Messy Hairstyles For Men: The Ultimate Guide to Stylishly Unkempt Looks
Want a hairstyle that turns heads without trying too hard? Messy hairstyles for men are the perfect blend of effortless charm and rugged style. These laid-back looks attract attention, spark intrigue, and let your personality shine through. Whether you’ve got short, medium, or long hair, messy styles work with your natural texture to deliver volume and a cool, undone vibe. If you’re tired of high-maintenance grooming and crave something more casual yet fashionable, now’s the time to embrace the tousled trend. Discover the top messy hairstyles for men and find the perfect style to match your vibe.
Why This Hair Type Is Great
Messy hairstyles for men are popular because they combine ease with style. Unlike overly polished cuts, messy styles allow your hair’s natural texture to shine while still looking intentional. They work well for nearly every hair type—straight, wavy, or curly—and are suitable for casual settings and even relaxed business environments. Best of all, these looks require minimal upkeep while offering maximum versatility.
- Adds natural volume and texture with little effort
- Works well with fades, undercuts, and longer tops
- Perfect for busy men who want a quick grooming routine
- Pairs easily with matte products for a stylish, touchable finish
Top 14 Messy Hairstyles For Men
1. Short Messy Hair
Description
Short messy hair is perfect for men who want an edgy, low-maintenance look. This style typically involves a cropped cut on the sides with slightly longer hair on top, styled with fingers for a tousled finish. It works for all hair types and brings out texture, especially when paired with matte products.
Benefits
- Quick and easy to style
- Great for active lifestyles
- Works with thick, thin, or wavy hair
- Offers a clean yet casual appearance
Consideration
- Requires regular trims to maintain shape.
- Limited styling options if hair is too short on top.
2. Long Messy Hair
Description
Long messy hair is ideal for men seeking a bold, rebellious look. With shoulder-length or longer strands, this style embraces a naturally tousled texture enhanced with light styling products. Sea salt spray or mousse adds volume and controlled frizz, letting the hair flow effortlessly.
Benefits
- Eye-catching and edgy
- Ideal for thick hair with natural texture
- Allows multiple styling options (man bun, half-up)
- Enhances natural waves and curls
Consideration
- Requires consistent grooming and conditioning.
- Can feel heavy or unkempt without styling.
3. Medium Length Messy Hair
Description
Medium messy hair strikes a balance between easy styling and fashionable flow. Typically layered to add movement, this look uses lightweight products like mousse or cream to maintain a relaxed yet refined shape. It’s perfect for guys who want volume without too much length.
Benefits
- Versatile for casual and semi-formal settings
- Easier to maintain than long styles
- Suits wavy, straight, or slightly curly hair
- Adds natural volume and shape
Consideration
- May look bulky without proper layering.
- Requires styling to avoid looking flat.
4. Messy Fade Haircut
Description
The messy fade combines a sharp fade on the sides with a textured, tousled top. This contrast adds definition and sharpness to an otherwise relaxed hairstyle. Popular among modern trendsetters, the fade can be high, mid, or low, depending on how dramatic you want the look.
Benefits
- Clean-cut sides balance messy top
- Highlights facial features
- Suitable for most face shapes
- Works with short to medium-length tops
Consideration
- Needs frequent barber visits to maintain the fade.
- Not ideal if you prefer uniform hair length.
5. Messy Undercut
Description
This edgy style features buzzed sides and back with a disconnected, longer top styled into a loose, messy form. The contrast emphasizes the length and volume on top, offering a rebellious and contemporary vibe. Ideal for medium to long hair lengths.
Benefits
- High contrast draws attention to the top
- Flexible styling options (swept back, side-parted, or loose)
- Great for thick or wavy hair
- Modern and bold aesthetic
Consideration
- Disconnection may not suit conservative workplaces.
- Requires styling product to avoid limp top section.
6. Bedhead Hairstyle
Description
The bedhead look mimics the just-woke-up aesthetic but with intentional styling. This style leans into your natural waves or curls, using light wax or powder for volume. It’s charming, casual, and gives off a laid-back confidence.
Benefits
- Low maintenance and quick to style
- Looks naturally voluminous
- Ideal for dates and casual outings
- Great for men with wavy or curly hair
Consideration
- Can appear unkempt if overdone.
