Embracing the allure of a perfectly imperfect coiffure, the messy hair look has emerged as a coveted style for men. Its effortless charm and versatility make it suitable for a range of occasions, from casual outings to formal events. Achieving this coveted look, however, requires a delicate balance of controlled chaos and studied precision. This guide will unravel the secrets of crafting the perfect messy hair, empowering you to effortlessly exude an aura of nonchalant sophistication.
Laying the groundwork for a successful messy hair transformation begins with preparing your hair. Start by washing and conditioning your hair with volumizing products to create a foundation of body and texture. Towel-dry your hair gently, avoiding excessive rubbing that can lead to breakage. Next, apply a small amount of mousse or sea salt spray to damp hair, distributing it evenly from roots to ends. These products enhance volume and provide a natural, beachy texture perfect for creating a messy style.
Now comes the art of styling. Using a blow dryer with a diffuser attachment, dry your hair on a low heat setting while scrunching it gently. This technique encourages curls and adds volume without over-drying or damaging your hair. Once your hair is mostly dry, use your fingers to gently tousle it, creating separation and texture. Avoid brushing or combing your hair as it can flatten the style. Finally, apply a small amount of hairspray to hold the look in place without making it stiff or crunchy. Consider using a styling product with a matte finish to achieve a natural, lived-in effect.
The Importance of Product
When it comes to achieving the perfect messy hair look, the products you use play a crucial role. The right combination of styling agents can help you create texture, volume, and hold, while avoiding the dreaded greasy or crunchy look. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the essential products you need:
Hairspray
Hairspray is a must-have for keeping your messy hair in place all day long. It comes in different strengths, from light to firm hold. For a natural-looking hold, choose a light-hold hairspray that will give you some control without making your hair stiff. If you want your hair to stay in place through windy conditions or a night of dancing, opt for a firm-hold hairspray.
Styling Wax
Styling wax is a versatile product that can be used to create texture, definition, and shine. It’s especially effective for short to medium-length hair. Apply a small amount of wax to your fingertips and work it through damp or dry hair. You can use your fingers to create messy spikes or use a brush to distribute the wax evenly for a more polished look.
Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoo is a lifesaver for guys who want to go a few extra days between washes. It absorbs excess oil and dirt, giving your hair a fresh, clean look. To use dry shampoo, spray it evenly onto the roots of your hair. Massage it in with your fingers and brush through your hair to distribute it evenly.
Here’s a table summarizing the key benefits of each product:
| Product | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Hairspray | Holds hair in place |
| Styling Wax | Creates texture, definition, and shine |
| Dry Shampoo | Absorbs oil and dirt, refreshes hair |
Choosing the Right Products
When selecting products for your messy hair look, it’s crucial to consider your hair type and texture. For fine hair, opt for lightweight products that won’t weigh it down, such as pomades or hair creams with a low hold. For thicker or coarser hair, you can use stronger products like clays or waxes to provide more control and texture.
Here’s a more detailed table to help you choose the best products for your hair type:
| Hair Type | Recommended Products |
|---|---|
| Fine | Pomades (low hold), hair creams (low hold) |
| Medium | Pomades (medium hold), molding clays |
| Thick/Coarse | Waxes, strong pomades, molding creams |
Blow Drying for Volume and Texture
To achieve the perfect messy hair look, blow drying is essential. It adds volume and texture, creating a foundation for the desired style. Here’s a step-by-step guide to blow drying for messy hair:
1. Prep Your Hair
Start with damp hair and apply a volumizing mousse or spray for extra lift. Avoid using too much product as it can weigh hair down.
2. Section and Blow Dry
Divide your hair into small sections and blow dry each section separately. Hold the blow dryer at a slight angle to the roots and blow in the direction of hair growth. This will create lift and prevent hair from lying flat.
3. Use Medium Heat and Paddle Brush
Opt for medium heat as high heat can damage hair. Use a paddle brush with natural bristles or boar bristles to distribute heat evenly and smooth out tangles. Avoid over-brushing, as it can cause breakage.
| Hair Type | Blow Drying Technique |
|---|---|
| Fine hair | Use a smaller nozzle on the blow dryer and focus on blow drying at the roots to achieve maximum lift. |
| Thick hair | Use a larger nozzle and blow dry in sections, lifting each section away from the head to create volume. |
| Curly or wavy hair | Use a diffuser attachment on the blow dryer to enhance curls and reduce frizz. Blow dry on a low heat setting to avoid damaging the hair. |
Styling Techniques for Tousled Hair
Achieving the perfect tousled hair look is an art form that requires the right tools and techniques. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you master this effortlessly cool style.
Preparation
Start with clean, slightly damp hair. Apply a volumizing mousse or cream to create a base for the messy texture.
Blow Drying
Roughly blow-dry your hair using a diffuser to add volume and enhance natural waves. For extra texture, flip your hair upside down and blow-dry from the roots.
