21 Messy Hairstyles for Men: Low-Maintenance Looks and Pro Styling Tips

Messy hairstyles for men have become a go-to look for guys who want to appear effortlessly stylish. Whether you’re rocking short, medium, or long hair, these tousled looks add texture, volume, and a laid-back vibe to your overall appearance. The beauty of messy hairstyles lies in their versatility and minimal maintenance, making them perfect for both casual days and more formal occasions. In this article, we’ll explore 21 of the best messy hairstyles for men, from choppy layers to textured waves, and provide tips on how to keep them looking fresh.

Tips for Maintaining Messy Hairstyles:

To make the most of your messy hairstyle, here are a few key tips:

Use the Right Product: Choose a lightweight texturizing spray, sea salt spray, or matte pomade to give your hair the necessary texture without weighing it down. These products help create that tousled, carefree look without appearing greasy or over-styled.
Don’t Overwash: Washing your hair too frequently can strip it of natural oils, which are essential for achieving a naturally messy look. Aim to wash your hair 2-3 times a week, depending on your hair type. In between washes, use dry shampoo to keep it fresh and voluminous.
Air-Dry or Diffuse: Skip the blow dryer if you want a more relaxed and natural look. Letting your hair air dry helps preserve its natural texture. If you’re short on time, use a diffuser to dry it while keeping those natural waves or curls intact.
Trim Regularly: While messy styles may look effortless, it’s important to keep your hair trimmed regularly to avoid split ends and maintain the overall shape of your cut. A visit to your barber every 4-6 weeks is ideal to keep your style sharp.
Work With Your Natural Hair: Whether you have straight, wavy, or curly hair, embrace your natural texture. Messy hairstyles often work best when you allow your hair to do its own thing, using minimal product and avoiding over-styling.

1. Messy Hair with Wavy Layers

This wavy layered hairstyle gives off effortlessly cool vibes. The soft waves add natural volume, making it perfect for medium-length hair. Combined with the dark brown hair color, this look highlights strong facial features like a square jawline and a broad forehead. It’s ideal for guys looking to sport a laid-back yet put-together style. Add a little bit of product for texture, and you’re good to go. Works great on those with naturally wavy hair.

2. Tousled Waves with Soft Texture

This messy hairstyle for men exudes a natural, beachy feel. With short to medium-length wavy hair, this cut adds volume on top and keeps the sides slightly tapered. Perfect for guys with heart-shaped faces or soft features. The casual, undone waves in this brunette style show how easy it is to rock a messy aesthetic. A touch of pomade helps define the waves while keeping them looking laid-back and breezy.

3. Bedhead Look with Subtle Curls

This messy hairstyle features subtle curls that work seamlessly for medium-length hair. The natural texture makes it ideal for men with slightly curly hair, and the look enhances sharp jawlines and defined cheekbones. This style shines on a square face shape, adding softness while keeping the vibe rugged. It’s the kind of hairstyle that looks like you just woke up, yet you’re ready to take on the day.

4. Textured Waves for a Relaxed Look

With medium-length waves, this hairstyle is perfect for men aiming for an easy, relaxed aesthetic. The waves cascade softly across the forehead, giving off a slightly tousled vibe that looks effortlessly stylish. This cut works well for those with oval face shapes, complementing their symmetry and soft features. For guys with naturally straight or wavy hair, this is a low-maintenance look that doesn’t sacrifice style.

5. Choppy and Layered with Casual Volume

This messy haircut for men blends choppy layers with a relaxed, laid-back vibe. It’s perfect for thick hair, adding movement without being overly polished. The slightly tousled, voluminous look is ideal for medium-length hair and emphasizes angular face shapes, especially a pronounced jawline. This style gives you that “just out of bed” charm, with enough structure to be worn casually or on a night out.

6. Light and Tousled for a Sun-Kissed Vibe

This messy blonde hairstyle offers a sun-kissed, casual feel that screams adventure. With short sides and longer layers on top, this look adds texture and volume in all the right places. It’s ideal for guys with round or oval face shapes, as it adds height and sharpness. The light blonde color adds to the effortlessly cool aesthetic, making it perfect for anyone looking to channel that surfer vibe.

7. Clean and Casual with a Messy Edge

This medium-length messy haircut has a simple, clean finish that still carries a hint of effortless charm. The loose waves, combined with the dark brunette color, give it a naturally windswept look. This style works particularly well on men with oval or rectangular face shapes, enhancing their facial symmetry. It’s a low-maintenance cut with high impact, suited for guys who want that “rolled out of bed” look without trying too hard.

8. Short, Tapered Cut with a Messy Top

This short, tapered haircut features a messier top section, creating a balance between structure and ease. The clean sides add definition, while the textured top lets you play around with a tousled, bedhead look. Great for those with a square or oval face, it adds edge to strong jawlines. The darker hair color adds intensity to the style, making it perfect for casual and formal settings alike.

9. Textured Messy Fade

This edgy cut blends a textured top with a clean fade on the sides. The messy hair on top is full of volume and waves, ideal for someone with naturally thick hair. It suits a square or angular face shape, softening sharp jawlines while giving off a relaxed vibe. The brown hair color complements the overall rugged look, making it great for casual wear with minimal effort.

10. Windswept Blonde Layers

This look is all about volume and layers, with the blonde hair styled in a windswept, messy way. Ideal for medium-length hair, it adds height and dimension to the style. Perfect for oval and heart-shaped faces, this style balances softness with a bold touch. The bright blonde color stands out, making it a good choice for anyone looking to add some flair to their everyday appearance.

