The Best Short, Medium, & Long Messy Hairstyles for Men

Download Article

Barber Jacob Joseph goes over trendy messy styles & the products you need to style them

Co-authored by Jacob Joseph and Bertha Isabel Crombet, PhD

Last Updated: January 19, 2026 Fact Checked

Download Article

• Short Messy Syles
|
• Medium
|
• Long
|
• Best Products
|
• Maintenance
|
• How to Ask for It
|
• Video

|Show more |Show less

Long gone are the days of short and boring haircuts for men. Trendy styles like the messy brush up, textured mullet, and mohawk fade offer the perfect marriage of style and substance. If you’ve started considering growing your hair out to achieve a messy and tousled look, look no further! We’ve compiled a list of the best messy hairstyles for men, with insights from barber and barbershop owner Jacob Joseph. Whether you want to resemble a boy band member, a brilliant but tortured artist, or just a guy with a great head of hair— we’ve got you covered.

Messy Hair For Men

Barber Jacob Joseph says some of the most popular messy hairstyles are the short fringe, mullet, and long quiff. Other great styles include the short tousled style with low taper fade, the messy brush up, and the textured mohawk. Using sea salt spray creates waves, while clay provides a strong hold.

Steps

Section 1 of 6:

Short Messy Male Hairstyles

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Short and Tousled Messy short hair can mean a lot of different styles, but generally, this refers to a masculine, casual, and low-maintenance hairdo. Very popular among young men, this style offers a sophisticated edge while keeping the hair long up top. Ask for a tapered fade to highlight the longer locks while creating a smooth and groomed aesthetic on the sides and back.

   • How to Style: Invest in a pomade that will give you control and hold. Add a dime-sized amount to your palm and move through your hair from root to tip for a textured, edgy look.

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Jacob Joseph is a barber and the owner of The Barber Lounge barbershop. He’s also a men's grooming content creator, where he educates men on how to maintain their look at home.
2. 
   2
   Short Tousled Style with Low Taper Fade Keeping it long up top and faded down below is a popular combination. This balance adds texture and structure, combining the whimsy of long layers with the edginess of a modern fade. Although the fade makes it slightly more high-maintenance, this is still a trending look for young men everywhere.

   • Joseph agrees that a simple fade or taper on the side is a great way to get the messy look.
   • Joseph also recommends choosing a burst fade style.
   • How to Style: Use pomade or hair clay to sculpt the longer hair on the top into waves while leaving the short, faded area as is.
   Advertisement
3. 
   3
   Messy Brush Up This hairdo is perfect for men with thick and coarse hair, as it can be styled by simply brushing up, back, and securing with product. This style offers texture and personality while keeping the actual maintenance low. You could even ask your barber for a long top and a mid or low fade to add a bit of structure.

   • How to Style: Brush your hair back beginning at the hairline. Dip your fingers into clay or pomade and run them through your brushed back hair to secure it on your crown.
4. 
   4
   Short Messy Crew Cut This preppy, low-maintenance style keeps things structured while allowing a bit of personality to shine through. This version of a crew cut keeps the top on the longer side and the sides short with a mid skin fade. This contrast of short and long adds balance, dimension, and a certain je ne sais quoi. Celebrities like David Beckham and Zayn Malik have been known to rock this cut.

   • How to Style: Run your hands through your hair with matte products, like clay or pomade, to volumize any thin hair up top and bring dimension to your look.
5. 
   5
   Short Scruffy Hair Although this style is on the shorter end of messy, you can still achieve a textured and pleasantly tousled look. Allow your masculinity to shine with a rugged chop that leaves the top longer than the sides. Celebrities like Jamie Dornan, Zac Efron, and Colin Farrell have all been known to participate in this short, scruffy hair trend.

   • How to Style: Style from the roots to the tips with your fingers, teasing for added scruffiness. You likely won’t even need to use product— just simply allow your natural hair texture to shine!
6. 
   6
   Short Messy Waves with High Skin Fade This style may resemble your favorite anime heroes and villains! Featuring faded sides and a spiky, textured top, this ‘do provides a blend of classic volume and sophisticated edge. Ideal for men with thick, coarse hair, the spikes up top provide lightness and movement, truly offering the best of all hair worlds.

