Embrace the beauty of effortlessly stylish hair with our comprehensive guide to achieving messy hair. In this tutorial, we’ll delve into various techniques, tips, and tricks to create the perfect messy look that suits your individual style. From prepping your hair for a messy foundation to styling tousled waves, braids, and messy buns, we’ve got you covered.
Whether you’re looking for a casual, everyday look or a glamorous, undone style for a special occasion, this guide will provide you with all the necessary steps and inspiration to create the perfect messy hair.
Prepping for Messy Hair
Creating messy hair can be an art form, requiring a careful balance between texture and control. Here’s a step-by-step guide to prepping your hair for a messy, effortless look:
To start, wash your hair with a volumizing shampoo and conditioner to create a foundation for the messy look. This will help add body and texture to your hair, making it easier to style.
Using Hair Products
Before blow-drying, apply a volumizing mousse or sea salt spray to your hair. These products will help create texture and hold, making it easier to achieve a messy look. Work the product through your hair, focusing on the roots for extra volume.
Rough-Drying
Rough-dry your hair using a diffuser attachment. This will help create natural-looking waves and texture. Don’t worry about getting your hair perfectly smooth – the messier, the better.
Adding Texture
If you want to add even more texture, you can use a curling iron or wand to create loose waves or curls. Alternatively, you can braid your hair while it’s still damp and then let it air dry. This will create a more undone, messy look.
Easy Messy Bun Variations
Messy buns are effortlessly stylish and can elevate any casual or formal look. They’re versatile, easy to achieve, and can be customized to suit your personal style. Here’s a guide to creating a messy bun, along with creative variations and styling tips.
Creating a Messy Bun
To achieve a classic messy bun, follow these steps:
- Gather your hair into a high ponytail and secure it with an elastic band.
- Separate the ponytail into two or three sections.
- Wrap each section around the base of the ponytail, securing it with bobby pins.
- Leave some strands loose around the face for a more casual look.
Variations of the Messy Bun
There are endless variations of the messy bun that can add a unique touch to your hairstyle. Here are a few popular options:
- Half-Up Messy Bun: Pull the top half of your hair into a ponytail and create a messy bun, leaving the bottom half down.
- Braided Messy Bun: Braid your hair into a loose braid and wrap it around the base of the ponytail to create a messy bun.
- Headband Messy Bun: Add a headband or scarf around your head before creating the messy bun for a touch of glamour.
Styling Tips for Messy Buns
Accessorize your messy bun with hair accessories like headbands, scarves, or hair clips to add personality and style.
Experiment with different bun placements, such as a high bun for a more formal look or a low bun for a casual, relaxed vibe.
Pull out a few strands of hair around the face to frame your features and create a softer look.
Tousled Waves and Curls
Achieving tousled waves or curls adds a carefree, beachy vibe to any hairstyle. Whether you have naturally straight or curly hair, various styling tools and techniques can help you create this effortless look.
Curling Wands and Flat Irons
Curling wands and flat irons are versatile tools for creating waves and curls of different sizes and textures. For soft, natural-looking waves, use a large-barrel curling wand or a flat iron with a wide plate. For tighter, more defined curls, opt for a smaller-barrel curling wand or a flat iron with a narrow plate.
To create waves with a curling wand, wrap sections of hair around the barrel, holding each section for a few seconds before releasing. For curls with a flat iron, clamp sections of hair between the plates and glide the iron down the length of the hair, rotating the iron slightly as you go.
Diffusers
Diffusers are attachments for hair dryers that help to enhance natural waves and curls. To use a diffuser, attach it to the nozzle of your hair dryer and hold it close to your scalp. Move the diffuser around your head, scrunching your hair gently to encourage the formation of waves and curls.
Sea Salt Spray
Sea salt spray is a styling product that can help to create tousled waves and curls with a beachy texture. Spray the product onto damp hair and scrunch your hair gently to distribute the product evenly. You can also apply a small amount of sea salt spray to dry hair to refresh your waves or curls and add texture.
Scrunching
Scrunching is a technique for adding volume and texture to waves and curls. To scrunch your hair, gather sections of hair in your hands and squeeze them upwards, towards your scalp. Release the hair and repeat the process until you have scrunched all of your hair.
Braids and Messy Ponytails
Braids and messy ponytails are effortlessly stylish and versatile hairstyles that suit various occasions. These hairstyles are perfect for achieving a casual, laid-back look.
Braiding Hair in a Messy Style
1. Start with Textured Hair
Before braiding, use a volumizing shampoo and conditioner to create a foundation for a messy braid. Avoid using heavy styling products that can weigh hair down.
2. Create Loose Sections
Divide your hair into three equal sections. Instead of holding them tightly, allow them to hang loosely to create a more relaxed look.
3. Begin Braiding
Cross the right section over the middle section, then cross the left section over the new middle section. Repeat this pattern, keeping the braid loose and relaxed.
