Looking for one of the more effortless cuts that can work across various occasions? Of course, in our minds, you’ve only got one option – messy hairstyles for men.
Whether you’re after that I-woke-up-like-this bed head looks or want to toe the line between effortless and this-took-three-hours look; we have found a style for you. All it takes is a bit of product and some inspiration.
Keep reading to find some of the best of both worlds (messy and professional) and how to nail them every time, no matter what the occasion calls for.
1. Short Messy Hair
One of the easiest messy hairstyles to achieve if you’ve got shorter hair, all you need to do is work a bit of wax or matte product into your scalp to add a bit of volume and, boom, you’ve got a textured finish that somehow looks both sharp and rugged. To keep your hair looking even as it grows out, try a shorter taper fade.
2. Medium Length Messy Hair
When you’ve got a bit more hair to play with, there are a few different messy hairstyles you can go for. If you’re feeling wild, just let it hang loose and do what it wants to, or you can sweep it back with a little bit of product to give it some form. Try hair mousse for some added volume and structure.
3. Long Length Messy Hair
Long hair, don’t care (well, not that much). If your locks fall past your jawline, you can still master those messy hairstyles. All you need to do is spray some sea salt spray onto already damp hair and let it dry on its own. Voila. Finito.
4. Messy Curly Hair
If you’re after that messy, surfer look and are blessed with natural curls, then this style is perfect. Get your hair damp and work some styling mousse into your curls – not your scalp – and tousle your hair until you find the desired look.
5. Messy Wavy Hair
Nailing that suave yet nonchalant look is no easy feat, but messy hairstyles take one step in the right direction. Apply some sea salt spray for men or mousse and run a comb a few times through your locks to give it some shape.
6. Bed Head Hairstyle
Bedhead is arguably the OG of messy hairstyles looks and is easy to adapt. Just apply a small amount of hair gel or matte product and tousle your hair – simple. Make sure to have a solid mixture of hair standing slightly up and some closer to the head.
7. Messy Hairstyle for Thick Hair
Don’t go overboard with products if you’re working with a dense mane. Work some pomade or wax through the middle and ends of your hair until you get the style you want. Try a light hold product versus something heavier.
8. Messy Straight Hair
It turns out your hair can be messy and straight at the same time – who knew? Use a small amount of gel or wax through the entire length of your hair to stick it straight up, making sure you tousle it slightly (rub hair in various directions). If your hair is long, try some sea salt spray right after stepping out of the shower.
9. Messy Shaggy Hair
The shaggy, rugged look isn’t one that every man can pull off, but when it works, it works. Whether you’re wearing the hair up in a bun or leaving it down, make sure you style it when it’s damp. This style pairs exceptionally well with a well-groomed beard.
10. Messy Pompadour
The pompadour is a retro classic that’ll make anyone stand out from the crowd. Use plenty of pomade or gel and comb through your hair, making sure to lift the front into a thick quiff.
11. Messy Fringe
Add some extra layers to your hair by growing your fringe and add a messy style. Wax or matte products work best to complete this look. Try pushing the fringe to the side for a curtain fringe effect that will help add structure to your cheekbones.
12. Messy Spiky Hair
If it’s the height you’re looking for, then messy spikes could be your best bet. You’ll need a strong product to keep them lifted, and make sure the spikes don’t look too uniform – it’s ok for the hair to have a floppy texture.
13. Messy Blow Out
It’s as if a gust of wind has swept through and blown your hair in different directions, except you did it all yourself. Sweep some pomade or wax into your hair, from root to tip, to achieve this messy look.
14. Messy Bro Flow
This really is almost effortless. All you need to do is wet your hair slightly and run a comb through it to brush it back past your ears. If your hair is longer, run some light hold gel from root to tip, pulling the hair back.
15. Messy Crew Cut
Short on the sides and slightly longer on top, the crew cut is primed for a messy look. All you need to do is add a bit of product and tousle your hair.