- Not suitable for formal occasions.
7. Messy Fringe
Description
The messy fringe features longer bangs that fall forward across the forehead, paired with short or faded sides. It’s especially flattering for men with wavy or curly hair, creating a youthful, textured look that softens facial features.
Benefits
- Frames the face and adds symmetry
- Great for concealing a larger forehead
- Offers a trendy, laid-back vibe
- Easy to style with light product
Consideration
- Fringe may require daily touch-ups.
- Can get oily or hang into eyes during activity.
8. Messy Hairstyles for Men with Thick Hair
Description
Thick hair is perfect for messy styles thanks to its natural volume and structure. This look often features layers and matte product worked through the mid-lengths to enhance separation and flow. The result: a full-bodied, rugged hairstyle.
Benefits
- Naturally voluminous and textured
- Holds messy styles longer without falling flat
- Can be shaped into multiple looks
- Looks fuller and healthier
Consideration
- Can feel heavy without layers.
- Takes longer to dry and style.
9. Curly Messy Hair
Description
Curly messy hair embraces the unique pattern of curls, letting them fall naturally in a loose, tousled form. This style benefits from scrunching mousse or foam into damp hair, enhancing curl definition without stiffness.
Benefits
- Highlights natural curls for a defined look
- Reduces need for heat tools
- Adds softness and volume
- Perfect for relaxed, artsy styles
Consideration
- Curls need moisture to avoid frizz.
- Takes practice to find the right product combo.
10. Messy Straight Hair
Description
Straight messy hair delivers clean lines with a laid-back finish. It’s typically styled with clay or wax and tousled using fingers for texture. Fades or undercuts enhance contrast while letting the top remain soft and flowing.
Benefits
- Easy to style into multiple shapes
- Clean yet casual look
- Ideal for men who prefer structure
- Good for business-casual environments
Consideration
- Can fall flat without product.
- Less volume compared to wavy or curly textures.
11. Messy Textured Hair
Description
Messy textured hair takes any cut and amplifies it with separation and depth. By using matte clay or wax, this style adds dimension without shine. Ideal for men with thinner hair, it creates the illusion of fullness and movement.
Benefits
- Adds density to fine or thinning hair
- Provides a trendy, youthful look
- Compatible with fades, crops, or quiffs
- Easy to reshape throughout the day
Consideration
- May require more product for long-lasting hold.
- Can look chalky if over-applied.
12. Wavy Messy Hair
Description
Wavy messy hair showcases your hair’s natural pattern while enhancing movement and flow. This style thrives with medium-length cuts, faded sides, and texturizing sprays like sea salt to define waves.
Benefits
- Enhances natural wave pattern
- Offers a relaxed, surfer-like vibe
- Great for casual and creative looks
- Pairs well with fades or undercuts
Consideration
- Needs humidity control to prevent puffiness.
- Can flatten without volume products.
13. Messy Top Haircut
Description
A messy top haircut keeps the focus on length and texture at the crown while the sides are kept short (fade, taper, or undercut). This high-contrast look is modern and allows for varied styling—from forward fringe to loose quiff.
Benefits
- Eye-catching, voluminous look
- Flexible styling options
- Emphasizes facial structure
- Works on straight, wavy, or curly hair
Consideration
- Top may require blow-drying or mousse.
- Can look top-heavy if not balanced well.
14. Boys with Messy Hair
Description
Messy hair for boys is fun, stylish, and easy to manage. With longer tops and shorter sides, this style can be finger-styled with a light product for a youthful, energetic finish. Great for school, play, and photos.
Benefits
- Low maintenance for parents and kids
- Trendy and age-appropriate
- Can grow into other styles
- Works with many hair textures
Consideration
- Requires regular trimming to keep tidy.
- Some schools may prefer cleaner cuts.
Conclusion
Messy hairstyles for men continue to define effortless cool and versatile grooming in 2025. Whether you prefer short, medium, or long messy looks, these styles allow you to express your personality while keeping maintenance low. From the laid-back bedhead to the structured messy fade, there’s a look for every hair type and lifestyle. Embracing messy hairstyles for men means choosing comfort, trend, and individuality—all wrapped into one timeless, easygoing package.