4. Incorporate Messy Details
As you braid, gently pull out small strands of hair from the sides of the braid to create a textured, undone look.
5. Secure the Braid
Once you reach the end of your hair, tie it off with an elastic band. To enhance the messy style, leave a few strands of hair loose around your face.
Variations of Messy Ponytails
1. Side Ponytail
Gather your hair to one side of your head and secure it with an elastic band. For a messier look, pull out a few strands of hair around your face and neck.
2. Half-Up Ponytail
Section off the top half of your hair and tie it into a ponytail. Leave the bottom half of your hair down for a relaxed, half-up style.
3. Messy Bun Ponytail
Gather your hair into a high ponytail and secure it with an elastic band. Twist the ponytail around its base and wrap it into a messy bun. Secure the bun with bobby pins and leave a few strands loose for a carefree look.
Adding Volume and Texture to Braids and Ponytails
1. Backcombing
Gently backcomb sections of your hair to create volume and texture. Start at the roots and work your way down, teasing the hair with a comb.
2. Use Dry Shampoo
Spray dry shampoo onto your roots to absorb excess oil and create a matte, textured finish.
3. Add Hair Extensions
If you want fuller braids or ponytails, consider adding clip-in or tape-in hair extensions to enhance volume and length.
4. Create Messy Curls
Use a curling iron or wand to create loose, messy curls. Allow the curls to cool, then gently finger-comb them to create a tousled, undone look.
5. Accessorize
Add a touch of glamour to your messy braids or ponytails with accessories like headbands, scarves, or hair clips. These accessories can enhance the messy style and add a personal touch to your look.
Layering and Texture
Messy hair is characterized by its undone, textured appearance. One way to achieve this look is by adding layers to your hair.
Layers are sections of hair cut to different lengths, creating a more dynamic and voluminous appearance. They can be added to any hair length, but they are especially effective on medium to long hair.
Choosing the Right Layers
The type of layers you choose will depend on your face shape and hair type.
- For round faces, long layers that frame the face can help to elongate it.
- For square faces, shorter layers around the cheekbones can help to soften the angles.
- For oval faces, any type of layer can look good.
If you have fine hair, adding layers can help to create the illusion of more volume. If you have thick hair, layers can help to remove weight and make your hair more manageable.
Adding Texture
In addition to layers, you can also add texture to your hair to create a messy look.
- Texturizing sprays can help to create a grittier, more piece-y texture.
- Dry shampoos can also add texture and volume to hair.
- Using a curling iron or wand to create loose waves or curls can also help to add texture to your hair.
Messy Fringe and Bangs
Messy fringe and bangs can be a great way to add some edginess and texture to your hair. They can also be a fun way to express your personality.
Cutting and Bangs
When it comes to cutting and bangs, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First, you need to make sure that the bangs are cut to the right length. Bangs that are too short can look choppy and unkempt, while bangs that are too long can be overwhelming and in the way.Second,
you need to make sure that the bangs are cut at the right angle. Bangs that are cut at too sharp an angle can look too harsh, while bangs that are cut at too soft an angle can look too bland.Third,
you need to make sure that the bangs are blended well with the rest of your hair. Bangs that are too abrubtly separated from the rest of your hair can look choppy and unkempt.
Styling Bangs
There are a few different ways to style bangs. One way is to use a straightener to create a smooth and shiny look. Another way is to use a curling iron to create some soft waves or curls.You can also use a texturizing spray to add some texture and definition to your bangs.
This can help to create a more natural and effortless look.
Using Wax or Pomade
Another way to style bangs is to use wax or pomade. Wax or pomade can help to create a more piecey and textured look. It can also help to hold your bangs in place.When using wax or pomade, it’s important to start with a small amount of product.
You can always add more later, but it’s difficult to remove too much product from your hair.You should also apply the wax or pomade to your bangs evenly. This will help to prevent your bangs from looking choppy or unkempt.With
a little practice, you can learn to style your bangs in a way that complement your facial features and personality.
Finishing Touches
To complete your messy hairdo and ensure it lasts, incorporate hair styling products and explore creative accessorizing options.
Hold the Look
Maintaining the messy look throughout the day requires the strategic use of hairspray or other styling products. These products provide hold and texture, preventing the hair from falling flat or becoming frizzy. Opt for products that suit your hair type and desired level of hold.
Refreshing Messy Hair
To refresh messy hair the next day, dampen it slightly with a spray bottle. Apply a small amount of styling product, scrunch the hair to revitalize the texture, and you’re good to go.
Accessorize
Accessorizing messy hair adds a touch of personal style and enhances its charm. Experiment with headbands, clips, and scarves to create unique looks. Choose accessories that complement your outfit and the overall aesthetic you’re aiming for.
Closure
With a little practice and experimentation, you’ll be able to master the art of messy hair and elevate your everyday look. Remember, the key to achieving the perfect messy hair is to embrace your natural texture and have fun with the process.
So, let’s dive in and explore the world of messy hair!
