Messy hairstyles are a popular choice for men who want a casually cool look. Messy hair can be a simple and stylish way to get an effortlessly chic style that will transform your look. If you’re willing to experiment with this trendy option, these messy styles for men will maximize volume and flow for a sweet finish.
Whether you want messy short hair or a textured and tousled longer style, these trending men’s hairstyles can offer the perfect look.
To inspire you, we’ve compiled examples of the best messy hairstyles for men. From short to long, explore these popular messy haircut styles to find a good look.
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Short Messy Hairstyles
Men’s short messy hairstyles are some of the easiest to master. If you start with a great haircut then use the best hair products for styling, then you’ll be able to style awesome short messy hair. Whether you have thick, thin, curly or straight hair, try one of these popular messy hairstyles for guys.
Short Spiky Hair
If you want a short haircut that you can style in a matter of minutes before running out the door, short spiky hair is a great choice. We recommend you get a high fade or undercut on the sides for contrast, thereby focusing the eyes on your messy spikes.
When styling a messy spiky hairstyle, start with damp hair, then use a strong pomade or wax. For natural-looking, textured spikes, use a matte product. With a high-hold, your hairstyle will stay in place all day.
Messy Crop Top
The messy crop top is another excellent choice because it is timeless, simple, and gives you the ability to go from a messy hairstyle to something more refined with nothing more than a comb and some hair product.
You can go with a two-length crop or you can try a crop top fade, but in either case, you will want to leave the hair on top slightly longer. Then just give it a tousle with a bit of your favorite product and you’re set.
Short Fringe
Short fringe hairstyles look great on most guys, especially when paired with curly hair or a well-groomed beard. A curly hair fade with a short, messy fringe is actually one of the best curly hairstyles for men, allowing you to tame and control those wild curls.
To get a stylish fringe, leave your hair in the front a little longer than the rest – 2 to 3 inches in length is ideal. As part of the short sides, long top men’s hair trend, we suggest a skin fade or undercut.
Lastly, a matte or low-shine pomade can help you separate your fringe and give it that natural messy look. Alternatively, guys can always change up their look and spike up the hair in front for a unique variation.
Medium Messy Hairstyles
Messy medium hair for men has been trending strong in barbershops all around the world. One reason guys are opting for medium-length hairstyles is it arguably provides more styling ideas. Medium messy hairstyles for men range from the faux hawk to the quiff, comb over and slick back, all of which are excellent ways to express your personality through your appearance.
Messy Faux Hawk
The messy faux hawk is another edgy modern men’s hairstyle that looks good. Although the faux hawk fade generally works best for men with thick hair, the style is versatile for various lengths and hair types.
Bold and popular, the fohawk can be achieved with shaved sides, a fade haircut, or a badass disconnected undercut. For perfect messy faux hawk styles, leave at least 3 to 4 inches of hair on top.
A medium to high-hold styling hair product will help you get the volume, texture and natural flow necessary to style sexy medium-length messy hair.
Comb Over
The comb over is also exceptional, and the messy comb over fade makes it incredibly easy for you to style in a hurry. Rather than spending your time with a blow dryer, pomade and brush designed to keep every hair in place, just start with a classic comb over hairstyle, then use hair clay or wax to tousle and move your hair to one side.
Run your fingers through your hair to mess up the styling slightly and avoid a neat, structured finish.
The messy comb over is great for guys who like to regularly slide their hands through their hair. Plus, there are many versions of this parted hairstyle.
You can choose from a short or long comb over, depending on the length of your hair on top, as well as pick between a taper, fade or undercut on the sides. Just remember that longer lengths offer more styling options.
Slick Back
Slicked back hair looks dapper and classy, and a messy swept back hairstyle can be a fresh take on a retro style. While some guys may prefer the nicely coiffed slick back, messy brushed back hair offers a more effortless and casual style for everyday wear.
The beauty of medium messy hair combed back is that it can easily be transformed into a quiff or made to add a small pomp. For some height, movement and flow, you’ll want to use a matte hair product like clay, cream, or lightweight wax.
For edgy messy styles, get an undercut or undercut fade on the sides. Otherwise, a classic tapered haircut can be the right choice for you.
Quiff
The modern quiff has been a stable hair trend for years now. By leaving the hair in front longer, guys can create any number of quiff hairstyles, including this messy quiff. Chic, elegant and dashing, the quiff is styled best with natural, textured hair.