Styling with Product
For a pliable hold and separation, apply a pomade or styling wax to your hair. Work the product through the ends and mid-lengths, then scrunch it up to define the messy texture.
Messy Tousling
Use your fingers to gently tousle your hair, creating soft, undefined waves. Avoid over-brushing or combing, as this will smooth the texture.
For added volume and lift at the roots, pull up small sections of hair and tease them slightly using a fine-toothed comb.
The key to achieving the messy hair look is to avoid perfection. Embrace the natural waves and movement of your hair, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different products and techniques to find what works best for you.
Here’s a table summarizing the steps for styling messy tousled hair:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Clean hair, apply volumizing product |
| Blow Drying | Rough dry with diffuser, flip hair upside down |
| Styling with Product | Apply pomade or styling wax, work through ends and mid-lengths |
| Messy Tousling | Gently tousle hair with fingers, tease roots for volume |
Using a Sea Salt Spray
Sea salt spray is a great way to create a natural, messy look without having to use any heat or product. It’s perfect for guys with short or medium-length hair, and it’s also great for beachy waves or summery styles. To use sea salt spray, simply spray it onto damp hair and scrunch it up with your hands. You can also use a diffuser to enhance the waves.
Here are some tips for using sea salt spray:
1. Start with damp hair. Sea salt spray works best on damp hair, so towel-dry your hair before applying it.
2. Spray evenly. Hold the sea salt spray bottle about 6 inches away from your hair and spray evenly over the entire surface.
3. Scrunch your hair. Once you’ve applied the sea salt spray, scrunch your hair with your hands to create waves or curls.
4. Air dry or diffuse. You can either air dry your hair or use a diffuser to enhance the waves or curls.
5. Experiment with different products. There are many different types of sea salt sprays available, so experiment to find one that works best for your hair type and style. Some sea salt sprays are more concentrated than others, so start with a small amount and gradually increase until you get the desired effect.
| Sea Salt Spray Product | Hold |
|---|---|
| Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray | Light |
| Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray | Medium |
| Briogeo Salt Spray | Heavy |
The Art of Bedhead
The messy hair look is a classic style that can be achieved with the right products and techniques. Here’s how to get the perfect bedhead look for guys:
1. Start with clean hair
The first step to getting the messy hair look is to start with clean hair. Use a clarifying shampoo to remove any product buildup or dirt, then condition your hair to keep it soft and manageable.
2. Air dry your hair
To get the best results, air dry your hair instead of blow-drying it. This will help to create natural waves and volume.
3. Apply a texturizing product
Once your hair is dry, apply a texturizing product to give it some hold and definition. You can use a pomade, wax, or gel, depending on your hair type and the desired look.
4. Scrunch your hair
To create the messy hair look, scrunch your hair with your hands. This will help to break up the product and create a more natural-looking texture.
5. Finish with hairspray
Once you’ve styled your hair, finish with a light hold hairspray to keep it in place. You can also use a shine spray to add some extra shine to your hair.
6. Experiment with different products and techniques
The best way to find the perfect messy hair look for you is to experiment with different products and techniques. Here are a few tips to get you started:
| Product | Effect |
|---|---|
| Pomade | Provides a medium hold and a natural shine |
| Wax | Provides a strong hold and a matte finish |
| Gel | Provides a wet look and a strong hold |
Once you’ve found the right products and techniques, you’ll be able to achieve the perfect messy hair look in no time.
Enhancing Natural Texture
If your hair doesn’t naturally have a lot of texture, there are a few things you can do to create the illusion of more volume and body. First, try blow-drying your hair upside down. This will help to lift your roots and give your hair more volume. You can also use a volumizing shampoo and conditioner, which will help to add body to your hair. Finally, try using a texturizing spray or powder, which will help to create the appearance of more texture.
Here are some additional tips for enhancing your natural hair texture:
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Use a sea salt spray. | This will help to create waves and texture in your hair. |
| Braid your hair overnight. | This will help to create waves and curls in your hair. |
| Use a diffuser. | This will help to enhance your natural curls and waves. |
With a little effort, you can easily achieve the messy hair look that you’ve always wanted.
Grooming Tools for Messy Hair
Achieving the perfect messy hair look requires the right tools. Here’s a list of essential grooming tools to help you create the desired texture and volume:
Combs
Wide-toothed combs are ideal for detangling and adding volume to hair. They help distribute natural oils from the scalp to the ends, creating a more polished look.
Brushes
Natural bristle brushes with soft nylon tips help smooth out hair and reduce frizz without flattening it. They’re suitable for all hair types, including fine and frizzy hair.
Texturizing Spray
Texturizing sprays add volume and grit to hair, giving it a tousled, undone appearance. They’re great for creating beachy waves or a messy, lived-in look.
Hair Gel
Hair gel provides hold and definition to messy hair, helping to keep it in place throughout the day. Choose a lightweight formula that doesn’t weigh down hair or leave a crunchy residue.
