41 Messy Medium-Length Hairstyles for Men
Just a few minutes will earn you major style street cred.
Medium messy hairstyles are a go-to for guys for a reason: They’re easy to create and have that effortless ‘I woke up like this’ vibe that’s so sought after. That said, we’ve created a collection of messy hairstyles men can create in five minutes or less.
We’ve included many different variations of messy hairstyles men can quickly and easily make their own, so there’s no question about whether or not you’ll find something that suits you. Read on:
41 Messy Hairstyles for Men Trending in 2023
When picking out messy hairstyles, it can be a challenge to know where to start, so we’re here to help. Check out 41 looks that are perfect when achieving messy medium-length hairstyles for men.
1. The Thick Hair Solution
The only thing better than a classic messy style is the same look created on thicker hair. The more messy hair you have, the better, right?
2. Messy White Hair
There’s no age limit when it comes to this style. Pair your messy white strands with a trimmed beard to give the look a more youthful spin.
3. Windblown Messy Hair for Men
This messy style gives the impression that you just climbed off your motorcycle and ran your fingers through your hair. Irresistible, right?
4. Spiky Messy Hair
Rocking a messy look doesn’t mean you can’t style your strands. Run AXE Clean Cut Look: Classic Pomade through your hair to give it a little shape. Using a pomade is a great way to achieve the messy hair look while still having control and shape to the style.
5. Spiked Up Front
Use a little bit of hair gel to spike up the front of your hair and keep the messy look to a minimum. This adds some texture to your strands, making it the perfect mix of not too messy, but not too perfect.
6. Messy Fade
Pair a messy style with a fade haircut to nail two trends at once. This look is sure to be a go-to for a long time.
7. Woke Up Like This Messy Hair for Men
In the ultimate ‘I woke up like this’ style, all you have to do is sleep on damp hair and run your fingers through your strands when you wake up. Easy enough, right?
8. The Messy Man Bun
The women in your life are no doubt big fans of the messy bun. Get in on the love and create one of your own. This trend is great because it’s also practical for guys with longer strands. Need to keep your hair out of your face? Try a man bun!
9. Loose Curls
Looking for messy hairstyles men can wear without too much effort? Simply grow out your hair. The longer length will create the perfect messy style.
10. Messy Hair Boy Looks: Wet Hair
Hopping on to the messy hair boy trend is so easy to do! To achieve a wet hairstyle like this, brush your hair forward and spritz it with a flexible hold hairspray like Dove Style+Care Flexible Hold Hairspray to keep it in place without making your hair hard and crunchy.
11. Sweep it to the Side
Streamline your messy look just a bit by sweeping it over to the side. This is a great way to still achieve the messy hair for men look, without having to deal with your hair in your face all day.
12. Effortless Short Messy Hair for Men
This style allows you to work with your natural texture rather than against it. Skip the hair products and let your hair do its thing.
13. Messy Style for Thinning Hair
Consider this style if you’re dealing with hair loss or thinning hair. A messy style can give the illusion of thicker strands.
14. Embrace Your Cowlick
Use your cowlick to add a touch of easy volume to the front of your messy style. This can help create a natural swooping effect, adding to the overall messy texture of the look.
15. Combed Over (In a Good Way)
Want to achieve that teen heartthrob messy hair boy look? Comb all your strands over into one direction for the ultimate messy style. Bonus points if your hair is long enough to flip out at the ends! If you need extra styling help, a dollop of AXE Messy Look: Matte Gel will do the trick.
16. All Combed Back Medium-Length Hair for Men
Amp up the volume by teasing your hair at the roots and combing it back. This adds messiness to the style while still being controlled.
17. A Grungy Messy Style
Messy meets grunge in this trendy and edgy style. We love this look because it’s appropriate for such a wide variety of occasions.
18. Classic Bowl Cut
Revive a classic bowl cut by embracing a messy texture and make the look more current by incorporating this messy trend.
19. Business Casual
Concerned that you won’t be able to find a messy style that’s appropriate for work? Use this clean-cut look for inspiration.
20. Modern Messy Hairstyles for Men with Bangs
Opt for a messier style and let your bangs air dry for a super laidback look. This shows off the natural texture of your strands, which can lead to a messier style.
21. Centered Afro
Keep the sides of your hair short, and let your afro go all natural in the center. This will create a truly effortless look.
22. Pushed Back Front Medium-Length Hair for Men
Use wax or lightweight gel to push up the front section of your hair. This will give you a messy but still styled look.
23. Swept to the Side
No messy short hair for men’s list could be complete without a stylish side-swept look. Not only will this give you a messier style, but it will also keep your hair out of your face.