   • How to Style: With your fingers, move matte clay through your damp hair and then twist the tops into spike shapes.
7. 
   7
   Side-Swept Style This style merges a modern prep aesthetic with a laid-back charm that is very popular for younger generations. If you like a tousled look that isn’t too long or would look out of place in a formal workplace setting, this ‘do is for you, especially if you have straight or wavy hair. Ask your barber for a scissor-cut taper with a side part for balance and sophistication.

   • How to Style: With the side part in place, apply
 texture spray to the hair on either side of the part and move your fingers through your locks for dimension. You can also add pomade for a firmer hold.
8. 
   8
   Tousled Mod Cut This look gets its name and inspiration from the mod movement of the 1960s. The mod cut is unisex, sported by The Beatles and Twiggy alike. Alternative rock and indie bands of the 2000s, like Rooney, brought the style back. It features choppy medium-short layers, light volume, and a tousled finish. For best results, consult with your stylist, bring reference photos, and decide on your desired length.

   • How to Style:
 Add texture spray to the hair and scrunch from the bottom for texture. Secure with clay, if desired.
9. 
   9
   Tousled Middle Part Having a middle part can add structure, while the rest of the locks remain pleasantly disheveled. Youthful, flowing, and relaxed, this messy do brings back the boyish charm of '90s heartthrobs, from soap opera stars to boy bands. Nick Carter famously had a tousled middle part, and you too can achieve it by growing out your hair to your preferred length and parting it down the middle.

   • How to Style:
 With the middle part in place, apply sea salt spray and/or styling cream to the hair on either side of the part in order to add movement and hold.
10. 
    10
    Short Messy Spikes with Mid Skin Fade This is a very intentional and fashionable look, popular among younger generations. The stark contrast between the high, spiky crown and the skin-faded sides and bottom creates a unique and elevated aesthetic. While it’s still stylish, this cut is relatively low maintenance, requiring you to go into the barbershop ever so often to get the sides trimmed. This ‘do is ideal for thicker hair that could benefit from some movement.

    • How to Style:
 Apply a nickel-sized amount of matte clay to damp hair and then use your fingers to work through, spike, and twist to your liking.
Advertisement

Section 2 of 6:

Medium-Length Messy Male Hairstyles

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Messy with Volume Messy hair usually involves some level of chaos and volume, blending both together to create a unique and attractive look. Popular among the likes of Harry Styles and Timothée Chalamet, this hairdo has a ton of personality and is relatively low maintenance. Simply grow your hair out to your liking and have your barber cut short to medium-length layers with a longer fringe to add dimension.

   • If you go with a longer fringe, Joseph suggests taking it down to your eyebrows and leaving it messy to achieve this trendy look.
   • How to Style: Add a dollop of mousse to your palm and rub it in until it becomes tacky. Then, style from root to tip to add volume. You can add a layer of hairspray to maintain a strong hold.
2. 
   2
   Textured Messy Mullet Joseph agrees that the mullet is a great messy style. It first gained popularity in the 1970s and 1980s when rock musicians started sporting the cut. This modern version is a perfect marriage of the classic quirky style with choppy top layers. This creates an effortless, rebellious look that says, “Don’t mess with me… or else.”

   • How to Style: Dollop some matte paste or clay onto your palm and work it through the hair around the crown to add texture.
3. 
   3
   Casual, Messy and Textured Casual and clean-cut, this style is slightly longer and textured up top with faded sides. Ask your barber to cut the hair on the crown into layers and clean up the sides using a 0-1 guard on the electric clipper. You’ll get some structure to offset the effortlessness. Try growing some stubble or a short beard for a classic masculine aesthetic.

   • How to Style: After your hair is cut to your liking, work matte clay through it or add texture spray to create waves that will hold well.
4. 
   4
   Messy Mohawk Fade This rebellious hairstyle has roots in the punk rock movement of the 1970s, thought to have been inspired by the Mohawk people who donned this ‘do, too. Those early mohawks were loud, tall, and often colorful, but this modern take focuses more on texture than shock factor. Keep the sides faded to the skin for a super sharp contrast that elongates the face.