Hair Pomade
Hair pomade adds shine and hold to messy hair, giving it a more polished and textured look. It’s suitable for all hair types and can help tame flyaways and frizz.
Hair Wax
Hair wax is a versatile styling product that provides hold and separation to messy hair. It’s great for creating textured styles and controlling cowlicks and unruly sections.
Clay
Hair clay is a matte-finish product that adds grip and volume to messy hair. It’s an excellent choice for creating natural-looking hairstyles with a messy finish.
Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoo absorbs excess oil and dirt from hair, refreshing it between washes. It helps add volume and texture to messy hair, making it look fuller and more styled.
Maintaining the Messy Look
Wash Your Hair Less Often: Oily hair provides natural hold and can help the messy style last longer. Aim to wash your hair every 2-3 days instead of daily.
Use Dry Shampoo: Dry shampoo absorbs oil and adds volume, which can enhance the messy look. Apply it to the roots and rub it into the scalp.
Apply Texturizing Products: Products like sea salt spray or mousse can add texture and volume to hair, making it easier to style and maintain the messy look.
Blow Dry with Fingers: Avoid using a brush or comb when blow drying your hair. Instead, use your fingers to tousle your hair and create a more lived-in, messy effect.
Use a Wide-Toothed Comb: If necessary, use a wide-toothed comb to gently remove any tangles or knots, but avoid overcombing.
Style with Your Hands: Use your hands to shape and mold your hair into the desired messy style. Avoid using too much product, as this can weigh your hair down and make it look greasy.
Experiment with Different Products: There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to messy hair. Experiment with different products and techniques to find what works best for your hair type and desired style.
Practice: Getting the perfect messy hair look takes practice. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get it right the first few times. Keep experimenting and practicing,
| Product | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Dry Shampoo | Absorbs oil, adds volume |
| Sea Salt Spray | Adds texture, volume |
| Mousse | Provides hold, texture |
Avoiding Over-Styling
Resist the urge to over-style your hair, as this can lead to a stiff, unnatural look. Instead, focus on creating a relaxed, effortless style that appears to have been styled in a matter of minutes.
10 Tips for Avoiding Over-Styling:
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Use a light hold product | Opt for hairspray or mousse with a low hold factor to avoid stiffening your hair. |
| Avoid over-brushing | Excess brushing can strip away natural oils and make your hair appear flat and lifeless. |
| Scrunch your hair | After applying product, scrunch your hair gently to create natural-looking waves or curls. |
| Let your hair air-dry | Allowing your hair to air-dry helps preserve its natural texture and prevents heat damage. |
| Use a diffuser | If you must use a hair dryer, attach a diffuser to disperse the heat evenly and reduce frizz. |
| Avoid using a comb | Combs can create harsh lines and make your hair look too polished. Use your fingers or a wide-toothed comb instead. |
| Add texture with a texturizing spray | Apply a texturizing spray to damp or dry hair to give it more volume and movement. |
| Don’t be afraid of flyaways | Embracing a few flyaways adds to the messy, effortless look. |
| Play around with different products | Experiment with different hair products until you find a combination that gives you the desired messy look. |
| Practice makes perfect | The more you practice styling your hair messily, the easier it will become. Don’t be afraid to play around and find what works for you. |
How To Get The Messy Hair Look Guys
The messy hair look is a popular style for men of all ages. It’s a versatile look that can be dressed up or down, and it’s perfect for any occasion. If you’re looking to achieve the messy hair look, there are a few things you need to do.
First, start with clean hair. Wash your hair with a shampoo and conditioner designed for your hair type. Once your hair is clean, towel dry it and then apply a small amount of mousse or gel to your roots. This will help to give your hair some volume and hold.
Next, use a blow dryer to dry your hair. Use the diffuser attachment to help create volume and texture. Once your hair is dry, use your fingers to tousle it up. You can also use a brush to create a more defined look.
If you want to add some extra texture to your hair, you can use a sea salt spray. Simply spray it onto your hair and then use your fingers to work it through. This will help to give your hair a beachy, messy look.
Finally, finish off your look with a little bit of hairspray. This will help to keep your hair in place all day long.
People Also Ask
How do I get my hair to be messy?
To get your hair to be messy, you need to start with clean hair. Wash your hair with a shampoo and conditioner designed for your hair type. Once your hair is clean, towel dry it and then apply a small amount of mousse or gel to your roots. This will help to give your hair some volume and hold.
How do I style messy hair?
Once your hair is dry, use your fingers to tousle it up. You can also use a brush to create a more defined look. If you want to add some extra texture to your hair, you can use a sea salt spray. Simply spray it onto your hair and then use your fingers to work it through. This will help to give your hair a beachy, messy look.
How do I keep my messy hair in place?
To keep your messy hair in place, you can use a little bit of hairspray. Simply spray it onto your hair and then use your fingers to work it through. This will help to keep your hair in place all day long.