Apply a light to moderate hold pomade, wax or clay throughout, and use your hands and fingers to pull back. The advantage of the quiff haircut is that the styling is already meant to be scruffy and disheveled, so feel free to experiment with different messy styles.
Long Messy Hairstyles
Men’s long messy hairstyles have always been sexy, and women love hot guys with long hair. These days, messy long hair men who can also grow thick, full beards would be foolish not to show off this masculine combination.
For starters, you’ll need at least 6 inches of hair to style the best messy long hairstyles. From tousled shoulder-length hair to a messy man bun to a half ponytail, the trick is to use a lightweight styling product for a natural finish. Some guys may even want to try applying sea salt spray for a sweet beach-inspired, layered hairstyle.
As for facial hair, you’ll want to grow a heavy stubble beard at minimum. A thick beard that is trimmed short will scream manly yet gentleman. In the end, there are many ways to make long hair look good on guys, you just have to see for yourself.
Natural Messy Hairstyles
Natural messy hair is the latest hairstyle trend for men. All too often, men try to fight their natural texture and hair type. Fortunately, guys are starting to embrace their natural curls and waves again. Rather than spending time and money trying to tame your hair, get one of these natural messy hairstyles for men.
Whether you have thick, thin, wavy, or curly hair, here’s how to get natural messy hair that looks good on you.
Textured Hair
Textured hairstyles are amazing for men who have naturally curly or wavy hair. All you need is a haircut that you love and the proper matte styling products, such as a low shine pomade, wax or clay. The goal is to use hair products that enhance your hair and support the length and type you have.
Bed Head Hairstyles
Bed head has been popular for the last couple of decades and it shows no signs of going out-of-style any time soon. It is alluring and sexy, and at the same time, it’s incredibly easy to rock.
Whether your hair is short, long, thick, thin, or anything in between, tousling your hair between your fingertips with a bit of your styling cream is all it takes to get this look. Also, sometimes all it takes to wear a hot messy style is a carefree attitude and confidence.
Messy Fade Haircut
Guys can’t go wrong with a fade haircut on the sides and messy hair on top. Your taper fade can be high or low depending on your preference, and you can even go shorter with a bald fade haircut.
For a cool short sides, long top hairstyle, leave the hair on the top of your head anywhere from 3 to 5 inches long. This length will maximize styling ideas, allowing you to style all of the best men’s hairstyles.
Messy Crew Cut
The messy crew cut hairstyle comes in various styles, but all of them are clean, short haircuts that are easy to get and simple to style. You can even keep it Ivy League and sporty – messy, but mostly swept to the side – or you can pull all your hair forward, make the bangs choppy, and mess up the top.
Blonde Messy Hair
Blonde messy hair isn’t just a surfer’s hairstyle you find in California. Whether you have natural blonde hair or plan to get highlights, blonde messy hairstyles are generally attractive and flattering. As more guys experiment with colored hair for its rebellious yet dashing look, disheveled layered hair will become a bigger thing.
How To Get The Messy Hair Look For Guys
Learning how to get messy hair really comes down to practice. While a fresh barbershop haircut with a fade or undercut and longer, layered hair on top can create the foundation, to make your hair messy yet stylish requires the right hair products and effort.
The best men’s messy hair products depend on your hairstyle and desired finish. The top pomades come from quality brands like Suavecito, Layrite, and Baxter of California.
For a firm hold with a matte, textured finish, use Baxter of California’s clay pomade; but if you want a strong pomade with medium shine, we recommend Suavecito’s water-based pomade. These high-hold products are ideal for guys who want to style short messy hair and need control.
Nevertheless, some guys want to get loose messy hairstyles and need hair styling products that enhance volume and movement for a natural look. Wax and cream can be good options for medium and long hair, specifically if you want to add texture. Layrite’s Natural Matte Cream, Smooth Viking’s Styling Clay, TIGI Bed Head’s Workable Wax and American Crew’s Forming Cream are all top-rated products on the market.
How To Style Messy Hair
Once you’ve got the hair products you’ll need, it’s time to start styling your messy hair. It’s generally best to style messy looks after a warm shower with slightly damp, towel-dried hair. Take a small amount of product, rub it between your hands to warm it and work it through your hair. From root to tip, evenly spread the product.
Now you’ll want to begin moving your hair into position for your hairstyle. With your fingers or a wide-tooth comb, style your hair. The objective is to avoid too much structure or a neat look, and ensure you leave strands loose and flowing. Ultimately, you’ll need to simply tousle and tease your hair with your fingers to style the cool hairstyles for messy hair above.