   • How to Style: Dab matte paste or clay in your palm so you can scrunch it all over your crown for added texture and an effortless, no-frills finish.
5. 
   5
   Textured and Messy with Faded Sides Similar to a French crop, this ‘do features long bold layers at the crown and skin-faded sides. It’s low maintenance, masculine, modern, and edgy, making it a very popular choice among trendy young men. Celebrities who approve of this style include Robert Pattinson, Ryan Gosling, and Justin Bieber. So, if you decide to ask your barber for this cut, you’ll be in good company.

   • How to Style: Dip your fingers into matte clay or paste and style your hair forward.
6. 
   6
   Thick, Messy Shag The shag is another style that was first debuted by rock musicians in the 1970s— here’s looking at you, Mick Jagger! This haircut epitomizes the glam rock aesthetic and is ideal for people with thinning hair, as the layers add volume and dimension, while hiding problem areas. Achieve a shag by growing your hair out and then asking your barber for short, face-framing layers. Don’t be afraid to throw in a little fringe!

   • Joseph notes that a short fringe along the hairline is a great way to get the messy look.
   • How to Style: Add texture spray or sea salt spray for soft, tousled waves.
7. 
   7
   Messy Quiff This look is all about height, flow, and texture, merging sophistication with effortless dishevelment. The sides remain short, while the longer hair around the crown is brushed upward and back. Structured yet voluminous, this ‘do is an elevated classic— literally! Celebrities like Kit Connor and Sam Claflin are well-known fans of the messy quiff.

   • Joseph agrees that a long quiff is a great, messy style.
   • How to Style: To shape the quiff, apply a matte paste to the crown while blow-drying on low heat. This will provide a flexible hold that truly highlights the height of the look.
8. 
   8
   Messy Slick Back The messy slick back is just as advertised, offering a confident and pleasantly disheveled departure from a classic slick back of Hollywood’s Golden Era. Similar to the messy quiff, the hair needs to be blow-dried backward. Then, you can comb through it with your fingers to give your locks a lift.

   • How to Style: Add a quarter-sized amount of paste to damp hair, sculpting up and back with your fingers for a soft hold.
9. 
   9
   Messy Flow Perfect for medium-length hair, the messy flow is a beloved style for celebrities like Jacob Elordi. This look features soft layers and lots of overall texture. It’s designed to fall in tousled waves, offering charming effortlessness. There should be a bit more volume around the sides and near the nape of the neck, creating a balanced aesthetic.

   • How to Style: Use a blow-dryer on low heat to dry your hair while sculpting the shape with your fingers. Finish with a nickel-sized amount of styling cream or pomade for a flexible hold that still retains some movement.
10. 
    10
    Messy Pompadour This look is ideal for young men who want to add a few inches to their height, blending class, style, and volume. The messy pompadour takes inspiration from the regular pompadour, but adds texture and movement. The hair on top should be long, styled upward, while the sides and back are much shorter. Ask for layers that lift and flow.

    • How to Style: Blow-dry the top of the hair using low heat. Apply paste to your fingers and comb them through your hair to help it keep its shape.
Advertisement

Section 3 of 6:

Long Messy Male Hairstyles

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Messy Long Hair This effortless look features long, tousled layers and very little structure. This is very popular among the artistic types as well as musicians, providing the perfect length and aesthetic for headbanging at rock concerts. Ask your barber for longer, face-framing layers to add shape and a light fringe.

   • How to Style: Use a sea salt spray to create beachy waves by spraying throughout the hair. Finish by diffusing with a diffuser hair dryer attachment.
2. 
   2
   Long Messy Waves This beachy look will have you feeling like a sun-kissed Australian surfer, featuring long layers and soft waves. Allow your hair to grow to shoulder-length and then ask your barber for some organic, face-framing layers. You won’t need too much product to create volume, as the layers are sure to help with that.

   • How to Style: Spritz a sea salt spray all over the hair to create waves. Similarly, apply a dollop of mousse to your palm and work through your hair to add texture.
3. 
   3
   Messy Shoulder-Length Hair This style gives you an excuse to let your hair grow out past your shoulders. Then, ask your barber for light fringe and medium-length layers to add movement and dimension. This requires relatively low upkeep since you can keep the hair as long as you like for as long as you like. Rockstar hair hall of fame— here you come!

