15 Perfectly Imperfect Messy Hairstyles For All Lengths

Untamed tousled hairstyles always seem so irresistibly charming and effortless that you simply can’t turn down their overwhelming appeal. There’s something extremely sexy and free of any constraint in tousled ‘dos, whether it’s an updo style, boyish pixie with sticking out feathers or fun loose curls. A messy style looks great on any length and type of hair – short or long, straight or curly, thick and flexible or fine and wispy. With the right approach you can create so many gorgeous and versatile looks with messy hair. Let some of them be stylish and extravagant, while others can remain on a more romantic side. Here are 15 ideas of envy-worthy hairstyles with messed up locks for short, medium-length and long hair.

How To Create Messy Locks?

“Maybe they simply stopped combing their hair?”, someone may think, contemplating some of the trendiest messy ‘dos at the biggest fashion shows. Well, messy hair often looks like an absolutely natural style but we know that certain manipulations do stand behind these perfectly imperfect looks. Normally for medium-length and long hair they include the following.

• Blow-drying and running your fingers through hair without combing.


• Upside down blowdrying or blowdrying in the opposite direction to the hair growth for added volume and layer enhancement.


• Haphazard curling for some locks with a flat iron.


• Applying texturizing/thickening spray or curl enhancing product all through the locks and squeezing them in your palms with optional light teasing at the roots to boost volume.


• A few final minutes of blowdry to fix the effect and a bit of hair spray as the last touch for the extra hold.

If your hair is short, a cute chaos can be easily organized with some wax or light pomade. Apply the product to wet hair and blow dry, pulling separate sections in different directions. Add a little bit more wax to the ends for a more distinct look.

Besides loose messy curls and chaotic straight tresses for longer hair you can experiment with a whole bunch of messy updos and downdos, including messy buns, knots, fishtails, half up & half down messy ‘dos, French twists and others. Here are some cute ideas to embrace.

Best Messy Hairstyles For Short, Medium & Long Hair

#1: This Is A Formal Mess!

Angelina Jolie looks very elegant, fresh and non-trivial with this simple messy updo. Paying tribute to the formal style, sweep your tresses neatly back and then just let them go a little wild until you inconspicuously tuck in the ends.

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#2: Where Can A Waterfall Lead To?

An awesome waterfall braid wrapped around your crown should have an interesting ending that will become its focal point, such as this superb messy knot with an entirely shattered structure.

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#3: Wind-Caressed

A touch of human hands to this gorgeous hairstyle is completely intangible. You believe the tresses, framing her face, were swept back by some stronger wind gusts and the back wispy ends were just caressed through with a gentle sea breeze.

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#4: Rough & Straightforward

A whirl of rough locks, piled on your crown and forwarded boldly ahead, is a fantastic idea of a dazzling hairstyle for a party or any other occasion where you need to sport a distinct look.

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#5: Shapely Maze

Although it looks pretty nonchalant, you perceive there’s a certain idea behind this mess. It’s a very feminine look, featuring flowing graceful lines and fantastic inconsistent texture.

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#6: Eccentric Bun

Prefer sticking to classic time-tested updos, such as buns? Give your favorite high bun a trendy modern twist with a fun messy note and thin accent headband: minor details often make a big difference.

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#7: Delightful Messy Curls

Long messy curls with a distinct chaotic texture amaze with their ingenuousness and singularity. Make the center parting blurred to enhance the effect of the wind-tangled mane.

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#8: Multi-Textured

This chic short hairstyle is neat and sleek beneath but curly and messy on top. Who knew that a union of spikes and curls could create such an awesome combo?

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#9: French Twist With A Beadhead Touch

The French twist updo with randomly pulled out strands seems so sexy and unhackneyed. It looks like you were too lazy to undo your hair last night and, well, this is exactly the impression you should pursue with modern messy updos.

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#10: Sexy Chick

Fun, cheeky, moving, sexy – this hairstyle embraces so many associations that you can’t forget it so easily. But it can be effortlessly recreated on straight short hair cut in layers.

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#11: Edgy Bob

This challenging bob is going to speak about you more capaciously than any words. The fantastic shattered texture can be easily achieved with backcombing and a volumizing hair spray.

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#12: Superb Beach Look

Cropped bombshell waves work excellent for curly bobs. If you additionally tousle them, enhance their structure and add some sun-kissed highlights, you’ll get this absolutely stunning messy beach look to rock anywhere from office to the red carpet.

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#13: Snazzy Messy Waves

We are used to Sarah Jessica Parker’s waves, but these are definitely adorable! Messed up, fuzzed and highlighted strategically on the sides, they literally dazzle with their extraordinary beauty and super flattering power.

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#14: Loopy Bun

Phew! Finally you can step aside from elaborately sleeked high buns and knots. This one looks much livelier and present-day. Make it messy: the more loops the better.

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#15: Dramatic Retro Curls

These awesome centre-parted retro locks are exceptional due to their seamless transitions of textures: straight at the roots, distinct zigzagged for the middle section and blurred into a soft fuzz at the ends.

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Getting every hair in its place can be pretty boring especially when you strive to avoid morning rush. Thanks God, nonchalant chic is not going to be out of fashion in the near future, so why not to incorporate a few of these great messy styles into your chic spring and summer looks?