16. Messy Soft Side Part
The trick here is to not make the parting too pronounced; you just need a slight separation on the side of your hair, and then sweep things back in a messy manner to keep it casual yet fashionable.
17. Messy Hard Part
A hard part is a drastic cut to differentiate between two lengths of hair, achieved by razoring the part in. Use some product to ensure the hair is parted in two separate directions, sweeping it to either side—a sophisticated yet laid-back look.
18. Windblown Messy Hair
Nothing says, ‘I’m not fussed about my looks, but still look great’ than a messy windswept look. You can use a product or just spray your hair wet and run your fingers through it, pushing it towards the back of your head.
19. Messy Fade
Likewise, adding a messy top to a well-cut fade creates a sharp yet casual look that is very much in style. You don’t need to worry about styling your back and sides, so you can focus on the style where it counts most.
20. Messy Man Bun
Probably the easiest messy option if you have long hair; all you need to do is tie it up into a bun and leave the rest as it is. It’s an easy-going look that also keeps hair out of your face.
21. Wet Messy Hair
While you won’t be able to keep your hair wet for long, as it’ll naturally dry on its own, you can use products like gel and pomade to maintain this refreshing look. When getting your haircut, make sure to ask your barber to add layers to the hair on top of the head; this will help frame the face.
22. Messy Hairstyle for Thinning Hair
Messy hairstyles can work wonders when you’re dealing with thinning hair. You can sweep over areas with less coverage, and the messy look helps add more texture and volume to take the hair away from the scalp, creating the appearance of more hair.
23. Messy Cowlick
A cowlick and a messy hairstyles style go hand in hand. Rather than looking like a farm animal has just licked your head, the cowlick adds another interesting dimension to a messy style when executed properly.
24. Grungy Messy Hair
Grunge is back, and if you want to incorporate it into your hairstyle, there are plenty of different ways to do it – but these messy hairstyles are easily one of the best. Try adding most of the product to the ends of your hair to add texture and keep the hair going in different directions.
25. Modern Messy Hairstyle with Bangs
Let your bangs hang free and give them a scrunch to add that messy look while keeping the rest of your hair in the same style to embrace a look you don’t often (enough) see on men.
26. Messy Hair with Volume
The more volume in your hair, the more you can do with it, and if you’ve got plenty of thickness up top, then these messy hairstyles work perfectly. A blow dryer comes in handy to puff up the volume, while some wax or pomade will keep it in place.
27. Messy Undercut
Popularised in TV shows like Peaky Blinders, the undercut is having a moment with men and messy hairstyles. To stand out from the crowd, keep the top of your hair messy and textured to stand out from the crowd.
28. Messy Comb Over
A classic in the men’s messy hairstyles department, a messy comb over can create striking results. You’ll need a comb and a little bit of product, but don’t be too strict with the end results to ensure a relaxed style.
29. Messy Slick Back
Similarly, slicking your hair back but allowing it to be a bit more free form is another one of the popular messy hairstyles for men. Try grabbing a little bit of hair clay, rubbing it between your hands to loosen up, and casually run your hands through your hair (towards the back of your head).
30. Messy Quiff
This style is similar to the faux hawk crowd keep but less uniform. If you can pull off a quiff, messy hairstyles add an extra level of style.
Messy Hairstyles for Men FAQ:
How to get messy hairstyles for men?
Your hair doesn’t need to be long to get messy hairstyles, and you just need to add some product and tousle your hair with your fingers.
How to style messy hairstyles?
There are plenty of options; you can use some water and your hands, or use a product, or even a comb and blow dryer. Whatever the case, don’t be too strict with how the style looks – the clues in the title.
How to style short messy hairstyles for men?
Using wax is best with short hair. Rub some into your hands, and then rub your hands into your hair, using your fingers to twist and create some texture.
How to make your hair look good and messy at the same time
Firstly, your hair should always be clean and well-maintained. Using some sort of product when creating messy hairstyles is also a good idea, and you want to create a look that doesn’t seem unkempt but also not too polished. Practice makes perfect.