   • How to Style: With longer styles like this one, you can either let it air dry or use curl cream to hand define your waves and curls.
4. 
   4
   Messy Man Bun The messy man bun took the world by storm in the 2010s, when celebrities like Harry Styles and Jared Leto first tied their luscious locks up. This style has remained trendy, offering a great mix of effortlessness and confidence. Get this look by bunching your hair up at the crown. Pull your hair halfway through a hair tie and then twist the tie around the formed bun. You can make it extra messy by taking out some loose strands.

   • How to Style:
 Since this is a fairly simple ‘do, secure it with medium-hold hairspray.
5. 
   5
   Messy Wolf Cut Although this style has nothing to do with Jacob Black from the Twilight saga, we could totally see him rocking this ‘do! The messy wolf cut features medium-length choppy layers that frame the face and add volume. The top is full, thinning down slightly as the hair nears the neck. It creates a “wild,” disheveled look with an attractive, textured shape.

   • How to Style: Blow-dry your hair on low heat while shaping it with your fingers. Spray a sea salt spray throughout for a lightweight hold.
6. 
   6
   Messy Brushed Back Long Hair This brushed back, medium-length style will make you feel like you’re the leading man in The Phantom of the Opera, ready to protect your fair lady from the masked man in the shadows. Smooth, classic, and elegant, this tousled version adds effortlessness and confidence to the list of adjectives, and is easy to achieve. All you have to do is grow your hair out and brush it back away from your face, starting at your hairline.

   • How to Style: Blow dry your hair on low heat and add a dime-sized amount of styling cream to give it a slight hold that retains movement.
7. 
   7
   Messy Long and Curly If you have naturally curly hair, what better messy style than simply letting it down? This look is associated with yogis, the 80’s, and folk singers like a young Devendra Banhart, but you, too, can achieve it! Grow your hair out and ask your stylist for long layers. Or, grow it out and it keep a uniform length. Everyone will be jealous of your long, curly, luscious locks!

   • How to Style: Apply a small amount of curling cream to fingers, move through all of the hair, and diffuse on low heat for a polished, frizz-free finish.
8. 
   8
   Messy Half-Up Whether you have straight, wavy, or curly hair, this trendy and grungy style is easy to achieve. Simply gather half of the hair on your crown into a messy bun or ponytail and tighten it with a hair tie. Depending on the occasion, you may pull it tighter and neater, or leave it as wild and disheveled as you like.

   • How to Style: Apply a small amount of styling cream and work through hair during the process of tying it. Spray some hairspray to help tame flyaways.
9. 
   9
   Messy Ponytail with Undercut This haircut might seem like a paradox: a full pony up top with a shaved bottom. However, it lends itself to edginess, confidence, and boldness— not a look everyone can pull off! It actually works best on heart-shaped and round faces, since the hair in the pony adds length to the face. The key here is a high pony, so it doesn’t hide the undercut.

   • How to Style: Work matte paste or styling cream through top of hair to add texture to the ponytail while reducing flyaways. Add hairspray for a strong hold once you gather the hair into a ponytail.
10. 
    10
    Long Messy Hair with Bangs Similar to the wolf cut, this style features long, choppy layers that reach the shoulders. However, there’s one major difference: bangs. The epitome of both European high fashion and grunginess, this ‘do may require frequent trims to keep the shape, which is a small price to pay for style. The good news is you can just let it air dry if you have straight hair, and you won’t need to style it every day.

    • How to Style: If you have wavy or curly hair, run a curl cream through it with your fingers and diffuse on low heat.
Advertisement

Section 4 of 6:

Best Products to Achieve a Messy Hair Look for Men

Download Article

1. The best products for a messy hair look provide texture and a flexible hold. When it comes to achieving the messy hair aesthetic, the products you use play a huge role. You want to strike a balance between movement, texture, and a soft hold that still allows your locks to flow. Here are some of the most popular hair products for men who enjoy looking stylishly disheveled:

