, textured result.
Don't Overbrush
Sometimes less is more. This is especially true when it comes to brushing, as using a brush can disrupt the natural texture needed for messy hair. Instead of brushing out snarls and waves, detangle only the ends of your hair using a wide-tooth comb. Using your fingers instead of a brush helps create separation and lift, giving your hair a more natural, messy look.
Prep Your Hair The Night Before
First things first: prepping your hair the night before is one of the easiest ways to achieve messy hair the next day. This gives your hair time to become tousled and textured while you sleep.
Use Texturizing Products
Using the right products is crucial for achieving a stylishly messy hairstyle. If you can, work a texturizing spray, mousse, or sea salt spray into dry hair before bed. These products add grit and texture, which helps create that undone look. Mousses and sea salt sprays work especially well for long or fine hair, providing lift without weighing it down. For extra hold and a natural finish, use a matte clay or paste. Matte wax or pomade is ideal for short to medium hair, giving definition and hold without shine. Dry shampoo is also effective for adding volume and texture to the roots. To apply, rub a bit of product onto your hands and work it into your hair, focusing on the roots for lift or the ends for more piecey, separated strands. At the end, post-styling products like hair clay or wax can add piecey, separated texture.
Braid Damp Hair
Start with damp hair for best results, as this helps styling products adhere more effectively. If your hair is damp before bed, braiding it can create beautiful waves in the morning. For tighter, more crimped waves, braid hair into pigtail braids or several small braids. Braid your hair into one or two larger braids for looser, messy waves.
Pineapple Your Hair
If you haven’t heard of “pineappling” your hair, you’re in for a treat. This technique ties your hair into a loose topknot to enhance natural texture and waves. It’s called “pineappling” because it makes your hair look a bit like a pineapple!
To do this, gently gather your hair on top of your head, using your forehead as a reference point for placement. This helps ensure the volume and texture are focused where you want them. The idea here is that the gentle gathering of hair on top of your head minimizes disruption as you toss and turn in your sleep. When you let your hair down in the morning, you’ll be greeted with voluminous hair complete with bends and waves.
Sleep On A Silk Pillowcase
Here's an extra tip: Consider investing in a silk pillowcase. Silk causes less friction than cotton. It can help prevent your hair from getting frizzy or tangled as you sleep. Plus, it feels luxurious - who doesn't want that?
Style Second Day Hair
If your hair is already dry, don’t worry, you can still achieve that coveted bedhead look. In fact, freshly washed hair can be harder to style messily because it lacks the natural oils and texture that help create volume and hold. Reducing shampooing frequency helps maintain your hair’s natural oils, making it healthier, fuller, and easier to style into a messy look, especially if you’re prone to flat, limp hair.
Use these tips to style second-day hair:
Try "Second Day" Dry Shampoo
Here's a secret: dry shampoo isn't only for second-day hair. Apply it to clean hair to create grit and texture, making styling easier and more effective. Be sure to use it sparingly to avoid any unwanted white residue.
Sea Salt Spray
Nothing says “beachy waves” quite like sea salt spray. It’s a miracle worker for adding instant texture and volume and fits right in with other top hair volumizing methods and tools. The salt roughs up the cuticle while added minerals from sea kelp mimic your hair’s natural oils.
For best results, lightly mist your hair with water to dampen it before applying sea salt spray. Then, spritz the spray onto your damp hair and scrunch for maximum effect. For an even messier look, try twisting sections of your hair after applying the spray and letting it air dry.
Flip & Scrunch
This simple technique can do wonders for your hair's volume and texture and works beautifully alongside other step-by-step techniques to increase hair volume. Lean forward and flip your head upside down, then scrunch your hair upward from the ends. Flip your hair back up and repeat a few times for extra lift.
For added volume, let your hair air dry in this position, or use a diffuser on your blow dryer. This helps set the texture and gives your hair a more voluminous look and can be especially effective if you’re trying to fix flat hair for fuller, head-turning locks.
Use a Texturizing Iron
A texturizing iron, like the VOLOOM Hair Volumizing Iron, can be a game-changer for flat, lifeless hair. It uses steam and rise memory metal plates to create a visible lift at the roots. Section your hair and run the iron vertically near (but not on) the scalp.
Finish With Touch-Up Styling
Once you’ve achieved your desired level of messiness, it’s time to add the final touches. Use your fingers to gently tousle your hair for a more natural, messy finish. These last steps can take your hair from messy to fabulously tousled.
Soften Parts & Flyaways
Flyaways and stray hairs can sometimes make your style look messy instead of artfully tousled. Use a small amount of pomade, cream, or oil, such as Redken's Diamond Oil Shatterproof Shine for added shine and smoothness, to combat this. But remember - less is more! You want just enough product to smooth those stray hairs into place without weighing down your hair or making it greasy.
To apply, lightly coat your hands with the product and sweep them over your hair, focusing on areas where flyaways are most prominent. This will help soften harsh parts and give your hair a tousled yet polished finish, striking the perfect balance between carefree and put-together.
Curl Random Sections
For an added touch of messiness, try curling random sections of your hair with a curling wand or straightener. The key here is randomness - you only want to curl a few strands. This technique adds extra dimension to your hair and enhances that "I woke up like this" vibe.
Set With Flexible Hold Hair Spray
Now that your hair looks tousled, it’s time to ensure it stays that way. Achieving the perfect messy look takes a bit of practice and experimentation, but the right finishing steps make all the difference. Flexible hold hair spray is your secret weapon to lock in your style without sacrificing movement.
Unlike traditional crispy hairspray formulas, which can leave your hair feeling stiff and unnatural, flexible-hold hairspray allows it to move and flow while maintaining its shape. You can keep that fabulous tousled look all day without worrying about your hair turning into a hard helmet.
For extra texture, try using a blow dryer on high heat and low speed before setting with hairspray, this can help you achieve that effortless messy look. Give your hair a light misting of the hairspray, holding the can around 12 inches away from your head to ensure an even distribution. And voila! You’re now rocking that chic, tousled hairstyle. Enjoy turning heads wherever you go!
How To Get Messy Hair
A messy hairstyle is both stylish and effortless, making it a go-to look for anyone wanting to add volume and texture. Messy styles are inspired by the latest looks seen on runways and are especially trending this week. Throughout this article, we’ve shared essential things to help you master the perfect mess, so be sure to check the steps above and follow them for the best results.
Girls and all readers are encouraged to experiment with different things and techniques to find the messy style that suits you best. This post is part of a larger community of hair enthusiasts, and many have read and benefited from this page and from other guides on getting messy, tousled hair. We invite you to share your own tips and experiences with the community to help others on their hair journey.
Remember to try the Voloom volumizing iron for extra volume at the roots. It’s the secret stylist trick for a gorgeous lift in an instant. Click here to shop Voloom’s entire collection and say goodbye to flat, lifeless locks.
We hope you feel inspired to start your messy hair journey with confidence. Embrace your effortless, tousled mess and rock that messy hairstyle with pride! Happy styling!