Best Product for Messy Hair Look

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Looking chic doesn’t always mean having every single hair in place. Sometimes you want to give your look a little bit of an edge that will take your overall style to the next level. For that, messy hair is a fun option. The best part is that messy tresses can be achieved by anyone with any hair length or hair texture, as long as you use the right product! Check out our list of products, ranging from waxes to creams to sprays, to accomplish the perfect messy hairstyle.

Read also: Best Shower Hair Catcher

Best Product for Messy Hair Reviews

Comparison Chart

31jAY2otvbL. SL500
Garnier Fructis Style Power Putty Mess Maker
31LLmM41CvL. SL500
Living proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo
31YnOQyznFL. SL500
Nexxus Mousse Plus Volumizing Foam
31K7z7GGecL. SL160
amika Un.done Volume & Texture Spray
51R89PSSzHL. SL500
OGX Low Shine Bamboo Fiber Texture Flexible Fiber Wax
41li+jj5q6L. SL160
BOLDIFY Dry Texture Spray
31ddzHHgXKL. SL500
Kenra Platinum Whipped Taffy 20 | Matte Defining Paste

1. Garnier Fructis Style Power Putty Mess Make

31jAY2otvbL. SL500

Product Highlights

This product is a powerful hair putty suited perfectly for shorter hairstyles that will help you attain an effortlessly cool bed-head that lasts all day. Though this wax product is marketed mainly for men, we think it’s an excellent option for anyone hoping to master messy hair.

Features

  • Formulated with Taurine and Citrus Complex
  • Adds texture without flaking

What We Like About Garnier Fructis Style Power Putty Mess Make

The best thing about this product is how affordable it is without compromising on quality. This accessible brand is a great option for bed-head enthusiasts on a budget. It also has a lightweight formula that won’t weigh down thin or fine hair and leaves it feeling super soft.

What We Don’t Like About Garnier Fructis Style Power Putty Mess Make

The lightweights of this product might not be great for those with thick or heavy hair. Less like wax and more like a cream, you might not get the lasting hold power that those with finer hair textures will.

PROS

  • Affordable
  • No flaking
  • No stickiness

CONS

  • Not ideal for all hair textures
  • Not the best option for longer hair
  • Holding power might vary

2. Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo

31LLmM41CvL. SL500

Product Highlights

Dry shampoo is not only great for those days when you want to skip washing your hair, but also for when you want to add texture to your hairstyle. This product adds volume to your hair while also leaving it clean and fresh. What’s better than a messy look that makes you look cool and helps you skip a hair wash?

Features

  • Contains a Healthy Hair Molecule that repels dirt
  • Adds texture for effortlessly messy hair

What We Like About Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo

This product is awesome for thick, wavy, or long hair because the spray feature helps to not only eliminate grease or pollutants in the hair but also ensures flawlessly clean volume and texture from root to tip.

What We Don’t Like About Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo

We recommend that you use this product sparingly if you have dark hair, as it has been known to leave a powdery residue that is difficult to brush out. Also, beware of the finicky spray nozzle, as it’s been known to break off when not handled with care.

PROS

  • Free of silicones, phthalates, and parabens
  • Safe for chemically-treated hair
  • Actually cleans your hair
  • Gives your hair a fresh scent all day long

CONS

  • A little pricey
  • Might leave behind residue

3. Nexxus Mousse Plus Volumizing Foam

31YnOQyznFL. SL500

Product Highlights

Sometimes your hair already has plenty of texture for that fashionable messy look, but not quite enough volume. This product, formulated to be a lightweight spray-foam, is great for adding much-needed volume to thin and fine hair.

Features

  • Enriched with Keratin Protein and Ceramides
  • Volumizes while protecting hair from humidity and pollutant

What We Like About Nexxus Mousse Plus Volumizing Foam

If you have fine and/or flat hair, this product will definitely give it a lift. This product also has a pleasant scent that isn’t too strong or offensive. Also, a little bit goes a long way with this mousse, meaning that this is another great, cost-effective option.

What We Don’t Like About Nexxus Mousse Plus Volumizing Foam

This foam-like mousse has been known to leave behind a somewhat oily residue in some hair types. Also, the volumizing power isn’t quite as strong as more premium brands. However, if you are only looking for slightly more volume, that might be a positive for you.

PROS

  • Boosts volume for fine, flat hair
  • Salon-quality, but affordable
  • Moisturizes dry, coarse hair
  • Lightweight control

CONS

  • Might leave hair oily
  • Volumizing ability is subpar
  • Not ideal for thicker hair

4. Amika Un.done Volume & Texture Spray

31K7z7GGecL. SL500

Product Highlights

When dry shampoo isn’t enough to provide the texture needed for that freshly out-of-bed hairstyle, this texturizing spray can deliver exactly what you need. This product creates instant volume and a sexy, beachy texture.

Features

  • Contains natural mineral Zeolite that provides long-lasting volume
  • Formulated with rice starch that absorbs oil and grime
  • Leaves hair looking stylishly matte

What We Like About Amika Un.done Volume & Texture Spray

This product really does last all day! The formula is amazing for maintaining a flawlessly edgy look even on your busiest days, keeping your hair voluminous, textured, and free from greasiness. You don’t even need to add hairspray to your routine when you use this product, and your hairstyle might even last to the next day. It also has a great smell that sticks around faithfully all day.

What We Don’t Like About Amika Un.done Volume & Texture Spray

Because of its mattifying properties, this product runs the risk of making certain hair types dry or frizzy. Those with fine hair might want to tread lightly for that reason.