   • Volumizing or Texturizing Powder: Joseph says these products are the best way to achieve the messy look. According to him, “These work really well because they're very light, but they add a lot of texture to your hair.”
     • To use the powder, Joseph suggests that you spritz your hair with water. Then, “Throw a little bit of the powder in there, and then…mess with it, fix it, [and] fine-tune it to where it's…sitting in the right places.”
   • Sea Salt Spray: Containing sea salt and other minerals, a lightweight sea salt spray is best suited for straight or fine hair. The product works by adding texture and volume to the hair with a beachy, choppy finish.
   • Matte Clay or Paste: “Clay is very good” because it will “add more texture to your hair,” says Joseph. It creates a tousled look, but isn’t so messy that it looks like you just woke up out of bed.
     • You can use a matte clay or paste in tandem with a sea salt spray, as these products provide a stronger hold and definition.
   • Pomade: Ideal for people with coarse and curly hair, a pomade is a slightly heavier product that tames frizz and offers a strong hold while helping the hair shine.
   • Mousse: Similar to a sea salt spray, mousse creates textured waves and volume with a strong yet flexible hold. This product works on all kinds of hair.
   • Curl Cream: Made for people with curly hair, curl creams define curls, enhance volume, and moisturize the hair overall.

Section 5 of 6:

How to Maintain Your Messy Hairstyle

Download Article

1. 1
   Use lightweight, texturizing products. Messy hairstyles are all about shape and movement, so you don’t want to use heavy gels that hold the hair down. Sea salt sprays, lightweight mousses, and even some matte pastes can work to enhance the flow and look of your locks. Start with damp hair, spritz some texture spray, and work through evenly. Diffusing or blow-drying the hair on low heat can also help set it without stripping it of its movement.
2. 2
   Avoid overwashing the hair. Washing 2-3 times a week is recommended to maintain messy styles without stripping the hair of its natural oils. Overwashing can result in a dry, itchy scalp, dull hair, and split ends, which are all no-nos when it comes to achieving an effortless, messy hairstyle. Invest in a good volumizing shampoo, like Amika Big Hit Volumizing Shampoo or Love Beauty and Planet Volume & Bounty, and commit to washing up to 3 times weekly.
3. 3
   Practice gentle drying. Using too much heat on your hair too frequently can lead to heat damage, breakage, and dryness, potentially affecting your ability to achieve a charming yet effortless messy look. After you wash your hair, pat it dry with a microfiber towel and allow it to air dry if possible. Air-drying works best for those with straight, thin, or fine hair, whereas wavy and curly hair may benefit from being diffused on a low heat.
4. 4
   Get regular trims. Depending on your messy ‘do of choice, you may need to go in for trims every 2-6 weeks on average, or you can even DIY it. This helps your overall hair health as trims get rid of the dullest, oldest part of your hair before the ends split and break, often damaging the entire strand of hair up to the follicle. So, while trims don’t necessarily make your hair grow faster, they keep your hair healthy longer.
Advertisement

Section 6 of 6:

How to Ask For a Messy Hairstyle

Download Article

1. 1
   Specify how long you want it on the top and sides. Determining the length of your desired cut from all angles is the first step to achieving the look you want. Whether it’s a short, messy crew cut, a medium-length, messy shag, or a long, messy wolf cut, let your hairstylist know exactly what you’re thinking. Length is essential to shape, movement, and flow— all key factors when it comes to a messy ‘do.

   • If you’re thinking of a more structured cut, go over your clipper guard options with your barber. For example, keeping the hair up top fairly long and buzzing the sides down using a #1 guard may make sense for a messy ponytail with an undercut.
   • Make sure you go to a reputable and well-reviewed barber or hairstylist. At the end of the day, Joseph says your look comes down to how they cut your hair. He warns, “If someone cuts your hair bad[ly] or doesn't add enough texture to your hair, it's going to be very hard for you to style your hair.”
2. 2
   Bring reference photos.
This is one of the best ways to make sure you get the look you want. Do some research before your hair appointment to figure out exactly whose style you’d like to emulate. Find celebrity inspiration photos on Google, Pinterest, or social media, and bring them to your stylist. They may not be able to replicate Jason Momoa’s beachy, sunkissed locks to a tee, but they’ll have a good idea of your desired outcome.
3. 3
   Ask for an effortlessly tousled look that best fits you. While it’s important to convey exactly what you want, it’s also good to be realistic about your hair expectations. If you love the way a messy mod cut looks, but you have curly hair, don’t fight your natural hair texture to achieve it. Instead, embrace your texture and discuss all the best styling options with your stylist. Remember: what works for others may not work for you and vice versa, which is what makes us all so unique!
Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Video

Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!