When done right, a messy hairstyle on men can create a calm, laid-back, and effortless style. But there’s a fine line between looking stylishly disheveled and plain scruffy. So, how do you ensure you don’t look like you just rolled out of bed? It’s really all in the products and the techniques you use. You’ll want a good set of hair styling products to help you smooth the frizz but still create that messy texture. And the techniques you use to get there will keep your style locked in place all day long, ensuring it doesn’t fall flat or look too wild. We’ve outlined our four steps to achieving a perfectly imperfect, messy hairstyle for men.
Products You Need to Create a Messy Hairstyle
Products You Need to Create a Messy Hairstyle on Men’s First: You’ll need to stock up on a few key hair styling products. To create that textured look, a messy style requires tousling up your hair and adding light curls or waves. You can use a few different products to do this, but here are our recommendations.
Volumising Shampoo & Conditioner:
Volume is one of the main components of a messy hairstyle for men, so it is crucial to start with the proper foundation: your shampoo and conditioner. If you have straight, fine, or flat hair, a volumizing or thickening shampoo and conditioner will help create that messy texture later. If you do not have the right shampoo and conditioner, your hair may look limp and lifeless, which is not what we want. We always reach for our Thickening Shampoo & Conditioner Set because these two products combine to give us the volume and texture we need for the ideal messy hairstyle for men.
Even after the first wash, you’ll notice your hair feeling fuller and thicker, which is precisely what we’re after. Plus, the ingredients in our formulations help combat male pattern hair loss and restore hair health, so you’re getting a tremendously messy hairstyle while taking care of your hair at the same time—lightweight Sea Salt Spray.
When creating a messy hairstyle for men, choosing a lightweight sea salt spray is crucial because a heavy formula will weigh down your hair and make it look greasy and clumped together, which is not the look we are going for. If you do not already have a bottle of sea salt spray in your styling collection, now is the time to invest. A sea salt spray is exactly what it sounds like: one that contains sea salt (along with other minerals and ingredients) to create texture and volume in hair.
Top Choices
Our top choice (and our customers’) is Marine Mist. This premium, powerful sea salt spray is enriched with Pro-Vitamin B5 and a professional blend of amino acids and proteins. It makes it gentle on your hair while providing all-day texture and hold. We also use Unrefined Atlantic Sea Salt in our spray, which has a higher salt density than you’ll find in most off-the-shelf brands. This means more texture in your hair and less fuss with reapplying throughout the day.
The best option for a messy hairstyle for men is our Hybrid Hair product, which has an average 5-star rating from our customers and is made with Icelandic Bentonite Clay, British Beeswax, Vitamin E, Aloe Vera, and Atlantic Sea Salt. This versatile hair styling product is ideal for creating a messy look that lasts all day. We like to use a styling clay or compound in addition to a sea salt spray for added hold. While a sea salt spray is great for adding texture, a clay or compound will give you more control over the shape and style of your hair.
It also smooths down flyaways, preventing you from looking too disheveled and unkempt. How to Style a Men’s Messy Hairstyle in 4 Simple Steps Now that you have all the right products, it’s time to use them and create that perfect messy hairstyle for men. Follow these four simple steps below.
1) Wash & Prep Your Hair:
Start by washing your hair with a volumizing shampoo and conditioner, as our Thickening Shampoo & Conditioner Set mentioned earlier. This will give your hair the foundation it needs for volume and texture. Make sure to really work the product in and thoroughly wash it out. A cold water blast after rinsing can also help prevent frizz or flyaways.
2) Apply Sea Salt Spray:
After lightly and gently towel-drying your hair, spritz a small amount of sea salt spray directly into it, coating it from root to tip. Gently scrunch your hair with your hands to help distribute the product and create that messy texture. Use pulsing motions rather than rubbing or combing through, as this can create unwanted flat spots in your hair. You can also use your fingers in a comb-like motion to separate and lift your hair for added volume.
3) Diffuse Your Hair Dry:
Although it is not required, this step will help define the texture you have already generated by lifting and scrunching your hair as you gently move the hair dryer around your head using the diffuser attachment. In addition to giving your hair more volume and texture, the dispersed heat will help set the sea salt spray in place.
4) Apply the Styling Compound last:
Lastly, dab a bit of Hybrid Hair—or any other styling clay or compound you have on hand—between your palms. Before using the product on your hair, ensure you have warmed it enough.
Use the same combing motion with your fingertips to provide more hold and control while creating separation and texture.
Remember that a little goes a long way with these items, so start small and add more as necessary. Once applied, it is more difficult to remove, but you can always go back and add more.
If you want to give them more grip, you can focus the product on some areas of your hair, such as your fringe or any flyaways.
Messy Hairstyle for Men Is Made for Various Hair Lengths:
Any hair length can look good with a messy hairstyle for men, and the techniques are essentially the same. You just need to change how much product you use based on the thickness and length of your hair; for instance, you will need to use less on shorter hair than on medium or long hair. For long hair, you might want to spend a little more time scrunching and diffusing the product to make sure it is evenly distributed throughout your hair. Additionally, because you have more hair on your head (to put it simply), you might need more product for hold and control.
Getting a Perfectly Messy Hairstyle for Men Whether you are looking for a new go-to style for your everyday hair or want to try something more laid-back and casual for a special occasion, a messy hairstyle for men is the way to go. All you need to do is have the right tools and methods, and you will be sporting that effortlessly cool and edgy look in no time. Hair styling has never been easier than our selection of essential hair styling products listed below and our other high-quality hair care and grooming products.
How to Style a Men’s Fringe Messy :
Simply apply your sea salt spray and styling compound as usual, concentrating more product on the fringe section. Then, use your fingers or a comb to tousle and style the fringe in different directions for that effortlessly messy look. You can still achieve a messy hairstyle if you have a fringe or just a few longer strands of hair in the front.
Using the correct volumizing products and techniques can help give the appearance of fuller and thicker hair. Even with thinning hair, you can still achieve a perfectly disheveled look. Try our Thickening Shampoo & Conditioner Set and Marine Mist sea salt spray for added texture and volume.
Messy Wet Hair Look for Guys:
The wet hair look is achieved using a high-shine styling product, like wax or clay. You must work the product through your hair, using your fingers to tousle and set the style.
Why is My Hair Always Messy?
Messy hairstyles for men can be caused by various factors, including hair texture, length, and styling products. Some people’s hair naturally lends itself to a more disheveled look, while others may need specific products and techniques to achieve the desired style. Hair damage can sometimes be a factor, so it’s important to use nourishing and restorative hair care products to keep your locks healthy and strong.