11. Casual Bedhead with Wavy Texture

This messy hairstyle leans into a natural, bedhead aesthetic, with waves adding texture and volume throughout. Suitable for medium-length hair, it works particularly well for those with an oval or rectangular face. The dark brown color gives it a more rugged look, and it’s an easy style to maintain with minimal product. It’s an effortless option for a laid-back yet cool vibe.

12. Soft Waves with Lifted Bangs

This medium-length hairstyle features soft waves, with bangs that are slightly lifted for added texture. It works well with round or oval face shapes, adding height and dimension to the overall look. The light brown hair color adds a soft, natural touch, making it perfect for those who want a messy yet polished appearance. It’s a versatile style that can be worn casually or dressed up.

13. Messy Layers with Tousled Top

This hairstyle offers a tousled, messy top paired with neat sides for a balanced, clean look. Great for men with thick hair, it adds volume while maintaining structure. The wavy layers on top suit oval or diamond-shaped faces, enhancing the symmetry. The warm brown hair color makes this style adaptable for any occasion, from casual outings to more formal settings.

14. Windswept with Blonde Highlights

This messy hairstyle features a windswept look, perfect for those with medium to long hair. The blonde highlights add dimension and depth to the style, making it stand out. Ideal for heart-shaped faces, the volume at the top adds height while the textured layers give it a laid-back, surfer vibe. It’s perfect for guys looking to add some natural flair to their everyday look.

15. Clean Fade with Textured Waves

This clean fade transitions smoothly into textured waves on top, giving a sharp yet messy appearance. Ideal for medium to thick hair, the style is low-maintenance while still making a statement. This look works well for square or oval face shapes, accentuating jawlines and strong features. The dark brunette color keeps the style versatile, working for both casual and formal settings.

16. High Volume Messy Blonde

This high-volume, messy blonde hairstyle adds texture and movement, making it ideal for those with thick hair. The light blonde color contrasts with the messy top, giving it a bold, standout appearance. It works best with oval or heart-shaped faces, adding height and dimension. The sides are kept clean, allowing the volume on top to be the focus. Perfect for a casual yet daring look.

17. Curly, Tousled Layers

This messy, curly look is all about natural volume and texture. The tousled layers give off a laid-back vibe, making it ideal for medium-length hair. It works well with oval or heart-shaped faces, adding a soft, relaxed frame to facial features. The natural light brown color adds to the low-maintenance appeal, perfect for guys who want to embrace their natural curls without much fuss.

18. Textured Fringe with Volume

This hairstyle features a textured fringe that falls effortlessly over the forehead, adding a mysterious yet casual vibe. The wavy layers give the dark brown hair a messy, windswept look, ideal for guys with medium to thick hair. This cut suits a square or angular face shape, softening sharp features. The added volume on top makes it a standout style without being too high-maintenance.

19. Messy Layers with Blonde Highlights

Blonde highlights add dimension to this messy layered haircut. The shorter sides balance the longer, textured top, creating a style that’s both casual and bold. This look works well for round or heart-shaped faces, as the volume adds height while keeping the overall vibe laid-back. Ideal for guys looking for a style that stands out without too much effort.

20. Spiky Messy Cut with Defined Part

This messy cut features spiky texture and a defined side part, offering a balance between structure and chaos. The dark brown color makes the look versatile, suitable for both casual and formal settings. It works well on rectangular or oval face shapes, adding movement and volume. Great for anyone who wants a look that’s both sharp and carefree.

21. Voluminous Bedhead Look

This voluminous bedhead style takes messy hair to the next level. With lots of volume and texture on top, this cut is perfect for medium-length hair. The dark brown hair color makes it versatile, while the undone layers add to the effortless appeal. It’s a perfect fit for oval or diamond face shapes, as the height adds balance and enhances strong features. Perfect for a carefree, lived-in look.

Example Styles:

Short Messy Haircut with Fade: For men with shorter hair, a textured fade with a messy top creates a sharp yet laid-back style. It’s ideal for those who want low maintenance with a stylish edge.
Medium-Length Waves: Letting your hair grow out to medium length allows for natural waves to take center stage. Add a bit of pomade or sea salt spray, and you’ve got a perfect everyday look that requires minimal upkeep.
Longer Shaggy Layers: For men with longer hair, a messy shag adds volume and texture without needing much styling. This cut works particularly well for those with naturally wavy or curly hair.

Messy hairstyles for men are more than just a trend—they’ve become a staple for those who want a low-maintenance yet stylish look. From short cuts with texture to longer, wavy styles, there’s a messy hairstyle for every hair type and face shape. The key to rocking a messy look is embracing your hair’s natural texture and using just the right amount of product to enhance the volume and movement.

By following some simple hair care tips, like using the right products and avoiding overwashing, you can maintain that effortless style without spending too much time in front of the mirror. Whether you’re aiming for a casual, everyday look or something a bit more polished, messy hairstyles allow you to look sharp without the fuss.

Finally, remember that a great hairstyle starts with healthy hair. Regular trims, proper conditioning, and knowing when to let your hair do its own thing are the keys to maintaining a head-turning messy style. Whether you’re just starting your messy hair journey or looking to upgrade your current look, these 21 ideas will have you covered for any occasion.