24. Tousled Front
If your hair is slightly shorter on the sides, mess up the front section of your hair for a stylish yet tousled style.
25. Front Standing Up
Style the front section of your hair so it stands up in various directions. This will give you the ultimate messy hair for men look.
26. Free-Flowing Curls
Let your natural curly hair shine. To achieve this messy look, all you have to do is air dry your curls and you’re all set! We love Suave Men 2-in-1 Shampoo + Conditioner with Shea Butter & Coconut Oil, with coconut oil, shea butter, and hemp seed oil to keep your locks soft and moisturized.
27. Lived-In Messy Style
Create that lived-in messy medium-length hair for men by pushing the center section of your hair to one side.
28. Stick Straight
Use a gel to stick the front center section of your hair straight up. This adds texture and volume to your style while still having control and light hold.
29. One-Sided Messy Style
Use a gel to create a voluminous one-sided messy style. Whether you’re going out or going to a fancier event, this style works for both!
30. Messy Hair Men Woke Up Like This Style
So, you woke up and your hair is sticking out in practically every direction? That’s perfect for this style! If you want to neaten up any pieces, use wax to help hold the hair in place.
31. Short and Sweet Messy Hairstyles for Men
Who says short hair can’t participate in the messy styles too? Use a lightweight gel to help hair stick out in different directions.
32. Messy Hairstyles for Men: Stylish Waves
No messy look list would be complete without some wavy medium-length hairstyles for men inspo. If you’re blessed with wavy hair, let them air dry and then this style is all set! There’s no need for picture-perfect waves for this messy look.
33. Messy Hair Boy Parted Curls
Change up your typical style by adding a side part. Switching up your part can make a huge difference even if it is a messy look!
34. Messy Hairstyles for Men Man Bun Style
Don’t want to deal with messy hair at all? If you’re stuck in a rut, go for that laid-back look and create a messy man bun – you can’t go wrong here!
35. Dreadlocks Style
Ever wanted to try dreadlocks? Now it’s your chance to try this ‘do out! If you already have dreadlocks, try wearing them in a ponytail or bun.
36. Voluminous Quiff
When your hair is still wet, use a hairdryer to brush the center section in an upward motion to create a voluminous quiff style.
37. Messy Volume
So, maybe you want all-over volume? Dry your hair in the same upward motion as mentioned above, and you’ll be on your way to sky-high hair!
38. All-over Messy Hairstyles for Men
All you have to do is warm up a dime-sized amount of hair wax in your hands, run it through your hair for a lightweight messy hold, and then you’re all set! It really is that easy!
39. Messed Up Center Style
If your hair is shorter on the sides and longer in the center, opt for a messy center style. Just use a lightweight gel to push the center section of hair back and to one side then you’re all set! Don’t worry, you don’t have to be too neat with this style.
40. Messy Hair Boy Disheveled Style
This disheveled look can quickly be achieved with a small amount of gel. All you need to do is run a dime-sized amount of Dove Men + Care Well Defined Taming Gel through your hair to achieve the ultimate messy, but still styled look!
41. Medium Messy Hair
Experimenting with a medium-length fade haircut is the perfect way to try out a messy hairstyle. The longer length at the center of your hair is perfect for creating a messy look.
How to Achieve Messy Hairstyles for Men
Achieving a messy hair look isn’t complicated at all. You can easily do this in no time with just a few products.
How to Style Your Messy Look Men’s Hair
Creating messy hairstyles for men is incredibly easy. If you’re familiar with any of the aforementioned rules, you know that a great style starts in the shower. Suave Men Thick + Full 2-in-1 Shampoo + Conditioner is the efficient thickening wash and care system of your dreams. Give your hair a boost and prepare for strands that feel and look thicker after just one shower. Simply massage the product into wet hair, let it foam up into a lather, and rinse thoroughly.
After your shower, you’ll want to towel dry your strands before raking Bed Head for Men Pure Texture Molding Paste through your hair. Whether you’re working with hair that’s on the shorter side or you’ve grown your strands out into longer locks, this styling paste will add loads of texture and movement to your hair.
Lastly, mist your hair with Suave Extreme Hold Unscented Aerosol Hairspray. This unassuming hairspray will lock your texture in place and give your hair an intentional finish. The results? Easy, messy hair that will give you that bad boy meets fashion week vibe.
Now that you’ve gotten a true taste of messy hairstyles for men, you have plenty of inspo to choose from! Be sure to take a picture of your style and tag us @AllThingsHairUS! Happy styling!