How to Get the Messy Hair Look: 10 Easy Tips for Guys

Have a barber texture your hair.

Getting your hair textured is optional, but definitely helps make styling messy hair easier. Go to your barbershop and tell your barber that you want them to texture your hair. Let them know that your end-goal is a messy style, so they can texture it in all the right places. Texturing is basically cutting the hair to different lengths in different places. That way, when you style it using different techniques there is more visual interest and it ends up looking more untamed and rebellious. The length of your hair is totally up to you. There are ways to style short, medium, and long hair messily.

Get a high fade or an undercut on the sides.

This works well with short messy hairstyles. Ask your barber to cut the hair on the sides and back of your head really short, using the number 1 or 2 guide on their trimmer. Keep some length on the top that you can style for your new messy hair vibe. Really short hair on the sides creates a lot of contrast with the hair on the top of your head, so all eyes are on the styled messiness you have going on up top.

Shampoo your hair 2-3 times a week.

Less shampooing gives your hair more body, which is good for messy styles. Reduce your shampooing if you are accustomed to doing it every day. This makes your hair healthier and fuller because you aren’t stripping all of its natural oils and moisture daily. If your hair tends to get greasy faster, shampoo it every other day. If it doesn’t get too greasy, shampooing every 3 days is good. You can also use dry shampoo between washes! This is a great way to get rid of greasiness.

Use matte pomade or wax to style your hair.

These types of products keep your hair looking more natural. Rub a bit of the product you choose onto your hands to coat them in a thin, even layer. Work it into your hair by running your fingers through it, then style your hair in whatever messy way you want. For example, if you have medium-length hair, you can brush it to the back after you put the product in for a disheveled swept-back look. Or, just let your hair fall into its natural positions after you put the product in for a more free and loose textured style. Hair wax is also known as putty, clay, texturing paste, or styling paste. Avoid shiny hair products like traditional glossy pomades or gels that can detract from the effortlessly messy vibe you’re going for. You can apply styling products when your hair is dry or damp.

Style your hair with a sea salt spray.

This helps give your hair a messy “just went to the beach” look. Start with wet hair — doing this when you get out of the shower is a good time. Spray the sea salt spray all over your hair from all sides, then work it in with your hands as you style your locks. Use as much or as little sea salt spray as you like. The more spray you use, the drier and coarser your hair looks when it dries. You can buy a commercial sea salt spray or make your own by combining warm water and sea salt in a spray bottle at a ratio of 1 c (240 mL) of water to 1 tbsp (17 g) of sea salt.

Blow dry your hair.

This gives your hair a messy windblown look. Start with wet hair and move the blow dryer around your head to dry it from all angles. Brush your free hand through your locks from different angles as you blow dry to get your hair to dry in different directions and achieve that carefree, wind-swept look you want. Keep the blow dryer moving and pretend it’s like the wind — wild and free. Don’t just blow dry your hair in one direction or your hair won’t look messy and natural. Avoid rubbing your hair dry with a towel because all the static creates frizz You can also do this after you apply sea salt spray to your hair to achieve a look like you just spent the day on a windy beach.

Try a messy faux hawk.

Faux hawks work well if you have thicker hair. Cut the sides short and leave at least 3–4 in (7.6–10.2 cm) on top. Work a medium- to high-hold product into the hair on the top of your head and pull the tips straight up into a mohawk-like shape. This can work for various hair lengths and textures, so don’t be scared to try it out for an edgy, modern messy hairstyle.

Comb your hair over to one side.

This is a classic and quick way to style your hair. Work product of your choice into your locks, then kind of tousle your hair to mess it up. Use your fingers to quickly brush the hair towards one side of your head to achieve a messy comb over that looks natural and unstructured. This works for different lengths of hair, but you should have at least medium-length hair on top of your head, such as 3–4 in (7.6–10.2 cm) long or longer.

Spike your hair.

Choose this if the hair on top of your head is on the shorter side. Work product into your hair when it’s dry. Pinch and separate tresses of hair together and pull them in different directions to get that messy look you want. This can work for all different hair textures and thicknesses.

Rock a natural afro.

This is a great option for people with curly and afro-style hair. Let your hair grow out long and keep it moisturized by not over-shampooing and by applying a moisturizer every day. Leave the locks alone to let them do their natural, messy thing. You can add a side part if you want by picking a spot in the middle of the afro and brushing the locks in opposite directions. Avoid brushing your ‘fro too much, though, so you keep it looking untamed. Shampooing even less than 2-3 times a week is good for afro-style hairstyles. For example, once a week can be enough. Curly hair is drier by nature. When you over-shampoo, you actually exacerbate the problem with frizz, since curly hair needs some natural oils to smooth it down.