PROS

  • Instantly creates fullness and texture
  • Builds matte volume for tousled sexiness
  • Absorbs oil and dirt
  • Safe for chemically-treated hair
  • Pleasant, long-lasting scent

CONS

  • Drying formula
  • Not as affordable as drugstore brands

5. OGX Low Shine + Bamboo Fiber Texture Flexible Wax

51R89PSSzHL. SL500

Product Highlights

This product is another wax, but this one is great for a variety of hair lengths. Formulated with beeswax, bamboo fibers, and sandalwood, this inexpensive product is great for giving your hair matte volume that provides both precise hold and fun flexibility throughout the day. Packaged in a sleek pot for easy handling, this waxy texturizer is a chic option for those who prefer less finicky product containers.

Features

  • Contains a Healthy Hair Molecule that repels dirt
  • Adds texture for effortlessly messy hair

What We Like About OGX Low Shine + Bamboo Fiber Texture Flexible Wax

OGX claims to model their products after nature, meaning that they don’t believe in perfection! This is ideal for mastering a messy hairstyle that achieves a level of coolness that shouldn’t be perfect. Another great thing about this product is that it’s a flexible wax, meaning that it will hold your hairstyle, but also allow you to tweak it however you like as the hour’s pass.

What We Don’t Like About OGX Low Shine + Bamboo Fiber Texture Flexible Wax

This product isn’t very lightweight and probably shouldn’t be used right at the roots, otherwise, it might weigh down your hair. If your hair chemistry is a little fussy (i.e. fine or thin) this product might also leave it looking a bit greasy. Sometimes when we go for that messy look a little bit of gleam can give it an edge that is reminiscent of the trendy “wet” hair look, but it’s definitely not for everyone.

PROS

  • Flexible wax allows you to restyle throughout the day
  • Natural ingredients
  • Adds texture and volume
  • Delicious scent
  • Reasonably-priced

CONS

  • Potential greasiness for certain hair types
  • Not great for lifting at the roots

6. BOLDIFY Dry Texture Spray for Hair Volume

41li+jj5q6L. SL500

Product Highlights

This texturizing hair spray gives you exactly what its name promises: boldness and volume. It’s great for a diverse range of hair types from super fine to very coarse. Not only will it help you create a messy, tousled style on freshly-washed hair, but it will also revive your second-day (or even third-day) hair.

Features

  • Texturizes and volumizes all hair types
  • Creates a light matteness for that “undone” look
  • Separates hair strands for dimension and fullness
  • Formulated without harmful chemicals

What We Like About BOLDIFY Dry Texture Spray for Hair Volume

The best part about this product is that it really works for all hair types. Short, long, thick, or thin… this texturizing spray really keeps its promise to deliver volume and grittiness that is the key to achieving a hairstyle that says you just fashionably rolled out of bed. Also, unlike a regular hairspray, this spray product will keep your hair’s natural movement and maintain your desired level of messiness with weightless perfection.

What We Don’t Like About BOLDIFY Dry Texture Spray for Hair Volume

Where this product fails is its longevity. While the initial result is both bold and voluminous, it doesn’t always last all day long. This is fine if you’re just going for a quick brunch date or a brief work meeting, but don’t expect it to keep you looking chic from sunrise to sunset. One way to solve that might be to bring the bottle with you in your purse or bag for occasional touch-ups, but that’s not a great option if you don’t have the room to carry around a large hairspray can with you.

PROS

  • 100% cruelty-free and made in the USA
  • Designed for all hair types
  • Lightweight and residue-free
  • Creates a dimension for a playful edginess

CONS

  • Not as long-lasting as other products
  • On the higher end of the cost spectrum

7. Kenra Platinum Whipped Taffy

31ddzHHgXKL. SL500

Product Highlights

This unique product is formulated to be like a combination of a paste, a mousse, and a cream. Not only can it be used to sculpting or smoothing any hairstyle, but it’s also great for adding that texture that is so important for achieving chic, messy hair. The airy texture of this product is lightweight, too, which helps to support enviable volume.

Features

  • Contains a Healthy Hair Molecule that repels dirt
  • Adds texture for effortlessly messy hair

What We Like About Kenra Platinum Whipped Taffy

For those with a taste for luxury, Kenra is the brand for you. Designed to deliver high-end packaging and scent alongside the high-quality product, their products create the results promised with a premium side-dish of lavishness. We also love that this product builds awesome volume without needing to use too much at once.

What We Don’t Like About Kenra Platinum Whipped Taffy

Although the formulation is unique, the consistency might not be for everyone. Slightly gooey from the whipped, creamy density that sets this product apart from others, it has the potential to make your hair feel a little bit greasy in its efforts to build texture.

PROS

  • Luxurious packaging and scent
  • Ultra-matte finish
  • Provides powerful hold for your style
  • Can be applied to damp or dry hair

CONS

  • Unique consistency that isn’t for everyone
  • More expensive than comparable products
  • Potential oiliness

Final Verdict

In conclusion, you have a lot of options for pulling off that effortless, woke-up-like-this look that’s been trending for quite some time and shows no signs of fading away. However, with choices ranging from creams to waxes to sprays, finding the right product for your hair type might seem daunting. Thankfully, that’s why we’re here to provide our expert reviews and recommend you the best product for messy hair on the market.

So, what’s our official pick? There’s no drum roll or trumpet fanfare needed because this product speaks for itself: it’s the Amika Un.done Volume & Texture Spray! Not only do we love Amika products in general, but we particularly adore this powerful texturizer and volumizer that will guarantee you long-lasting, tousled sexiness. It will make your hair look perfectly imperfect and help you achieve a new level of chicness.

Not to mention, this product’s colorful packaging makes it super fun to use. While it is on the pricier side of the products we reviewed above, we totally think that it’s worth every single penny. For clean, beachy, messy locks, we recommend Amika’s Un.done Volume & Texture Spray, available for purchase online via the link provided above.